Rolex Oysterdate Ref.6694 c.1982
Opening this week’s newsletter is a super stylish Rolex Oysterdate wristwatch which has a lovely, black, satin finished dial. Predominantly manufactured with silvered coloured dials, examples of this model with black dials are considerably more scarce. The classic stainless steel Oyster case is fitted with the original, thick gauge, Rolex Oyster bracelet. Manually wound, the watch is powered by the Rolex calibre 1225 with 17 jewels.
Omega Ref.2624 18ct gold c.1949
A fabulous looking mid-century wristwatch, Omega first introduced the Ref. 2624, which they named the ‘Trésor’ or ‘Treasure’, in 1949. With a 36mm diameter case, this is a relatively large model for the period of production and, being made in 18ct yellow gold, the case has a wonderfully rich and warm tone. The silvered dial has applied, gold, Arabic and multi-faceted, pear-shaped indexes. Manually wound, the watch is powered by Omega’s calibre 283 which is part of the watchmaker’s highly regarded ’30’ series movements.
Omega Seamaster Ref.165.002 c.1966
This watch has a distinctive, light champagne coloured dial which is set with applied, centrally faceted indexes. The stainless steel case has an integrated bezel, faceted lugs and a screw-down case back, all of which retains good definition with light scuffs and scratches. The dial is in good condition with a handsome, satin sheen, the hands have oxidation spotting to their surfaces. Automatically wound, the watch is powered by the 24-jewel, Omega calibre 552.
Omega Cal.26.5 silver hallmarked 1936
This wristwatch has a wonderfully charismatic dial with a striking, two-tone finish. Both the chapter ring for the hours and the calibrations for the subsidiary seconds are finished in a higher satin sheen to contrast with the main dial surface. The Arabic numerals are interspersed with baton indexes which have silver foil surfaces and provide further surface contrast. The sterling silver case was supplied to Omega by the Dennison case company and is hallmarked for the year 1936.
Omega Ref.121.5400 9ct gold hallmarked 1963
This watch has an unusual and very handsome ‘linen’ textured dial which has a bright, silvered finish with diagonal striations. The applied gold indexes have faceted outer edges and there is a cross-hair subsidiary seconds dial. Reference 121.5400 appears to have been introduced around 1963, to replace the previous model ref.923 which was still advertised in the UK market’s Omega catalogue of September 1962. Like the 923, the 121.5400 has a substantial gold case and handsomely down-turned lugs with stepped edges.
Omega Genève Ref.166.0169 steel c.1973
Measuring 36.5mm in diameter, this is a relatively large vintage wristwatch. The stainless steel case has a satin finish and the contrasting, polished finished, chamfered bezel is slightly recessed below the tops of the substantial, down-turned, lugs. The automatically wound movement is a fast beat Omega calibre 1022 with hack feature. The winding crown is equipped with two settings – when the crown is pulled out to its first setting, the date can be moved either forwards or backwards by rolling the crown in either direction; by pulling the crown out to its second setting, the hack feature engages, thereby stopping the seconds hand to allow accurate synchronisation to a time signal, rolling the crown towards the wearer advances the hands, rolling away advances the days of the week in tandem with reverse hand setting.
Omega Genève Dynamic Ref.135.033 steel c.1968
This watch has an unusual and attractive, mid-blue, speckled dial that is in lovely condition. The large elliptical case is made from a single block of stainless steel and measures 41mm in width. The watch is fitted with an almost unused red Dynamic leather strap with steel Omega pin buckle. This watch is accompanied by the original red plastic Omega strap changing tool. A spare, black, generic Dynamic strap (not by Omega) is also included with this watch.
Omega Genève Ref.566.002 steel c.1969
This lady’s small automatic wristwatch is a model that was originally released by Omega in 1966. The watch has a classic stainless steel case with screw-down back and this example retains its original signed Omega crown and crystal. Powered by the calibre 681, there is provision for semi-quick date change – whilst the date will change each day at midnight, the date can be manually advanced, when required, by moving the hands repeatedly between 9pm and midnight.
Smiths de Luxe Ref.A.501 9ct gold hallmarked 1958
A very handsome example of the De Luxe model, this Smiths watch is complete with its original silk and velvet lined presentation case. The silvered dial is in lovely original condition with raised and gilded Arabic numerals and hands. Housed in a 9ct yellow gold case which was made for Smiths by the English case making company Dennison, the bezel is flat, whilst the slim lugs have an attractive, angular down-turn.
Eterna Ref.446 gold plated c.1970
A classic lady’s wristwatch with a gold plated upper case and steel back, this watch is a manually wound model incorporating the 17 jewel Eterna calibre 1435K. Eterna’s history goes back to 1856 when the company was founded in Grenchen under the name “Girard & Schild”.