It’s that time of the (four) years, folks. Right when you’re about to blow your brains out if you see another election headline. Things are finally coming to a head with the race, and it will be over soon enough. However, to keep you chugging through the remaining real life nightmare, we’ve got some great watches for you on Market Watch(ing). Enjoy!
Neil’s Picks
Sinn 556 Anniversary
At 38.5mm in diameter, 11mm thick, a classic and simple dial, and Sinn’s renowned engineering, this is a perfect “go anywhere, do anything” watch. It looks, wears, and performs amazingly. With 200 meters of water resistance, anti reflective crystal, shock resistance, and a reliable ETA 2824-2 movement, you can rely on this watch in any situation. Having seen the anthracite dial in person, it’s quite striking. It’s not grey but also not black, and it changes with the light. All you need to complete the look now is the bracelet. It’s hard to find another watch with these qualities in that price range.
$1,095
Helbros 17j military watch
Helbros is a manufacture that has been around for around 100 years, originating in Switzerland and producing watches in the US. They made military watches for several different countries and this example claims to have originally been owned by a WWII German officer. This is just a simple yet elegant and classic military watch. The legible Arabic numbers and baton hands have matching and nearly full luminous material. Around the outside of the dial is a minute track that completes the look. At 34mm, it’s compact but appropriate for the era. It looks great and the seller claims it’s accurate and damn near original, except for the crystal and strap. I can’t verify the the legitimacy of the seller’s claim, although he has some details and says can provide more. The fact remains that this is cool watch, and for $600 it may be a gamble worth taking, especially if contact with the seller proves to be fruitful. I say go for it.
$600
Isaac’s Picks
Favre Leuba Bathy 50
As it usually does, the hunt began on eBay for me this week, and funnily enough, it ended there! I frequently hear in watch collecting circles about the supposed “nightmare” that buying on eBay can be, and while this isn’t altogether untrue, you really just have to do your homework, and know what you’re after, if sniping deals is what you wish to do. The watches I’ve picked out today aren’t necessarily “deals”, but I still think they represent interesting alternatives to many divers and chronographs in their range.
First up, we’ve got a Bathy 50 from Favre Leuba – a watch that became an instant favorite when I first saw it a couple of years ago. I say this because the watch has a depth gauge incorporated it, and I seem to have somehow started collecting depth gauges over the years, for reasons which I can’t explain. That aside, it’s just a terrific looking dive watch, with all sorts of wildly cool little details that would indicate a thoughtful design process.
$7,950 or Make Offer
Jaeger LeCoultre Ref 4648.42
My next pick is a bit of an oddball, but a rare oddball, and a damn good looking one at that. This is a Ref. 4648.42 from Jaeger LeCoultre, which features a polarizing 43mm one piece case, and a vibrant dial complete with neon blue and yellow accents on the chronograph’s outer track. As you might’ve noticed, the watch bears a resemblance to Bulova’s similarly outrageously styled “Stars and Stripes” chronograph, and this is because the two share several components.
One key difference between this 4648.2 and the Bulova that set the two apart, is the presence of a Valjoux 72 within the case of the JLC. While the style of this piece certainly isn’t for everyone, it’s sure to strike a chord with the chronograph collector in search of old school whimsy and quirk.
$8,806 or Make Offer
Dean’s Picks
JLC Vintage Reverso
How about a couple of JLCs this week? Cool? Well, both of ’em come from the guys at Watchexchange.London, who seem to have stepped up their vintage watch game as of late. The first is a vintage Reverso with a very appealing black glossy dial and what appears to be gilt and applied details, obviously a much sought after combo. I think vintage Reversos have to be one of the more undervalued watches on the vintage market, especially considering the significance and popularity of the design. This one is listed for 6500 pounds. I’d love to see it in person.
£6,500
JLC Memovox Cal 825
£4,950
Editor’s note: A dial is most assuredly not “gilt” if the writing is silver, or any other color, for that matter, unless of course the color is GOLD. There’s no two ways around it. Carry on.
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