The W-C Blog Archives - The Watch-Collector Leeds

Talking Watches With Racing Driver Mario Andretti

Posted on April 25, 2018April 25, 2018 The W-C

Part of the Talking Watches by no other Joe Bues from Hodinkee, This video is with Mario Andretti Nascar Racing Driver at his home in Pennsylvania. A watch collector that collected them a long the way so he says!! The Motor sport always sponsors heavily so more than likely got a lot free whilst driving.

Watch collectors come in all forms of people tennis players, racing drivers, presenters, etc… amazingly collecting has be come a big business even thou the watch industry is apparently not making as much money in growth revenue. May be its the vintage market taking over collectors wanted list as time goes by.

Up Coming Daytona Ultimatum By Phillips

Posted on April 16, 2018 The W-C

The Up Coming Rolex Daytona Ultimatum By Phillips in Geneva May 12th 2018 sounds like be a cracker. These vintage Rolex watch auctions are getting world wide collectors snapping there necks over the Daytona phenomenon love all vintage watches would love a Daytona from the 70’s especially 1973.

Click on the link to see the beauties on offer:
Phillips Rolex Ultimatum Auction

Talking Watches With Roger Smith

Posted on April 2, 2018 The W-C

Talking Watches With Roger Smith one of thee worlds greatest watch makers sharing his knowledge and his collection to Hodinkee. A short video Roger for worked years with Dr George Daniels the chap invented the co-axial movement which is used today in variety of watches. Omega have plenty of co-axial movements in there range.

Top 5 Rolex’s at Basel 2018

Posted on March 23, 2018 The W-C

The top 5 watches at Basel 2018 a short video by Time & Tide showing the best new editions by Rolex. The main one that caused all Rolex Dealers world wide phones to go in to melt down was the Gmt Master 2 “Pepsi.” Wednesday 21st after Instagram posts and Rolex updated the website with the new models every one including me got on the phone to nearest local Rolex Authorized dealer, but unfortunately Rolex seem to be going in a different direction these days.

Rolex AD’s seem to adopting the approach that if your already a customer or bought plenty in past they will put you a waiting list for watch as these days all sports steel models are on waiting lists …… only the few that people do not want you can buy there and then i.e. Explorer 1, explorer 2, Airking, Yachtmaster

So Rolex will happy to take new customers on all the other stuff in the shop. Enjoy the video but do not expect to get one thou!!

Russell Crowe Watch Collection Going to Auction

Posted on March 18, 2018 The W-C

Russell Crowe Watch Collection Going to Auction at Soberby’s on 7th April 2018, here is a video courtesy of Time & Tide interviewing Russell about his collection and why he purchased certain watches? the auction is called art of divorce some great pieces he has and great story behind each piece. A true collector selling 31 pieces of his own Panerai, Rolex, Breiting, Cartier ….

Rolex Submariner 16610 vs Rolex Submariner 116610LN

Posted on March 17, 2018 The W-C

The Rolex Submariner 16610 vs Rolex Submariner 116610LN Ceramic this a comparision of the old vs the new. Rolex updated the Rolex 16610 around 2010 to the refined 116610LN Ceramic, initially I was not a big fan of the new Submariner Ceramic always loved the standard Sub. Over time it grew on me then once I purchased realized was a great watch better than the older model in every way.

The two models side by side both 40mm in case size but the shoulders are bigger on Sub C so makes the watch feel and look bigger ascetically on the wrist. The most distinct change is the move from steel bezel insert to Ceramic bezel insert as Ceramic is a lot tougher material too scratch. The other little change was luminova on the hour plots to blue from Green.

The Sub C has the same 3135 movement as the older which can see a new model hitting Basel in the near future as they upgraded most other models Datejust 41mm, Sea dweller 4000, Daydate 40mm with the Calibre 3235 so only matter of time ……. The 3235 movement has 70 hours power reserve with cosc rating of -2/+2 which is New Rolex superlative chronometer rating that Rolex introduced around 2015.

The bracelet they have revamped its the new Oyster glide lock system its so easy to adjust the strap to go over your divers suit or if you needed to micro adjust for the wrist. Overall the Sub C is so much robust than the older Submariner it is near perfect I do Loves Submariners in generally but the choice now would be the Sub C.

I have had plenty of the Older Submariners in the past and prefer the Sub C but in the Rolex Submariner LV versions its the kermit that be my choice to have, very collectible and sought after now. Rolex Submariners have been going for over 60 years so we can safely say tried and tested model from Rolex.

The unfortunate news is that Rolex is cutting production on steel models so all steel Rolex become hard to obtain from authorized Rolex Dealers in the UK which makes it hard for all the Rolex lovers.

Hands on Rolex Datejust 16233 Diamond Dial

Posted on March 15, 2018 The W-C

Hands on With Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 16233 Diamond Dial 18K gold and stainless, this a lovely dress piece by Rolex part of the Datejust range it is very similar to Rolex 16234 on previous post but with a gold Fluted Bezel gold crown and gold centre links.

The Datejust is very popular model for women and men and made in 5 sizes 26mm, 28mm, 31mm, 36mm, and 41mm which is a new model 2017. This particular one is 36mm case size so can be unisex as women are wearing big watches these days so hence Rolex bringing 41mm Size out too.

The Datejust is a blend of polished steel polished Gold fluted gold bezel with satin finish, water resistant to 50m and comes in 100,s of colours, metals, styles. This one has a gold Dial with Diamond at each hour plot and gold hour plus minute hand, sapphire crystal with the Rolex bubble over the date aperture at 3 o clock. This one dates to 2000 in 2004 the DJ was refined.

The bracelet on the Datejust is the jubilee version small half rolled gold link with steel outer links on a folding steel clasp. The DJ is a great watch and a lot of flash for the money is probably why so popular in the pre-owned market suits all types of people. Sports Rolex has always been the most desirable model but not best selling Models

Rolex always made beautiful watches there is not many I do not like.

Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 35th Anniversary LE

Posted on March 14, 2018 The W-C

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11 35th Anniversary Limited Edition watch, this one I regret selling one of the best moon watches you can buy with a Panda Dial. This Omega is standard 42mm manual wind moonwatch with Caliber 1861 with 48 hours power reserve water resistant to 50m with plexi glass, dates to around 2004 so relatively a modern watch but highly collectible with 3500 pieces made in total.

The stunning Panda dial white with black sub dials really stands out, any thing Panda Dial collectors love and command more money. The Caseback is one of the nicest caseback’s Omega have done the watch was to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Apollo 11, 1969 – 2004.

Omega have made plenty of Limited Edition watches to commemorate the Apollo landing but this one of the ones to have, prices last few years gone through the roof for a modern Omega which was around £2500 new in 2004. Prices are crazy selling for double the Rrp. The Omega moonwatch is a great seller for Omega “The First Watch Worn on The Moon” is a great taking piece but moon watches can be a bit of pain when they stop being manual wind watch. They do make automatic versions but are not based on the original moonwatch they have a co-axial automatic movement which collectors not as keen on. The Vintage Moonwatch pre 1970 coming highly collectible but in that said vintage watches in general are Vintage Rolex, Vintage Omega, Vintage Heuer……

Talking Watches With Aziz Ansari

Posted on March 13, 2018 The W-C

Talking Watches With Aziz Ansari part of the talking watch series by Hodinkee. No surprise he has Rolex in the collection as most collectors do it would not be a collection without Rolex. Back in New York Benjamin Speaking to stand up comedian award winning actor Aziz. Watch collecting has become a serious hobby these days folk fighting for vintage Rolex’s Patek Philippe, Heuer etc at big auction houses around the world and paying exceptional amounts of money for them not sure will the bubble burst?

The big auction house Christie’s, Sothebys are really pushing these Vintage watch auctions there is a big one currently on now by Christies.

Vintage Watch Buyer

Hands On Omega Seamaster Professional 212.30.41.20.03.001

Posted on March 12, 2018 The W-C

Hands On With the Omega Seamaster Professional 212.30.41.20.03.001, this in my opinion is one of the best value Omega watches out there for plenty reasons. This Omega is great all rounder for the buck with Ceramic bezel and blue glossy dial with date aperture at 3 o clock and 41mm case which is perfect. The bracelet is much more robust than older versions and feels very high quality, the Seamaster is a true divers piece with 100 years of heritage just like Rolex has but the main difference is over half the price less to purchase, if you are a good internet shopper and haggler you can get a great discount on thes Omega’s. They do this in black as well which is even nicer but both great watches.

The Seamaster has a co axial movement which time keeping is fer-nominal on these movements. I have posted about previous versions like the Bond Watch and the co-axial version that came before this one which was a favorite. The Omega is so refined now and for £2920 for such a great every day piece which is so versatile dress, casual, smart, work, cannot see how they could make this one better than it already is.

Omega do 100s of great watches and limited editions pieces like no other company too many limited editions! But this one great overall timepiece that all watch enthusiasts should try one.