Omega Speedmaster Ref.175.0032 circa 1989
Headlining this newsletter is a stylish version of the Speedmaster which dates to the late 1980s. From the family of the original owner, the watch has a matt white dial which is in excellent condition with contrasting matt black hands. The flat black bezel is calibrated for tachymeter and the steel case has flaring sides with combinations of polished and satin finishes. Named the ‘Reduced’ Speedmaster, this model has a slightly smaller case diameter of 39mm rather than the 42mm diameter of the standard Speedmaster, it is also an automatic rather than manually wound version of the Speedmaster family. The steel case has so-called bombé lugs of flowing faceted form, and the bezel’s black insert is calibrated for tachymeter. This watch is fitted with a new Hirsch Duke strap and a steel Omega pin buckle.
Omega Seamaster Ref.135.5010 sold in 1969 | Gold
One of the most classic designs from the Seamaster range, Omega’s double ‘branding’ of this model as a Seamaster de Ville, emphasized the watch’s sporty nature (for which the Seamaster models were well-known) while also drawing on the watch’s classic, dress-style look which the “De Ville” range was introduced to represent. Retaining its
original Omega guarantee booklet, instructions and presentation case, the watch is in very attractive overall condition with a signed Omega crystal and crown. Made in solid 9ct gold, the case retains good definition to its angles and edges and the Seamaster logo is in good clean condition to the back.
Omega Cal.26.5 retailed Ham & Huddy 1930 | Silver
An interesting and early wristwatch by Omega, this model has a white enamel dial that is in excellent condition. Enamel dials are particularly favoured by collectors for their indelible surface which, when well-looked after, retain their original finish indefinitely. All of the hands are blued steel and these provide a subtle contrast to the monochromatic dial surface – the subsidiary seconds hand has a particularly handsome shape. Originally retailed by Ham & Huddy of Newton Abbott, Devon, the Ham & Huddy name can be found beneath the Omega signature to the dial.
Silver was frequently used for casing wristwatches well into the 1930s, but seems to have fallen out of favour as improvements in the handling and production of anti-corrosion steel cases led to a dramatic increase in their production. Steel is considerably tougher and stronger than silver and allows crisp angles and edges to be more easily cut, yet silver has a softness that is particularly suited to cases with rounded bezels and backs and is of course, by its nature, a very handsome and characterful metal. The case was produced for Omega by Dennison and features an interesting lug design. Rather than having solid bars between the lugs (as is commonly found on early wristwatches) the watch has early removable lug pins. This design means that the watch strap does not need to be stitched or sealed over the bars and can be easily changed.
Longines Cal.12.68Z circa 1955
A classic vintage Longines, this watch has an attractively patinated silvered dial which has subtle golden and pinkish hues, and light and even oxidation spots. The stainless steel case was made for Longines by the Dennison case company and is a model 13322 – interestingly this is the same case design that Dennison supplied to Omega for use in their Ref. 720. Manually wound, the movement is Longines’ calibre 12.68Z – one of the watchmaker’s most successful movements which was first launched in 1929.
Omega Dyanmic Ref.135.033 circa 1969
Ref. 135.033 was first introduced by Omega in 1968. This example of the model retains the original sunburst patterned finish to the steel bezel, with some light scuffs and some scratches to the outside back. The dial has a rich and deep blue tone with a lightly textured surface, there is a small spot mark to the right of 11 o’clock and to the right of 5 o’clock, the dial is otherwise in good condition. The case retains its signed Omega crystal and crown.
Rolex: Investing in Wristwatches
This recently published hardback book on Rolex watches is split according to Rolex model, starting with the Prince and finishing with the Yacht Master. Each section explores the various models and provides details of examples from a range of auctions held around the world, listing the estimate given and the price achieved. The auction data is taken from Sotheby’s sales in London, New York, Hong Kong and Geneva; the high quality imagery is also from Sotheby’s.
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