Vintage world time diver from the 1960-70s

I have always love vintage world time diver watch in very good condition. What is interesting about the watch is that Hong Kong & Singapore are on a different time zones.

As part of the Straits Settlements, Singapore originally adopted the Malayan time, which was GMT+07:30 in 1941. Following the Japanese occupation, Singapore (known as Syonan-to during this time) adopted the Tokyo Standard Time of GMT+09:00 on 15 February 1942. At the end of World War II and the return of the Straits Settlements to the British, Singapore reverted to its pre-war time zone.

In 1981, Malaysia decided to standardise the time across its territories to a uniform UTC+08:00. Singapore elected to follow suit, citing business and travel schedules. The change took effect on 1 January 1982, when Singapore moved half an hour forward, on 31 December 1981 at 11:30 pm, creating "Singapore Standard Time" (SST). SST is 8 hours ahead of UTC and is synchronised with Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and Perth.

As such, this watch is Pre 1982 and most probably is from the 1960-70s. I remembered the change in time as I was still in school then and it was an exciting time...

Lip Thermometer watch ref 42670 from the 1970s

The French brand LIP made some seriously cool, and quirky designs in the 70’s, take this obscure Lip Thermometer watch, which actually measures temperatures using the central dial and uses a upgraded Durowe movement. This watch is with crosshair dial and neon colouring. A great example of experimentation in the Swiss watch industry. 

 

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-the-obscure-lip-thermometer-with-a-durowe-movement/ 

Best Buy for the year 2021

2021 is coming to a close. Looking back, the journey has been an interesting one. In particular, I have been trying to focus on the rose gold watches (examples Rolex 6609, Rolex 1601 in solid gold and 1601 in half gold, Omega Cosmic). There is one more Rolex 1803 in rose gold that I am currently chasing. In addition, my focus has been on the Rolex Big Bubbleback 5031,6031, 5075. 

These are the summary of the best buy watches that I have found in the year 2021:

1. Focus on the core vintage Rolex especially the BIG Bubbleback series and some early unusual Rolex.

Rolex 6609 (8 Feb 2021). I have the steel & gold Rolex 6609 and a 1625. 

This rose gold 6609 will fit nicely to the Thunderbird  collection. Saw a rare 6309 but the price is treple...

Rolex 1630  ( 5 March 2021). I disliked the look initially as it does not have the 

traditional Rolex look and feel but somehow grew to like this avant-garde design.

Rolex big bubbleback ref 6105 ( March 27, 2021)

Rolex 5031 (4th April 2021) traded with Rolex 3372.

Rolex 6031 (8th April 2021)

Rolex 5075 in nice rose gold and steel (24 April)

Rolex 16570 (12th April 2021) Traded with a Bi colour Rolex.

Rolex 1601 Rose gold & steel ( 7 May 2021)

This is another Rolex 1601 Rose gold and steel Datejust (June 2021) 

but it has a lovely pink dial

Rolex 1601 Wide Boy 18k Gold

Rolex Bubbleback restored with Pink dial and mercedes hands

Rolex 1601 in 18k solid Rose gold 

2. IWC : Special Dial & an IWC Ingenieur

It has a special blue black marble dial

3. Omega Cosmic & Constellations C Shape

Sold off a NOS Trematic moonphase to help finance this

Omega Cosmic in rose gold

Omega Constellation 168.027 white gold bezel in dark gray dial

Omega Constellation 168.029 white gold bezel in light gray dial

Omega Kim II Sung

4. Others 

Wittneaur retrograde

Bulova Reissued US Government Mil-Ship Prototype Diver watch

 

Rolex ref 1601 Datejust 18k Rose gold

I have a passions for vintage Rose gold watches as it has a nice warm tone. In particular, the Rolex Datejust rose gold &  steel and the solid 18k rose gold watch. Last weekend, I have managed to find a nice 18k rose gold 1601 watch in black dial & rose markers from the year 1966. Characteristic for this era of production is the so-called ‘Pie-Pan’ dial were the dial looks like an upside-down pie-pan. I have traded away a steel & gold Datejust for this. There is another Rolex Day Date 1803 in Rose gold... hope to be able to pair it up with this Rose gold soon...

It’s not easy to take photos of the Red gold watch. 

One of the most direct way is to put it side by side for AB comparison.

From Pink gold to Rose gold to Yellow

Rolex Datejust ref 16014 (from 1987)

There is always something new to learn everyday. Rolex collectors know all about so-called “transitional” Submariners and GMTs and other sports models… but not so much the Datejust. 

We know that Rolex 1600, 1601, 1603 all come with the plastic crystals plus a non quickset movement. Plastic crystals and quickset dates rarely occur in the same watch. This model 16014 Datejust is unique as It has an original stainless steel case has 18k white gold bezel, and with plastic crystal, screw-down crown operating perfectly, and dimensions of 36mm diameter by 12.5mm thick. It has an quick set date automatic winding Rolex Caliber 3035 with 27 jewels and adjusted in 5 positions and to temperature. Moreover, it has a silver dial with radial sunburst finish, original diamond hour markers and date at 3 o’clock. This C.O.S.C. Certified Chronometer movement plus Rolex thick Jubilee bracelet. The Rolex 16014 was produced from 1977-88. This watch was produced in 1987 with starting R307XXX making these one of the last few transitional Datejust.

Omega Cosmic Moonphase watch ref 2473

Introduced in 1947, the Cosmic was Omega’s first watch to combine the time and date with a calendar function displaying the date, day of the week, month and the phase of the moon. The Cosmic collection was in production until 1956. 

At the time it was one of the most exclusive watches the brand could offer. The Omega Cosmic watches came in two sizes (34-35mm and 37.5mm) in four different case materials namely steel, gold filled, gold-capped, and solid yellow or pink gold variants (14K and 18K). 

Omega released six references: five in the late 1940’s and one in the early 1950’s. The reference 2606, 2471 and 2473 were all 35mm watches. The reference 2485 and 2486 were larger with 37.5mm. In 1951, the last reference of this collection came to existence as the reference 3944. It was also smaller in size but had a very distinct square case, instead of round like all the others before. 

At the time of its release, a triple calendar complication was representative of the height of a watch manufacture’s prowess in wrist-worn timepieces. Nearly every noteworthy brand made them, from Patek Philippe to Rolex. But surviving examples produced by Patek Philippe or Rolex, for example, go for six figures at auction today, whereas the Omega Cosmic is far more accessible. The Cosmic’s dial features a classic triple calendar layout, with the day of the week and month below the 12 O’clock, position, moonphase indicator at 6 O’clock and date indictor around the perimeter of the dial. The cycle of the Moon is approximately 29.5 days. This means that from new moon (when the Moon is barely visible in the sky) to full Moon (when the whole disc is illuminated) back to the new moon again our grey astronaut landing station needs 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes (and 2,9 seconds) to conclude. This cycle was recognized thousands of years ago and it became a way to measure the passing of time. One could look up to the Moon and tell if it was the beginning or the end of a month (well, this +- 29.5-day period). Over time a few days were added or taken away and the (Gregorian) calendar we know today was born.

Omega touted the slimness of the Cosmic’s case in advertising material, stating that it was “the first calendar watch whose movement was conceived to fit in an ultra-flat case.” For the collector who seeks an elegant dress watch. 

I used to have a square Moonphase during the late 1990s and another gold filled Omega Moonphase but I have sold it away to trade for a Rolex 1625 a few years ago. It was a decision which I have regretted. After a few years of searching, I have finally managed to find one ref 2473. It was love at first sight as it has my favoutite rose gold and with an original dial. The condition of the wach is really good for a watch that is 74 yeasr old. I have to let go my NOS Trematic Moonphase for this..