2018 Q1 Review

For 2018 Q1 Review

The following are the new watches In and old watches Out. 3 In and 3 out so the total quantities have not increased. It is not easy letting go as every piece is a treasure.

Watches In:

1. King Faisal watch from the Middle East

2. Rolex Bubbleback from Hong Kong

3. Omega Constellation Gilt dial from Hong Kong

Watches Out:

1. Rolex Oysterdate Wide boy

2. Rolex Oysterdate Mickey

Vintage Rolex rose gold and Steel Oysterdate ref 1601

I was visiting my regular dealer friend Mr. Wong one weekend and saw this Rolex Oysterdate in rose gold bezel and steel in the black dial. I have always love the rose gold bezel and crown Oysterdate. This one is special as it has the desirable black dial as well. I was very excited as this black dial in rose gold bezel is very rare and I didn't have enough cash with me. Mr. Wong has kindly agreed to reserve for me. Even though the bracelet needs some tightening work, the watch head is fine. Finally, this watch come safely home to join with the rest of my Datejust collection.

Rose gold and steel 1601 in white and black dial versus yellow 6039 Thunderbird

Omega Constellation Pie Pan gilt dial

For the collectors who understand vintage watches, they will appreciate the black gilt dial. I have just sold away my Voit diver watch in order to get this Omega Constellation with the rare pie pan black gilt dial as part of my exercise in keeping a tighter collection of Omega watches, which is getting harder to find especially with an original Omega metal bracelet.

八卦面,曲耳,黑面金字,星座

Small collection of Omega Pie pan dial.

Omega Constellation Pie Pan dial

This afternoon, I have traded my Gado Chronogtaph for a vintage Omega Constellation Pie Pan dial with bracelet in order not to increase the number of watches and to try to keep a tighter vintage Omega collection.

Rolex bubbleback

The Rolex Bubbleback was launched in 1933 and featured the first auto-rotor.  Rolex was not the first to create the automatic movement, but this watch does signify the company’s success in developing a self-winding movement.  Rolex created the auto-rotor movement from the Aegler movement in Hunter watches that featured a “perpetual motion” winding mass.  Rolex patented its first successful perpetually self-winding wristwatch in 1932 and introduced the Bubbleback one year later.  Like most authentic vintage Rolex timepieces a Bubbleback is sure the spark the hearts of vintage watch collectors. For me, it will always have a special place in my heart.

Vintage Tropical

These are tool watches made for people who uses it for diving, exploring or in extreme condition. As a result, some of the dials became tropical and turned brown.

King Faisal

I ahve alsways love watches made for the Middle East. This watch is with an artistic work of the late King Faisal of (KSA) portrait photo Specific hand wind Swiss movement. 1906-1975 This is a Manuel wind watch with the movement wristwatch has a beautiful rose gold plating, beautiful dial, (showing King Faisal of Saudi Arabia who reigned as king from 1964 to 1975), and black leather strap.

Vintage divers

February 2018

For the first time in many years, I have not find or acquire any new vintage watch.Sometimes watch collection depends on much luck and opportunities. After acquiring so many watches for the past years, it is a good time for me to streamline and consolidate my collection.

Lip Restoration project complete

I have been very discipline since the beginning of the year with no additional new watches. My restoration project has made some headway. After finding the original glass for the Lip 2000 watch, I have sent the watch to sifu to restoration. Owing to the festive Christmas and New year, it has taken some time.

Before:

After restoration

Seiko 6159 vintage diver

Vintage diver watches prices are escalating, especially for the rare one such as the vintage Seiko 6159 diver. Not many of these are produced and not many of these are in circulation as these were tool watch made for divers.

For those who is keen can google and get one below. Nice

2018 Wishlists

Goodbye 2017

2017 is coming to an end as we welcome the arrival of 2018. For 2017, the number of watches In and Out for the year has been quite huge. There were times where I did impulse buying and regretted later. Fortunately, I have managed to streamline my collection and managed to tighten my collection to the following. Overall, 2017 is full of fun and with great find.  

• Rolex Datejust series, 
• Military watch series, 
• Vintage Dive watch series 
• Rolex and Gruen Doctor's watch series
• Rolex Bubbleback series
• Eaton Quarter Century Club series
• Rado mineral dial series.

Looking at the collection, the ranges are still too large and for 2018, I shall need to be more discipline and tighten it even further.

1. Rolex 1601 Watch found in Bangkok with new old stock dial and hands from Sweden. Love it as its know as the  無字天書 dial plus its a wide boy dial.

2. Rolex 6605 Watch found in Bangkok. Love it as its the predecessor of the Rolex 1601 Datejust and it comes with the white gold bezel instead of yellow.

3. Rado mineral dials found from Bangkok, Mexico, Japan, UK and Germany

4 Rolex 1803 Found this in Bangkok and serviced by RSC. 

5. Very rare Rolex Eaton Watch from Canada in Bubbleback format (My Star find!)

6. Tudor 7928/0 Watch from Hawaii, Honolulu with dial turning chocolate brown.

7. Rolex 5501 Dress Explorer without date. Watch from Taiwan

8.. Rolex 6298 Pre Explorer Watch from Thailand collector

9. Rolex 5701 Dress Explorer with Date in black dial Watch from Quebec Canada

10. Rolex 6104 Big bubbleback: Found in Thailand (from a European dealer)

11. Rolex 1600 with special dial: Found in Thailand

12. Jardur Chronograph 1950s - One owner watch: Found in Thailand

13. Rolex 1601: Watch from HCMC

14. Z.R.C. étanche grands fonds series 2 Watch from France and Belgium (Another star finds owing to rarity!)

15. Vintage W10 Military watches. Watch from US and UK

16. Rolex 6426 made for the Middle East Saudi Airfoce (Al Quwat to Jawiya) Watch from Japan

17. Rolex Oman ref 1603 (From Japan) Traded Angelus Dato

18. ZRC Series 3 from France

19.Rolex Big Bubbleback ref 6105 Watch from Texas

20.. Rado Blue Lapis (Watch from US)

21. Rolex 1600 (Watch from Hong Kong) Traded with Seiko Bullhead.

22. Rolex 5513 Meter First (Watch from Hong Kong watch fair)

23. Rolex 1601 Buckley dial with pink gold bezel (Watch from Hong Kong) Traded with Rolex silver trench watch

24. Rolex Bubbleback from Texas

25. Driva 1930s Quarter repeater from Shanghai

26. Nanking Clock from Shanghai (after more then 10 years of searching!)

27. Le Jour ZRC diver from USA with NOS bezel from Switzerland

28. Rolex Eaton Prince Quarter Century club (from Hong Kong collector). Important find! Traded Rolex Precision, Rolex Oyster, Rolex Royal

29. Voit diver (from Hong Kong). A rareone!

30. Rolex 1601 wide boy (from Hong Kong) Traded Election mystery dial, military watch

31.Rolex 5506 gilt dial (from Hong Kong) Traded with Seagull Tourbillon watch, Doctor watch, Helvetia pilot watch

32. Tritin Spirotechnique (from Miami, US) Another star find!

On my 2018 wishlists, I am hoping to find...

1. Blanpain Fifty fathoms dive watch to join with the ZRC, Triton Spirotechnique
2. Rolex Prince Jump hour to join the Doctor's watch
3. Rolex 1603 Bamboo to complete the Datejust series
4. Lemania Nuclear submarine chronograph  to fit the Military watch series.
5. Rolex 1601 Lapis