What's Selling Here 4/12/2022

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date "1985 Honda Bowl" Reference 15000

This Rolex Perpetual Date reference 15000 is quite the timepiece. The engraving on the back - Honda Bowl Winner ‘85 - was initially somewhat a mystery. Upon further investigation, rather than for a college football game, we believe it may have been for the first-place prize for the winner of the AMA Supercross 250SX race at Daytona International Speedway in March of 1985. It is the only known example and was possibly won by Bob “Hurricane” Hannah who finished first in the race while riding a Honda bike.

The watch is 34mm wide (with a lug-to-lug length of 42mm). The lug width is 19mm and the height is 12.5mm including the crystal. The watch is powered by the calibre 3035, and features a quickset (indicative of the 5 digit reference).

It is preserved in like-new condition with the original Jubilee bracelet. The bracelet clasp is so tight, that it appears it was only unfastened a few times. The case serial number is 7.3 million. The bold red double signed “Honda” is incredibly distinct and demands one’s attention.  

 

Rolex Date Reference 1500

This Rolex Date reference 1500 is remarkable. The dial features a vertically brushed texture that gives an extremely refined appearance to the watch. The case back is engraved with the former owner’s name, ‘Robert L. May”. The watch is 14k gold and is on its original 14k rivet Oyster bracelet. I’m thrilled to offer this timepiece “full set” with box and papers.

 

OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 2998-1

The OMEGA Speedmaster is certainly one of the most iconic watches with a truly rich history of exploration and sport. This museum-grade example reference 2998-1 features a gorgeous tropical dial. The case remains unpolished in my view. The original black “Base 1000” aluminum bezel is the best condition one I have ever seen. It includes an Extract of Archives from OMEGA dating to February 16, 1960, and delivered to a US Army base in Europe. This watch does not include the original box and papers, has a manual-wind movement (Caliber 321 made by Lemania), and is 39.5mm in diameter. The watch was just serviced by Alkis of Swiss Watch Repair.

This is the best of the best and a bargain!

To learn more about the OMEGA Speedmaster, you can read my ‘Reference Points: Understanding The OMEGA Speedmaster’ article and corresponding video with HODINKEE.

 

An “OG” Vulcain Cricket

Perhaps one of the most underrated-entry level wristwatches in the vintage market, the Vulcain Cricket is a truly important wristwatch that was at one point the most sought-after timepiece in the world. This Vulcain Cricket is among the earliest styles produced just over 100 years after the La-Chaux-de-Fonds manufacturer’s inception. Like the “LBJ” dial Crickets, it features the original or “OG” style case. It measures 34mm in diameter (just under 43mm lug-to-lug). The steel case features drilled lugs and is paired with an 18mm “honey” Wind Vintage strap made by Nick Gabarro.

The dial is non-luminous and features applied-Arabic numerals. As seen in the photos, the dial has blemishes (most notably at 11 o’clock) and the decimal track on the exterior of the dial’s print has faded. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic-vintage representation of the iconic Cricket.

The case remains unpolished and features some wear on the left edges of the bezel from removal. The watch is powered by the calibre 120 and has an exceptional voice when the alarm is engaged.

 

Rolex Datejust Reference 16233 Ivory Pyramid Dial Retailed by Tiffany & Co.

This Rolex Datejust reference 16233 is a particularly special timepiece in that the ivory-pyramid dial is also signed by Tiffany & Co. The watch was originally sold in the early 1990s with a serial number dating to 1991. The watch is powered by the automatic calibre 3135.

The case is unworn, with the exception of this photograph. The case back sticker remains on the watch, and it is accompanied by its original box and papers. The original owner was a dance instructor in Virginia and it is a museum grade watch.

Breitling Navitimer Early Reference 806

I’m excited to offer this early Breitling Navitimer reference 806. This watch was awarded to Matthew Rosenhaus by The Eddie Jacobson Memorial Foundation on April 29, 1956 in Kansas City, Missouri. Rosenhaus was “an honorary vice-chairman of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and vice president of the ADE Foundation, who died yesterday of the age of 68. A noted civic leader and philanthropist, he was president and chairman of the board of the J. B. Williams Company, Inc., vice chairman of the board and member of the executive committee of Nabisco, Inc., and chairman of the executive committee and a member of the board of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.” Jacobson was “an American businessman best known as an Army comrade, business partner, and close friend of President Harry S. Truman.”

It is powered by a calibre 178 movement by Venus. The case is unpolished and it is paired with a tan Wind Vintage strap by Nick Gabarro.

 

Cartier “Tank Asymètrique” Limited Edition Reference 2488 in Platinum

Released in 1996 alongside the thematic ‘Magical Art of Cartier’, this Cartier “Tank Asymètrique” reference 2488 Limited Edition in Platinum was produced in a total of 100 examples. The watch is numbered 92/100 on the caseback. Its more common sibling was was produced in yellow gold with a total run of 300 timepieces.

The case remains unpolished and measures 34mm lug-to-lug, and 23mm in diameter (excluding the crown). The watch is powered by the calibre 9P2, and the timepiece features the iconic sapphire cabochon crown with a beaded exterior.

 

Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph Reference 16013

The Datejust Turn-O-Graph is a very cool model that blends the elegance of the Datejust with the sportiness of a rotating bezel. This particular reference 16013 is a breathtaking example. The case and bracelet are in exceptional and unpolished condition. It has a 9.87M serial number dating to circa 1986. The watch is powered by the automatic calibre 3035. It does not have its original box and papers, but was worn only a handful of times.

Eric Wind