Watches of Knightsbridge November Auction: Last week we spent some time over at 64 Knightsbridge to get hands-on with some of the timepieces in the upcoming November auction which takes place on Saturday 23rd. There are quite a few, I’m sure, that many of you wouldn’t mind adding to your collection. We have highlighted some of the more interesting pieces below consisting of; a 1940’s Omega Chronograph, a ridiculously cool 1950’s 5508 Rolex Submariner, an awesome honeycomb dial 1950’s Rolex Explorer and a rather sleek and sophisticated 1950’s gentleman’s 18k solid gold Vacheron Constantin.
Lot 366: Up for grabs is a beautiful and rare gentleman’s stainless steel Omega Chronograph ref 2279-2; circa 1944. It is in great condition and I believe all original, with the exception of the strap. The dial is in excellent condition and features Arabic numerals and dot markers, triple sub-registers; recording hours, minutes and seconds – with an inner 30 pulsation meter scale and an outer 1000 base tachymeter scale. Inside is a 17-jewel manual wind 27 CHRO C12 movement, practically making it the granddaddy of the cal.321. Being a 1940’s timepiece the case measures a modest 35mm in diameter but it is by no means small. This has a price estimated of £2,500 – £3,000.
Lot 439: Last time round – up for auction was a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which you may already know is the original divers watch. This time round we’re looking at a 1959 Rolex Submariner Ref: 5508 with a Tropical Dial!
This particular Sub features a beautiful glossy black lacquer dial with luminous markers, chapter ring and gilt lettering. While there are some 5508’s, which have 3-6-9 dials – this one features an exclamation dial and the more traditional markers at 3,6 and 9 seen today. However, what this dial does feature that some love and others loathe is a tropical dial. If you look closely you can see how the lacquer has cracked due to exposure to sunlight and it is this process that has caused this discolouration in the dial. This 5508 unfortunately doesn’t come on the original bracelet but does come with a chocolate leather strap, which matches that dial. At an estimated price of £5,000 – £7,000, it is sure worth taking a gander.
Lot 436: Another marquee Rolex, a 1953 Explorer ref. 6350. This 1953 Explorer is one of the earliest known references of the “Explorer” and features a rare honeycomb dial with applied luminous Arabic and numeral markers – with gilt lettering and chapter ring. It also features the original gilt pencil hour and minute markers, as well as the lollipop seconds hand, and the original BREVET crown. It is known that not all explorers as early as this one featured 3-6-9 dials, nor did they even bear the name “Explorer” on the dial, so this offering is rather rare indeed. This Rolex Explorer has an estimated price of £5,000 – £7,000.
Last but not least, Lot 520: A rare and elegant gentleman’s 1950’s solid 18k gold Vacheron & Constantin Ref. 302723 with “Horn Lugs” dress watch. This vintage timepiece features a silver dial with applied roman numerals at 3,9 and 12, as well as dagger batons. There is a sub-dial at 6 o’clock, which displays running seconds. Encased in this Vacheron & Constantin is the legendary manual wound calibre V453, which if you didn’t know served as the base movement for Vacheron Constantin’s much sought after vintage triple calendar watches; so it is more or less the daddy. The case measures a modest 34mm in diameter and is hallmarked 18K gold. This 1950’s gent’s Vacheron & Constantin has an estimated price of £2,000 – £3,000.
Be sure to visit the official Watches of Knightsbridge website for this month’s full catalogue.
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