Posts Tagged ‘Chronograph’
Universal Genéve Tri-Compax 881101/01 “Eric Clapton” at No Reserve
After the Compur and Aero-Compax, UG needed a chronograph to win public perception in the post-war luxury market. They introduced this Tri-Compax and it immediately won favor across the market. Tri was used to designate the three complications on feature: a moon-phase, chronograph, and calendar. It did so well in the market as to capture…
Read MoreThe Lemania Heuer 510.403 Silverstone
Heuer’s original TV-case Silverstone is an icon of 1970s race-timing and Heuer itself. Often seen on the wrist of Lauda’s F1 team, it has a certain magnetic appeal. Often forgotten, however, is the reference that design culminated in. In 1983, Heuer utilized Lemania’s 5100/5012 workhorse to create this, the 510.403 Silverstone. It was never featured in…
Read MoreTruly Beastly: Zenith El Primero Sub Sea
A true wild child of the 1970s, Zenith’s El Primero diver was a one-off design. There wasn’t anything like it before and I suspect there won’t be anything like it again. In an attempt to capture some of the burgeoning market, the brand took the 3019 high-beat movement and cased it in this wild beast.…
Read MoreOmega 321 Seamaster 2451-7
321 Seamasters must be amongst of the most under-rated Omega models of all time. Maybe that’s grandiose, but I ask you: what other reference offers the mechanical elegance, timeless design, and present-day value that it can? It’s one of the subtler choices you can make in vintage Omega. Here, a very restrained 35mm case contains…
Read MoreA Beautiful Early Helmut-Sinn 103 B SA
This must be one of the best purposeful designs from all of Sinn’s history. The 103 has been around in one variation or another for decades. However, these earlier Valjoux pieces are very attractive for their design and investment potential. The clean aesthetic, aged dial, early Sinn logo design, and display back all sum to…
Read MoreBreitling 806 Twin Planes Navitimer
The Navitimer is easily the most recognizable Breitling in the manufacture’s illustrious history. It has been a favorite of pilots and posers since 1952. If anything, the brand was a victim of their own earned success. In truth, the Navitimer is a very credible and well-designed piece. The Breitling 806’s dial was the first to…
Read MoreHeuer Carrera 2447D First Execution
The 2447, in any guise, is a reference hardly needing introduction. It is the model which set Heuer en-route to its present state. It’s an uncompromisingly bauhausian aesthetic with true purpose. There’s no secret that I have a soft spot for it and most of vintage Heuer. If I had to feature one reference on…
Read MoreZenith A. Cairelli AMI CP-2
The Zenith A. Cairelli AMI CP-2 represents a high-water mark of effortless Italian style. In its period, Turin gave us the Type 33 Stradale, Quant gave the world the miniskirt, Florence gave us the true Vespa, and Zenith gave Italy’s Air Force the CP-2. All of the above mark high-water points as style icons. Succeeding…
Read MoreTudor Monte Carlo 9420 in Blue
A beautiful example of one of the all-time great dials today, courtesy of the Keystone. The Blue Monte Carlo variation is amongst the most representative of the chronograph’s character (outside exotic dials). Considering Tudor as Rolex’s wild side, one may as well have the louder aesthetic. The 40mm Oyster case houses a highly-solid Valjoux 7750.…
Read MoreOmega Speedmaster 40th Anniversary Gemini IV
I apologize in advance for those of you who aren’t into the Speedmaster. But its one of my favorite lineages and for all of its unique intricacies, there is a lot of ground to cover. Although this is a relatively recent piece, dating to 2005, this Speedmaster Gemini IV presents a lot of value and…
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