JAEGER-LECOULTRE MEMOVOX ALARM VINTAGE WATCH E872

JAEGER-LECOULTRE MEMOVOX ALARM VINTAGE WATCH E872

It has a high grade 916 automatic calibre from the 1970s with blue Tritium dial and a stainless steel watch case with screw back case. The diameter is 38 x 45mm 

Early gold capped Tudor Prince Oysterdate small rose

This is an early gold capped Tudor Prince Oysterdate small rose 

Q4 Oct - Dec 2024 Review

We are now at Q4 of the year 2024. For Q4, I have started to consolidate some Mainland Chinese watches with special design and historical importance and further consolidated my Rolex collection plus I have expanded my vintage chronograph series.

Collecting the Chinese mechanical watches is no easy tasks as there are many fakes and replicas. There are also many with mixed old and new parts. There are many collectors who asked me why collect Chinese watches? The reason is simple. Firstly, I am an overseas Chinese and I am naturally attracted in made in Chinese watches. Secondly, there are only four major watch manufacturing countries namely the Swiss & German, Japanese and the Chinese who really produce watches from start to finish. 

In early 2000s, when I was actively colllecting Japanese Seiko watches, the same question was asked as to why I collect Japanese Seiko. As a watch collector where funds are limited, one will need to have the foresight to see what will be the next phase and the next big things. Collecting these Chinese watches are inexpensive now but give it another 5-10 years, it will be an expensive exercise.

Oct 4 : 孔雀

Oct 4 : 南宁桂花表

Oct 8, Rolex semi Bubbleback ref 6085

白漆系列 White lacuered dials series

充满70年代辽宁手表厂色彩的集合

紅汉字系列

小紅旗系列

Rolex 18k yellow gold ref 6305 from 1953

Seagull 八一钢铁長城表

白漆紅旗表

Vintage 37mm Universal Geneve 18k rose gold watch made for Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia

North Korean Moranbong watch

1920s Cushion shape Vintage Chronografo Escasany Single button chronograph 

New old stock bevelled edge lugs 37mm 1920s Early “anonymous” or “sterile” enamel dial chronograph using Valjoux 22 caliber. 

Bovet first generation Mono Rattrapante Chronograph Valjoux 84 in 36mm

This is a barn find Bovet second generation Mono Rattrapante Chronograph Valjoux 84 in 38mm. This will be an interesting restoration project.

Traded/Sold Watches:

1. Jan 14 : Sold Vintage Mickey Mouse Watch

2. Jan 22 : Sold Big Bubbleback 5075

3. Feb 26 : Sold spare CWC Military

4. March 25 : Sold Ernie watch

5. May 9 : Sold JLC new old stock steel auto date

6. May 9  : Sold Seiko slim watch

7. May 11 : Sold Silvana steel watch 

8. May 15 : Traded Avila jumping seconds plus telephone dial watch for a Longines Tonneau watch

9. May 29 : Traded a Roger Debuis ashtray for a 1972 Nixon watch

10. May 23 : Zenith square automatic date

11. May 25 : Traded Eska for a Seiko 6138-0040 bullhead 

12. May 27 : Sold a spare Rado Lapis dial watch  

13. May 31 : Traded Omega constellation plus cash top up for a Rolex Bubbleback 

14. June 13 : Seiko Bullhead 6138-0040 

15. June 19 : IWC steel with bracelet

16. June 28 : Omega Constellation 168.005 for VC 4996

17. June 28 : Rolex Bubbleback ref 2940 for VC 4996

18. August 17 : Rolex Bubbleback 5015 Scientific dial

19. August 26 : Tissot Worldtimer

20. September 13 : Patek Philippe

21. September 24 : Vintage Citizen Watch

22. October 29 : Spare Red flag Watch

23. November 5 : Sold Nivada worldtime watch

24. November.5 : Traded Rolex 6082 handwind for a Rolex 6305 Big Bubblebacxk.

25. December 2 : Traded an Orient diver watch for a One button chronograph.

26. Dec 10 : Traded bi colour 6305 for 18k 6305

Revival of a steel Bovet Mono-Rattrapante Chronograph Watch (Second series) - part 1

The last time I embarked on a watch major restoration project was in June 2022 where a Rolex Prince was fully restored. For the end of 2024, I have decided to emark on a major restioration of a barn find old Bovet Mono-Rattrapante chronograph in its original untoched condition as follows. Owing to its conditions, the price is very resonable (at 1996 Antiquorum price).

It was in 1936 that Bovet created and patented a "mono-rattrapante" chronograph system that acted similarly to a split-seconds mechanism. The mechanism of the chronograph is started by the push button at 2 o'clock, while the push button at 4 would stop it and when released allowed the time to catch up to the actual time.  The Valjoux 84  was exclusively produced for Bovet Frères for their "Mono Rattrapante" between about 1936 and 1950.

As you can see from the photos, the case is full of rust, cracked crystal plus watch is not in working condition. It will be an interesting project restoring the watch. 

I have waited anxiously last night hoping that I can get this beauty and this morning when I woke up, I have finally have confirmation that it is mine. Once the watch has arrived, I shall start the restoration project with KK Sifu soon! 

This is a 38mm bigger size bovet Mono Rattrapante watch with stepped case

With the Impermeabkle case

This watch is similar to https://sabiwatches.com/product/1950s-bovet-mono-rattrapante-with-valjoux-85

Another example : https://www.stetzcowatches.com/product/1950s-oversized-bovet-chronograph-38mm-steel/

Another example : https://www.antiquewatch-carese.com/mens-watch/other/mo1970.html

Summary of all 4 watches :

Rolex ref 6305-1 Big Bubbleback from 1953

While doing my usual vintage watch hunting, I have managed to find this Rolex 6305-1 in 18k solid yellow gold. This watch is a fascinating piece of horological history that combines watchmaking excellence with political significance. The Rolex ref 6305-1 Big Bubbleback represents several important aspects:

Historical Significance:

- Given to President Eisenhower before its official 1953 launch

- Also presented to Winston Churchill

- Used as a powerful marketing tool showing world leaders as wearers

Technical Features:

- Cal.A296 bubble back movement

- Early Datejust model

- Distinctive red and black date wheel alternation

- 18k solid gold construction

Marketing Context:

- Positioned as Rolex's most advanced line in 1953

- Premium pricing due to solid gold construction

- Used in advertisements highlighting presidential ownership

- Demonstrated Rolex's strategy of associating with world leaders

The timing detail mentioned is particularly interesting - Eisenhower was photographed wearing it in July 1952, before the watch's official 1953 launch, indicating Rolex's strategic pre-release gifting to build anticipation and prestige.

This 18k rose gold 5305-1 was found in 2023.

Finally able to find another one in yellow gold to pair with the rose gold 6305-1

For those who is keen to get one, there is one at eBay now

The Rolex Big bubbleback series leading to the Datejust consists of the following 

Rolex ref 4467 (solid Gold from year 1945-1949)  
Rolex ref 5030 (Solid gold) , Bi colour steel and gold 5031, 5075, 6031 (from year 1949 - 1950)，
Rolex ref 6075, 6074 (Bi colour from year 1950 - 1953) also some 1960-64
Rolex 6104, 6105 (Bi colour modified A296，from year 1951 - 1953) some from the 1960s
Rolex 6304 , 6305 (Yellow & Rose gold), 6309 (Pre ThunderBird) (A296，from year 1953 - 1956)
Rolex Datejust 6604, 6605, 6609 (Thunderbird), 1600, 1601,1603, 1607, 1625 (Thunderbird) (from 1959 - 1977 onwards using Butterfly movement calibre generation features cal. 1065 and later cal. 1565 and 1575.)