Archive for May 2021
Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Ultra Thin 1931 Rouge
I get nervous every time a legendary design is re-issued. This is so much room to royally fuck up a classic watch when the proper amount of care is not given. Tag, I’m looking at you. There is one exception, however. There is one manufacture that has proven themselves time and time again to know…
Read MoreTropical Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Triple Calendar 25807ST
Before Instagram, before Hodinkee, and before the small case trend, there was the Royal Oak Offshore. While often ridiculed, there can be no denying that the Offshore was hugely influential to modern watch design. Although often avoided for its size, this Offshore is no Stallone Panerai. At just 38mm, I think the 25807ST deserves a…
Read MoreThe Original Omega Speedmaster Snoopy: 3578.51.00
After just featuring the famous albino Silver Snoopy, a lovely and reasonable example of its older generation just surfaced. I feel fate has decided I should talk a lot about NASA this week. Although the more unique and valuable SIlver Snoopy tends to attract the braggadocios, this nuanced 3578.51.00 is the daddy in every respect…
Read MoreFP Journe Octa Resérve de Marche Straight-Line
In modern times, early-production Journes of any guise are far and few between. Despite being relatively recent by watchmaking standards (1999), FP Journe’s early watches have become modern classics. From 1999 and 2004, all FP Journes used brass movements. Since 2004, every piece Journe has introduced uses the now-signature gold. The very earliest brass iterations…
Read MoreRed Bakelite Universal Genève Polerouter Sub
Outside of Rolex and Patek, it is very rare for any single model to have the kind of depth and complexity that the Polerouter line offers. Designed by Gérald Genta with then-new technology and an endless variation of details, this Universal Genéve (UG) Sub has only gained commendation since release. While my personal dream Polerouter…
Read MoreMovado 14950 Triple Calendar
Despite what you may imagine, I don’t like to—and hardly ever do—give any bright lines of vintage buying advice. That’s on you. However, I was having a debate recently with a friend as to which vintage manufacture is most heavily underrated by the market at the moment. He holds that vintage Vacheron has yet to…
Read MoreZenith El Primero A384 with an Original Gay Frères Ladder
1969 was quite the year. Aside from Omega’s all-time greatest product placement, the Swiss were manufacturing some seriously attractive metal. There was the iconic Speedmaster, the 6263 Daytona, and the El Primero. Zenith’s chronograph did not receive attention in proportion to the impressiveness of its engineering in period. The El Primero has really only been…
Read MoreA Perfect Silver Snoopy Speedmaster
If you even remotely know your Speedmasters, there’s nothing I can say about this original Silver Snoopy that hasn’t already been said. The watch has been on a supersonic ascent to grail status over the last decade, increasing in collectability relentlessly. There are numerous ways of explaining its attraction; First, it’s a story watch. That…
Read MoreExplorer-Dial Rolex 5513
5513s are dime-a-dozen and that’s a good thing. Rolex’s production today is about equal the entirety of the rest of Switzerland, combined. Desire for vintage models is huge and the 5513 is a perfect Submariner to meet that demand. However, one of the best things about the 5513 generation is that there is depth within…
Read MoreCertina DS2 Super PH1000M 5801.302
Summer is hot on our heels and there may be no better vintage diver to see you through it than this lemon drop. Attention for Certina has been growing steadily the last few years. Pieces are starting to surface in the market as increased demand attracts a higher valuation. Recently there was this more subtle…
Read More