Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Chronometer Ref. 16030 steel vintage wristwatch, circa 1985
Vintage Watch Update – 16th March 2018 | 16.3.18

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Chronometer Ref. 16030 steel vintage wristwatch, circa 1985

Opening this week’s update is a very handsome Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Ref. 16030 from c. 1985. Rolex introduced the Ref.16030 Datejust in 1977 and the model was manufactured with the automatically wound Rolex calibre 3035 movement until 1988. The classic design has made it a popular model with collectors and watch enthusiasts alike and it is especially favoured for its fast date change facility and hack feature. The dial and case are both in very good original condition, there is stretch to the links of the Jubilee bracelet.

Omega Genève Electronic F300 Hz Chronometer Ref. 198.030, sold in 1974

Next is an exceptional example of the pioneering Omega F300Hz Genève Electronic wristwatch. This particular watch, originally sold in 1974, is in in superb original condition and retains its original strap, pin buckle, numbered Omega certificate of High Precision, Omega guarantee, instruction booklets and receipt of sale. Lots more information on this watch can be found on the website.

In lovely original condition, the Omega Chronostop Ref. 146.009 wristwatch shown above was made in c. 1969. The chronograph movement allows the centre seconds hand to be used either as a constant seconds hand or to time events up to one minute in duration. The pusher for the chronograph will start the seconds hand running when pressed for the first time, pressing a second time will automatically zero the seconds hand to the 12 o’clock position. The original Omega steel Milanese-style mesh bracelet has a long adjustable folding clasp.

Pictured here is a 14ct yellow gold Zenith wristwatch from c. 1938. This watch has a curved, rectangular case, a design which became popular during the Art Deco period both for its stylish appearance and the comfort it afforded the wearer by following the natural shape of the wrist when in use. The champagne coloured dial has a two-tone finish with a contrasting tonal variation between the central rectangular sector and the chapter ring with its black Arabic numerals. The handsome blued steel hands are relatively broad and of leaf-shape.

Omega Ref. 720 steel vintage wristwatch, circa 1954

Photographed above is a classic example of the Omega Ref. 720. Dating to c. 1954, this wristwatch has a handsome silvered dial with good lustre and applied Arabic and faceted triangular numerals. Omega’s Ref. 720 is an archetypal vintage wristwatch model with a brilliantly proportioned case featuring a polished chamfered bezel, gently down-turned lugs and flat, snap-on back. The manually wound movement is an Omega calibre 266 which forms part of the famous and highly successful ’30’ series, one of the most highly respected vintage watch movements.

Longines Ref. 7504 -1 18ct pink gold vintage wristwatch, circa 1964

Above is a rare 18ct pink gold Longines Ref. 7504 from c. 1964. This watch has a most attractive angular case and the colour of the pink gold is rich and coppery in tone. The case retains good definition to its angles and edges and has the original matching pink Longines winding crown. Whilst the case is exactly square in its dimensions, the design, with its broader bezel to the top and bottom of the upper case, lends the watch an unusual, horizontally rectangular appearance. The broad bezel detailing means that the dial is rectangular and this is centrally sectored by a black linear detail which falls in place of the numerals at 3 and 9 o’clock.

Longines gold vintage wristwatch, hallmarked 1965

Continuing with Longines and shown next is a classic model made in 1965. The watch has a slim 9ct yellow gold case and is in lovely original condition.The silvered dial has an excellent lustre, a cross-hair subsidiary seconds dial and raised, gold coloured indexes with stylish enlarged Arabic numerals at the quarters.

Omega Genève Ref. 166.070 steel vintage wristwatch, circa 1969

Made in c. 1969, the Omega Genève wristwatch shown above has a smart, satin finished, silvered dial. The baton indexes have black inserts to increase their legibility. This reference (166.070) was first introduced by Omega in 1969 and the serial number of the present watch places it towards the beginning of the model’s production run. Automatically wound and with fast date change facility, this watch is powered by Omega’s excellent, 24 jewel, calibre 565.

Omega Seamaster Ref. 166.032 steel vintage wristwatch, circa 1967

A large model for the period of its production with a case diameter of 36.5mm, the Omega automatic Seamaster Ref. 166.032 shown above dates to c. 1967. This version of the model has a highly distinctive grey dial with unusual circular grained satin finish and twin aperture for day and date indication. At the edge of the dial, the minute/seconds track is steeply chamfered which creates a two-tone appearance to the surface.

Smiths De Luxe Ref. A526 gold vintage wristwatch, hallmarked 1955

Next is an entirely English made wristwatch – a Smiths De Luxe Ref. A526 from 1955 with 9ct yellow gold case. Larger than the average Smiths watch, the A526 was manufactured with a 35mm diameter case. In good original condition this watch has a silvered dial with combination raised Arabic and square indexes. The watch is powered by the calibre 400 which was manufactured in England by Smiths at their Cheltenham factory.

Cyma Watersport Cymaflex Ref. 2.5655 steel vintage wristwatch, circa 1955

With robust, sporty styling, this all steel Cyma Ref. 2.5655 from c. 1955 has a two-part case with moulded bezel and separate screw-down case back. The silvered dial has raised Arabic and triangular indexes and a finely engine-turned subsidiary seconds. Manually wound, the watch is powered by Cyma’s calibre R. 458.

Patek Philippe Genève by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery

Now they don’t come much more New/Old Stock than this….printed in 1982 and still sealed in their original shrink wrapped protective card sleeves, these Patek Philippe books even retain their outer shipment carton. Rather charmingly the cartons have green GB labels (see photo below) and are hand numbered, presumably as labelled in Switzerland before shipment to the UK.

These books were recently discovered unopened in a book warehouse and we have 3 available for sale. The books detail the history of this elite watchmaker and concentrate on the company’s pocket watch production, however, there is a small wristwatch section at the back of the book. Lavishly illustrated throughout, the books also include the list of movement numbers used by the company between 1839 and 1971, with corresponding years of production and calibre numbers. Many of the most important pocket watches made by Patek Philippe are illustrated in detail, including, cases, dials and movements – the highlight being the famous Henry Graves ‘Supercomplication’ that was sold at Sotheby’s in 2014 for US$ 24 million. An essential volume for anyone with a passion for watches.

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