Posts Tagged ‘Chronograph’
Gilt Eterna Two-Tone Spillman Chronograph Circa 1940
This is not a watch one is priviledged to see in the metal frequently. And by that, I mean not ever. Finding anything built in 1940 but still in operation today is a rarity. Finding a wristwatch built in 1940 that is functioning perfectly demonstrates a level of dedication to longevity and quality that shames…
Read MoreThe Other Pink-on-Pink Patek: a Double-Signed, Pulsations Scale 591
Unless you’ve been hiding away from watch Instagram and living under a rock, you’ll probably be aware that Sotheby’s recent dropped the hammer on a ridiculous pink-on-pink 1518 for 9.5M. It was record across many facets and deserved win for one of the nicest men in our sphere, @jonbinla. However, as auction season wraps, one…
Read More885104/01 Universal Genève Space-Compax
If you were to press me to name the ultimate Universal chronograph, I would struggle but ultimately crown the 881101 ‘Eric Clapton’. However, for fun, wrist presence, and off-brand moonwatch vibes, you really can’t compete with this close second—the bizarre and beautiful Space-Compax. Origin and purpose of the Space-Compax remain foggy at best. Some guess that…
Read MoreTillhör Televerket Breitling 815 ‘Long Playing’ Chronograph
Telephone companies are not glamourous. Telephone companies are not sexy. Likewise, state-owned telephone companies are a particularly lackluster proposition. And yet, in 1970s Sweden, this particularly stylish steel Breitling defied that paradigm. Televerket, as mentioned, operated all phone lines in Sweden in period. The Swedish military had a brief romance with the Navitimer previous. So,…
Read MoreRolex 3525 ‘Barilotto’ in Yellow Gold & Steel
How good does this look? If you’re anything like me, the only valid reply is ‘quite’. In fact, I’ve said before that the two-tone Barilotto is perhaps the only Rolex which is simultaneously very conspicuous and very tasteful. The tones are loud, the profile is discreet. The manufacture is Rolex, but there’s very little branding.…
Read MorePatek Philippe 130 in Steel
As Patek’s first chronograph produced at meaningful scale, the 130 holds a special place in many collector’s hearts. It also happens to be one of their most diverse and longest-reaching vintage production runs ever. The design was given space to evolve from 1934 until 1964, with changes going so far as to include different calibres…
Read MoreTropical Transitional 6262 Rolex Daytona
Tropical dials have a tendency to polarize watch collectors like few other topics. Godiva 1665 DRSDs, caramel 321 Speedmasters, and latte-brown Cosmographs all have one thing in common: encompassing adoration or outright hatred. I have yet to encounter any middle ground ambivalence in the zeitgeist. Think Patek’s green 5711 caused division? Bring a hazel-tan 3700…
Read MoreLip Genève Reverse Panda ‘Carrera’ Chronograph
Everyone loves an unfussy, two-register, 1960s Carrera analog. Everyone. We find them from Leonidas, Zodiac, Clebar, and even Sears (yes, that Sears). Lip, the quirky and often flamboyant French manufacture, used to make some more reserved designs. Among them: this somewhat classic two-register reverse panda. The simple design was available in a 36mm steel case…
Read MoreMk1 Zenith A386 El Primero
‘The want’ is very strong with vintage Zenith. I want an original covergirl, G381, A277, Moonphase Calibre 3019 PHF Prototype, I could go on. . . In that list most definitely lies the Mk1 A386. This is, to put it on the nose, the first of the first automatic chronographs. Why do I seek that?…
Read MoreAlbino Enicar ‘Big Eye’
Allow me to begin by saying I am not an expert in all things, or indeed most things. I am particularly aware of my shortcomings particularly where Enicar is concerned. I have a deep craving for Enicar scholarship and this Big Eye is provoking it. Sure, I know the EPSA cases, the wild dial configurations,…
Read More