North Korean Moranbong vintage watch 1970-80s

Lately, my focus on vintage watches has been on watches with unique history and culture. This is a rare moranbong vintage watch from the mysterious North Korea.  

The North Korean Moranbong watch is a timepiece that holds a unique place in the world of horology. It is a symbol of North Korean craftsmanship and national pride. In this article, we will delve into the history and significance of the Moranbong watch, exploring its design, features, and cultural impact.

The Moranbong watch showcases a distinctive design that reflects North Korean aesthetics. It typically features a round stainless steel case with a clean and minimalist dial. The dial often displays the national emblem of North Korea, the red star, along with the name "Moranbong" in Korean script. Printed on its watch dial in black lettering, in both Hangul characters and the Roman alphabet, are the words “Moranbong” (the brand name) and “Pyongyang, North Korea.” The watch was made in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — likely in the 1970s and ’80s, although no one seems really sure about the dates — the Moranbong is one of the watch universe’s mysteries 모란봉 translates to Peoni Hill 牡丹峰. 

The Moranbong watch holds great cultural significance in North Korea. It represents the country's dedication to craftsmanship and serves as a symbol of national pride. Wearing a Moranbong watch is seen as a display of loyalty and support for the nation.

The watch is often presented as a gift to esteemed individuals or foreign dignitaries visiting North Korea. It serves as a token of friendship and a symbol of the country's cultural heritage.

Collecting the Moranbong watch can be a challenging endeavor due to its limited availability outside of North Korea. However, for those passionate about horology and interested in acquiring a unique timepiece, it can be a rewarding pursuit.

Due to its cultural significance, the Moranbong watch holds value not only as a functional timekeeping device but also as a collector's item. Its rarity and the story it represents make it a desirable piece for watch enthusiasts.

The North Korean Moranbong watch stands as a testament to the country's dedication to craftsmanship and national pride. With its distinctive design, cultural significance, and limited availability, it holds a unique place in the world of horology.

While acquiring a Moranbong watch may pose challenges, its rarity and the story it represents make it a valuable addition to any watch collection. Embrace the opportunity to own a piece of North Korean culture and showcase your appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind the Moranbong watch. We have to bear in mind that wristwatch is considered a luxury item then in Democratic Republic of North Korea. As such, the quantities are few and perhaps only the privilege few have the opportunity to own it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/fashion/north-korea-watches-moranbong.html

https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/north-korean-commemorative-watch-seen-on-ebay.5163627/

Vintage Omega watch made for North Korean Kim II Sung 金日成 Part 2

This is a vintage Omega Watch with North Korean Kim Il Sung 金日成 signature dial. Kim IL Sung watch with his name in RED Korean (Hangul).  The Seamaster was relocated to the bottom, right above the 6 o'clock mark.  His name is inscribed in Korean (Hangul) in RED ink to symbolize the communist red.

The color red has always been a symbol of the communist regime.  This is a limited production Omega, a private special order to Omega, commissioned by the North Korean Dictator Kim Il Sung aka as "The Great Supreme Communist Leader."  He is the Grandfather of the current North Korean leader,  Kim Jung Un (aka the "Rocketman" dub Trump).  During his primary rule after the Korean war in 1953, leading up to the 70's.  Kim Il Sung on his birthdays had a ritual of giving gifts to his close Comrades and Omega watches inscribed with his signature in Red hangul was one of them.  Another interesting feature is that the Day disc wordings are in Korean language. 

Its the one of the few that exists, custom ordered for special occasions like head of state visits and presented to high ranking foreign officials Head of state and delegacy,senior diplomatic representative and similar。The watch with caliber 1020 movement is from the 1970s. I am very happy to be able to find another rare Omega watch made for Kim II Sung from 遼寧省丹東, a border town near North Korea.

Kim Il Sung was the first leader in the Kim dinasty of North Korea and ruled from its establishment 1948 till his death in 1994. He was declared as "eternal President" also know as the "Great Leader" or controversely as a communist dictator but as serious watch enthusiast on the forum, we're mature enough to threat historic facts connected to timepieces with a high level of objectiveness and leave all subjective feelings caused by various inputs, aside.

Oct - Dec 2021, Q4 Review

For the 4th quarter 2021, I have tried to limit my number of watches but I guess the temptation was too strong and this quater's main findings are namely Omega and IWC coloured dials, some exotic and strange watch and some Rolex.

1.  Omega Constellation 168.027 white gold bezel

2. Omega Constellation 168.029 Gray Dial white gold bezel

3. Omega 18k Rose Gold Cosmic Moonphase 

4. Omega Kim II Sung watch

5. IWC Ingenieur in excellent condition

6. Rolex 16014

7. Rolex 1601 in 18k Rose gold

8. Lip Thermometer watch

9. Vintage 1960-70s World time diver

2022 Wishlists:

1. Rolex 6309 Turn O Graph

2. Rolex 1803 Rose gold 

3. Rolex 1601 Datejust Tiger eye/ Lapis

4. Omega Moonphase 3944

5. Lemania Nuclear chronograph

Bovet Chronograph 1940s Valjoux 77

This is a vintage 1940s chronograph by Bovet. Bovet was founded in 1822 by Swiss watchmaker, ƒdouard Bovet. Bovet chronographs were sold by Bovet Freres in the early 1940s and by Favre-Leuba from 1948 to 1950. Before Favre-Leuba bought Bovet, the logo on the dial of Bovet watches simply had the name of the company in a typical typeface, but in the early 1940s their watches had their stylized logo without the “Freres”. Most Bovet of this era utilized the Valjoux 84 lever movement with stem wind, but they were also known to use the Valjoux 77. This is my Christmas 2021 present ...

Leif has done a great summary of the variations in the forum (please visit : https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/bovet-rogers-chronograph-history.4928863/)  as follows: 

There seem to be 6 classes of watch, possibly separated into the WWII (1943-5) and post-war (1946-7) years branded either Bovet or Rogers.

 

1. Type '250':

These have a Valjoux 77 (13''') movement with syringe hands and are all Bovet-branded in plain type face. Many have an SXK (Eska Sylvan Kocher) import mark. All have a serial number on the back between 999999 and 999500, and the number '250' stamped on the inside of the back. There seems to have been a 'standard' pale dial, but with a variety of dark (or 'tropical'?) variations. Some include a tachymeter. I have been able to find 9 examples of this type through eBay etc.

 

2. Type 249:

These have a Venus 170 movement (12.5''') with syringe hands. Some are branded Rogers in plain type face (with UXC import mark). Others are branded with the 'underlined' Bovet logo (with SXK or EOP import mark). All have a serial number on the back between 999499 and 999000, and the number '249' stamped on the inside of the back. There are a mix of pale and dark dials. I have been able to find 7 examples of this type through eBay etc.

 

3. Type 248:

The only Type 248. It has a Venus 170 movement (12.5''') with tachymeter and blued leaf-shape hands. The dial is copper-toned, but whether this is intentional or tropical is hard to say. The use of pale type on other dark dials, makes me suspect the latter in which case it would appear to be identical to the other 'pilot-syle' examples with a white face and blue type. It has '248' stamped inside the back. There is one other example of a '248' movement and case, which has a Rogers signed movement, but the dial has been replaced. Both watches have a serial number between 998999 and 998500. There is another watch with a pale dial and leaf-shaped hands, but unknown type number. It has a serial number between 999499 and 999000 (i.e. within the range of Type 249).

 

4. TYPES 1004, 1005, 100X (POST-WAR?)

Three further classes may have been produced after the war, but based on these designs. The internal number changes from a 3 digit code to a 7-digit code which is never the same but always commencing with '100'. Confusingly, the serial numbers on the back are also 7 digit codes starting with these numbers. They range within 1005000-1005500, with one exception (starting 1004), which has seven jewels, rather than 17 as normal.

 

5. Type '1004'(?)

This type has a Venus 170 movement, with leaf-hands on a dark dial, and is very similar to type 248 above, but Bovet-branded, and uses a km, rather than a mile scale and reads 'TELEMETRE', rather than 'TELEMETER'. The signing of the movement is not picked out in yellow as is the case with all other Venus 170 movements. However, the SXK import code suggests a US market. 2 examples known. The internal number of one begins '1004', the serial number begins '1005'. The serial and type number of the other is unknown.

 

6. Type '1005'

This type has a Venus 170 movement, and all Rogers-branded with an apparently standard pale dial and alpha hands. The internal number begins with '1005'. 3 are known.

 

7. Type '100X?'

One example is known with a Valjoux 77 movement, and syringe hands but a 'late' serial number in the 1005000-1005500 range. The internal 'type' number is unknown.

 

Favre-Leuba era

Chronographs manufactured by Bovet Freres in the Favre-Leuba period (1948-50) all seem to have been Landeron 49 cam-switching models. They utilised an entirely different case with no 'type' number and serial numbers commence with '3'. I have not looked further into these. There is also one example of a Rogers Venus 170 that is not made by Bovet with a six-digit serial number beginning with '5' and no type number. It has entirely different case with rectangular pushers.

 

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