Posts Tagged ‘Value Proposition’
Value Prop: SBGH037 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat
The names Grand Seiko and Hi-Beat harmonize together better than Lennon and McCartney. But not all are created equal. This SBGH037 hails from a (currently) largely-unsung stretch of the Japanese manufacture’s history, what I like to call the double-signed era. This nascent stage I define as after the birth of the modern Grand Seiko reference…
Read MoreValue Prop: 76100 Tudor Submariner
Given the feature of a 3970 in this round, I felt compelled to balance the scales with a down-to-basics, no-nonsense steel diver. I did not expect to stumble upon one so lovely or of the same era. Neo-vintage is not just collectable in Patek, VC, or AP, the era has more practical offerings as well.…
Read MoreValue Prop: Early Manual-Wind Jaeger-Lecoultre Memovox
There is something undeniably charming about a watch with a voice. Of all complications, a simple alarm is often most practical. Sure, your iphone times things. But when your watch can do it too, you will find yourself setting a reminder on your wrist for sheer novelty. JLC’s Memovox is a model with such depth…
Read MoreValue Prop: Cream Dial Grand Seiko 5646-7010
Condition is king. Condition is the new rarity. Condition, condition, condition. We’ve all heard the aphorisms praising sharp cases and original dial finishing. Here’s the thing though: these rules don’t just apply to Phillips auctions or vintage watches worth median home values. Condition is also a clear differentiator in more attainable vintage markets as well.…
Read MoreValue Prop: Caravelle ‘Devil Diver’ 666 Sea Hunter
If you’re anything like me, this isn’t really a vintage diver; it’s more akin to Colombian white powder. When a non-name brand 70s diver presents a certain level of design sense, history, and value I find it almost sinful to ignore. Japanese-based WMT are currently producing late 60s Rolex (heavily) derivative designs with Miyota movements,…
Read MoreValue Prop: 16550 Rolex Explorer II Black Dial
If you adhere to the modern aphorism which states that condition is the new rarity, you’ll understand my total excitement here. Perfection in vintage watches really doesn’t exist. Therefore, what I like personally are honest examples with integrity and cohesive character. More than that, however, I have weak spot for value. And in Rolex sports…
Read MoreValue Prop: Bulova 666 Super Compressor
Rarity is no guarantee of greatness and complication does not necessarily improve usability. To prove the opposing truth, I give you the humble EPSA Super Compressor Bulova 666ft. Bulova’s take on the generic Ervin Piquerez case design was characteristically purposeful. A simple dial, signed twin crowns, and engraved case back were all Bulova needed to…
Read MoreValue Prop: 2960 Cartier Santos Automatique
Very recently, you will have seen here a quite rare empty grey dial Santos Carrée. That is something of an attainable grail to many. However, it is worth remembering that even Cartier’s ‘standard’ neo-vintage integrated steel offering deserves respect. More than respect. In fact, it is the very platform which saw Cartier watchmaking through a…
Read MoreValue Prop: Mk3 02.1310.400 Zenith De Luca
The quantity of inconspicuous vintage Zenith references whose value remains unrecognized bewilders me. This is probably the result of a somewhat chaotic and ever-changing brand philosophy filtered through the El Primero name. The De Luca took Zenith’s incredible hi-beat calibre 400 base (or 3019 PHC in the very early ones) and added an opaline-porcelain dial.…
Read MoreValue Prop: Tropical 5646-7005 Grand Seiko Hi-Beat
The careful, studied attention of GS history rewards effort. While a deep dive in Hublot will leave one scratching their head, the same effort devoted to the best of Seiko will force your cursor to hover over the ‘add the cart’. The Hi-Beat shown here holds quite a few distinctions. However, perhaps most notably for…
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