sapphire crystal Archives - The Watch-Collector Leeds

Rolex Submariner 16800 Matt Dial Modern Vintage!

Posted on February 11, 2018 The W-C

As the title says Hands on with Rolex Submariner 16800 Matt Dial modern vintage, this watch is a cracking piece a transitional Submariner from 1980. Rolex decided in 1980 to go down the sapphire crystal route instead of the high top plexi glass (acrylic glass) on the 1680 models the previous model to the 16800. The Rolex 1680 was a stunning watch Matt dial with round Tritium hour plots, now vintage and looked vintage, but the 16800 had some mods but retained the Matt Dial with t25 tritium hour plots. The quickset date change with sapphire which makes the watch look modern and works and looks like the Submariners up to 2010 Pre ceramic. Most watch manufactures moved to sapphire glass around the same time a lot tougher and more durable.

The Submariner is 64 years old now so tried and tested model in every way Rolex celebrated 50th Anniversary in 2004 with the Rolex Green Submariner 16610lv.
The 16800 with the Matt got phased out a couple of years after 1980 Rolex moved on to gloss dial with white gold surrounds on the hour plots which continued on to present day. But vintage watches have become like vintage cars very very desirable old aged patina on hour plots with plexi glass whats not to like? it only started growing on me as I got older.

But 16800 will no doubt be the Submariner if want to buy something perfectly wearable that looks modern but also has a vintage feel and look definitely a future collectible piece. A lot of watch collectors love birth year watches so these would suit 38 year old chap. Great watch all round no downsides plenty of heritage the Submariner gone from strength to strength.

Hands On With Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial 311.30.44.51.01.002

Posted on December 29, 2017December 29, 2017 The W-C

Hands On With Omega Speedmaster Chronograph Co-Axial 311.30.44.51.01.002 44.25mm, this is one of the nicest watches I have owned in the Speedmaster range it unfortunately does not come under the standard Moonwatch as its a automatic not manual wind. But this model came out a few years ago they first introduced a 42mm version around 6 / 7 years ago, and this speedmaster came from the latest version of the Planet Ocean 45mm. The watch in a nut shell is a Planet ocean movement 9300 put in a speedmaster 44mm case both chronograph watches around 45mm with a see through caseback so its cater for the speedy lovers with size of a Plant Ocean!!

The Speedmaster 44.25mm in stainless steel with sapphire glass and sapphire caseback with a matt black dial with date function at the bottom, the infamous Omega tachymetre bezel and comes on the newer style Speedmaster bracelet. The watch is a stunning piece great size and great presence on the wrist due to size, I have always been a sucker for Moonwatch but this one took me by surprise and bonus of automatic movement which the Moonwatch does not have.

The Moonwatch is thee watch of all the speedmasters cousins of cousins DNA, I would not like to say how many where produced and still being produced in the Speedmaster range that’s with without the special editions and limited editions. But prices of Omega are getting ridiculous these days they used to be very well priced and value for the money pieces. This Speedmaster is a eye watering £5840 and the secondhand re-sale is good but not as good as the king “Rolex” which dominates every market for re-sale value and is number one brand to own and want. I love Omega but love Rolex more!!

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Rolex Gmtmaster II 16710 “Stick Dial” And Little History

Posted on December 27, 2017 The W-C

Rolex Gmtmaster II 16710 Coke Bezel “Stick Dial” as the title says this a classic from Rolex designed for pilots back in the 50’s and still go strong today probably much more loved than ever!!

The Gmtmaster has a long standing history which I will briefly make a few pointers on. Gmtmaster always aspired to pilots, cause of the functionality of the watch, 2 time zones for flying to countries and keeping track of local time. The Gmtmaster in-brief history all started with model 6542 which was a modified Rolex Turn-o-Graph (Ref 6202) with mods to the movement and bakelite Glowing bezel which rotated and that model is very rare and collectible today and was first seen in the James Bond Film GoldFinger on the character Pussy galore.

The Gmtmaster has had plenty of changes over the years since the 1950’s the firsts ones had gilt dials and used radium on the hour plots that glowed in the dark which still glow today 60 years on, as Radium is radioactive material but was used in small amounts of course. Then in the 60’s Rolex moved on to matt dials with Tritium on the hour plots instead of radium which they used all the way up to 1999 and then moved on to Luminova which is used to present day.

The Gmtmaster charm is still there thou prices souring especially the really old vintage pieces after the 6542 came the 1675 which production run from 1959 to 1980 which was Matt dial with Tritium hour plots. The hacking feature started around 1971 hacking feature is the second stops on pulling the crown out as previous models the seconds hand run continuously when changing the time, after the 1675 came the 16750 model came with Matt dial also tritium plots with hacking feature which Rolex rolled out also the quickset date change. The older models never had this feature so date changing was a pain to correct the date. But this model was transitional model where the rare early ones where matt dial then later ones glossy dial with tritium hour markers with white gold surrounds.

The next model was 16760 Gmtmaster II and was the first Gmtmaster II sapphire crystal, quickset date change, but with a fatter case and know as “fat lady” due to the fat case, The next model was 16700 Gmtmaster which launched same time as the 16710 Gmtmaster II around 1988 but was cheaper version supposedly!

The 16710 Gmtmaster II which run for around 20 years and was the modern classic in every way Coke Bezel, Pepsi Bezel, Black Bezel etc… This particular one has a error on the dial which makes it special, the II on the dial after Gmtmaster has the top lines of the I missing and is seen on some dials between 2002 and 2007 upto when Rolex introduced 116710 Gmtmaster II Ceramic. Some of the later stick dials have the new 116710 movement which are thought to be rare to have hold of.

Hands on With Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5066A- 001

Posted on June 15, 2017July 18, 2017 The W-C

Hands on with the Patek Philippe Aquanaut reference 5066A- 001, The Aquanaut watch was launched in 1997 and in 2007 the collection celebrated 10 years of existence with the creation of a new model available in two sizes 38mm and 40mm the updated 5165 was released. This model boasted a “tropical strap” featuring a fold over clasp guaranteed utmost security on the wrist. The changes on the profile and dial slightly modified to underline the dynamic and technical spirit of the watch (Patek Philippe Quote). The Aquanaut is a blend of brushed and polished steel very slim not too bulky in anyway on a rubber strap for the rugged look.

Back to my Aquanaut I have 5066A is the discontinued version wears well as a casual watch from Patek Philippe a lot of their models are very nice but not the casual look or feel at all. The Aquanaut definitely is a fantastic everyday watch not every day price thou. The movement is Mechanical self winding with date Cal 330. 30 jewels The Arabic numbers on the dial, screw down crown, watch is water resistant to 60 metres so good enough for a divers watch, but the newer version is 120 metres water resistant.

I got to say the movement is stunning through the caseback, Patek Philippe watches are a serious piece of kit just out of reach for most people. Patek Philippe have a long standing history of watch making dating back years so great heritage owning one of their range. The aquanaut is definitely one to wear and love everyday and is at the bottom end of the Patek Philippe secondhand market for a sporty look as some of their range run into millions.
Patek have some of the most expensive watches that ever went under the hammer, $24,000,000 dollars is current record for the Henry graves super complication that has been up again recently for sale but did not sell.

Richard Mille Prototype At Christie’s Auction

Posted on June 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.

Omega Constellation 1502.30.00 Stainless Steel Watch

Posted on September 26, 2016August 22, 2017 The W-C

Here is a nice dress piece by Omega classic in design made in stainless steel with sapphire crystal glass. The Omega Constellation Ref 1502.30.00 is a 38mm case with the crown and uses the cal 1120 movement self winding with a 44 hour power reserve. They have a nice mix of polished and satin finish steel bracelet with a concealed Omega clasp, date window at 3 o’clock and bezel with roman numerals. It was a watch for my misses as a lot of women these days are wearing bigger watches but she never bonded with this one, so it has been replaced with something a bit more exciting. But a great dress watch with good buy factor on secondhand market also very inexpensive for a prestige timepiece.

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.

Breitling Crosswind A13355 Stainless Steel Chronograph

Posted on September 4, 2016 The W-C

Here we have the Breitling Crosswind reference A13355 polished stainless steel is slowing becoming a classic watch design, I have owned a fair few over the years and they are not a small piece by any means, it measures 43mm in size with chronograph function with date window at 3 o clock.

The stunning white dial with raised roman numerals and raised Breitling logo also with a tachymeter around the inner bezel ring for timing distance to speed. The rotating bezel just has the minute markers for diving and is water resistant to 100m although the primary function of the watch is designed for pilots. The sapphire crystal has a anti glare coating on both sides for zero sun reflecting with viewing dial while when flying at high altitudes.

This model comes in a few variants gold and steel and solid gold and was discontinued around 2005 for chronomat evolution which very similar but a few minor changes. A great value piece on the secondhand market for you buck in my opinion!

buy my Breitling