Vintage Watch Update – 3rd July 2015 | 3.7.15

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This week’s newsletter opens with an immaculate Omega Ref. 2903, dating to 1959. Classic vintage watch design at its very best, this watch has a beautiful silvered dial that is in outstanding original condition. All the numerals are applied rather than punched into the surface giving greater depth to the dial whilst the subsidiary seconds dial is large and incredibly crisp. The steel case retains excellent definition with a handsome, polished, faceted bezel and lugs with chamfered edges. This watch is powered by Omega’s calibre 268 which is from the famous Omega 30 series – one of the best and most reliable vintage movement series around.  

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Next is a chrome and steel triple calendar watch by Telda. This watch dates to circa 1950 and is again in wonderful condition showing signs of light use only. The calendar display is easy to read with an outer date ring calibrated with blue numerals and corresponding blue tipped indicator hand, and then two apertures for day and month indication. The calendar automatically advances around midnight but, if the watch has not been worn, then the indications can be quickly set up via 3 pushers for each of the displays to the sides of the case. The 17 jewel movement is a calibre 204 by Venus who were specialists in the manufacture of complication chronograph and calendar watches. Telda was part of the ‘Charles Nicolet’ watch group and the Telda brand was already in use by 1920. 

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Also in lovely condition is the Tudor Oyster Ref. 4453 shown above, which dates to circa 1945. This watch has a silvered dial which has acquired a gentle patina and has very attractive black Arabic numerals and contrasting blued steel hands. The watch is a modest 31mm in diameter, but has a chunky, solid feel to the case. 

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Above is a rare Longines Ref. 23522 made in steel and dating to circa 1947. This watch has a great case design with rounded bezel and pronounced, down-turned lugs. The dial has a very handsome full Arabic numeral calibration with detailed outer minute and seconds track that is calibrated to 5ths of a second increments. These 5ths of a second represent the 18,000 BPH of the movement and thus the motion of the seconds hand. All hands are made from blued steel and contrast beautifully with the silver of the dial. Utilitarian in design, the spotting to the dial surface enhances its vintage look. The watch is powered by Longines’ calibre 12.68N which was first introduced in 1939.

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Pictured next is a stylish Omega Seamaster Ref. 14722 which dates to 1959. The model has an attractive, angular case design with clean chamfers to the bezel, lugs, body and back of the case. The silvered dial has a silk matte sheen and long, slim, baton indexes. To the centre of the screw-down case back the watch features the embossed Seahorse logo, Omega’s emblem for their Seamaster line. This watch is in lovely condition and is accompanied by its original Omega presentation case.

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Illustrated above is a Tudor Oyster Prince Ref. 7965. Dating to 1959, this is one of the first Tudor models to feature the engraved detailing to the outside case back reading: “Original Oyster Case by Rolex Geneva”, prior to this period, the outside case backs were plain. The silvered dial has applied gold coloured arrow head indexes at the quarters and the watch is powered by the excellent, automatic, Tudor finished, ETA calibre 2461. 

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Rounding things off is a great example of the Ref. 5500 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King. This watch is accompanied by its Rolex presentation case, card outer box, original Rolex certificate, instruction booklet and further paperwork. The original certificate shows that this watch was originally purchased from Watches of Switzerland in May 1975. The watch has a satin finished silvered dial and the stainless steel Oyster case is fitted with the original, detachable, Rolex Oyster bracelet. 

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Our next update is due out on Friday 17th July. To receive these updates directly via email, please select the ‘Join Our Mailing List’ tab at the bottom of the web page. All our current stock can be found here: https://www.blackbough.co.uk/found-in/vintage-watches/