Vintage Swiss Watches

Romantic Rose Gold Vintage Watches

drbob — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:04:13 +0000

For decades, American watch buyers were enthralled by yellow gold, but in recent years that passion has largely shifted to pink and rose gold. Indeed, the rose-gold category has emerged as the leading precious metal available in today’s market. Its warm hues are derived by adding various amounts of copper to gold. The more added, the richer the tone. Depending on the ratio, the resulting color appears softer or richer, with each shade gradient assigned one of three specific codes: 3N, 4N, and 5N—from pale pink to deep, dusky rose.

Rose gold experienced a wave of popularity during the 1940s, when pure gold was more difficult to come by. Postwar, watchmakers and jewelry designers reverted back to traditional yellow and white gold as the mainstays. For purely stylistic reasons, however, the last decade has seen a shift back toward the copper-infused alloys.

The richness of rose, especially when accented with a stunning bracelet, offers a definite statement of modern style and stature. It also brings a certain authenticity to today’s fashionable retro trend, with watchmakers reinterpreting vintage 1940s watches nearly without exception. Indeed, rose- and pink-gold timepieces have become the universal must-have among today’s serious collectors and casual buyers alike.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Special Edition watch ($36,150) features a Goldust Dream mother-of-pearl Roman dial. It is crafted in Rolex’s proprietary 18k Everose gold (created as a special alloy) and features a bezel set with 12 diamonds and another 11 on the dial.

Crafted entirely in 18k rose gold, the ladies Omega Constellation Co-Axial watch ($25,700) features an alluring satin and polished link bracelet. Housing the Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8521 movement, the timepiece also boasts a unique, rich brown dial.

Chopard’s Happy Sport Mini watch ($33,660) has a tobacco-colored dial and is set with 34 diamonds weighing a total of one carat. It also features five moving diamonds, houses a quartz movement, and is water-resistant to 30 meters.

Frédérique Constant’s Ladies Automatic ($4,250) houses a 25-jewel automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve, as well as an Incabloc shock absorber. The movement is beautifully decorated with guilloché patterning and dual heart-shaped cutouts, and is visible through a sapphire caseback.

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About Vintage Omega Wristwatches

drbob — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:46:42 +0000

In 1848, Louis Brandt, the descendant of a watch making family and a resident of the Swiss clock-making center of La Chaux-de-Fonds, started assembling pocket watches out of parts from local clockmakers. By 1889, Louis Brandt & Fils, the precursor to Omega, was the largest watch manufacturer in Switzerland, producing more than 100,000 watches annually.

The first Omega wristwatch — in fact, it was one of the first industrially made wristwatches in the world — appeared in 1900. It had a silver double-hinged case, fixed attachments for a bracelet-strap, a guilloché back, enamel dial, Arabic hour numerals, and pear-shaped hands. This was followed in 1902 with a men’s wristwatch for watch maker Edwin J. Vokes of Bath and the Kirby Beard department store in Paris. A women’s version of the watch appeared in 1910.

During World War I, Omega made wristwatches for British Royal Flying Corps and communications troops in the U.S. Army. These military wristwatches had a white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, radium skeleton hands, and either a chrome-plated metal or silver case. Some versions featured a tempered-steel grid over the watch face to protect it from shocks.

Omega created a shock of its own in 1925 when it introduced its Ladies’ Jewelry Watch at the Paris Decorative Arts Exhibition. This fashion-forward timepiece had a rectangular platinum case, which, along with the bracelet, was set with a large sapphire and 82 diamonds.

The 1940s were a very busy time for Omega. In addition to making watches for the military during World War II, Omega introduced its Chronomètre in 1942. This handsome, highly accurate wristwatch had a silvered dial, Arabic numerals, and black wire hands. Best of all, its stainless-steel case was water-resistant.

After the war, in 1947, Omega produced its first calendar watch — now wearers could get the time, date, day, month, and moon phase at a glance. And in 1948, the Seamaster (based on designs created for the RAF) arrived in both chronometer and standard versions.
1952 brought the first Omega Constellation. The "connie," as vintage Constellations are known to collectors, was self-winding, had gold hour markers, and was water-resistant to 30 meters. The Ladymatic from 1955 was Omega’s first self-winding ladies' watches (a women’s version of the Seamaster), and the Sapphette from the same year continued in the tradition established by the 1925 Jewelry Watch.
The watch that would permanently cement Omega’s reputation for accuracy and reliability arrived in 1956. It was a chronograph watch called the Speedmaster. Within a decade, NASA had selected it for all of the space agency’s manned missions, but only after it withstood a battery of severe tests, including performing at zero gravity, in proximity to magnetic fields, and at temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius.

The crew of Gemini 3 was the first to wear Speedmaster Professionals, as they were now known. But the watch gained its greatest acclaim on July 21, 1969 when it was strapped to the wrist of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon — according to his watch, the time was 02:56 GMT. Thereafter, the Speedmaster Professional was called the Moon Watch.

Omega produced a commemorative Speedmaster Professional to acknowledge this accomplishment but it did not rest on its laurels. In 1970, the Speedmaster helped rescue the Apollo 13 mission from a potential disaster — explosions had destroyed the spacecraft’s timing instruments, so astronauts and ground control alike relied on Omega wristwatches. And during the historic Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous, Speedmaster Professionals were also worn in 1975 by American astronaut Tom Stafford and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov.

Key terms for Antique and Vintage Omega Wristwatches:

Chronograph: A watch that also records time intervals (like a stopwatch).

Chronometer: A watch that has been certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute not to lose more than four seconds per day, nor to gain more than six.

Guilloché: An engraving technique that uses mechanical means to create precise, intricate, and repetitive patterns and designs.

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The Art of Curating a Watch Collection

drbob — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:17:59 +0000

Just over a year ago, John, a 40-something executive, was passing by a watch store as he had done countless times before when he suddenly stopped and went inside. For months he had been eyeing a certain timepiece in the window. Approximately $6,000 and one hour later, John emerged from the store, his wrist clad in an impressive piece by IWC. This first serious watch acquisition would be, he thought at the time, his only serious watch acquisition. Today John is the proud owner of more than a dozen important timepieces, each valued at well over that initial $6,000—and he admits he is nowhere near done.

“I found that I just love watches. I love the mechanics of them, their design and their personality. Each one makes a statement about who I am,” says John. “They are the only accessory that I can wear all the time that becomes a true conversation piece—and I have had many a conversation about them.”

Indeed, according to another John—John Reardon, senior vice president overseeing watches and clocks at Sotheby’s—most collectors “find watches to be an extremely personal statement. People who are building a watch wardrobe actually want to wear their watches, so they need to be educated and informed, they need to find a trusted partner or advisor when buying a watch and they need to tread cautiously.”
In today’s world, timepieces can appreciate in value as much as 30 percent in the ensuing years, making building a watch wardrobe a smart investment. The easiest way to start: Educate yourself, of course. There are numerous books that highlight the finest watches in the world. Every noteworthy brand has a website with a range of photos and an outline of every last specification, and a host of trade publications can direct you to what is best. Additionally, find someone—a retailer, an auction house or even another collector— to help navigate your pursuit of the perfect collection. The fluctuations in price, design, styling and technology can befuddle, and purchasing the wrong watch for you can prove a costly regret.

Dollars and Sense
Naturally, design is not a consideration to be taken lightly. A mechanical marvel that one person loves, another will easily shrug his shoulders at, even if it will triple or quadruple in value over the next 20 years. Selection is a personal choice, as budgetary concerns like price and the size of your wardrobe will dictate which watches you ultimately hone in on. Conversely, perhaps the only concern for a noninvestment buyer is wearability—making the timepieces fit the lifestyle.

The real rule of thumb is to have a target price for each and every watch you plan to buy—and then to stick to it. A strong watch wardrobe covers all price ranges, with comfortable weekend and sport watches starting at a few hundred dollars, building to the mid-range business or boardroom styles in the thousands, and culminating in heirloom-quality masterpieces complete with mechanics such as perpetual calendars that can touch six figures.

The predominant range for many watch wardrobes lies between $25,000 and $75,000. “A Patek in this price is one of the most understated pieces, but it makes one of the most powerful statements. It says so much about a person’s knowledge of worth and watches, and his fearlessness of price points,” says Reardon.

Note that a good number of the boundarypushing contemporary designs created by independent watchmakers fall between $100,000 and a half-million dollars. If you have the money, this is the ideal appreciation zone: The brands here offer artistically inspired creations, technological innovations and advanced designs and concepts destined to become the next legendary timepieces.

Be a Curator
Some people buy a watch based on an affinity for a certain category or brand. One collector told me that of his more than 100 watches, nearly 70 have blue dials or bezels simply because he loves the color. Another collector purchases only military- and aviation-inspired timepieces since he feels they suit his personality. Yet another buys only the brands considered the ne plus ultra of watchmaking—Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, for instance—because they will always retain their value.

“The concepts in building a watch wardrobe are limitless,” says James Seuss, CEO of Tourneau. “You can buy only chronographs or only vintage; you can buy all complications, or buy across the board and have a watch for every aspect of your lifestyle. Most of our customers already own a chronograph, a vintage watch and a weekend watch. They’re ready to push the needle and go for something daring or complex like a Lange or a Hautlence. No matter what you buy, you want to be sure you will wear it and enjoy it.”
Just as there is no set price at which a watch becomes an absolute necessity, there is no set number of watches to own— although most experts agree that five is an acceptable minimum. For most men, this entails a sport watch, a casual weekend watch, a business watch and a specialty watch, reliable everyday pieces to which they can add as they please. But for the true connoisseur, once that spark is lit, the tally can easily stretch into the double digits.

“I don’t think anyone ever stops buying watches once he has the passion inside him,” says independent watchmaker Richard Mille. “Today’s real watch lovers look for innovation and for creative implementation of truly useful functions. I love the idea of people wanting watches, but we must give them a sense of the art of watchmaking. The watch cannot be esoteric; it must be part of their lifestyle, in totally wearable form.”

Time Is Money: Investing in Luxury Watches

drbob — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:24:08 +0000

By: James Longman
Special to CNBC.com

Rarity, complexity and condition make all the difference when looking for a luxury watch. But while there are major gains to be made, it takes a good eye to know the difference between a clever investment, and a waste of time.

In such a vast and specialist industry where prices range from $1,500 into the millions, it’s difficult to know where to start. But the prospective investor can head to auction to find some of the most lucrative deals on luxury time pieces.
Geoffroy Ader of Sotheby’s says demand is highest for the best known names. "Most demands are based on the brands …the two ‘star’ brands are Rolex and Patek Philippe," Ader told CNBC.

Alfredo Paramico, fund manager at Precious Times which invests in luxury and rare time pieces, agreed that name is everything in this glamorous market.
Paramico brought three of the most exclusive watches in his collection – with a combined value of $40 million - into the CNBC studio.

"Here we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to have all together these three wrist watches, that are probably three of the most important watches in history ever," he said, displaying the platinum and white gold Patek Philippes.
Explaining the story and history behind each watch, Paramico showed that time pieces – just like luxury jewellery, antiques or wine – have a provenance which forms part of the value of the item.

The 18 carat white gold Patek Philippe he brought with him had sold in 1995 for 400,000 Swiss francs ($430,000). By 2010, its value had hit over 3.2 million ($3.47 million).

Heading to an established antique dealer is one way to source a watch with a proven history and origin. George Somlo of Somlo Antiques in London explained that investing in the right vintage watch is a good bet for troubled financial times.
"We’ve had many recessions over the past forty years, none of them quite like this one, but buying antique or vintage wristwatches and pocket watches has always been a very solid investment," Somlo said.
With Swiss watch exports up 19 percent in the first six months of the year, reaching $9 billion, the most significant demand has come from Asia.

Alan Walker, of technology consultancy Capgemini told CNBC that watch investment was on the up: "within the investments of passion category, it’s about 22 percent for jewellery, watches and gems.
"What we really noticed last year is exponential growth in Asia, in particular mainland China and Hong Kong, so that’s where the growth is coming from at the moment…we are seeing record returns."
Although an unusual investment, watch-buying can be more than just a hobby for the super rich; you don’t have to be a big spender to get into this market.

"It’s not a question of how much you can invest," said Paramico, "I think it’s important that you buy a watch which is in very good condition and is totally original, even if it’s a $2,000 watch. Quality is a key issue in this business, approximation is definitely forbidden."

He advised to look at the brand; even with contemporary watches, a good, established name will hold its value.
Paramico also gave his hint for a smart watch investment. For $5,000, he said a rose gold 1940 Patek Philippe with a square case is a good bet for the future.

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Vintage Watches: The Lure of Luxury

drbob — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:34:30 +0000

The world economy may be sitting in a ditch, but cashed-up collectors are still shelling out stratospheric sums for rare, vintage and collectable watches.

This year's top ticket item so far is a 1928 Patek Philippe, which changed hands at auction for a cool SFr3.24 million ($3.81 million). Another wealthy bidder snared a 1942 Rolex for SFr1.04 million ($1.22 million); the highest price the make has ever fetched at auction.

Australia has its share of high-end fanatics - those prepared to spend six figures on limited edition models from the big Swiss brands - and a bombardment of luxury watch advertisements in glossy weekend magazines aims to woo the rest of us.
In fact advertising spend for watches in Australia rose over 20 per cent to $20.2 million this year, with the vast majority of this sum devoted to the luxury segment.
So what is it about the watch that excites masculine interest in a way that few other products, with the exception of the motor car, are capable of doing?

Tag Heuer lead designer Christoph Behling says it's because it offers a unique combination of beauty and complexity.

“There is a kind of fascination because of the mechanical heritage of the object. The mechanisms haven't really changed for decades and they don't become obsolete. There are not many other objects you can say that about.”

Marketing manager at Avstev Group, the Australian distributor of Swiss brands, including Raymond Weil and Frederique Constant, Marc Rom says image plays a big part in the purchase.

“At the back of their minds, men notice and judge other men on their watches, as they do on their cars."

Paul McMillan, an analyst at IBISWorld, says watches are "one of the only 'bling' items a lot of guys think they can get away with".
“If you're wearing corporate clothes and earning a certain income, it becomes something of a status symbol,” he said.
When it comes to premium watches, the attraction is primarily a male one. According to Philip Richards, general manager for LVMH Australia, women's watches account for 35 per cent of sales in Australia. Female buyers may splash out on something if they think it's top quality, or they like the design, but it's men who really drive the market.

They become emotionally invested in their purchase, they're not bothered by the price tag and they often end up owning several pieces; rotating them with, rather than replacing, their original choice.

And although they may look longingly for years, many men don't consummate their love affair with the luxury watch until their late 20s, when their salaries start to climb.

Typically, they'll start with a sports model, then augment the collection later with something dressier.

“It's one of the first purchases in a man's career when you have a little money,” Mr Behling says. “You buy it because it's the right time and you want it – it's a purchase of passion.”

And it's usually a considered one. Some buyers spend up to a year researching, window shopping and trying on, before they make their choice.
As part of the process, they may exchange opinions with other watch owners on forums like timezone.com or consult specialist publications such as WatchTime magazine.

According to managing editor Mark Bernando, the publication's 'watch test' articles, which examine every detail of a piece, from the polishing of its case to the accuracy of its movement, are among its most popular.

“Our readers take the decision of which watch to choose very seriously,” Mr Bernando says. “For them, it's about the whole package, not just the looks, the cost or the brand name.”

The latter however can count for a great deal. While they may appreciate the timeless mechanical beauty of what they've got strapped to their left wrist, many men are anxious that others do too.

Tag Heuer's latest top end offering is the platinum Monaco V4 which runs on miniature belt drives and ball bearings, rather than the usual cog system. It retails for $110,000 and Australian buyers have snapped up five of the 150 units released to market.

Further down the price scale, sales are also ticking over. Swiss watch exports to Australia totaled $91,278,395 in the six months from January to July this year, according to Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry figures. The bulk of this figure is accounted for by mid-range sales – customers who are prepared to drop between $1000 and $10,000 for a shiny new timepiece.

McMillan says there are plenty of buyers in this bracket and they're becoming more discerning about how they spend their disposable income.

“People are seeing prestige products as giving good value over the lifecycle of the product,” Mr McMillan says. “The 70s and 80s idea of eschewing premium goods, as part of the Australian identity has changed and we're becoming more enamoured with premium brands.”

The New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show to Open This Week

drbob — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:22:56 +0000

Glamorous antique show kicks off this Friday, featuring more than 100 exhibitors and spectacular collections from around the world

US Antique Shows, a major producer of antique shows in North America, announced that it will open its doors to the public for its 5th Annual New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show this Friday, July 22nd at 1:00 p.m. at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

The show, which runs from July 22-25, will be celebrating five successful years and a sold out show. "Our location, in the jewelry capital of the world, makes this show extremely popular amongst dealers," stated Andrea Canady, Fair Director. "This show provides an intimate setting for dealers and buyers to converge and conduct business. The show sees heavy public traffic as they enjoy this rare opportunity to shop where the dealers buy."

Some of the highlights of the show include:
• 100 of the most prestigious antique dealers from around the world will descend upon New York to showcase some of the most impressive collections of jewelry and timepieces rarely available to the public.
• Buyers will be able to view and purchase highly sought antique jewelry, including exceptional gemstones and colored pearls, estate jewels as well as exquisite personal timepieces representing multiple periods throughout history and impressive provenances, in some instances having belonged to an historical figure, royalty, or celebrity.
• Rare and exquisite signed pieces from a wide variety of designer pieces will include well-known brands such as Harry Winston, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Patek Philippe, Tiffany & Co, Rolex, etc.
• The show floor will be permeated by antique collectors, New York socialites and celebrities perusing the latest trends in antique jewelry and watches.

Show hours are from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, from 11:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday, July 23-24th, and from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25th. Admission fee is $15 to attend all four days of the show. For more information about the show, or to purchase tickets, please call (239) 732-6642 or visit The New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show.

Geneva Vintage Watch Auctions net 38.9 million Swiss Francs

drbob — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:41:10 +0000

Auctions ticked through five centuries of watch making in Geneva.
Sales at Sotheby's and Antiquorum on Sunday, followed by Christie's on Monday, spanned decorative antique pocket and pendant watches to today's icons of the trade, such as Patek Philippe and Rolex.

In two days, the three auction houses sold timepieces for a total value of 38.9 million Swiss francs (€31 million). "The market is expanding," says Aurel Bacs, international head of Christie's watch department. "The number of bidders is growing from season to season." Christie's result of 23.4 million francs was a 25% increase from the Geneva auction a year earlier.

A rare, oversized stainless-steel splitsecond chronograph from 1942 set a world auction record when the Rolex wristwatch sold at Christie's for 1.04 million Swiss francs (€828,566).

Geoffroy Ader, Sotheby's European head of watches, notes that demand is driven by "the continued broadening of the market to wider geographical areas and a new generation of sophisticated collectors." The "big growth" is in collectors from mainland China, Taiwan and countries in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Thailand, Mr. Bacs observes.

The highest price in Geneva was paid at Christie's for a white-gold, single-button chronograph watch made in 1928 by Patek Philippe. It was estimated at 1.5 million francs to 2.5 million francs and sold for 3.24 million francs. Patek Philippe also took second spot for a 1948 pink-gold, perpetual-calendar chronograph watch with moon phases and a pink dial, which sold for 1.14 million francs (estimate: 700,000 francs-1.5 million francs); and third spot for a stainless-steel and gold chronograph wristwatch from 1943, which fetched 1.11 million francs (estimate: 500,000 francs-800,000 francs).

Patek Philippe also topped Sotheby's sale with a rare yellow-gold perpetual-calendar wristwatch from around 1960. It brought 722,500 francs, within its estimate of 600,000 francs to 1 million francs.
A world auction record for any Rolex wristwatch was achieved at Christie's when an oversized, stainless-steel split-seconds chronograph from 1942 sold for 1.04 million francs (estimate: 600,000 francs-1 million francs). The model wasn't sold in shops, but given by Rolex to celebrities in the motoring world. Only 12 were produced, and eight are known to have survived.

Errors can be an attraction. At Sotheby's, a Rolex gold chronograph wristwatch from around 1989 with a very rare mistake on the part of the producer fetched 122,500 francs (estimate: 80,000 francs-120,000 francs). Instead of the 15 minutes indicator, 13 minutes is printed. According to Sotheby's, the collector who bought the watch was initially upset about the error, but then grew fond of it, keeping it on his wrist rather than taking up Rolex's offer to replace it.

Among the most eye-catching items in Geneva were antique watches made for the Chinese and Turkish markets. At Sotheby's, two early-19th-century, English enamel watches set with pearls and decorated with flowers that were made for the Chinese market were each estimated at 30,000 francs to 50,000 francs and each soared to 92,500 francs. At Christie's, a Swiss gold, enamel and diamond-set watch circa 1820 in the form of a butterfly that was produced for the Turkish market was estimated at 12,000 francs to 16,000 francs and fetched 42,500 francs.

For the first time, Sotheby's Geneva sale had a special section devoted to watches made for Indian dignitaries in the 19th century. The "Rajah Watches," as they are known, are decorated with portraits of their owners. Of these, a gold enamel watch from around 1920 with a portrait of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in elaborate dress and jewelry sold for 122,500 francs against an estimate of 20,000 francs to 30,000 francs.

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Patek Philippe Ref 2419 Brings $710,500 At Auction

drbob — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:14:12 +0000

Antiquorum conducted a highly spirited and extremely successful auction of modern and vintage timepieces on March 10, totaling $4,460,162. The auction of 275 rare and collectible timepieces drew a standing-room-only crowd, in addition to 301 registered Internet bidders and phone bidders from around the world. Aggressive international bidding came from countries such as China, the Russian Federation, Qatar and Canada, as well as from across the United States. Strong prices were achieved, resulting in 81 percent sold by lot and 125 percent sold by value.

Patek Philippe Ref 2419 minute-repeating wristwatch retailed by Cartier in 1950 was the sale's top lot, selling to a Chinese bidder for $710,500.

The competitive bidding for the exceptional Patek Philippe Ref 2419 was undoubtedly the highlight of the sale. The rare Patek Philippe inspired tremendous excitement in the salesroom and on the Internet. Ultimately, the unique minute-repeating wristwatch retailed by Cartier sold for an astounding $710,500 to a Chinese bidder.

"We are thrilled by the sale's outcome," said Evan Zimmermann, the firm's president and chief executive officer. "The spectacular results for the exceptional minute-repeating Patek Philippe Ref 2419 wristwatch retailed by Cartier confirms that collectors today are willing to pay a premium for watches that are unique and new to the market."

Furthermore, several other Patek Philippe timepieces achieved exceptional results, confirming that complicated Patek Philippe watches continue to dominate the top lots at auction. The Celestial Ref 5102 sold for a notable $218,500, while the Patek Philippe Ref 3450 in 18K yellow gold with Roman leap year display and the Patek Philippe Ref 3448 in yellow gold with perpetual calendar each achieved $158,500.

In addition, Audemars Piguet continues to attain strong results for the rare examples, with the stainless steel Minute Repeater No. 1 fetching $62,500 and the 18K rose gold rectangular jump hour Minute Repeater No. 8, especially sought after by Asian bidders, which sold for $48,750.

Further highlighting that complications continue to be the focus among collectors, Jaeger-LeCoultre attained excellent results for its examples — the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 sold for an impressive $266,500, and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Minute Repeater in pink gold achieved $86,500.

Finally, Rolex confirmed its resurgence with strong bidding across all price levels and highlighted by the Paul Newman Ref 6241, which achieved $73,300, and the Rolex Ref 6238, which sold for $40,000.

PATEK PHILIPPE 3473 18K YG CALATRAVA VINTAGE VERY RARE ARCHIVES REQUESTED
	$8,900.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 8:32:39 PST Buy It Now for only: $16,000.00 Buy It Now \| Bid now

Vintage Patek Philipp chronometro Gondolo 18k case
	$5,600.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 9:57:39 PST Buy It Now for only: $5,600.00 Buy It Now

Vintage Patek Philippe Wristwatch Ref 2461 18k
	$7,500.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 9:58:08 PST Buy It Now for only: $7,500.00 Buy It Now

Patek Philippe Calatrava Vintage 18k Yellow Gold 2448
	$9,900.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 10:24:35 PST Buy It Now for only: $9,900.00 Buy It Now

Patek Philippe 1590 1590J 18K Yellow Vintage CLAW LUGS
	$12,000.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 11:30:15 PST Buy It Now for only: $12,000.00 Buy It Now

Patek Philippe Calatrava Vintage 18k Yellow Gold 2506 Watch Year 1956
	$8,500.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 13:30:15 PST Buy It Now for only: $8,500.00 Buy It Now

MENS VINTAGE PATEK PHILIPPE WATCH 18K SOLID GOLD 2488
	$6,899.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 13:30:19 PST Buy It Now for only: $6,899.00 Buy It Now

Rare Vintage Patek Phillipe 2594 Platinum Pre Owned
	$13,999.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 17:44:28 PST Buy It Now for only: $15,999.00 Buy It Now \| Bid now

About Vintage Rolex Wristwatches

drbob — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:55:59 +0000

Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis, the company that would become Rolex has British and Swiss roots. It was established in London as an importer of Swiss Aegler wristwatch movements, which Wilsdorf and Davis inserted into cases and sold to jewelers, who would then put their store name on the dial. The word "Rolex" was trademarked in 1908 so that Wilsdorf and Davis would have a name of their own to put on some of these watches.

It is not precisely clear where the word "Rolex" came from. Most authorities say the name derives from horlogerie exquise, which is French for "exquisite watch making." Others, including wristwatch collector Jeff Hess, believe the name was simply made up.
And then there’s the story of how Hans Wilsdorf’s partner and brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, wanted his watches to have the quality of a Rolls Royce and the ubiquity of a Timex. Borrowing the beginning and end of those two venerable brands, Davis created a new one of his own, or so the legend goes.

Whatever its origins, the name stuck, but wristwatches were still a curiosity at the beginning of the 20th century. To gain the public’s trust, Aegler had its movements tested by timing laboratories in Bienne, while Wilsdorf and Davis did the same at the Kew Observatory in England. In 1914, the movement was awarded a Class A Certificate, Kew’s first chronometer rating for a wristwatch.
In 1920, Rolex relocated to Geneva, where it remains headquartered to this day. But the major event of the 1920s for the growing company was the introduction of the Rolex Oyster in 1926. This waterproof wristwatch was given a serious test (and garnered much publicity) a year later when a young stenographer named Mercedes Gleitze wore a Rolex Oyster when she became the first British woman to swim the English Channel.

The vintage Oysters from the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s are among the most collectible Rolexes on the market today. Especially rare is the original Oyster from 1926, with its classic cushion-shape case, and the first Rolex Oyster Perpetual, a self-winding wristwatch developed in 1931.

Other vintage Oysters to look for are the Piccolinos from the 1930s, the "bubble-back" models from the 1940s, the cloisonné-dial watches from the 1950s, and the commemorative Rolex Oyster Observatory Chronometer "Kew A" Certificate from 1953.
Another Rolex watch model to gain prominence in the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s was the Prince, a slender, rectangular dress watch with cases made of sterling silver and various combinations of pink, white, and yellow gold — the striped cases are particularly handsome.

After the war, in 1945, Rolex celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Datejust, the first self-winding chronometer to show the date in a window on the dial. The 1950s brought the Submariner (1953) and GMT (1954) lines, the latter a favorite of Pan Am pilots and test pilot Chuck Yeager. The Explorer also appeared in the 1950s — its most famous customer was Sir Edmund Hillary, who wore a Rolex Explorer when he summited Mt. Everest in 1953.

Finally, in 1961, Rolex introduced its Cosmograph Daytona line to mark the 24 Hours of Daytona race (Rolex was one of the race’s sponsors). The most collectible watches in this vintage Rolex line are the so-called Paul Newman Daytonas, whose sub-dials are in a contrasting color from the main dial, and whose sub-dial faces feature blocks instead of lines to mark unnumbered minutes and decorative crosshairs at their centers. Paul Newman Daytonas can be further verified by making sure they have any of the following Reference numbers: 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, or 6265.

Rolex Mens Vintage Stainless Steel Non-Date Submariner 5513
List Price: ~~$12,500.00~~
Sale Price: $5,977.70
You save: $6,522.30 (52%)
Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Description

Rolex Mens Vintage Stainless Steel Non-Date Submariner With Black Dial. Features A Stainless Steel Oyster Band And Black Rotating Bezel. Model Number: 5513

Mint Vintage Rolex Oyster Submariner 300m 1000ft Anchor
	$49.89 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 2:27:34 PST Buy It Now for only: $49.89 Buy It Now

Rare Vintage 1959 Rolex GMT Submariner Explorer Instruction Guarantee Booklet
	$900.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 2:31:38 PST Buy It Now for only: $900.00 Buy It Now

Rare Vintage 1958 Rolex TUDOR Submariner Instruction Guarantee Booklet
	$600.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 4:15:16 PST Buy It Now for only: $600.00 Buy It Now

Rare Vintage 1961 Rolex GMT Submariner Explorer CHRONOMETER Guarantee Booklet
	$650.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 4:15:52 PST Buy It Now for only: $650.00 Buy It Now

Excellent Vintage 18K Rolex Submariner Ref 16808
	$14,875.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 6:33:08 PST Buy It Now for only: $14,875.00 Buy It Now

ROLEX VINTAGE SUBMARINER 1680 18K BLUE DIAL 1970
	$20,000.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 11:59:15 PST Buy It Now for only: $20,000.00 Buy It Now

Vintage Rolex Submariner Meters First 5513 Circa 1975
	$4,250.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 12:31:04 PST Buy It Now for only: $4,250.00 Buy It Now

ROLEX SUBMARINER TROPIC 19 SUPERDOME CRYSTAL 5512 5513 ORIGINAL VINTAGE CRYSTAL

$300.00
End Date: Thursday Feb-23-2012 12:47:05 PST

Bid now

Vintage Watches Make Great Collector’s Items

drbob — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:55:42 +0000

Timepieces have been developed for centuries. Starting as sundials and evolving to sophisticated pieces of machinery and technology, watches have been sought after and appreciated as functional and appealing accessories. Men in particular have been interested lately in the collecting of classic watches, since many vintage timepieces were designed for men and many women's watch models were not created until relatively recently on the horticulture timeline.

Classic or vintage watches make amazing collector's items and gifts for collectors because of all they can bring to a collection, all of the experience and excitement that goes along with such a piece of history. Timepieces have long been not just functional as time-tellers, but also as indicators of status and indicative of the level of prestige of which an individual may be deserving. While these timepieces are so sought after and alluring, it is also important to note that there are a number of forgeries among classic watches and it is important to be on the lookout when collecting vintage or classic timepieces. No matter from what period an individual is collecting timepieces, this can be a very expensive hobby and it is important to protect this investment and ensure that the timepieces an individual is purchasing are authentic. No one wants to purchase a timepiece just to find out it is a fake, so make sure to confirm the authenticity of any timepiece prior to its purchase in order to protect yourself and your investment. There are a few key things to take into consideration when examining the collectability of a timepiece. In particular, the popularity, desirability and condition of the timepiece should be considered. There are a number of factors which may influence how enticing a timepiece may be as they are being considered for collectability. Historical milestones are always impressive pieces of a collection, including the first automatic timepiece, as is the technical quality and/or innovative design of the timepiece.

It is also important to consider the historical importance of a timepiece. Conditions of timepieces also need to be considered, especially in relation to similar timepieces or models in existence. If there is a low survival rate of a particular timepiece, this will make it more impressive and alluring to collectors. Collectors will also likely want to consider what potential a particular timepiece exhibits by way of investment.

For the most part, timepieces will be categorized as being uncommon, scarce, rare and extremely rare. At the same time, timepieces may be collectable, very collectable, highly collectable and an investment grade collectable timepiece, respectively. Some of the timepieces which are particularly collectible and desirable include the Rolex Daytona, the Vacheron Constantin, the Cartier Panthere, the Rolex Zephyr and the Gruen Curvex. When it comes to collecting timepieces, it is important to remember that the hobby does not need to be expensive or exclusive. Not all timepieces collected need to be in pristine condition. Rather, collecting vintage timepieces can include fixing them up and making them aesthetically appealing again. Watches are personal pieces and accessories and having a collection of them can truly bring to life a number of individual human experiences.