Rolex Oyster Ref.6426 c.1981
This week’s update opens with a very handsome example of the classic Oyster Ref. 6426 which has a case diameter of 35mm. The watch has a smart, grey, satin finished dial – a colourway rarely found on this model. The dial is in great condition with a strong and rich tone. The stainless steel Rolex Oyster case has a smooth chamfered bezel and the watch is fitted with its original Rolex Oyster model 78350 steel link bracelet. There are a three small indentations to the milling at the back of the case where the case back has been previously opened using an incorrect tool – the case and bracelet are otherwise in good condition.
The 6.6 million serial number to the Oyster case and ‘F’ code to the bracelet both date the watch to 1981.
Cartier Santos 18ct Gold c.1975
The Santos is one of oldest vintage wristwatch models. Designed in 1904 by Louis Cartier for his friend, the Brazilian aviator, Alberto Santos Dumont, it is recognised as one of the most iconic of all wristwatch designs. Cased in 18ct yellow gold, this watch has a satin finished body with polished chamfers to the upper edges. The polished bezel is secured by 8 screws which are affixed from beneath, thereby giving the appearance of small pins to the front of the case.
This watch is fitted with a maroon Cartier leather strap and 18ct gold Cartier deployant buckle.
International Watch Co. Cal.423 hallmarked 1976
In excellent original condition, this watch appears to be almost unused and retains its original IWC leather strap and signed pin buckle. The watch has a satin finished champagne dial that is bright and blemish free. Made for the UK market, the solid gold case was manufactured for IWC by the English case maker David Shackman & Sons whose stamp appears to the inside case back. Shackman produced cases for a number of watchmakers including IWC, Rolex, Tudor and Omega.
This watch is accompanied by its original IWC presentation case with yellow velvet and silk lined interior.
Omega Seamaster Ref.166.0163 c.1976
Ref. 166.032 is a large model for the period of production with a case diameter of 36.5mm. This version of the model has an unusual, circular satin finished silvery/grey dial and, to its edge, the track for minutes/seconds is steeply chamfered, thereby creating a two-tone appearance to the surface. The large stainless steel case has a sunburst satin finished bezel and the upper case is also satin finished but with bright, polished chamfers to the edges of the lugs. Automatically wound, the watch is powered by an Omega calibre 752 movement with 24 jewels and there is provision for fast date change via the crown’s second setting.
The watch is fitted with an Omega model 1185/168 satin finished link bracelet with adjustable folding clasp.
Buren ‘Grand Prix’ Cal.382 c.1955
Buren introduced their 380 series calibres in 1953 and the cal. 382 included a calendar module with provision for moon phases. Quick and easy to adjust, there are four integrated pushers to the case sides for independently advancing, when required, the days of the week, months, date and moon-phases. Whilst the watch is running all calendar functions will advance at midnight. As this is a so-called ‘simple’ calendar watch, the months require manual advancement on the first day of each month. Many calendar watches of the period were produced in chromed cases but this model has both a steel upper case with substantial flared lugs and steel snap-on back. The dial is handsomely configured with raised Arabic numerals. There are a few scuffs to the dial and the case also has light scuffs/scratches from wear, the winding crown is a replacement.
Omega Genève Ref.166.0163 sold 1976
Direct from the original owner, this watch retains its numbered guarantee booklet detailing its sale at Fattorini & Son in December 1976. The watch has a classic silvered dial with applied baton indexes that have black inserts – 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.
In addition to the numbered guarantee, this watch is accompanied by a ‘You and Your Omega’ booklet and the watch is fitted with its original signed crown and crystal.
Omega Dynamic Ref. 166.039 c.1969
Omega introduced the Ref. 166.039 Genève Dynamic in 1969. This example of the model has a very attractive deep blue dial with contrasting black & white hands and a light blue centre seconds. The large elliptical case is made from a single block of stainless steel and measures 41mm in width – there are light scuffs and scratches from wear. Powered by the automatic Omega calibre 565 with 24 jewels and precision regulation, this watch also has provision for quick date change. If the date requires manual advancement, this can be achieved by pulling the crown out to the second position.
The watch is fitted with the original stainless steel satin finished Omega Dynamic model 1153/138 bracelet with adjustable folding clasp.
Rapport Evo Cube Mark II
These new Evolution Mark II watch winders by Rapport have 9 different settings which allow the direction of winding and number of rotations per day to be quickly and easily selected. Clockwise, anti-clockwise or bi-directional winding may be chosen as well as rotations of either 650, 850 or 1,800 per day. A single button to the front right of the cube allows the desired programme to be set – the programme number is shown to the small circular screen opposite the button.
There is a rechargeable internal battery which has a power reserve of approximately 7 to 10 days depending on the setting selected. This ensures the winders will continue to operate during a power cut and also allows the cubes to be used wirelessly for up to a week if desired.
The cubes are made from wood finished with a smart black lacquered surface. The watch holder is fully adjustable allowing it to accept any size of watch and its pad is covered with soft black leather to protect the watch. The holder released from the cube via rubber clips to each side.
I’ve made a video of the winder in action which you can access through the product’s listing on our website.
Patek Philippe Legendary Watches
The first important thematic auction solely devoted to Patek Philippe watches, this catalogue was arranged by Hapsburg Feldman auctioneers to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Genevan watchmaker. Organised by Osvaldo Patrizzi and his Antiquorum team, the sale offered 300 Patek Philippe watches spanning the full history of this famous watchmaker. With each lot described and illustrated in colour, this is a fabulous point of reference for any vintage watch enthusiast and an essential part of any Patek Philippe collector’s library.
This hardback catalogue retains its original dust jacket and removable card bookmark.
The anniversary sale comprised 2 volumes – this, the first volume, comprised 300 Patek Philippe watches, the second volume was devoted to a single watch – the Patek Philippe Calibre 89.
The Magical Art of Cartier
An important thematic auction held on 19 November 1996 and solely devoted to Cartier watches and timepieces, this catalogue was arranged by Antiquorum and Etude Tajan. Comprising 624 lots, extensive research was carried out for the catalogue by Antiquorum, Etude Tajan and Cartier. Each of the lots were issued with a certificate of authenticity by Cartier. The catalogue also included some archival material and photographic portraits of several famous owners of Cartier timepieces.
This is an excellent reference catalogue with each lot described and illustrated in colour. The binding remains tight and the pages are clean, one page is creased.
A. Lange & Söhne Glashütter Uhren
Organised by Dr. Helmut Crott, one of the world’s leading and most respected watch experts, this is the catalogue prepared for the famous Crott auction held in Aachen, Germany, on 27 April 1991. Comprising 144 lots the sale included some of the most important German watches ever made. Predominantly consisting of watches by A. Lange & Söhne, the auction also featured works by Richard Glaeser, Julius Assmann, Adolf Schneider, Moritz Grossmann, the Uhrenfabrik Union and others. Complex pocket watches including tourbillons, repeaters and calendar watches are illustrated in colour with many movement details. The majority of pieces in the catalogue are pocket watches, however, the catalogue also includes some wristwatches (including 2nd World War military pieces), marine chronometers and clocks.
An extremely useful reference catalogue for enthusiasts of German watches, all of the watches and clocks are fully described in English and German and are illustrated in colour. This is a very good hardback copy of the catalogue, retaining its original dust jacket, the binding remains tight and the pages are clean internally. There are a couple of very small tears to the dust jacket and some wear to the corners.
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