Rolex vintage Datejust

Rolex Datejust is one of the most interesting watches to collect as the Rolex Datejust vintage watches come in various bezel shape, dial colours and materials. As per the photo below, Rolex Datejust with 1603 bamboo bezel and 1600 smooth bezel. The 1603 bamboo bezel was made for the Italian market from 1960-1.

Rolex Datejust made for Middle East countries

Rolex vintage hand wind watches

Given the rising prices of the Vintage Rolex sports models, the Rolex vintage Datejust & Turn O Graph have become another good options for collectors with its varieties of bezels, dials design etc.

One of the most under value Semi sports watch by Rolex, the Rolex Turn O graph, aka Thunderbirds (Left Reference 6609, Right 1625)

Rolex Ref 1803 Day Date in Rose gold, White Gold & Yellow Gold

I have started my collection of the Rolex Day Date late as it has given one a perception of an old man's watch. However, I have begun to appreciate the watch now. It has taken me a while to find a small set of rose gold, white gold a yellow gold Day Date in leather strap. I have found the gold watch with gold bracelet too heavy and too grandiose.

Rolex 1803 comes in 26 languages 

Rolex Bubbleback 古董勞力士泡泡背

Rolex Bubbleback 

Vintage Rolex Big Bubbleback

Rolex Prince Doctors watch & Gruen Doctor watch

These are 1930s Doctors watches which i have collected from 1988 till now. I have started with a solid gold Brancard Prince brought from my friend Hong and slowly collected the Gruen doctor's watches as well as a Longines.

3 Jump hour doctor watch

Jaeger Lecoultre 18k gold memovox lapis dial using K825 Bumper Movement

This is a Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox with an unusual ''Lapis Lazuli Dial”. The model is called the “Lapis Lazuli” because of its blue lacquered dial that resembles lapis lazuli stone. Its a Jaeger-LeCoultre using the K825 bumper movement, manufactured in 1960’s. 

I have another Jaeger Lecoultre Memovox in stainless steel and normal silver dial. This one stands out for its incredibly attractive and rare blue lapis design lacquered dial. Very little information can be found for this dial as most of the Memovox 855 are in silver dial and some in black. My guess is that the dial may be a test project during the 1960s. The amazing lacquer blue lapis finished dial created a charming deep blue nuances. Moreover the light blue color of the center alarm minute track creates an eye-catching two tone effect. 

From what I gather from the internet, there are three versions. One version in stainless steel and another in solid gold with blue lapis dial and there is a third one in brown marble dial. From my search from the internet, there are 5-6 solid gold Jaeger Lecoultre memovox lapis dial including mine below.

I have always love vintage watch with blue dial and I have found this in a vintage watch shop more than one year ago. The price is not cheap and I hesitated. After more than one year of consideration, I have decided to pull the trigger and use the Edox world time and Gruen Doctor watch plus cash top up in exchange for this beauty..

Comparison between a normal dial versus a lapis dial

Very  little informations can be found on these lapis dial watches. There are six similar watches with the blue lapis dials below from the internet …

1. https://www.uhrenworld.com/en/watch-brands/jaeger-le-coultre/jaeger-lecoultre-memovox-lapislazuli-blatt-ref-e855#lg=1&slide=1

2. https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/auction/exclusive -timepieces-22/lot-119

3. https://www.libertas-watch.com/rolex-other/11080

4. https://omegaforums.net/threads/can-someone-help-me.74482/ 

5. Colonna Watches 

https://www.facebook.com/colonnawatches/photos/a.389628298426228/921684038553982/

6. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/jaeger-le-coultre-well-preserved-memovox-alarm-wr-119-c-d60453f86f

7. There is one in Gold capped and steel version below: https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/jlc-memovox-lapis-lazuli.3373354/

Rolex Eaton Bubbleback from 1946

When I first posted the photo of the Rolex Bubbleback Quater century club watch, there were some collectors calling it a reconditioned dial or fake watch…… that is until I remembered I have the frame certificate to the watch owner to show…

Friday, February 24, 2017

Special Eaton Bubbleback from 1946

I have been collecting vintage Rolex bubbleback for more then 25 years and this is a special Rolex made for Eaton department store. What is unusal for the Eaton watch is that it is in the Rolex bubbleback format. Moreover, it comes with the framed certificate to Mr. Timothy C. Eaton heir grandson of the Eaton family who was named after the founder Timothy Eaton. 

The watch dates to 1946. I have two Eaton watches in gold format from the 1950s hand wind & another from the 1960s automatic. This  watch from 1946 will fit in nicely in the collection. I am hoping to find a 1930s Eaton Prince to complete this small theme. Hope I can find one soon!

Having broken my own rules for one newly acquired watch in and one old one out, I will need to let go some watches in order to balance the quantities. Luckily, I have managed to let go one KS and I am in the process of letting go a GS too...

Eagerly waiting for this lovely bubbleback to arrive!