Best Buy for the year 2023

Best Buy for 2023. 

I have started the process of being minimalist by reducing the number of shoes and clothes and other collectibles that I have at home as part of my 斷捨離。I have also actively reducing my non core watches. For 2024, I hope to reduce it to 4 watches only for the next year and the criteria is to keep the same number of watches.

I have bought 17 watches for 2023 averaging 1.4 watches per month. 2023 has been an interesting year for my vintage watch collection and my favorites are the following:

Rolex ref 18239b

Rolex ref 3599 hooded bubbleback 

Rolex ref 18038 Day date with Chinese Calendars

Rolex ref 1625 in 18k gold

Rolex ref 6103 semi Bubbleback 

Rolex GMT Master II ref 116710LN Green Arrow from 2011

Traded a Rolex 1601 and 1503 plus cash top up for the Rolex ref 116523 Daytona 

Vintage Omega 38mm Seamaster made for North Korean Kim II Sung

IWC ref 811AD Cal 8541 in rare green marble dial

IWC ref 811AD Cal 8541 in nice blue dial

I used to own this many years ago. Finally managed to find one back

Melik Mido men version to match with the earlier lady version

Dunhill Golf ball watch from 1924

Rolex ref 4127 Athlete

Key Direction for 2024:

2023 is coming to an end and I have started to reflect my key direction for 2024. For 2023, I have expanded my watch collections to include many other brands. Key Direction for 2024 shall be limiting to vintage Rolex Prince or Bubbleback, Rolex Datejust or Day Date and to complete my IWC yacht club series. I am aiming to limit to only 4 watches per year.

1. Rolex Brancard Prince Jump hour or Tiger strap
2. IWC Yacht Club blue marble dial (to complete the IWC Yacht Club marble collection)
3. Rolex 1601 or 1803 Tiger eye dial or 
4. Rolex 18239b MOP dial with diamonds
5. Vacheron & Constantin unique vintage watches

Traded away for 2023:

1. Traded a Steel gold 1625 for a solid gold 1625
2. Traded a VC mystery dial for a Rolex hooded 3599
3. Traded an Enicar skin diver for a Rolex 4127
4. Rolex 18038 diamonds dial
5. Rolex 6694 blue
6. Omega Dynamic
7. Rolex 1601 rose gold & steel
8. Rolex Athlete 
9. Rolex 3121
10. Seiko 6105-8110 Diver watch
11. Record Moonphase watch
12. Eberhard  & Co Moonphase watch
13. Spaceman watch
14. Lord Elgin 14 white gold with diamonds markers for a Rolex 6427
15. Seiko spare blue bullhead
16. Rolex 6427 traded for a Rolex Big bubbleback 5075
17. Tudor 7962 & Lanco Alarm for Rolex 18038
18. Bejing watch.
19. Tudor Green cloisonné 
20. Rolex 5050 
21. Rolex 1503 Gold + Rolex 1601 steel gold for a Daytona 116523
22. Orion day and night watch
23. Rolex 16570 Explorer traded for Rolex GMT 2
24. Rolex 6694 Yellow dial
25. Pagol vintage
26. Rolex 1601
27. Russian Boston
28. Cornavin alarm
29. Praketa Russian watch

Goro’s Gold Tip Feather Ring & Feather with Silver Claw facing Left

Below photos : Goro’s Gold Tip Feather Ring & Feather with Silver Claw facing Left. 

There are many unwritten rules in Goro’s shop. For a starter, first few times buyer can only buy the basic entry level features such as the plain feather 素羽 or feather with metal (上銀羽毛）, or gold top feather(上金羽毛)，Silver top silver rope turquoise feather (上銀繩松石羽毛)。

After several visits to the shop, one's status can be upgraded to be eligible to purchase the special feature feather such as the feather with craw (銀爪點金羽毛)  or gold top feature (先金羽毛).

When the silver feather is left alone for a long time, it will tarnish, and some parts may turn into what they called Rainbow colors. 

Founder Goro Takahashi 

The famous Goro’s shop in Tokyo.

What are so unique about Goro’s silver jewelry 

1. Goro has his secret formula in making the silver (mixtures with other materials) where his silvers are harder than others and not easily broken or changed shape

2. Goro has a secret technique in fusing silver with solid gold 

3. Goro’s silver & gold after wearing will oxidize and turned into what they called the Rainbow colors making it a unique feature.

4. Goro’s jewelry have been worn by artists like Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Japanese 木村拓哉, Hiroshi Fujiwara, 余文樂。

https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/goros-fan-letter-marcus-troy/

October - December 2023 Q4 review

For the last quarter of 2023, the following are my key find with a strong focus on vintage Rolex watches. I have decided to refocus on the vintage Rolex between the 1930-50s and bring down my other non-core watch brands. I have also tried to finetune my watch collection every quarter in order to try to collect them in a series.

18k Rolex 1625 that will fit nicely with my Rolex rose gold 6309, and my steel & gold 1625 Turn O Graph collection.

Rolex ref 3599. This is an unusual hooded bubbleback. Traded a VC mystery dial to finance for it and it will fit nicely with the rest of the hooded bubbleback.

Traded Enicar Skin diver plus cash top up Rolex 4127 that will be a nice comparison watch with the automatic bubbleback ref 3548 Empire

Rolex Tridor 18039B which sits nicely with my other rose gold, yellow gold and white gold 1803 and my 18038.

Wish lists for 2024:

1. Rolex 1601 or 1803 Tiger eye dial or 
2. Rolex 18239b MOP dial with diamonds
3. IWC blue marble dial

Traded away for 2023:

1. Rolex 3121
2. Steel gold ref 1625 for a solid gold ref 1625
3. VC mystery dial for a Rolex hooded ref 3599
4. Enicar skin diver for a Rolex ref 4127
5. Rolex 18038 diamonds dial
6. Rolex 6694 blue steel watch for a Rolex 1601 rose gold & steel
7. Omega Dynamic 

Goro‘s gold tip feather ring part 2

It is interesting to note that there are variations even with the same kind of feather ring as below where the feather position is reversed.

Goro Takahashi's gold tip feather ring part 1

Goro’s is an accessory brand founded by Goro Takahashi, the legendary Japanese craftsman of Native American style jewelry. Many celebrities around the world, including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and Ed Sheeran are fans of goro’s. Even though this is not related to watches, I thought it will be an interesting topic to highlight as it is often regarded as the Rolls Royce of silver jewelry. Originally, I have wanted to collect the leather good, belt and various silver accessories. However, after much consideration, I have decided to get those items that I will use regularly starting with the ring.

After several years of wearing, the gold will develop what collectors called the rainbow colour owing to gastification氣化

What made it collectables? Source :

https://www.cortis.com/4-great-goros-alternatives-for-your-japanese-crafted-feather-jewelry/#:~:text=A%20Legacy%20of%20Excellence%3A,to%20their%20mystique%20and%20allure.

A Legacy of Excellence: 

Despite his growing fame, Goro remains true to his roots. He continues to handcraft each piece himself, using only the finest materials and traditional techniques. His pieces are not mass-produced, and they are often difficult to obtain, adding to their mystique and allure.

Today, Goro's Takahashi is a Japanese institution. His jewelry is coveted by collectors and fashion icons worldwide. Though Goro himself passed away in 2015, his legacy lives on through his son and apprentices who continue to create pieces that carry the same spirit and dedication to quality. 

To get your Goro's, you have to travel to their single store in Tokyo. When you get there, pick a number in a lottery, and stand around outside until they call your number.

If you make it into the shop, you get a “chance” to buy a piece of jewelry that the proprietors pick for you. There have been times when people have been denied the chance to buy something, due to their "energy" being off.

 

Universal Geneve Disco Volante

This is a Universal Geneve Disco Volante from the 1960s. With a vintage watch, it is not uncommon to find examples which sadly lose some of their design details over the years due to over polishing or excessive usage. The below Universal Genève watch here, we can see every single detail of the original design thanks to the excellent overall condition. The top of the case is beautifully brushed with lines that bring out the details of craftmanship from the watch.

Rolex bracelet for Bubbleback

My Rolex bubbleback needs a vintage Rolex 18mm spring bracelet. It is not easy to find one in good condition. Finally managed to get one from Derrick to match with my hooded bubbleback.