It's Bay Watch Tuesday!! (Cancelled)

Seriously, no goodies!

:(

Misadventures of a Tudor Submariner 7928 w/cal. 390 (Fleurier 350)

Hello Swiss Monsters,

Recently on one of my many watch hunting safari's, I came across a beautiful Tudor 7928. While the piece managed to maintain a sense of charm, it was badly in need of T.L.C. The worst of it was the fact that it was also in need of parts. 

If the Tudor 7928 was like it's "Big Brother" (The Rolex 5513 Submariner), this would be an easy feat as there are 5513 parts everywhere. Unfortunately, as another collector put it Tudor 7928s parts are unobtanium (a fictitious material) , so in short really really hard to come by.

The Tudor cal. 390 is actually a Rolex customized Fleurier 350 (As confirmed by a scan of a best fit book found on VRF). What does this really mean, Fleurier made a movement under Rolex specs. Rolex then made additional modifications, in this case to the rotor mechanism. 

Of course, my with luck! The piece the Tudor I found needs belongs to the rotor assembly... Luckily, I did not purchase the piece or even make an offer, otherwise chances are I would be up sh*& creek. The truth is, sometimes a buyer/collector/Swiss Monster must know when to walk away.

A few more details on the piece that I cam across (as well as photos).

Dial: Poorly repainted. A proper dial would set me back $1000+

Bracelet: Jubilee Rolex Datejust replacement.

Movement: Missing the rarest portion of the movement! I could purchase an entire cal. 390 for approx $600, but after the dial I would be in an addition $1600+ bracelet.

Remember Swiss Monsters, 

The piece is not always meant to be yours. No matter how emotionally charged you are over a piece, pause a moment and think.

-JKS

Random Act Of Beauty! Vacheron Constantin.

Alright, so I gave Vacheron's new coffin, I mean tourneau shaped watch a hard time last week. I won't delete the post but after some flack, I'll clarify. It is not to my taste, however, it DOES not get any better than V.C. I love the brand and the wonderful history it preserves. So, without further delay----

 -JKS

P.S I'm sorry Vacheron Constantin, will you be my Valentine ?

Repost #4 Spotlight: Vintage Guru Tom Bolt.

Happy Monday, Swiss Monsters. I have a favorite of mine being re-posted. This video shows the life of a vintage watch dealer. Most importantly, it shows some awesome watches!

-JKS

Vintage Rolex Magazine Circa 1963.

Hello Swiss Monsters, while browsing the net, I came across this beautiful vintage Rolex magazine. It is from 1963 and has some of the coolest photos that I've ever seen! This is vintage Rolex watch Porn!!!

(Click Photos To Make Larger)

   

-JKS

Stealth Wealth Wednsday!

Alright guys, you have money and enjoy a luxurious life but your not in Miami Beach, so there is no need to show off. So, What are you sporting on your wrist ?

 Scenario: 

You and a few friends are going out for a nice dinner and then a club. Well, you have a variety of options but assume someone at the club or in your entourage will be sporting a huge AP ROO or a Rolex DD. So, take the high rode and the opposite approach.

Vacheron Constantin

ref. 4961

This Vacheron Constanin not only says:  I have taste and "$" but that, I've also had it for a while. Most importantly,  I don't have to let others know.

This is Stealth Bling. 

(Below a few other accessories )

-JKS

Is It Halloween Yet?

Vacheron & Constantin is one of my favorite brands. There designs are often understated and beautiful...

And then there's this...

The tourneu shaped piece was announced at the SIHH 2012 and is a little different.

I'm not sure if making this watch look like a coffin was intentional, but geezer... 

Considering their logo is the Maltese cross, it's a bit creepy. Maybe I'm wrong? What are you guy's thoughts?

Vacheron's Official Statement Below:

In celebration of the first Vacheron Constantin tonneau watch launched in 1912 the Malte collection has been redesigned - perfectly classic in terms of spirit, yet eminently contemporary when it comes to their style.

Part of the new offerings is an exceptionally understated model displaying the hours, minutes and small seconds, which for horological purists represents one of the most demanding stylistic exercises.The Malte small seconds was born from this wish to offer a traditional timepiece featuring a simplicity equalled only by the refinement of its harmonious curves. It comes in an 18K pink gold case measuring 36.7 x 47.6 mm. The hour-markers and the 12 and 6 o’clock Roman numerals, also in pink gold, have been redesigned so as to smoothly follow the new curve that has been given to the tonneau-shaped case. The hour and minute hands, as well as the small seconds at 6 o’clock, are all driven by the Vacheron Constantin 4400 AS movement. Acknowledged for the care devoted to ensuring its reliability and for its exceptional level of finishing, it bears the Hallmark of Geneva, the symbol of horological expertise and excellence. The new Malte small seconds model is fitted with a strap in brown Mississippiensis alligator leather, complete with a Malte cross-shaped pink gold buckle.

The Malte small seconds also meets the new Hallmark of Geneva criteria. Instated in 1886 by the Grand Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Hallmark of Geneva is a guarantee of origin, of craftsmanship, of durability and of expertise. This unique quality label has just undergone a fundamental transformation, since the certification no longer concerns the calibre alone, but the timepiece as a whole. This new approach represents a major evolution of this independent certification that has enjoyed the longstanding support of Vacheron Constantin and which has just decided to respond more fully than ever before to the legitimate expectations of an ever more informed clientele.

It's Bay Watch Tuesday!! (Cancelled)

Sorry Guys, I don't see any great deals on the bay (ebay) today. I do see a lot of counterfeit pieces, as usual though.

-JKS

What Is A Breguet Hairspring?

Watch enthusiast hear the term "Breguet Hairspring" all the time But what is it and how are they different than other types?  I found myself asking this question the other day and came across a great site that explains all of this.

MAKE SURE TO VISIT THIS SITE! It is loaded with valuable horological information.

http://hiro.alliancehorlogere.com/en/Main_Page

Overcoil Hairsprings(Breguet Hairspring)

The overcoil hairspring, which comes in a variety of forms and is most often referred to as a Bréguet hairspring or Bréguet overcoil, is an ideal form of hairspring with which near perfect timekeeping can be achieved. Specifically, unlike a normal, curbed, flat hairspring, the overcoil form allows the spring to breathe concentrically, thus paving the way for perfect Isochronism. Since its realization by Bréguet, nearly 200 years ago, the overcoil hairspring has undergone numerous alterations and improvements through great study, trial, error, and success, by other great watchmakers such as Philips and Grossman. Before the advent of Silicium based hairsprings, this type of spring was considered - and is still considered by many - to be the best form of hairspring for any watch. Helical or cylindrical springs, are used in marine chronometers and some pocket watches, but have not been deemed to perform any better than a single overcoil Bréguet hairspring.

Overcoil hairsprings are made from flat springs by the workman who springs the watch. They cannot be obtained for order as some flat hairsprings can, however it is sometimes possible for the common watchmaker to obtain one to meet a repair as part of a Balance-complete. Most overcoil springs today are made from Nivarox. Older pocket watches, with compensated balances are normally outfitted with tempered and blued steel hairsprings of overcoil form. Sometimes springs of Palladium wire are also used, especially in earlier, non-magnetic watches, as Palladium does not rust and cannot be magnetized.

-JKS

It's Monday , So How About An Act Of BOND !!!

It's Monday , So How About An Act Of Bond!!!

 

By the way that is Floris 89, the fragrance Bond wears.

-JKS