Kicking off this update is one of the icon’s of Rolex’s production – the Explorer. This version, a Ref. 114270, was made in 2002. The Explorer was first introduced by the manufacturer in 1953 to commemorate Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay’s successful ascent of Mt. Everest. A so-called ‘tool’ watch, the Explorer was designed as a rugged and highly legible watch that would be suitable for use by mountaineers and adventurers, however, of course these glamorous associations and the model’s stylish design were intended to appeal to the wider general public.
This reference was introduced in 2000 and continues the Explorer model’s traditional styling, with a black dial, Arabic, triangular & baton indexes. The luminescence to the dial is Super Luminova paint which appears white in daylight and green in darkness. The baton and triangular numerals, minute and hour hands and the roundel to the centre seconds are filled with Super Luminova whilst the Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock have a thin, non-luminescent infill which matches the luminescent paint in daylight. Fitted with a sapphire crystal and water-resistant to 100 metres, this watch is powered by the Rolex calibre 3130 with hack feature – when the crown is pulled out into the handset position, the seconds hand will stop allowing accurate synchronisation to a time signal.
Next is a stunning 9ct yellow gold Jaeger-LeCoultre made in 1954. The dial has a light champagne colour with an excellent lustre and raised Arabic numerals. In un-polished condition and retaining excellent definition to its angles and edges, the case has a stepped and chamfered bezel and handsome flared and stepped lugs. There are light scuffs and scratches to the case. This watch is powered by LeCoultre’s excellent calibre P478.
Above is a wonderfully crisp Longines Conquest Calendar Ref. 9007 from 1957. In excellent original condition, this is a superb example of this famous Longines model. The silvered dial is outstanding with strong two-toning, an excellent lustre and applied pink gold multi-faceted indexes which perfectly compliment the tone of the case. The upper case has a substantial pink gold capped surface.
The weighty stainless steel screw-down back has a faceted edge which is centred with Longines’ pink gold medallion featuring their fish emblem heightened with translucent green enamel. This watch is fitted with its original matching gold capped Longines crown. Significantly the watch is also fitted with its original crystal – a feature rarely seen – with its special circular magnified aperture above the date aperture. There are two small cracks to the synthetic crystal to the edge between 12 and 1 o’clock and at the edge above 4 o’clock but as these are minor, do not significantly detract from the watch’s appearance and the crystal is original, it has not been changed during our servicing.
Next is a super handsome steel Omega Ref. 2450 from 1948. The silvered dial has a striking two-tone finish – the main dial body has a silk-matt finish whilst the extremity of the dial, from the minute track to the dial’s edge, is finished with a higher sheen silvering. Silver foiled Arabic numerals further enhance the contrasting dial finishes. The case is formed from two parts, with a solid upper body incorporating a moulded, chamfered bezel and separate screw-down case back. To the outside case back the date of “1.7.48” is engraved, this corresponds to the watch’s year of production and was presumably a significant date to the original owner, perhaps a birthday, wedding or anniversary gift.
Pictured above is a lady’s platinum and diamond-set cocktail watch by Fairfax which dates to circa 1930. Full of Art Deco style and charm, the case is set with a total of 70 diamonds in a combination of round and baguette cuts. The total diamond weight is well over a carat. The watch is set to a later 9ct white gold snake-form bracelet which carries Birmingham hallmarks for 1956.
This watch is accompanied by a rather lovely heart-shaped retailer’s presentation case which is covered with burgundy velvet and has a fitted, velvet lined interior.
Above is an Omega Seamaster Cosmic Ref. 166.026 from 1970 which has a rarely seen and extremely attractive, deep blue, satin finished dial. The model features an elliptically shaped case made from a single block of stainless steel which houses the 24-jewel Omega calibre 565 with precision regulation. The movement has provision for quick date adjustment – whilst the date will change each day at midnight, it can be manually advanced when required by pulling the crown out to the second position. As is commonly found on blue dials of the period, there are some small areas of wear around the edges of some of the numerals, however, this does not detract from the rich and vibrant tone of the dial.
Continuing with Omega and shown next is an Omega Seamaster Ref. 166.032 from 1969. A large model for the period of production with a case diameter of 36.5mm, this version of the model has an unusual, stippled, silvery/grey dial with steeply chamfered edge. There are gold baton indexes with finely ribbed surfaces and blackened inserts to their centres. 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 secondary setting.
Pictured here is an Omega Genève Ref. 166.041 which also dates to 1969. Both the silvered dial and stainless steel case have a satin finish. The raised indexes have black inserts to their centres. This model is powered by Omega’s automatic calibre 565 with 24 jewels and precision regulation and there is also provision for quick date change from the crown’s secondary setting.
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