Sunday, 16 March 2025

Vintage 1930s Jump hour watch

During the early years, watch making is an art and science with lots of innovations. This is a vintage 1930s Jump Hour Watch









Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Vintage Le Jour Chronograph

This is a Vintage Le Jour Chronograph in gilt dial with tropical dial. LeJour was a French watch company that mainly retailed and distributed Swiss timepieces in Europe and the United States. Its most well-known partner was Heuer, but it was also the U.S. distributor for the brand Yema until 1980. The company also branded timepieces made by other Swiss watchmakers and sold the pieces under the LeJour name. 










Tuesday, 4 March 2025

Rolex ref 1807 Day date in blue dial

Rolex has not been able to handle the blue paint in their earlier years as the Dial's paint tends to deteriorate. I have seen these on the Rolex 6694 Precision, Rolex 1601 Datejust etc. Most of the discoloring started with the lume areas. However, once in a while, there are  some blue dial watches in reasonably nice condition appearing. I have always love the bark bezel and I love it more when it is with the nice blue dial!

In addition to the blue dial, this watch is unique as the serial nos has been heavily eroded. However, when the previous owner sent the watch to Rolex center for service, Rolex service center has recased the watch RSCXXXX..







Monday, 3 March 2025

Rolex Blue Dial Submariner ref 16613

A two-tone (also known as the Yellow Rolesor) Rolex Submariner watch is a mainstay of the Rolex brand‘s collection, combining tough steel with ultra-luxurious gold. The Rolex  reference 16613 was the two-tone Submariner that Rolex produced from the 1988 until the 2010. It’s also the last of the so-called classic Submariner series with aluminum bezel inserts and more compact proportions.

Throughout its production run from 1988 to 2010, the Rolex Submariner 16613 saw subtle refinements that enhanced its appeal. Early models featured tritium dials, later replaced by Super-LumiNova for improved luminescence. The clasp design evolved, offering better security and comfort for divers and enthusiasts alike.


Compared to modern Submariners, the 16613 retains a vintage charm with its aluminum bezel insert and slightly thinner case profile. While newer models boast ceramic bezels and broader lugs, many collectors prefer the 16613’s classic proportions and the warmth of its two-tone design, making it a bridge between vintage and contemporary Rolex aesthetics. Its case and bracelet feature a two-tone design, marrying the strength of 904L stainless steel with the opulence of 18k yellow gold. This combination not only provides superior corrosion resistance but also offers a visual appeal that transitions seamlessly from diving excursions to formal events.

The iconic blue or black dial options complement the two-tone design, with the blue variant being particularly sought after. The dial’s color depth and sunburst finish create a mesmerizing play of light, enhancing the watch’s overall elegance. Gold-trimmed hour markers and hands provide excellent contrast, ensuring readability in various lighting conditions. 

At the heart of the Rolex Submariner 16613 beats the reliable Caliber 3135 movement, a COSC-certified as a chronometer, the 3135 ensures exceptional timekeeping accuracy. The Caliber 3135 boasts a power reserve of approximately 48 hours, allowing the watch to maintain accurate time even when left unworn over a weekend. Rolex’s Parachrom Bleu hairspring provides increased resistance to shocks and temperature variations, enhancing the movement’s overall reliability. The Glidelock extension system allows for fine adjustments without tools, ensuring a perfect fit over a wetsuit or for daily comfort. The folding Oysterlock safety clasp provides security, preventing accidental openings. 

Source :https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex/submariner/16613-ultimate-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoqVfwn8CMcIgovp886HrC-kIrqlTh6X1saviDRXIQBGI6WN06Xk


The 16613 sub is the perfect mix between an iconic sports model and the more formal look of 18k gold. The bluesy is the more iconic of the different TT offerings. A watch that can truly be worn with anything. Whether dressed up in serious attire, or more casual, this watch can easily pull off both. Reference number: 16613 Serial number: Y-Serial dating 2002. Papers stamped 2003.



The key reason why I have decided to collect this watch is due to its complete set plus the watch has recently been sent to Rolex center for a complete service. It must be one of the best looking blue dials ever produced. It changes the blue tone, depending how the light hits it.





Friday, 28 February 2025

Rolex ref 6424 hand wind watch

This is a Rolex ref 6424, a simple hand wind watch. According to information from the forum, After the Rolex catalog settled down in the late 1950s, Rolex did not produce large numbers of no-date watches in 36mm cases aside from the Explorer. 

In fact, the vast majority of 36mm Rolex oysters from the 1960s through the 1980s are DateJusts and Explorers, and if you want a no-date non-sport Rolex, you generally have to go down to 34mm, where you will find tons of hand-winding and auto-winding references with or without date. 

This is a rather special watch as Firstly, it’s jumbo case. Typically, standard oyster precision models come fitted in 34mm cases but with this reference 6424, the case was enlarged to match its Datejust and Day Date siblings at 36mm. It might be a seemingly small detail, but it means a ton. And finally, the plump, original lume plots behind each marker. Like the other details, these dots of tritium might not seem all too important but in the world of vintage Rolex, its stuff like this that makes all of the differen


One notable exception is the ref 1018, which is a great automatic (perpetual) no-date reference in a 36mm case. They are less valuable than the 1016 Explorer, but still highly sought after. The ref 1018 is fairly obscure to the general public, but pretty well known to collectors.

In some ways, you could consider the ref 6424 to be a hand-winding version of the 1018, a no-date 36mm oyster. Another nice thing about the 6424 is the 20mm lug spacing, and the fact that they generally came with a 7206 Swiss rivet bracelet (early examples will not be marked). One interesting curiosity is that the 6424 has non-drilled lugs, so the bracelet endlinks for the 6424 have a cut-out to access the spring-bars.ce.











Tuesday, 25 February 2025

Vintage Omega Constellation C case for Kim IL Sung

I have always love watches with historical importance such as this specially made Omega watch commissioned by Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea, and its premier from 1948 until his death in 1994. Below is watch presented on his 60th birthday on 1972 to high ranking officials, not many of these examples have surfaced. Many may not like the DPRK regime, but I think the watch should not be the subject of criticism as its just a wristwatch and collecting the watch does not equate to liking the regime.



The reference of the watch is 168.029 - Omega were commissioned to make a special commemorative watch with key changes to the standard cal 751 C-shape dial layout and put Kim Il-Sung's signature to the very top and move the Constellation text to the bottom. This is also the one of the series of Omega with Korean date disc.


The refined impression of the barrel-shaped C-line case, designed by Gerald Genta, was commonly seen around the 1970s. Compared to later models with glass-like domed crystals, the early versions feature a dome-shaped crystal, offering a vintage taste. The finely crafted white gold fluted bezel exudes a strong sense of luxury, embodying the essence of Omega's high-end models. The dial features a subtle sunray finish, avoiding any sense of overdone embellishment. This particular model boasts a special specification with a print of Kim Il-sung instead of the Ω logo. The center positions of the bar indices and pencil hands are coated in black, enhancing readability. The day of the week is indicated in Hangul script. The bracelet is a Ref.1172 with Endlink 515.


The case boasts excellent proportions. The dial unfortunately has some scratches but its all original condition.


The Constellation, symbolizing the stars, is a gem of a model that combines Omega's highest precision with automatic winding. It represents the pinnacle of watchmaking born in an era where "precision is the absolute value" before the development of quartz watches. It has the well liked caliber 751.






There are several versions of the Omega Constellation Photos from the internet





Photos from the Internet 

Besides the constellation series, there are also others starting from The Omega Constellation, Seamaster and Geneva, and the levels decrease in order.




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Vintage Octagonal Oyster from 1926

The early octagonal  Rolex Oyster , launched in 1926 , is the historical design that established the world’s first waterproof wristwatch.  F...

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