Rolex Datejust 1601

Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph 1625

Rolex Day-Date 1803

The Day-Date is one of our all-time favourites. A classic like few others! This 1971 1803 features a somewhat rare combination of dial & hands that lack tritium - these were made for specific markets in which the use of tritium was not allowed. Pretty cool.

For our Dutch readers: TWW is working on a website dedicated to the Rolex Day-Date. The work in progress can be viewed at www.torpedo-watch.nl/research

Rolex GMT-Master 16750 'Swiss'

At the last Rikketik fair we snapped up this Rolex GMT-Master 16750 with an unusual matte luminova dial as indicated by the 'Swiss' at 6:00. These dials combine the looks of vintage with modern techniques - pretty cool and rare.

Luminova

Around '98 Rolex stopped using tritium. For just two years they used luminova before switching to superluminova. These watches can be identified quite easily: at 6:00 you'll see 'Swiss' instead of 'Swiss Made' or 'Swiss T<25'. These are commonly refered to as the 'Swiss-only's'.

The beauty of patina

Yesterday a friend came by to deliver this little prince charming: a Rolex Datejust ref. 6605. The original dial has changed colour and aged gracefully to this über cool warm tone - no plastic surgery done here folks. We love the + (brevet) crown and original hands. The bracelet is of a somewhat later vintage, but it finishes off the look nicely. The 6605 is the last Datejust to feature the butterfly movement and (semi-) Bubbleback style caseback. Also, this style of bezel is not to be found in the 1600-series that replaced the 6605. This watch has had a full movement service and runs like a champ.

Classic

Just last week we acquired this Datejust.. oh boy how we love these little marvels! This one sports a case in wonderful condition, a matte blue Sigma dial and a tight rolled Jubilee: in other words, the good stuff. Although the Datejust is not nearly as high profile as a Submariner or Daytona, it is a great classic worthy of some love and attention. In a configuration like this one it's likely more rare than a FF 5513 or a white 1680...

White Rolex Day-Date

Did we mention we love the Rolex Day-Date?

The Day-Date is a great classic both loved and hated all over the world. A status symbol like few others. A sign of power for those who have it or aspire to.

Past sunday we managed to snap up this white gold Day-Date with fluted bezel in wonderful condition, complete with box and papers. A killer piece.. a tight president like the one pictured is something you don't come across every day and it takes the whole watch to another level.

The dial was originally white but changed colour like also seen on the (now) cream dialed Explorers from the same era. We love the vintage flavour it brings to this Day-Date.

BaselWorld 2011 Pictorial - A few watches

Yesterday we flew to Basel for a quick visit to BaselWorld, the worlds biggest annual watch fair. Most major brands are represented and present their new stuff for 2011. We had very little time but still managed to snap a few pics. In this post it's just watches, we'll feature a few from the trip and the atmosphere in another post.
Not new, still cool: the diamond/ruby/sapphire GMT-Master in white gold. Too bad it's missing the diamond encrusted bracelet!




The new Explorer II. Killer piece measuring 42mm. Word is it'll be €6.080 in The Netherlands.


The classics - here to stay. DD trumps DDII anyday, no matter what Rick Ross wears ;)



Another heritage piece from Tudor: the Advisor. This watch features an alarm. Word is it'll be around 4k in €. It seems Tudor is taking the NATO hype very serious. We love it.


Omega Planet Ocean.. we're not the biggest fans but this diamond version is pretty bad ass LOL!


This matte bezel is not too bad either.


Speedmasters featuring Omega's new chronograph movement. Note how the minute and hour totalizer are in the same subdial. There's also a Planet Ocean with the same mvt. Google it.


Blancpain had a display with vintage Fifty Fathoms which was actually one of the more interestings bits of the show besides the lovely hostesses.

Final pic for now: the new handwound Patek manufacture chronograph with perpetual calendar reference 5170. Price will be approx. 140k in €. Ouch. Makes both the 3970 as well as the 5970 seem like a good buy.

Rolex Submariner 5512

The hints in the sneak preview posted below were not really subtle.. but for those of you who need a lil' more help: we got our hands on a Submariner 5512 in excellent condition!

The 5512 is the chronometer brother of the well-known Submariner 5513, in this case indicated by the two additional lines of text - superlative chronometer officialy certified. While the 5513 is an awesome piece the 5512 still trumps it - it's more rare and unusual and pretty hard to find in decent condition at reasonable price.

Our 5512 was built in '68 and features a GF rivet bracelet - killer cool. It was the watch of choice by Steve McQueen who wore it on the same bracelet. As seen in the pics it's in very good condition and the patina is awesome.

Sneak preview..

We've got something nice for you that will be posted later this week. It has something to do with these pics and no, it's not the Persol! LOL!

Rolex Milgauss 116400 GV

One of the watches we picked up yesterday in Cologne is this Milgauss 116400 GV - the green crystal model.

When introduced around 2007 the GV caused a lot of buzz and even commanded a premium over retail in the first months/year. Rolex also experienced some problems producing the crystal. Nowadays prices are a bit more reasonable and we think it's a very cool piece, very suited for everyday wear. Bullit-proof Rolex quality, nice size and heft, sober design with some unusual and quirky features.. killer cool.


As of yet this piece will remain in our personal collection.

Read all about the 116400 by clicking here.

Rolex Yacht-Master 16622

Together with the GMT featured below came this Yacht-Master reference 16622. When introduced, the Yacht-Master became an instant hit. Waiting lists at AD's and premiums for used examples were common practice, just ike they were with the Daytona until quite recently. The Yacht-Master was the first major change in years from the classic Submariner - both the GMT-Master and Seadweller look quite similar and the Explorer has always been somewhat of an ugly duckling.

The Yacht-Master is obviously the luxury edition of the Submariner. The case has the Daytona-style curves instead of the straight edges like found on other Oyster Professionals. The inlay is made of platinum. The same material was used in the frosted finish of the dial. It was the first Rolex of the sapphire-era using the maxi dial and hands.

Rolex GMT-Master II 16710

This GMT-Master ref. 16710 came to us last week featuring the classic pepsi-bezel. The 16710 is the last GMT using the old stye case (it was replaced by the 116710 ceramic) and is steadily increasing in popularity ever since it was discontinued.

Our 16710 is actually one of the last. The case is sans lugholes and the serial sports the additional T - 16710T in full. Connoisseurs might note that this is a so-called stick dial - the roman II in GMT-Master II is lacking the serifs.

Little swagger boy

Little I. rocking his Seadweller.. no one on the corner got swagga like us

1675 @ leather nato - NICE

Yesterday our friend D. e-mailed us this pic of his 1675 with leather nato strap. The black bezel and brown strap work well together and give this GMT-Master a whole different look. NICE!

The effects of time

Well, to be honest the title is a bit misleading.

Some watches have developed their own unique look over time. Today we had the chance to pick up a cheap Datejust reference 16233: quickset, sapphire glass, two-tone on jubilee. The dial displayed some kind of even spotting throughout, presumably caused by moisture. Very cool.

The phenomenom of colour-changing dials is not unfamiliar to the collector of vintage watches and Rolex in particular. Well known examples include;

- the cream dial Explorer II ref 16550: a defect in the paint caused the white dials to turn cream
- Patrizzi Daytona, whose silver subdials turned brown
- Spider webbing, most often seen on first gen gloss/white gold dials like on the 5513 and 16660. In this case the colour is not changed, but the lacquer is cracked into a pattern resembling a spiderweb.
- Tropical, black dials turning brown

and so on.

While some collectors love the unique appearance of these dials, others view them as being damaged.. it's a matter of opinion and taste. We love it!

The Traveler

We love real life shots like this one. Close-ups and catalogue shots are nice, but hardly resemble the way a watch looks in daily life..

Rolex Submariner 16610

Our second new arrival for this week is this Rolex Submariner ref. 16610 Swiss-only with box and papers. A great classic that's rapidly increasing in price as a lot of people seem to prefer the old school Rolex style. The Swiss-only dial was only used around 1998-1999 as the transition from tritium to luminova was taking place.

Ouch..

Where's Dr. Emmett Brown (Doc) when you need him?! We could use the Delorean.. a few days would be just fine..