Saturday, December 12, 2009

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Vintage watches fever~~

I have been collecting vintage since 1988. I remember very clearly that during that time, majority of the collectors are focusing on collecting the boy size watches, the Rolex bubbleback, Prince, chronograph, reverso, etc. Most collector will only collect pre 1960s watches are these watches are more then 30 years old. At that time, everyone looked down on the sports model as these were not "vintage enough".

However, the trend now tends to be towards the sports models. Perhaps, the sporst watches have finally managed to gracefully age with time.. more then 30 years old. My latest Rolex 5513 is 44 years old..vintage enough i guess. Anyway, looking and wearing these watches always give me the joy!

Read this interesting web with regards to Early Rolex sub from Singapore...:

http://diving-watch.org/ROLEX-SUBMARINER-5510



Nice 5513 gilt dial

My renewed interest in vintage watch was due to my ex-colleague Dominic. He is on the round the world trip right now.

Keep in touch if you happen to visit my blog..Enjoy!

Monday, November 02, 2009

Rolex 5513 gilt dial coming ~~~

I have finally found one nice condition Rolex 5513 with gilt dial.~~~ will be going to Hong Kong Rolex center for the transfer.

Rolex Submariner, reference 5513, bears the case number 17XXXXX dating from 1966, thereby making this one of the very last of the 5513s with the desirable gilt print 200m/660ft text on the gloss dial.

The 5513 were the first to introduce the 'Crown guards' or 'shoulders' and became the archetype for all diver’s watches. It has the original non triplock crown and domed crystal. My 5513 is a second model with the rounded crown shoulders and the watch has the gloss dial with the printing in gilt and the indices have discoloured to an even yellowish cream tone. As the dial is over 40 years old, it does show some signs of age; there are some small spots under the lacquer and the luminous has spread a little (both problems associated with a humid environment) but it has not been relumed.

The 5513 has suddenly become desirable, after 20 years of sapphire glass models, has a “vintage” look whilst still being an everyday useable watch. Note the appearance of the 5513 on the wrists of models in all the high end advertisements and in their mail order catalogues.

The watch measures 40mm Diam, 48mm lug to lug and is 14mm high; it takes a 20mm strap and a heavy oyster bracelet is fitted to the watch.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rolex 5513~~~~

Hi! I am currently look for the Rolex 5513...There are several versions, 1) with gilt dial, 2) Meter first, 3) feet first... when will my watch appear~~~~

The Rolex Submariner first launched in 1953 and became very famous in the 60´s and 70´s because a British Secret Service agent 007 was wearing them in the following adventures:


Dr. No (1962)
From Russia With Love
(1963)
Goldfinger
(1964)
Thunderball (1965)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Live And Let Die (1973)
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)

The Submariner was also used by military services such as French Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy
















Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Stainless steel Rolex Oyster 1950s

My favourite Rolex bubbleback continue to give me joy in vintage collection. In addition, the 1950s Rolex Oyster winding watches also give me great pleasure. The current fever for Rolex sports models has made these winding watches "under rated" and under values.

The stainless steel Rolex Oyster with bracelet was found in Singapore while the Rolex Oyster ref 6480 with engine turned bezel was found in Kunming China during my recent business trip!

Both watches were in excellent conditions with no rust or deep scratches an both dials are in all original conditions! I remembered one of my first Rolex stainless watch collected in the early 1990 was a steel Role Oyster. I later sold it as the dial was a re-conditioned one. After almost 19 years, I have finally managed to get a similar steel watches..





Friday, July 31, 2009

Rolex 6202 Turn-O-Graph gilt dial

After much searching, I have finally found another Rolex 6202 with an original gilt dial. The price to pay, however, is twice the amount for the previous one.

The 6202is THE VERY FIRST Rolex watch with a rotating bezel.   Considered by many as the base model on which the Submariner, Sea-Dweller, Thunderbird and Yachtmaster were built.

Since I have decided to keep a series of Rolex bubbleback and semi-bubbleback, this 6202 with original gilt dial is a must as I have grouped it as part of the extension of skus belonging to the Bubbleback series.

The Turn-O-Graph was presented at the Basel Fair in 1953, the year of production of the present watch. The model was always fitted with a rotating bezel with five minute divisions, referred to as a "time-recording-rim" by Rolex. Designed to be used as a simplified chronograph version for timing events for up to an hour, it was promoted as being able to calculate the "Timing of a transatlantic telephone call, the rate of a machine, a patient's pulse, the speed of a train or the development of a film".

Despite its brilliant concept, the model was at the time not as successful as expected by Rolex, mainly due to the simultaneous in-house competition from the Submariner and the GMT-Master, but enjoys today great popularity amongst collectors.




Monday, July 27, 2009

Rolex 6202

Just sold off my Rolex 6202 last week to a collector. .. : (

To get back another Rolex 6202 will not be easy as now I will have to pay double the amount in order to get one back. The only consolation is that the watch comes with the original gilt dial..

Hope the watch will arrive tonight...

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Rolex 8171

I am very close at getting the Rolex 8171 after a very long search! The watch is currently under servicing and I shall hopefully be able to get them in Mid August...

Can't wait!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Spiral Paillard unique watch





This is a special watch. Spriral Paillard unique vintage pocket watch that has been re-cased for easy everyday use.
* To look at the hour reading, look at the register at 3 o'clock
* The long hand will show the minute reading. while the register at the 9 o' clock will show the minutes reading.
* To adjust the minute hand, one has to press the lever at 2 o' clock position. A vintage watch trying to be "modern"!

Ulysee Nardin Swisse Chronograph






Having been collecting vintage watches since 1988, my collection has grew to a point where I need to streamline my collection to a manageable level.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Omega speedmaster chronograph moon

To keep my watch collection tight, I have been streamlining my watch collection lately..

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Polaris deep sea auto calendar alarm




Estimate only some 1,200 Polaris watches were ever produced in the 60ties. the Polaris name is derived from the U.S. Nuclear Sub and the JLC marketing effort that is related to the commanders of the Sub once being offered Geophysique watches.

As a tribute to the 175th anniversay, JLC has relaunched the Polaris:
Please see:
http://journal.hautehorlogerie.org/en/media/new-models/jaeger-lecoultre-memovox-tribute-to-polaris.html

http://www.watchdoor.com/ShowArticle.asp?subid=102&id=3442
http://watches.infoniac.com/jaeger-lecoultre-memovox-tribute-to-polaris.html

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Cloisonne Revue Thommen Cricket Alarm Swiss Enamel




Cloisonne Revue Thommen Cricket Alarm Swiss Enamel

I have always love vintage cloisonne enamel dial watch. My latest find is a Revue Thommen cricket alarm wristwatch with a nice Rooster dial.

Revue Thommen is famous for making alarm watch during the 1950s. This Rooster design will fit in nicely with my other enamel dial watches... : )

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Vintage Lange
















I have found quite a number of pocket watches that has been converted to wristwatch for easy very day use. This is a vinatge Lange watch with nice movement. Looking at the price of Lange watch now, these vintage one will be a value for money buy! With the trend moving extremely big watches, this size is very In...





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I am facing issues with saving my blog with photos and I cannot seemed to log on using  my ipad. Perhaps, the days have pme to end the blog....