Rolex Big Bubbleback in Lizard straps

I have decided to standardised my Rolex big bubbleback leather straps by replacing them with lizard skins. Do you like them?

Before 

After

Elgin Direct reading Elvis jump hour watch

Most collectors to refer to this model of Elgin’s “Direct Reading” as the “Elvis” watch because it was a favorite of Elvis Presley. There are many fantastic photos from the 1950s showing Elvis wearing the watch.

Elgin catalogued the watch as the "Direct Reading 7776" and it was priced at $95.00 in 1957. It features an early use of the digital concept, with two rotating disks displaying the time through a window in the rectangular beveled case, with the hour disk jumping at the top of each hour. 

It is very difficult to find with its original matching Hadley faceted bracelet. This example is in crisp, excellent condition with only a few specks of brassing to the tips of the lug. The gold applied Elgin crest still shows almost all of its detail. Bezel has a matte and polished finish. 

The case measures 36mm long and 26mm wide. This watch is powered by its 21-jewel Elgin grade 719 adjusted movement. Many of the new watch collectors will complain of the size being too small. My advice is to stay away from vintage watches and stick to the new watches if you can only accept giant size watches. We have to remember that watch sizes is like fashion trends. Big size watches are popular in the now.

https://www.elgin.watch/enwco/technology/direct-reading/

Mido Multifort Datometer

Mido used to be an interesting brand during the early years till 1960s and they have several classic models that even today collectors love. This is a Beautiful special Mido Multifort Datometer Grand Luxe Super-Automatic men's wristwatch from approx. the 1950s. The original Multifort series ran from 1937 to 1954 (Mido have recently reintroduced the name, reflecting on former glories). This is often called pointed calendars. Around the edge of the dial are days, indicated by a 4th hand.

The size is considered large during the 1950s and the Size of the case is approx. 34 mm x 41 mm without crown. What made this watch unique is that it is made in Rose gold, 9k. This Datometer will fit nicely with my small collection of Pointer date watches.

Beautiful movement with hammer automatic called the bumper  movement 

Rolex ref 1601 Mickey Mouse

Of all the vintage Rolex series, with the exception of the Rolex Sports series where the prices have already sky rocket, the one that have the potential to escalate in prices are the Rolex Datejust and the Bubbleback series, especially for the Big Bubbleback. I have seen the slow recovery of Rolex bubbleback prices. For the Rolex Datejust, I have also seen the increase in prices from HK$16,000 about a year ago to over $30,000 (and more for special ghost dial, Rose gold series etc ) and it continues to climb…

This is a Rolex 1601 Mickey.

Some Datejust. 

Bulova Reissues US Government Mil-Ship Prototype Diver watch

This is a Bulova diver that replicate the Prototype that was never produced. The watch design is  based on the original MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 submersible dive watch created in 1957 at the request of the US government

There are two versions. A non-limited version features a blue NATO-style strap and houses a Miyota 82S0 automatic movement while a second version, limited to 1,000 individually numbered examples, uses a Swiss automatic Sellita SW200 movement. The limited edition is presented in a unique gold-tone diver helmet storage box with serial card and storybook. The standard edition has a crystal height of 1.5mm while the limited one is 3mm. Everything else apart from the crystal and the movement is the same. I have managed to find two and let my friend Matthew have one. Many brands have relaunched many past issues but this is one of the best as it stay true to its original design as well as keeping the 16mm strap width instead of following the current trend in making it bigger.

https://hypebeast.com/2021/8/bulova-reissues-us-government-mil-ship-prototype-diver

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/bulova-mil-ships-w-2181

https://instoremag.com/bulova-unveils-archive-series-mil-ships-w-2181-reissue/

https://asia.bulova.com/html/en/index.html

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/bulova-unveils-mil-ships-dive-watch/

Tudor ref 7966 Prince Oystrdate Big Rose

Tudor 7966 Prince Oysterdate Big Rose watch with white gold bezel from 1965. The steel case measuring 34.5mm excluding the original Rolex signed crown.  Many of these early Tudor watches were equipped with Rolex branded hardware such as the Rolex crown, and Rolex case. Tudor automatic caliber 2462 with 25 jewels

The Tudor 7966 Prince Oysterdate Big Rose watch with white gold bezel from a distance looks similar to the Rolex Datejust 1601.

Rolex Turn O Graph 6202, 6609, 1625

6609 Turn O Graph. 有好多人第一眼睇這隻錶會覺得平平無奇，甚至話唔係我杯茶。因為太少，所以好多人唔認識呢隻錶嘅歷史，而忽略咗呢隻錶嘅重要性。50年代，運動錶同紳士錶嘅結合。要記得，五十年生產表量好少，尤其係紅金添。所以話Knowledge Is Power, 對古董錶嘅歷史有認識節才能收到好錶。不然的話，寶也會變成草，走寶都唔知. 

Turn-O-Graph在劳力士的历史上有着不可磨灭的意义，1953年在Basel表展首次发表的劳力士6202便是Turn-O-Graph的初始型号，其设计灵感来源于当时计时技术的一种新概念。劳力士在原有的蚝式表壳上加装创新的可旋转式计时表圈使其具有类似码表的计时性能，在旋转计时表圈的顶点标记一个三角形记号代表零点位置，这也是Turn-O-Graph命名的由来。相较于当时其它计时腕表Turn-O-Graph具有两个明显优势，一是其坚固强悍的蚝式表壳，另一个是因为不需要计时按钮，理所当然具备了更好的防水性能。勞力士6202的機芯是泡泡背自動機芯。

近期大熱嘅勞力士舊庒運動錶(sporty),其實都是從bubbleback機芯衍生出來.無論係早期Turn-O-Graph 6202, Submariner 6200,6204,6205,6358或explorer嘅6098,6298,6150及6350都採用bubbleback未期的A260或A296半密陀式機芯. 最初的Turn-O-Graph与DATEJUST风格迥异反倒是与SUBMARINER一模一样，很明显Turn-O-Graph是SUBMARINER系列腕表的灵感来源或者说是劳力士蚝式运动型腕表的试验场和前身。1954年劳力士改变了Turn-O-Graph腕表的几个重要元素，在3点钟位置增加了日历窗，使用了具备放大功能的凸透表镜，更将原本的黑色铝制外圈变为立体凹凸的金质数字外圈，风格精致且华丽。这样的改变避免了Turn-O-Graph与同样具备旋转外圈的Submariner在风格上的纠缠不清，也意图为Datejust系列补充更具个性而且更加高端的产品路线，1955年推出的6609正式归入Datejust系列才给了Turn-O-Graph一个明确的定位。

Rolex 6202

Rolex 6609

Rolex 6609 & 1625

Rolex 6202, 6609, 1625. Still need 6309

Rolex Bubbleback restoration project

I love the Rolex Bubbleback. Recently, I have found a Rolex steel bubbleback with a reconditioned dial and from the photo looked like a non Rolex crown. As a watch collector, one of the joy is to restore the watch back to its original format. Since then, I have started to search for an original dial. Let the fun begin…

Latest update:

The watch was supposed to be working but it wasn’t. As such, there will be a need to send for servicing. I have managed to find a new old stock dial to replace the reconditioned dial.

After one week, the restoration project is complete. The dial is with an original Rolex crown too!

Comparison between a Normal Bubbleback and a BIG bubbleback