Posts by Erik Gustafson
6262 Rolex Daytona
The ref. 6262 is known as the transitional Daytona, only in production for around one year. It featured the upgraded high-beat Valjoux 727 with pump pushers, but was quickly replaced by the 6265 with Oyster pushers only. The 6262 (metal bezel) & 6264 (acrylic) were the bridge to the better-known Oyster pusher 6265 (metal) and…
Read MoreSaatchi London 5070P Patek Philippe Chronograph
(A special note for this Find, the actual example being sold at K2 Luxury is pictured last, other photography is of a separate example sold a few years ago by our friends at A Collected Man, who captured that tricky Saatchi dial’s tone beautifully.) To most, the word Saatchi is defined by an art gallery…
Read MoreGrey Dial 2998-5 Omega Speedmaster
Right up there with the blue Soleil dial Omega recently referenced with the new blue FOIS, this is one of those extremely uncommon, quite mysterious Speedmaster dials. It’s a 2998-5. It also has a neutrally silvered (almost Porsche Nardo) grey dial. That’s right: not black. Also, it’s not patina. The sunburst finish isn’t the only…
Read MoreBlack Dial 16550 Rolex Explorer II
The transitional 16550 is a perfect Explorer II. I know, the 1655 is also perfect. But the 16550 isn’t even close to as famous, so we’re here to help correct that. The Polar 16550, more often known by its cream dial patina, is the ultimate Explorer II to my eye. But the black dial 16550…
Read MoreLaurent Ferrier Classic Moon
The fifth major Laurent Ferrier calibre wasn’t what anyone expected in 2018: an Annual Calendar. Until then, it felt like everyone had been waiting and hoping, imaging what could be with calendar complication and one of the great independent old guard. But what the world saw in the Montre École was not what anyone expected.…
Read More25563BA Audemars Piguet Skeleton Chronograph
This is a really exceptional and understudied little corner of Audemars Piguet history. It is the reference 25563, simply called the Skeleton Chronograph. Just 67 pieces were manufactured across all metals. It was never a part of the main catalogue but made available to order for select clients, much like the skeletonized QP ref. 25558/25668.…
Read MoreFP Journe Octa Lune Havana
There is a place at FP Journe for those who prefer warmth to the cold depth of the tantalum blue Chronomètre Bleu: Havana dials. Journe’s Havana guilloché dials are a celebration of handcraft, in the same way that CB is a story of resilience and perseverance. It took FP Journe’s own dial manufacture Les Cadraniers…
Read MoreMark 3 Dial 1016 Rolex Explorer
The 1016 is where function meets restraint. There are more robust Rolexes. There are more luxurious Rolexes. But I’m not aware of any better designed Rolex dials. The 3-6-9 is divine intervention, so good that even the Sub had to start somewhere. We’re all very aware, also, that this is not the first Explorer; the…
Read More5740G Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar
Almost as soon as the Royal Oak was born, it became complicated. For the Nautilus, and indeed Overseas, this couldn’t be further from the case. It took until 1998 for the Nautilus to sport its first complication, a humble power reserve under 12 alone in the ref. 3710. That’s all. We didn’t see more complication…
Read MoreSalmon Dial 14790ST Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Around the late 80s, AP got wildly experimental with the mid-sized Royal Oak. Many speculate that the mid-sized case was utilized the testing ground to gauge demand for what might make sense to incorporate into the Jumbo RO, AP’s flagship. Day-Dates, Dual Times, and Annual Calendars flourished. Further, the some rather unusual colors made a…
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