Random Act Of Beauty! (#3) + Fashion Tip.

Today I am featuring a vintage Rolex 18K Submariner featuring the so-called nipple dial (model 16808).  This is one of my absolute favorite watches. The subtle chalky black dial with small sub-circle indices is mind boggling beautiful.  Remember this is the Rolex Submariner at it's most elegant and sophisticated state (18k yellow gold).
It seems so many younger people have a problem sporting yellow gold with confidence.  I am quite sure, however, that with a little confidence, even a fifteen year old could sport this watch with style. This piece is owned by a forum buddy of mine who is about my age (26 years old).  He rocks this watch with awesome class! While the piece dazzles on the original gold oyster bracelet.  The owner wears it also on a Bund-Strap (Fat Strap), this makes the piece sporty and ultra beautiful.

So, a message to younger watch enthusiast.

1.  Nothing is wrong with wearing a beautiful yellow gold watch.  They are not only beautiful pieces but also show confidence and maturity.

2.  Nothing is wrong with rocking (wearing) a piece that is not exactly stealth-wealth.  If you work hard and have the money, enjoy it. Showing your watch off in appropriate (safe situations) is A-OK!

Last bit of advice! Very important.  Please note that it is cool to wear 18k,14k, 10k, etc gold timepieces. However, It is never ok to wear a fake gold watch.  Just my humble opinion.

-JKS

(Special thanks to Matt for giving The Swiss Monster permission to use pics of his beautiful timepiece.  Cheers!)

Chinese Officials Like Luxury Watches...

Watch related news: A Chinese Activist posted pictures of Chinese Officials wearing luxury watches. Please note the post has been mysteriously removed.

Question: You mean, Chinese Officials can afford to wear luxury watches?

Answer: Well, no shitake mushrooms! Yes, very expensive ones too.


I recently visited a Patek Philippe dealer who told me of a friend and dealer who had sold-out of his supply of Patek complicated timepieces (average cost of $80K). The buyer's were allegedly Chinese diplomats.

Link:  Here!

*Please note that China is one of the top buyers of Swiss made timepieces. Please also note the average income is between $10,000-$15,000 (in Shanghai-rural income is significantly less).

Another link:  Here!

It's Bizarre But Beautiful Wednesday. (1)

 Starting this Wednesday, I will post a "Bizarre But Beautiful" Timepiece. Today's Featured "B.B.B" is the Omega Seamaster Professional 600. This watch is also known as the Omega Ploprof. Proprof comes from the joining  of the French words plongeur professionnel. The Omega Ploprof at first glance is probably one of the ugliest watches I have ever seen. However, after a bit of reading and a second look, the watch has a "Bizarre Beauty." Even the name "Ploprof" has grown on me. The name certainly insinuates this is a utility watch, this utility being skin diving( as it was called back in the 1970's) or scuba diving as we now know it. The Omega Ploprof was developed by Omega along with one of the most prolific divers, the legendary Jacques Cousteau. This is the same Jacques Cousteau of Comex who contributed to the development of Rolex's line of diving watches. For more information and history please visit the following link Here.

-JKS

(Please note photos are borrowed with the expressed purpose of education)

Classic Bubble Beauty.

I love these Big Rolex Bubblebacks!  Please note that these pieces are also affectionately known by the Italians and collectors as "Ovettone".  The word ovettone means "Big Egg".  These Big Bubblebacks are not considered large at all for today's standards (about 34mm) but do have quite a wrist presence because of the bubble or large casebacks designed to house some of Rolex's early automatic movements.  Though the pieces sit higher than modern Date/Datejust models they are quite comfortable. Some of my favorites are the early Pre-Datejust (models without term Datejust) feature a Roulette date (a color date wheel that has both black and red)

A few Beautiful examples.  I hope to own one of these under priced ($1500-2000 USD) gems soon.

(Please note these are not to be confused with the standard Bubblebacks (31mm) or the Semi-Bubblebacks (caseback is not as "Bubbly").

-JKS

Photos Borrowed From *Here*. If you haven't joined this forum-you're missing out. This is one of the best watch forums on the net.

Random Act Of Bling!

So, I typically post "Random Acts Of Bling" on Monday, however, that's not very "Random". So It's Tuesday and that makes this post random. Today I am proud to feature: 

The Hublot 2 MILLION € Big Bang (Yes there is a 1 Million Dollar Big Bang)

Going by today's exchange rate that makes this watch- 


$2,724,424.47 Bling!!!

The piece features more than 140 carats. It includes 637 baguette diamonds, a rose cut diamond on the crown and a Tourbillon movement. This piece required 13,000 hours to cut the diamonds and an additional 2000 hours to set.

*Please note all the diamond's are conflict free (mined from Yakutsk in the Russian Far East)*

Below is the original 1 Million Dollar Hublot Big Bang!

 

-JKS

It's Bay Watch Tuesday. (2)

 

Sorry, not that Bay Watch. ebay!

As promised, every Tuesday I will feature two unique pieces being offered on the bay (ebay).

Omega Speedmaster 40th Anniversary (23 watch) collection!

1. An amazing collection of 23 limited edition Omega Speedmasters. This collection is one of only forty made. A similar example brought an astounding $368,900.00. This can be your at $145,000.00.

Seller's Description: The watches were made in 1997 and bought in 1998 when they were released. I am the original owner and have had them stored away all these years. They were released as a tribute to 40th anniversary of the Omega Speedmaster Professionals. A collection of 23 Speedmaster watches presented in a case fitted with a an Omega briefcase, that doubles up as a display case, fitted with genuine NASA Apollo-Space suit. Each watch in the collection is adorned with a different NASA mission patch on it's dial at the 9 o'clock position: Starting with the 1965 Gemini V to the 1973 Skylab SL-4. It also contains areplica of the original 1957 Speedmaster. This comes comeplete with all certificates and booklets.

See Auction Here

Rolex 5100 Beta21

2. Another amazing offering: is one of the rarest Rolex's ever made.  The Rolex 5100 Quartz "Beta21". This piece is essentially Rolex's first Quartz offering. It is the Grandfather to the Oysterquartz. This piece is 18k yellow gold and is 1/1000.

Seller's Description: This is an exceptional example of a Rolex Beta 21 only 1000 of these pieces were ever produced by Rolex and is the only Rolex model to every be numbered from the factory.  What makes this watch even rarer is that the first 150 pieces came with this bracelet the other 850 came with a slightly different version.  This is one Rolex that is truly worth of adding to any collection.  This particular Beta 21 is in exceptional condition and is the nicest one I have seen, the band is tight and complete and the watch is scratch and dent free.  It was just sent to the Rolex service center for a overhaul and cleaning and comes with the box they sent back.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions. 

 

See Auction Here

(Please note that the photos below are of a similar example * not the piece available)

(Notice the smooth motion of the second hand in the video above!)

-JKS

The Swiss Monster's First Audio Post.

Please Click On Bar Below To Listen !

 

Random Act Of Beauty. (3)

I believe, myself and most collectors have probably seen enough Two-Tone Rolex Datejust to last a lifetime (especially the TT champagne dial version).  However, I am sometimes surprised and delighted by certain versions of the iconic model. Below is an example of a beautiful Rolex TT (two-tone) DJ in the rose gold variant. This piece looks wonderful in person (I just saw a Gentleman wearing a similar piece). One undisputed truth about the Datejust is that it can be worn to the most formal of occasions or when simply picking up the morning cup of coffee. This is truly an amazing piece, one that pictures cannot accurately capture.

Get Ready!

Coming Soon!

More Videos, Sound Bites, & Post!

While, the above may seem obvious given the nature of a Blog.  I've been brain-storming and am interested in experimenting with a different approach; a new and exciting way to communicate and share with readers. This approach will include audio tracks accompanying written post. I will also allow users to send audio/text/video feedback. It occurred to me last week, that so many in this industry (The watch world) are interested in keeping a veil between collectors and themselves (self proclaimed "Super Collectors/Dealers").  These people have more passion for exclusivity and perpetuating pretentious practices than horology. This group would rather monopolize information and timepieces than simply allow others to enter and create a broader circle.  Though, I can not change the unscrupulous practices of self-proclaimed "Super Collectors/Dealers/Experts."  I can share some tactics and pointers on how to navigate through the murky slime. It is my promise to deliver interesting watch related content as well as my honest opinion.

-JKS

(Insert: Wrist-shot photo with a middle finger flared in the air.)

Blast From The Past Sunday: John Harrison.

John Harrison was an 18th century self-taught English clockmaker who is most recognized for his achievement of finding a way to accurately measure latitude and longitude. It took Mr. Harrison fourty years to build and perfect his marine chronometer (a ship clock accurate enough for navigation). It is important to note that previous to the invention of his ship clocks, celestial navigation was the only way of calculating maritime distance and location. This method was a less than precise practice and led to many lost ships and lives.  John Harrison's marine chronometer is seen as one of the most significant inventions of the 18th century.  The technology we enjoy today relies on the 300 year old contributions of John Harrison.  So, the next time you get lost and look to the G.P.S. (Global positioning System) for guidance, be sure to thank Mr. Harrison.  Another significant contribution of Harrison was his Grasshopper Escapement (invented in 1722).
The Grasshopper Escapement is a low-friction escapement for pendulum type clocks. Perhaps one of the most interesting modern examples of John Harrison's Grasshopper escapement is on display at Cambridge. The clock is called the Corpus Clock or Chronophage (Time Eater).

-JKS