Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 16014 circa 1980 | steel automatic bracelet watch with date
Vintage Watch Update – 13 July 2023 | 14.7.23

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 16014 circa 1980 | steel automatic bracelet watch with date

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 16014 ‘Linen’ c.1970

Kicking off this newsletter is a stylish Rolex Datejust Ref. 16014, with a stainless steel case, white gold reeded bezel, and unusual ‘linen’ finished dial. The texturing to the dial’s surface is in great condition and there are full lume plots to the outer edges of the hour indexes. Ref. 16014 was launched by Rolex in 1977 and production continued until 1988. Automatically wound, this model incorporates Rolex’s calibre 3035 movement which was the first Datejust movement to incorporate a fast date change facility, allowing the date to be quickly advanced, when required, via an extra setting to the crown. The movement also features a hack feature which will stop the seconds hand when the crown is pulled out to adjust the time, thereby allowing easy synchronisation to a time signal. This watch is fitted with its original and detachable, Rolex Jubilee model 62510 bracelet, there is some stretch to the bracelet links.

Longines Conquest Heritage Chronograph Ref. L1.641.4 'Full Set', circa 2009 | steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with date

Longines Conquest Heritage Ref. L.1641.4 ‘Full Set’ 2009

Based on the original 1954 Conquest design, the Conquest Heritage Chronograph was launched by Longines in the 2000s and this example was purchased in 2009. The Conquest Heritage takes many of its design cues from the original Conquest model, including its screw-down case back with decorative enamel plaque and the dial design with its faceted wedge-shaped hour indexes and inwardly-set luminescent accents.

The dial has three engine-turned subsidiary counters for constant seconds and chronograph registers for 30 minutes and 12 hours. An aperture beneath 12 o’clock displays the date. Direct from the original owner, the watch is complete with its presentation boxes, instruction and guarantee booklets, Longines strap and buckle, and has been freshly serviced.

Omega Ref. 2537 -4 circa 1949 | steel vintage manually wound wristwatch

Omega Ref. 2537 circa 1949

A fabulous vintage Omega with a large 35.5mm case diameter, this Ref. 2537 is a relatively rare model that was introduced by Omega in 1949. The steel case is two-part, comprising a solid upper body with integrated chamfered bezel and separate screw-down back. The sides of the case are particularly unusual with a stepped edge that runs continuously along the lugs and across the main body of the case. The watch has a very handsome silvered dial with silver foil Arabic numerals at the quarters and raised triangular indexes at the intervening hours. Also notable are the hands which are a variant of the dauphine design – rather than being of continuous tapered form, the main shaft of the hands taper into the central boss and are separately finished from their short, dagger-form tails.  For contrast, the slim tapered centre seconds hand has been made in blued steel.

Omega Cal. R17.8 circa 1943 | steel mid-sized manually wound vintage wristwatch

Omega Cal. R17.8 circa 1943

A most unusual Omega model dating to the early 1940s, this watch has a very charismatic dial with slim, elongated and exaggerated Arabic numerals. The engine-turned subsidiary seconds dial has small Arabic numerals at the quarters. Cased in steel, the moulded bezel is stepped, the lugs have a distinctive horn shape, and there is a pronounced and unusual lip to the case opening.

Longines Ref. 8888 circa 1962 | steel vintage manually wound wristwatch

Longines Ref. 8888 circa 1962

An excellent example of the Ref. 8888, this 35mm diameter Longines has a super sharp steel case with clean chamfers to the edges of the lugs. The unusual linen finished dial is in wonderful condition, retaining a rich lustre to the surface. Manually wound, this watch is powered by Longines’ calibre 30L.

Omega Seamaster de Ville Ref. 135.010 circa 1965 | steel manually wound vintage wristwatch

Omega Seamaster de Ville Ref. 135.010 c.1965

Reference 135.010 was first introduced by Omega in 1962 and the example shown above dates to c.1965. Omega’s double model ‘branding’ of the Ref. 135.010 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. The watch has a satin finished dial with applied Arabic and baton hour indexes

Omega Genève Ref. 166.0163 circa 1973 | steel automatic vintage wristwatch

Omega Genève Ref. 166.0163 circa 1973

Omega introduced Ref. 166.0163 in 1973 and the version shown here has a classic silvered dial featuring applied baton indexes with black inserts to increase legibility. The hands are styled to match with both black and luminescent panels. Cased in stainless steel, the upper body is made from a single block of steel with integrated chamfered bezel and a separate screw-down case back. The watch is automatically wound via an Omega calibre 1012 which has a hack feature and provision for quick date change; when the crown is pulled out to its first setting, the date can be advanced either forwards or backwards.

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