We’ve got a great mix of watches for you this week on Market Watch(ing). Get ready for some modern-classic dive watches, a high value chronograph and calendar, a legendary vintage chronograph, and more. Prepare your wallets and negotiating tactics, it’s time to deal.
Neil’s Picks
Omega Seamaster Pro 2531.80 “Bond”
The Seamaster Pro “Bond” is what I would call modern classic. Aside from being a great looking watch, it also has the distinction of ushering in James Bond’s Omega era when it was prominently featured on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan in “Goldeneye” (although, he wore the quartz version in his first Bond film). The size, proportions, and look fit right in with any modern watch, yet are still reserved and classic enough to fit in with the vintage crowd. With the deep blue “wave” dial and bezel, along with Omega’s fantastic Bond bracelet, it makes for a stunning combination that still hold up 20 years later.
This piece was recently serviced and looks to be in great shape. The caliber 1120 (ETA 2892) is well known as one of Omega’s most reliable and accurate movements, so, in serviced condition, you’d be in great hands. Many of the others I’ve seen don’t appear to be in nearly as good of condition as this one. At $1,350, the price is more than fair and you get an amazing watch at an incredible value.
$1,350
Marathon SAR
Marathon is brand that I feel often gets overlooked. They are very prominent in the the military and dive watch communities, but have somehow not managed to gain mass appeal. Marathon represents a solid value proposition, and not only do they walk the walk, but they talk the talk when it comes to hard-use military and dive watches. They don’t produce watches in large numbers, and I’m starting to see their older, less common pieces increasing in demand and price. Maybe that’s a sign of things to come.
The SAR-D has long been sold out from retailers, so this is quite the find. This one comes with a rare and desirable bracelet from Marathon, along with the rubber strap. It’s just a little over 41mm, which is just right. Many comparable military-focused watches with similar features are often 44mm and up. You get 300m water resistance, a fully graduated diver’s bezel easily operated with gloves, and a reliable ETA 2824 movement. It’s the perfect workhorse for those that put watches through their paces.
$715
Isaac’s Picks
F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu
There are some watches currently in production today, that no matter who you are, how badly you want one, or how much cash you’re willing to drop with a moment’s notice, you just can’t get a hold of one. A prime example of this is the FP Journe Chronomètre Bleu. It’s such a highly coveted piece (and with very, very good reason), that they’re rarely in the brand’s own boutiques for more than a day, and independent retailers often don’t get to sell them altogether. Because of this, many collectors will choose to source one on the secondhand market, where they pop up occasionally, but again will move rather quickly. If you ever get the chance to handle one, which I have many a times in that a good friend owns one, you’ll instantly understand the appeal, which is by no means just hype. Journe’s manufacture crafts one hell of a good looking movement, and the dial is simply mesmerizing — producing a variety of tones and shades of blue, even more so than Patek’s Nautilus.
$18,500
Omega Constellation
$875
Dean’s Picks
I’m going to keep my ramblings short and sweet this week, ’cause I’m a little preoccupied with preparations to travel to Upstate NY tomorrow to see my favorite band play approximately 12 hrs or so of music.
Omega Museum Collection Cosmic 1951
€5,850
Vacheron Constantin ref 4072
¥4,500,000
Shane’s Picks
Breitling Top Time ref 2002
First up for me is a vintage chronograph that still seems to be undervalued. I’ve seen panda dial versions getting more expensive, but this basic silver dial Breitling Top Time is a steal. You get a monocoque case construction, a reliable Valjoux 7730, and a clean chronograph layout for $1500. Overall, this example was clearly worn, but the case is pretty sharp, and the movement looks clean. The seller says he hasn’t had it serviced, so I’d consider a service in a year or so, or sooner if something goes wrong. The sale is for “head only”, but luckily this Top Time would look good on just about anything in your strap drawer.
$1,550
IWC Aquatimer ref 3536
This is one of those watches that every time I see one, I want it more and more. I’ll get one eventually, but for now, I’ll live vicariously through you guys. Here we have a mint and complete set IWC Aquatimer ref 3536 with a tritium dial. I don’t know the exact year of this example, but it should be closer to 1998 than 2003 since it has tritium. The titanium case and bracelet appears to be in outstanding condition for its age. It was serviced by IWC in 2009, so it might need another movement cleaning. If these Aquatimers aren’t already modern classics, they will be.
$3,550
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