chronograph Archives - The Watch-Collector Leeds

Hands on Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquid Metal

Posted 07/27/201708/21/2017 The W-C

Hands on With Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ref 215.30.46.51.01.001, this version is the update to the previous model on a old post on my blog link here Omega PlanetOcean. The new one is still water resistant to 600m and is really distinct with the black ceramic unidirectional rotating divers’ bezel, with its Liquidmetal diving scale on a 45mm case. The Omega is satin and polished finish and is a big nice timepiece.

The movement is calibre 9900 and is self winding Co axial escapement, resistant to magnetic fields 15,000 gauss, Central hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands, small seconds hand, 12-hour and 60-minute recorders with power reserve 60 hours. The date window is at 6 o clock, the Omega has a see through caseback housing the 9900 movement is always nice finish to a watch. Sapphire crystal has anti glare coating as most Omega’s have.

The bracelet I noticed a nice tweak and modified so you can adjust on the clasp instead of having to take a link out of the bracelet all the previous seamaster range had no adjustment at all.

Overhaul this is the best Omega Seamaster PlanetOcean chronograph I have owned looks just stunning in the flesh a hell of lot of watch for the money for the Omega lovers. The Planet Ocean definitely come a long way from the first design, I have had a fair few but never keep them no idea why!! I think its the Rolex in me get board fast.

Hands on With Breitling ref 765 AVI ‘Raquel Welch’

Posted 06/19/201710/18/2018 The W-C

Hands on With the vintage Breitling ref 765 AVI ‘Raquel Welch’ Chronograph, the watch dates to the era early 1960’s. Brietling made some lovely pieces and the 765 was made from 1953 to 1978 and now are well on the collectors to buy list which are going crazy for. In 1953 Breitling was hoping to win the contract with french army but as the watch had no flyback function other watch brands stepped in instead.
This one dates to 1962/3 and nick named “Raquel Welch” as she wore one in the movie “Fathom” and comes with the “reverse panda dial” as round that time they changed from all black to “reverse Panda dial” as they was plenty in 1962 with the all black dial. The actual term “Panda dial” means a white dial with black sub dials, hence this one is known as “reverse Panda dial” black dial with white sub dials.

The watch was large for that time at 41mm and has stood test of time well has aged a lovely patina on the tritium markers on a matt dial. The hands are pretty big with a large hour hand with stainless steel bezel. The distinctive feature on these Breitling’s is the 15 minute sub dial as most chronographs to date have a 30 minute counter. The movement is a Legendary Venus 178 chronograph movement modified to accommodate the 15 minute counter. The reason Breitling had a 15 minter counter was their aviation roots knew it took 15 minutes for the pre-flight checks and also explains the unique tritium lume dash inside the sub registers to mark every 3 minutes.

The watches where anti-shock and anti-magnetic and later on in 1965 Brietling introduced 765 Co- pilot ‘Jean-Claude Killy’ which was nick named after Jean who wore this model in 1968 Olympics. The model was updated slightly to the 765 AVI with a undated anodized black bezel instead on stainless steel and has become the one to buy. Overall all the 765 models are great vintage Breitling’s to buy in all aspects they definitely are one to watch out for in the future.

Richard Mille Prototype At Christie’s Auction

Posted 06/14/2017 The W-C

Richard Mille Prototype of the RM 056 soon to be up for auction Christie’s Auction house on the 21st June 2017. This is a rare watch indeed proper rad in very way features casing made of crystal with sapphire glass and a stunning Tourbillon movement which always bring high price tags. In 2012 the first RM 056 was introduced which boasted an all sapphire crystal case in the standard Richard Mille casing. It was a masterpiece in itself with no less than 800 hours machine manufacturing work.

The all sapphire case let you see the stunning slit second chronograph movement which was similar to RM 008. I suppose this is better than the see through casebacks most watch manufactures have that when the watch is on your wrist is pointless to see the movement. The casing, middle, bezel and back of the RM 056, had to be milled from solid blocks of sapphire using a diamond-tipped cutter, and the whole watch was held together by Richard Mille’s signature spline screws which are very distinct on Richard Mille timepieces. The watches basically been made up of all sapphire must be put together with great precision as one little mistake and crack!!

The complex process of making such a high level Richard Mille only made five examples of the initial Tourbillon Split Seconds Competition Chronograph RM 056 Felipe Massa Sapphire. But these sold for $1650000 So hence this is a rare watch with auction estimates of $1000000 to $15000000 which seems a good price fora prototype. I just wonder how many different ones Richard Mille can make as they all have look the same to me bar different materials, movements etc…

The Richard Mille watches are not for the faint very expensive but very well made. and loved by some on the rich and famous I doubt I will ever own one too ostentatious for me and too much money!

Picture courtesy off Evolution.

Talking Watches With Jeff Stein

Posted 06/13/2017 The W-C

Talking Watches With Jeff Stein one the big names in Heuer collecting and the man to go to with advice on the Heuer’s. Heuer was pre Tag Heuer before they changed the name. Heuer’s where vintage pieces some of the stars Paul Newman and Steve McQueen wore these and last 10 years have rocketed in price. Vintage market crazy at the moment and no exception to Vintage Heuer. Jeff Stein has a ridiculous amount of watches! I loved the Blue dial Monaco Steve McQueen big square lump of metal! Check out the video by Hodinkee:

Hands On With Rolex Daytona 116515LN

Posted 06/11/2017 The W-C

Hands On With Rolex Daytona 116515LN Rose Gold, this in my opinion is the nicest looking Gold Daytona Rolex produce not too ostentatious on a Rubber B Strap as they can look over the top with full gold oyster bracelet. The watch original comes on a black or brown croc leather with the rose gold deployment clasp. This model Daytona was probably the first of the Daytona’s to come with a ceramic bezel as I did always think why not put the ceramic bezel on the steel models? in 2016 at Basel they launched the steel Daytona with updated dial and bezel Rolex Daytona 116500LN and was an instant hit waiting lists endless…. The white dial version Panda Dial always a hit white dial with black sub dials.

The Rose gold Daytona comes in 18K everose gold with a stunning chocolate dial with dark brown numbers not batons, black ceramic bezel with gold writing 400 kilometres or miles per hour. The movement is the Cal 4130 by Rolex fantastic chronograph movement features a parachrom hair spring which is Cosc rated to within 2 seconds which is another good selling point for Rolex!
If you eyes ares not that good the chocolate dial Daytona is terrible to see the time at night but at worst I can check the time on my phone.

The oyster clasp looks stunning in everose gold with the rubber and this year at Basel World Rolex launched a new range to go a long side with Rolex 116515LN in a range of other precious metals 18k white gold and 18k Yellow gold on the oyster flex. The oyster flex is Rolex’s own rubber strap which is very nice indeed although not compatible with my model as the clasp fitment is different, Thanks Rolex was hoping to buy a oyster flex strap. See picture below still think rose gold chocolate dial is the best looking one all thou the white gold version would be my second choice. I actual think would be nice to own all 3 versions and the steel white version but how many Daytona’s does a man need!!

The one thing I would say is great about this model on the rubber strap is the watch can be worn every day without looking really flash and wears well in casual wear as well as smart. The Daytona will always be a watch to have always has been, the gold versions are not as popular due to the price tag. The Steel Daytona in the shops excluding Rolex Authorized Dealers are fetching some where £14000 – £15000 so the precious models are not a great deal more also can be discounted so might worth a look at an used gold Daytona on leather strap if your thinking of the steel version.

Heuer 1614 made in France!!

Posted 05/17/2017 The W-C

As the title says a lovely little piece by Heuer, The Heuer 1614 french made a very 1970,s design and colours! These was manufactured by firm called Monnin for Heuer not sure why they was made in France but there is no markings by Monnin. The watch was made in a few variants this version has a fume dial with blue sub dial, tachy ring orange chrono and minute marker hands with date window at 3 o clock.

This Heuer is anti-magnetic and houses a Swiss valjoux 7765 movement very popular movement used by loads of watch makers in the past valjoux. I love the watches from the 1970,s have great character and charm brushed steel with polished sides. Most watches from that era have increased in value some of the Heuer’s have rocketing in price beyond belief. This one is at the cheaper end of the market but a great piece all the same for the vintage look also with Heuer name too total value for money without breaking the bank.

Talking Watches With Ahmed Rahman In London

Posted 05/13/2017 The W-C

Talking Watches With Ahmed Rahman In London, as the title says always like these little videos by Hodinkee, The watches are some of the best in today standards. Patek Philippe, Jlc, Rolex Daytona Paul Newman, Richard Mille a new comer to the watch game but very expensive pieces designed for F1 racing no surprise there expensive everything usually is to do with racing!!

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono 600m

Posted 01/20/2017 The W-C

As I previously posted about the Omega Planet Ocean non chronograph version 42mm, thought it made sense to follow with reference to the “big Brother” 45mm Chronograph 600m with orange bezel. The Omega seamaster planet ocean chrono model number 232.30.46.51.01.002 is a nice big lump compared to the 42mm non chronograph, made in stainless steel brushed with subtle polished shoulders and pushers and rotating bezel. It houses the calibre 9300 co axial movement Omega’s bullet proof in-house chrono movement they use on a lot of their chrono watches. One of the big changes from the old chrono’s is 2 slit seconds sub dials instead of 3.

The watch is water resistant to 600m as the old one was but this wears very big on the wrist as is very thick indeed, date window at 6 o clock, a great combination with the orange bits on the pushers and little chrono hand plus number 12 on the dial. This model has see through caseback as well always nice to see the movement in my opinion although folk thinks it pointless on the wrist. I do like the chrono version probably one of my favourite planet oceans all round, far better than the older versions also added bonus of a true diver’s tool like Rolex Submariners but big and beautiful.

sell my Omega

“Speedmaster Tuesday” Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch 3569.31.00

Posted 12/27/2016 The W-C

As the title says “Speedy Tuesday” this one of the many Limited Editions Omega made which is probably in the 1000s, The Moonwatch has always been a favorite of mine does not get much better in conversation as “The first watch worn on the Moon.” This particular model the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo II 35th Anniversary was made around 2004 and limited to 3500 pieces and is the standard moonwatch 42mm with the hesalite crystal and Calibre 1861 movement which is slight update of the 861 movement that they put in the original moonwatch.

The apollo II is a cracking looking piece which I think will be a future collector’s “got to have piece”, as the watch has some very nice touches that most speedy fans will like:

firstly the Panda Dial silver dial black subdials always goes down well in any watch.

2nd. The applied Metal Omega Logo as the first pre moon watches that date pre 1969 hence “pre moon” had the applied logo then after the dials all made with the painted logo in white. The caseback not to shabby either all together a very nice piece that is modern with a few twists from the old Moonwatch.

3rd Th red writing on the landing 20 July 1969 all in all works well.

The apollo Limited edition were made every 5 years from the first moon landing on 20 July 1969 to commemorate the landing and I think this definitely one to have in the apollo II editions. To be fair all moonwatch are great pieces in general well respected watches that loved by millions if you like winding them up every 48 hours. If you get the chance to purchase one do not hesitate in purchasing there getting harder to find.

Three of the best Manually Wound Grail Watches

Posted 10/24/2016 The W-C

As the title says three on three of the grail watches by some of the world’s finest watchmakers and a nice video by Hodinkee! Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and A. Lange & Sohne content. Three fantastic manual wind watches most collectors would die for.