geneva Archives - The Watch-Collector Leeds

Record Breaking Rolex’s at Phillips Auction Geneva !!

Posted on May 14, 2017 The W-C

Record Breaking Rolex’s at Phillips Auction Geneva yesterday and today with Aka “The Legend” Rolex Daytona 6263 with a lemon grené dial solid 18k gold stunning watch in every way only one of three known ever made. The watch sold at auction for a staggering $3,717,906, making it the second most expensive Rolex sold at auction today lot 237/237 just goes to show no stopping the Paul Newman phenomena. The vintage watch market booming more than ever. Picture courtesy of Hodinkee!

The Daytona set the record for the most expensive Daytona ever sold hence the nick name “The Legend” they did save the best for last apparantly. The most expensive Rolex ever sold was the day before 13 May. The Rolex ref 6062 “Bao Dai” just sold for $5,060,427 really gets a lump in throat when the hammer drops at them prices.

This model is only one if its kind with black diamond dial and belonged to the last emperor of Vietnam both watches are truly a credit to Rolex watch making in the 70,s as beautiful vintage pieces you can only dream of owing. Overall The Daytona would be the watch I would pick loved them from the first time I ever saw a bi metal Daytona in the 1990’s. Rolex always been one of my favorite brands as the years gone by I grew a love for vintage timepieces might be my age as getting older!!

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chrono 600m

Posted on January 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

Hodinkee Best of 2016 Review

Posted on January 10, 2017January 10, 2017 The W-C

The Hodinkee Best of 2016 Review video lots of great watches through the previous year. I do love there video’s as watches make me tick from some of the best brands we all love Patek Philippe, vintage Heuer, Omega, Iwc, Tudor and many more. British Horology which is very good in its own right.

The Thirteen Mil Submariners of Grahame Fowler

Posted on November 21, 2016November 21, 2016 The W-C

As the title says Thirteen Rolex Military Submariners of Grahame Fowler fantastic historic watches by Rolex that every collector would love to own one including myself.

Prices become silly on these in recent times topping £100.000 most collectors bought them when folk did not know what the watch was worth and most likely inherited. I know a chap who bought a few in the 1990,s for around £10.000 each and he has a nice collection too.

The watch was made for the ministry of defence and Rolex back in the 1950,s was the leading Brand on dive watches so no brainer to supply the divers in WW2 with A military Submariner. They wanted the watch to be different to the commercial Submariner hence the Mil Sub, at that time they wanted fixed spring bars and nato strap not steel oyster bracelet. This model was made in small numbers and is a piece that will stamped in the history of the finest Military collectible watch ever made. Enjoy the video!

Tudor Inside The Archives Talking Watches

Posted on November 8, 2016 The W-C

Tudor Inside The Archives Talking Watches with Hodinkee a nice video, Vintage Tudor has become like vintage Rolex very very desirable in every way. In the past Tudor was the cheaper Rolex, Branded Tudor with Rolex movement, crown, case back, etc… They even did the Submariner range that was identical but says “Tudor” on the dial. Some of the best Tudor’s watches in my opinion highly sort after and collectable the Monte Carlo range very like the Daytona in every way. Every collector should have a Tudor Monte Carlo hopefully one day I will own one. Enjoy the video!

Sell Your Vintage Watch

Breitling Colt A17380 Automatic

Posted on September 5, 2016 The W-C

Here is a Breitling Colt Automatic Ref A17380, the case is 41mm in stainless steel and is water resistant to 500m with stunning slate grey dial with baton style markers one of the best colours in my opinion, rotating bezel with minute markers for diving. The Breitling as most have sapphire crystal glass with anti glare coating both sides for no sun reflection when in your jet fighter!!

I have owned one of these a fair few years back good size and good weight on a Breitling Pro II bracelet. The colt has grown over the years in size which has probably had at least four overhauls in the past to present and got better and better. This particular model Colt are a entry level Breitling for an Automatic movement, as quartz always cheaper to buy new and used but secondhand prices are good value for money I feel.