100PERCENT-Rolex

My biggest grail of all !!!!

2012-01-26T08:42:00.001+01:00

Dear friends,... i have been quite as i am mostly hold up in business lately.

But also because i did not buy a lot of watches the last month.

But i just got a 'new' grail for X-Mas.

But before i go into that i want to tell you a little story.

Years ago... there was the Dutch Rockstar and painter Herman Brood. He was working hard to achive his goal of becoming famous. Making songs. Which a couple off did great. Like the song 'Saturday Night'. Which became a hit for him.

He and his band got gigg after gigg... bigger... wider.... and one day they finally achived their goal.

A big gigg in the USA which might bring them worldwide fame and stardum.

And just before the big event. The band was ready to get on stage... Herman was gone. Nowhere to be found.

The band members went out searching.....

And they found him eventually. Outside in the dark.... on a bridge.

Scared... in a bad state.... and the band asked him... what is wrong. Why are you gone. We are at this moment of faith... audience is waiting...

And Herman said:

WHY IS BIG ALWAYS BETTER ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Words i thought more off this year. More watches? More cars? Bigger cars ? Bigger houses... more Lanvin's... etc... etc.

More 47 mm ugly watches LOOL

Herman killed himself a couple of years ago. Jumped off the Hilton Hotel... but hey....

Why is big always better ?

Why is expansive always better?

I have seen so many 'grails' and had the great priveledge to own some of them. Still enjoying them.

But why is expansive always better???

I left that road..... a watch has to have the special feeling to me... more and more.

No matter which reference... or better... let's stop buying watches to rise in the picking order of watch fanatics...

So here is my new grail. My most precious watch!!!

Given to me for X-Mas..... by my father. Nothing fancy. But his watch since my youth.

A watch that was always magic to me. When i was a kid my dad was wearing it.

But later when i was about 10-18 years... this watch was in a drawer at home. Scratched plexi.. not running... strap broken. I always took it and gave it a spin. It was a magic drawer with all kind of stuff like old sunglasses and pocket knifes. So you imagine it was a magnet for me when i was a kid.

The watch was forgotten by my dad... and i was trying to wear it somehow when i was about 16-17 ... and wanted it to wear it at school. But it did not work proper. So i bought a Tag Heuer Formula 1 when i was on a holiday at Lake Geneva and forgot about it. It stayed in the drawer for years.... i started collecting furniture and fountain pens....

And when i started collecting watches about 5 years ago... i remembered my dad's old Heuer.

And YES there it was still in the drawer at my parents house.

I took it to a watchmaker.. had it restored (plexi and movement) and put a nice strap on.

And i gave it to my dad as a present. To have him wear his old watch again. My dad who had been wearing it for years on business travels all over the world. Tennis.. etc. A guy who does not care about status, money or showing any kind of expansive goods. But he was very happy to wear the watch again.

He has been wearing it for the last years now.

This X-Mas he gave me the watch to have it in his memory for the future. And to enjoy it... and remember all the great moments together in the past.

A simple watch..... 70th style!

Heuer Camaro...

Why is big always better ?

Why is expansive always better ?

For me this is my most precious grail. Value has many faces.

An all time classic

2012-01-26T08:31:00.000+01:00

Well at the end of the day.. you can't do without a Speedmaster. Fantastic watches for the money.

Great chrono. Great style. One of the classics of sports watches.

And i missed one.. after owning several.. and selling them again.

With some extra help from a friend.. at http://www.cosimo-online.com/ who is a real passionist collector, watchmaker ans good dealer with great eye for detail and special watches.

And here is some more info about the Speedmaster and the moon.

http://chronomaddox.com/moonmovement.html

Watches of Passion > 06 Black 6062 Rare !!!!!!

2011-11-28T22:44:00.000+01:00

This was another of the ultra rare watches at Passion. Black 6062.

What a nice beauty! I guess once in a lifetime i will see one. As it is ultra, ultra rare.
Rolex in style... as we don't see it anymore. MAybe one day Rolex will pick up elegance again.

And cool on the wrist...

New straps in da house

2011-11-04T11:06:00.001+01:00

I got a great present. Some new straps that are real cool.

I really love their structure and feel. And it looks great with the brown dial!

Sorry.. i can't tell you guy's where to buy it. As the person who gave it made a special run for friends only.

E big thanks for the great gift!!!

Watches of Passion > 05 Square Crown Guard 5512

2011-11-02T08:50:00.001+01:00

Another Killer watch of Passion. For me among the most amazing ones. Mint Square Crown Guard Submariner 5512.

These watches where the first batch after Rolex switched from 5510 to 5512. And with it from non-square-crown to square-crown-guard protection. They had different versions of them in the beginning. But this is the first one. Very, very rare. I have only seen 3 now live. And only know about a handful myself. Maybe there are more around. But it was only produced in small numbers and for a small period of time.

But then what makes this one so special... look at the condition!!!! The ones i have seen where all in way less condition. Dialwise.. but look at the case of this one. Look on how sharp you can see the original lines. Amazing!!!

It's with a great friend and it came from the original owner.

Generations...
5512, 5510 and 6200

Watches of Passion > 04 Killy Überporn

2011-11-02T08:42:00.000+01:00

It's getting hard to talk about rare, when you see all those pile of watches. But believe me... those are rare. And so nice.

A JC Killy isn't even that rare by itself. But in great condition, you will not find many. For a while the more complicated Rolex watches like the Killy, old chrono's and moonphases where out of sight by the main collecting scope. Maybe out of fashion. But the last 2-3 years they became hot again. And for pieces in mint and great condition, prices went sky high. But for me mainly they look real great. The dials have so much details. Also they look like chrono dresswatches, they are still real sporty and cool because of the Oyster case. And i love the style of endlinks on the bracelets.

And if we then talk rare... this one is ULTRA rare among them... Double name Serpico Killy in gold. Uhhhhhhhh...

4 Killy's at passion...

Watches of Passion > 03 Tropical porn

2011-10-09T09:34:00.000+02:00

Tropical delight. Ohh men i love tropical. And those brown Daytona's are high, high on my wishlist. A full brown Daytona or camel colour as the right one. Would be my next grail.

But there where more fantastic brown dial watches at Passion this year.

This is such a coooool colour! Amazing!

For me this is pure porn! Each one a killer.

Watches of Passion > 02 Killer 6200

2011-10-07T16:20:00.000+02:00

I guess you understand Passion 2011 was pure porn for us. Such great watches. Another amazing display was the show of 5 examples of 6200. Why rare.. lool they are! But just not at Passion 2011. And we had some of the nicest ones around.

Such amazing conditions! Look at those....

And this might be the nicest one i have ever seen.

You might have seen my latest 6200 post. Such amazing to see such bunch just 1 week later!

They are the grails of Submariner passion.

Watch for diving

2011-10-06T08:07:00.000+02:00

Maybe you have seen my post on semi vintage. Well i got me one. As the 1680 is so beautiful as is... the problem of finding a watch for the diving lessons with my son was still around. Now... here is the answer!

16800 matte dial. No worrie beater with a vintage twist. Easy to get waterproof. It might get my holiday pool-mashine. That is the nice part of it. It gives you that.... plus some of the vintage feeling because of patina and character. Hell it still can't beat a plexi sub by far. But it is the second best for the holiday.... i hope ;-)

Watches of Passion > 01 NOS Heuer Monaco

2011-10-03T15:15:00.003+02:00

At Passion there where so many great watches. Ultra rare.. rare... cool. Ultra nice. This was one of them. NOS vintage Heuer Monaco 'Steve Mc Queen'. With even the sticker on the backside. The case was so fresh. Mindblowing. This was the watch for me. It really kept me staring....

As said.. i will do several posts on some of the great watches of Passion 2011. Here is the first. More to come..

And now i really regret selling mine years ago! I need one again.

Mine was also a early one with cal. 11 movement.

Here is a great website about vintage Monaco's.

Passion meeting 2011 >>> It was amazing!

2011-09-28T08:20:00.002+02:00

Another year gone by. Passion 2011 was another blast. So much relaxed fun and great watch talk. So many great watches. But not only like the hot grails of the month. In this group we see different style, different taste. Which makes it extra great. What we see are also great GMT's... but then with just the right patina, great case, or little details.

As there was so much to see, in this post i will show you some images of the event. On later posts the next weeks i will focus on some of the watches and show some more detail and stories with it.

So here are the images. Passion was real great this year. It is amazing how much effort the people take to join us from all over the world. And how much great energy they bring. Friendships and trust is a big factor in this. And good fun. With oysters and beer/wine the evening before. And the 2 days at the location. We where so lucky on the weather again.

Quite some bigcrowns...

6200, 5510, 6538, 6538 4-lines all there...

Square crownguard 5512!

Gold Killy!!!!! Serpico !!!!!!!!!

Killer 6200!!!!

Newmans are so nice!!!

The Panerai bunch!

Crazy Mike ;-)

It was such a blast!!!! Philipp and i are so proud to be hosting such great community of passionado's.

Big thanks for joining our friends!!!

More to come... soon!

All the difference in the detail... NEW Explorer tuned up.

2011-09-21T14:08:00.000+02:00

How it looks with some extra TLC. Patina indexes and the Tudor strap...

Wooooow now it's a toolwatch. Look the vintage bezel style. The patina and how amazing a Tudor nato looks with it. Like this.. even i as vintage lover get tampted!!!!!

This is what it will look like in the HTE package i posted on. Great looks!

Once in a lifetime!!! Grail 6200 got a great home!

2011-09-21T09:00:00.003+02:00

You never know when and if. But that e-mail you always hope for in your collecting-passion always comes unexpected and by total surprise. Read this amazing story of connecting dreams!

Just one word.... totally blown away. My mouth fell on the desk when i opened that e-mail.

" I have Rolex 6200 was purchased by my father while on duty in Africa between 1953 and 1955. It has the stainless steel spring bracelet, which is in excellent condition. I have taken to a local authorised Rolex dealer to take photos inside the watch. I will be happy to forward the photos..."

And i got soooo wet hands. And total panic. The dream of every vintage Rolex collector. The mother of all Rolex Submariners right at hand. But no funds to reach this grail for myself. More mails.... real nice mails. Which showed not only images from 'low' quality (which already makes it more then exciting ;-) )... but more important contact to a great men. Who wants to make sure, that his fathers watch with great and big emotions will find a great home. Collectors home.

The original owner really wanted to find a home, which will respect it's history and will cherish it with passion. So it will be saved for the next generation. As he also did with a boat he and his wife had great adventures with... and was now in hands of family. Finding new adventure. Which will add to the emotion and passion about this ship.

For me this was the most important part. And what makes finding original owner watches so great. The history and stories behind such pieces. It is easy to run to a dealer and toss the money on the table to get your dreams. But finding them from original owners. And all the emotion along that makes it so much more special.

But the dilemma was there..... it could not stay with me ;-( Ohhhhhhh so hard. The chance of a lifetime maybe.

I offered to help anyway... to help him find a 'collectors' hart. A place where it would be loved and cherished for the next years.

Well the people who know me, know... i am always happy to help. And there is one guy who was the perfect match.

My friend Philipp told me already about his 6200 love 5 years ago. At the very beginning of my Rolex love he told me that the 6200 is his biggest grail. The TOP of his collecting dreams for so many years. Over the last years we often talked about it. He often was at a point to hit. But it never matched right.

For me it was perfect to step aside and to help 2 great people to get together and make it happen. In a real great and positive way. As it is a real big thing for both of them. It's great to be of help in archiving dreams or/and real important goals in life. I feel this are real great situations. Where it has to be as 'positive' and smooth for both of the parties.

Within 3 days it was all done and Philipp was on it's way to collect the watch. I was left behind. In tears to let go of one of my dreams. But soooooo happy for my friend. Who helped me so much over the years and infected me with the Rolex bug. It felt like the circle closed again. As it had to be like this.

I am so happy for both the parties.

To the original owner i can only say (as i know he reads also my blog). Big thanks for your trust and i am so happy it worked out great for all of you. Sorry i could not join the pick-up.

And for my friend... i am only can be soooooo happy as he has now one of the super rare 6200 Submariners. His big grail. And even rarer... from an original owner with great provenance.

So here is some info about 6200 in general.

The 6200 is a reference produced about 1954. The final date's are not sure yet. There was only a small number of production in a tied serial range 31.9xx - 32.2xx. With 3 different dial versions. It was the first big crown (8 mm winding crown) and is the mother of all Submariners and Seadweller to me! The movement was the cal. A296/775 bubbleback. It has a great 'super domed' plexi and was the first Sub with 200 mtr's water-resistant. Smallcrowns are 100 mtr.

Later it was followed by the ref 6538 and 5510 with 1030 movement. Before end of the '50th Rolex came up with the ref. 5512 with crown guards as they still have today (in different shape so).

What we often see on the 6200 is that they many surface in the USA. And that a lot of them have military provenance. Like this one.

Here is some of it's provenance...... (only parts of it):

=======

" My father would often talk about the hard life as a farmer during the.....when World War II started he enlisted in the Navy.

During that time he completed his depression years....

.... This made him eligible for what the military called “A “school

and he was sent to school to be an aircraft engine mechanic. When he completed that training

he was assigned to a PBY submarine hunter squadron. For the second half of World War II the

squadron was assigned to Galapagos Island. He used to pronounce the islands name as “Gal – o –

peg-us”. It took a while to figure out what island he was talking about. He would tell stories about

spending the endless isolated hours riding the tortoises .....

His next duty station was some time around the beginning of 1947 and was a very short stint in

China just before they closed their doors to all other nations.

From there he left the Navy and returned to Wisconsin to go back into family farming. It only took

six months to realise he was no longer a farmer.

He re-enlisted in the Navy. Because of his mechanical background and good record he was sent to

Jet Engine school. You need to understand that is was the newest type of engines being introduced

into the military and he was in on the ground floor for maintenance and repair. While in school at

Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut he met and married my mother. That is a story all unto itself. After

completing Jet school he was assigned to an A3 Sky Warrior squadron station in Maine. Late in

1953 he was assigned to the Naval air station in Africa. I was just a youngster when my father and

family were stationed at Port Lyaute (now Kenitra) Morocco. The Navy was kind enough to allow

my farther to travel with the family on the Atlantic crossing. That was an auspicious moment in

our family’s history because the A3 aircraft he was to be on crashed at sea with all hands lost.

Port Lyaute in the 1950's

I have a very limited knowledge of his actual duties while at this station. He would never talk

about what he did. He would say that they were flying missions over the coast and up to Gibraltar

keeping and eye on shipping and submarine activity. By this time my father was not only an

engine mechanic but the enlisted “plane captain” and part of the flight crew. I am sure this was

because he could identify and fix aircraft problems both while in flight and on the ground.

My mother became pregnant with my younger sister while stationed at Port Lyaute. This also was

when my father started wearing the Rolex. Later in life when I asked him where got the watch he

would only say in Port Lyaute. My mother would say she won it in a Bingo game. I think this was

a diversion because my father never talked about what he did. My mother knew that I would talk

about my father’s new watch and I am sure she hoped that is the story I would tell. She was right;

it was not until much after her death that my father would talk a little about Port Lyaute. What I

gathered is my mother was terrified of his flights with that squadron. That while the wars were

over, she considered the missions my father was flying extremely risky.

My mother could not wait to get out of Africa, and in 1955 the squadron was assigned to a little

base known Naval Air Station Chincoteague on the eastern shore of Virginia. Today it is called

Wallops Island Flight Center and is part of NASA. .....

........During that time I sat with my father and we talked about his youth, his Wisconsin family, my mother and his career.

When I asked about the watch and Africa he would not go into great detail other that it was not a

nice place to live. When I asked how he got the watch he would only say “what did your mother

tell you.”

When I asked about Naval Air Station Chincoteague he was more talkative. At that time he was

still attached to the squadron with the A3. By this time they only had one or two planes left in

the squadron and they were assigned to the Navy Flight Test in Patuxant River. He told me that

they were working with dropping “shapes”. When I asked what that meant the story he told was

amazing. The “shape” was an empty atomic bomb. It had all the parts except the explosive. In it

place there were scientific instrumentations. The plane would fly various missions depending on

what was being tested. Some times the drops were both high and low level used to help develop

better radar detection protocol for the Wallops Island radar station. Most of the time the shapes

were used to gather information about very high altitude entry or re-entry tests. They wanted to

learn what would happen to the shape and the equipment as it fell tens of thousands of feet from

subzero temperatures. He would talk about how cold his station near the bomb bay doors was.

Bitter cold would have been considered warm by the way my father talked about his adventures.

My father’s job was not only to make sure all the mechanical systems worked but to record times

and related information as speed, altitude, time to arm and drop, time to clear the probable blast

zone and how time changed if adjustments were made to any of the shapes parameters.

A3:

In 1959 the Navy no longer needed that program and my father was reassigned to aircraft carrier

out of Alameda Naval base near San Francisco. From 1959 until 1963 we did not see much of my

father. He would be on board the aircraft carrier Ranger and at sea 7 to 9 months a year. During

this time he became a Chief. This promotion sent him back to a Pratt and Whitney and Navy A

school where he learned how to service and repair A4 Sky Hawks. The sky Hawk was one of the

Navy’s smallest fighter/bomber to be able to deliver an atomic weapon. After his schooling the

family was transferred to La Moore Naval Air Station where he became the Master Chief for Attack

Squadron 93. Again during this time he was stationed aboard the USS Ranger and gone 7 to 9

months yearly. When he was home the squadron would be “on the road” several weeks at a time.

He never said where they were going but a map will show the ultra secret Area 51was just a few

hundred miles over the mountains. Just to put things in prospective in the early 1960’s Le Moore

was just a small base in the middle of a big desert. The only thing we ever saw was cactus, bugs

and snakes and lots and lots of sand.

In 1963 my father’s final assignment was at Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach Virginia.

Here he was the Senior Master Chief until his retirement in 1965.

USS Ranger

........ One of the projects my father was most proud of was when the Navy was

having problems with launching Tomcats from a carrier. The pilot would run the engines to full

power and the cat would launch the aircraft. The fuel system was so sophisticated that it would

read the acceleration and adjust fuel flow accordingly. Unfortunately when the aircraft left the end

of the carrier it would decelerate and start to drop toward the ocean. The navy lost several aircraft

this way and a team was developed at the NARF & P&W to solve the problem. The final solution –

at my fathers suggestion- put a landing gear over ride switch in. This would not let the fuel control

take over until the landing gear was up and locked. Problem solved, from a quite simple man who

understood jet engines and airplanes.

It was while he was working at the NARF that my father stopped wearing his Rolex. It sat on top

of our refrigerator for years. When I asked him why he was no longer wearing it, he told me it

was too dangerous to wear at the NARF, that there were to many places that would crush it on his

wrist or it could get caught and drag his hand into a moving part or machine.

From that time on my father only occasionally wore his Rolex. In his later years he said it was to

heavy on his wrist. It was during that time that I asked if he would allow me to have it as part of

my inheritance. He was never a man of opulence or jewellery and never realized the intrinsic or

monetary value of his Rolex. He said I could have it any time I wanted it.

When G. and I were talking about sailing around the world I asked my father if I could take the

watch. He gladly passed it on to me. As I stated earlier I considered having it refurbished. I knew

its value only as part of my life. I did not have it refurbished because I did not feel comfortable

sending it off and taking the chance on something being changed out of the watch.

...... In November of 2008 I wore the watch as I and 3 other men sailed Elusion (our HR 49 sailboat)

to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. It was a 9 ½ day offshore trip in which I wore the watch

the entire time. The seas were big and the winds were strong. Wind speed averaged 35 knots and

wave height 5 to 8 meters on average. I chose the 12 midnight to 3 am watch as that best fit my

circadian rhythms. There were several nights when standing watch that I would look out over the

star filled silvery sea and think of my father. Hoping he was looking down on me saying, “ Kirt is

finally living his dream.” At the end the race when times were corrected for handicap Elusion was

the overall winner. That was a wonderful start for our sailing adventure.

By the following February G. was ready to sail and we began a 3 year exploration of the

Leeward and Windward Islands. We explored every island from Grenada to the Bahamas ......

If the Rolex could talk it would tell a great story I am sure, from....Africa to Grenada and all across the United States with G. and me, and around the world with my father.

==========

Here are some links:

Port Lyautey history

Naval Air Station Patuxent River

Naval Air Station Oceana

Some movie of A3 bomber

Movie of A3 crashlanding on carrier

We sometimes forget how dangerous this work was. In our everythings work well at the finger of my iphone society.

A3 takeoff

A4 skyhawk

=========

So here you see. Collecting vintage Rolex at it's best. A great rare watch... with great provenance. Toolwatch at it best. Here you see what Rolex can hold after almost 60 years of life. From the dessert of Marocco. The freezing cold at 30.000 feet and all over the ocean. How amazing is that??!?!?!?!?!?

For me.... finding more of these great stories and original owner watches is my way forward in collecting. Can't wait till the next mail and new story!

And here it is at full glory !

This plexi was on there. See the patina!!

Look at the hands. Almost 60 years of radium patina. You can see the Rolex crown right through it ! Amazing detail!

See the case....

Patina is something total amazing. I am not sure if that ever can be copied. Hope not!

And here is Bigcrown heaven to me. Two friends together. 6200 and 5510. Both so rare.

I am very proud of being part of this story. And friendship.

Hope both watches will enjoy a long lasting passionate life.

Killer cooool Panerai calendar

2011-09-09T14:36:00.001+02:00

Well... after i got the message of a friend.. i could not resist. When i had a look at the first image i was blown away.

For years now i am a huge fan of the vintage Panerai watches. Also i don't own one... i was lucky to have friends who do.. and was able to see many of those killer cool watches live. So much history and cool pure toolwatch sex in them. Amazing.

And then Auro send me these images of his new 'calendar' for 2012. I am blown away. In love! Also i am a designer. I normally never put calendars on the wall. I get many from printers etc. Even design some myself.

But this is one.. i would put on my wall. The images of brown, big. and amazing watches. See yourself!

Have to show my wife... X-Mas isn't far ;-)

Auro is the men behind the great 100 Superlative Rolex book. Ohhhh another classic. So many more on the wish-list after reading that one. And also he made a great Patek book.

Here is his website

John Goldberger

New beater arrived

2011-09-09T09:26:00.000+02:00

You might have witnessed my search for a beater watch. Well it arrived. And created a new problem LOOOL!

New problem.. well i love the look of it. The fat indexes of a 1680. But i have owned all kind of 1680's in the past. All red-versions, also in brown, whites.. etc. But at some point i stopped to buy them as i did not like the cyclopse plexi anymore. I am a domed type of guy ;-).

So when this beauty came along with the #19 super dome installed. I was sold. 4 lines of text. Like a 5512. Fat indexes and date function. Turns the 1680 into a great combo between a thincase 1665 and a 5512 maxi dial. Best of both worlds.

So what now... i guess to get it really waterproof for diving... i need to install a new #127 plexi. With cyclopse. Ohhhhh what to do????

And ps... this is not the grail story. That one will be coming up within the next week or two.

Chrono on nato

2011-09-01T16:34:00.000+02:00

I don't know how it is for you. But i am a chrono lover. The vintage Daytona is the most beautiful watch on the planet. And they have so much style. Also on a steel bracelet. Great dress-watch. But what i also really like is wearing chrono's on a nato strap. Makes them look so cool. What do you think??

This is my first mechanical watch. Bought at the birth of my oldest son. He will get it one day.

Also real cool. Tudor. The right one is a real cool watch. Great size and great style.

Semi vintage

2011-08-24T11:23:00.001+02:00

As in my head there is the search for a beater.. which will swimm, tennis, dive and work in the garden LOOL. There is always the range of 16660 and 16800 on my mind. Saphire tough... matte dial with patina. This 666 once belonged to me. Just for a short while. As after wearing it for one week i could not get the sex out of it. Looked kind of dead. Mhhhhh..

So should i now search for a 16800 matte dial... or rather try a 1680 as a beater. Get it waterproof. Or even more modern. 14060 M or 16710 mmmh???? I am confused.

Rolex'less Holiday

2011-08-13T09:46:00.000+02:00

Just back from a 2 weeks holiday. At lake Geneva. Such a great area.

Only 2 weeks... back early because of the weather. But still a great holiday and great places to enjoy. The kids loved it. As we rented a catamaran a couple of times. Great winds. Even storms some days. And my sons where even more proud when they had the steering in their hands. Family fun with volleyball, good food and evenings walks to the harbour.

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays. I needed one. This time i only took images with my iphone. Love the hipstamatic app ;-)

And for the last month i am working on a project... which will be great once ready and in the open. Keep you posted.

Back from the Spa

2011-07-11T08:20:00.000+02:00

It's back. And all i hoped for. I love this watch. But the case condition (also unpolished) always gave me a bit of down. I love those classical lugs. And wanted the case to be freshed up.

It gives a big confort when one of the best vintage dealers in the world, who also is very passionate about those vintage grails, offers to help. And so the watch went to Daniel... and his workshop. The result is amazing! I love it. Fresh again. Smiling on my wrist.

See the old images

What a great job in details.

Thanks again Daniel!!!!

Sorry guys... i was told it was only a special gift for friends. So can't give you his shop-address to get a job done. Sorry.

But here is his website for great vintage watches.

Vintage DB

Just was back in Geneva

2011-07-05T09:03:00.001+02:00

I was just back in Geneva for 3 days. I have not seen anything of the city... then 150 mtr. boulevard. LOOL! But the trip was great with maybe a great future to come out of it.

An early flight.... and long days of work. But it will be great.

I mainly had this view ;-)

And some walks along the lake.. for 15 minutes.

Just before i had to hit the airpoort there was time for a short lunch at one of the greatest places. La Reserve.

And off again...

I hope to report more later.

I just can't stop shooting this watch

2011-06-23T16:05:00.001+02:00

Ohhh after more then 2 years. I am still in love for this stunner. I can't get enough of it. For me it's the total style queen of all times!

Collecting Rolex...

2011-06-21T16:02:00.000+02:00

As the stats of my blog show, a lot of people who are interested into vintage Rolex are visiting this blog. A lot of people who are not into collecting vintage Rolex yet also. So for these people starting the love for this fantastic watches and hobby. Here is a little review on Mondani editore. They create a lot of great books. Which for me and a lot of other collectors where the starting point of their trip.

As when you begin, the world of vintage Rolex seems soooo big and strange. So many references, versions... details. Books like the Submariner book. GMT book etc... are giving quite a good overview. When you go deeper you will find there is much more to the collecting world,.. more details.. more knowledge.. then given in those books alone. But they are a great starting point to get into this world. To have a look at references and styles. Evolutions... etc.

Great fun on the couch! I spend quite some time with them. Look at their website for a total of their collection of books....

Mondani homepage

And here you find one of the latest books. The Rolex Gallery. An overview of all kind of references and type of watches. From most simple Date.. to Moonphase Chrono's. As said a great starting point to get into vintage Rolex.

Daytona's.... in all ages!

Great complicated Rolex watches:

Gmt's

Submariner and Seadweller

Text from Mondani:

With more than 1000 images, this book provides the main characteristics of all Rolex watches.

ALL THE MAGIC OF ROLEX AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH

“ROLEX GALLERY” is a complete journey through all the vintage and modern models produced by Rolex.

With new images and updated information, this edition shows from the rarest models to the most dressy ones, to those that represents a dream for watch collectors.

Every chapter of this book represents a type of Rolex watch:
Air-King, Bubble Back, Chronographs, Daytona, Explorer, Moon Phases, GMT-Master, Milgauss, Oyster Date,
Oyster DateJust, Oyster Day-Date, Oyster No Date, Prince, Quartz, Submariner, Turn-O-Graph and Yacht Master.

Over 100 different Daytona, 100 Chronographs, 50 GMT-Master, 50 Submariner are showed together with many other watches.

“Rolex Gallery” also provides the course of Rolex history, focusing on those watches that have made history.

“ROLEX GALLERY” is a clear, detailed and updated guide for all those who want to approach and understand the
market of Rolex wristwatches.

This book is within everyone’s reach however at the same time represents a useful guide for Rolex collectors.

Good luck on your ride.. and have fun with those books. My wife was happy... as they filled up the house LOOL!

Geneva auctions

2011-06-21T15:38:00.001+02:00

Dear friends. Sorry for so little content lately. I was so deep into deadlines and projects. But i want to share with you my trip to Geneva i had a couple of weeks ago. To the auction weekend. It was fantastic. With the Christies/HTE party, great watches and meeting a lot of great friends.

The quality of watches at auction was kind of not great. The best watches ... as so often are on the wrist of the friends around. But it is a great trip to have fun and a lot... a lot of watch talks!

On the wrist of a friend. Such cool understatement. So much detail!

Some more highlights of the auctions... 3 RCO screwdown Newman. Very rare!

Some watches at Christies.

Sold for more then 1.000.000 !

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WATCH I HAVE SEEN AT AUCTION.. BROWN BIG CROWN.

It was a great evening!

And some great breakfast at La Reserve .. what a nice place!

Funny... back and force between hotel and Chriosties, Antiquorum,.. Sotheby's. And Starbucks as central meeting place LOOL!

At the Antiquorum auction.. well i staid in the lobby. Drinks and friends. More fun and great watches.

These killer big crowns! Sooooo rare!

More rare BigCrowns joined in.

Some more tropical porn

So it was another great trip. And the next one already coming up ;-)

A rare bird

2011-05-06T12:33:00.001+02:00

Here is a real rare bird. A UAE GMT.... with provenance.

Which is a real great find. Thanks for all the help my friends!

Finding one with provenance is great. As most are fake.. or have a dial put into a loose case.

So i am happy that this one has a 30 years history... back to the original owner.

It comes with the later version dial.. the 'mohamad bin rashid al maktoum'.

Not the more common 'Ministry of defence' version.

Knokke... girls wear Datejust

2011-05-06T12:24:00.000+02:00

I was at Knokke beach the last days. A well needed break with the family. Sun... relaxed fun. And the funny thing was... that all the girls and woman there where wearing Rolex. Datejust.....

But all in Knokke was so funny. All the people working soooooo hard to stand out. To by that Porsche 4s... the Bentley... Ferrari... Hermes, LV... Rolex.

And then almost everyone there was driving or wearing it ... and cruising along the boulevard. LOOL! Gone was the difference. No standing out in the crowd LOOL. We are such poor sheap!!! Running along to fit in the group.

And i guess i understand now.. why Rolex is more and more putting focus on female buyers. 5-15K Datesjust.... all around. Way more then male Rolex watches on the wrist. I only had a poor GMT and a faded watch with me ;-)

The coolest wheels in Knokke ;-)

Strap fetish

2011-04-25T11:27:00.000+02:00

Well lately i got a lot of questions about where to get those straps i am showing. As they where all presents from friends. I could not tell. The Shell Corduvan was a prototype... etc.

But now i found a nice place where to get some of these smooth leather nato straps. And i received 2 of them. They are real thin and made in Australia.

But you don't need to go all the way down under. You can get them over here...

Singular straps

They not only look great. They are fantastic on the wrist!

Which one do you like more on the tropical 5512?

Cooool Antwerp

2011-04-11T08:07:00.002+02:00

I love to visit cities. Not so much the old style, all perfect cities/part. But the cities, which are coming from a industrial past. Or have their problem area's. And often you see the change and most energy in those area's... when the creative industry is taking it's place. Often the first to start. Raw...

Antwerp in Belgium is such a city. With it's dock's and real 'down' looking area's. With an old historic centre. Now there is so much new creativity. Cool shops and restaurants. A lot of culture. Antwerp became the fashion city of Belgium. With the fashion museum and a lot of great shops with fashion from young designers in the area. The nicest part is called 'Het Zuid' (the south).

Cool veggie-restaurant in the center. Where Moby etc... had their lunch.

A cool shop.. with it's 40 year old interior and new designer fashion.

Philipp... the Everest FrenchFries LOOOOOOL!

We had great luck with the weather.. so some drinks at the water where more then welcome.
Mike.. this one was on you ;-)

We finished the day with some great food.

The images for Christies

2011-04-08T07:50:00.001+02:00

As you see below.. i had a small session of photography of the HTE watches for the Christies catalogue. May auction. And here are some of the results...

Old images....

2011-04-05T09:05:00.000+02:00

Sometimes i scroll through Photobucket.. and then i see all thjose images. Images of great events,.. great people... and great moments in my collecting history. Vieuws from the past.

And then i realise.. how fast and deep i went. How many great watches came by. Some had to go again for new loves or purposes. But all have been a part of my roller-coaster... what a ride.

Here are some looks into the box.. from the past.

From a time.. when i still had black watches loool.

It's been a while

2011-04-05T08:51:00.000+02:00

Since i was wearing my Comex. It slept in the dark for to long. So i had to take it and wear it again. Love this watch!

Day after... visit of a friend

2011-03-28T15:32:00.000+02:00

The next day... with still a heavy, heavy head. A good friend visited me and my family. He was also at the event. So we could enjoy the lazy afternoon sun and the watches more in detail.

His vintage Panerai collection is breath taking! Amazing. I am in love!
They are so rare. The Calidial... never seen one live! But the Luminor has stolen my heart.
There is no coller watch then that!

Such a killer Comex!

This one was a big surprise for me... a stunner. And what a cool summer watch.

Green whitegold DayDate Stella dial

Thanks M. It was a great time having you and H. with us!

These small meetings.. with all time to study details and share the knowledge and passion are a blast!

HTE meeting Maastricht (evening)

2011-03-28T15:19:00.001+02:00

Well the evening wasn't about watches. But about passion, goals and reaching the peaks of life and the world. Philipp had Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing in Maastricht. To give a lecture about their achivements and their fathers concquest of Everest.

What an amazing evening it was. Stories about the childhood on top of the world. Trips through India.. with 100.000 people waving at the river. Northpole expedition with Neal Amstrong.... woooow... the magic of the Sherpa's. And their own expeditions to the top of the world. With death all around them.

These guys, together with George Band, who was also there (member of 1953 expedition), gave such a great presentation. And most important. They showed, that friendship, passion and teamwork can get you anywhere. It's hard to imagine to what they have done witrh my 2011, we have it all,.. can do it all - eyes. At those times it must have been a revolution.

Now when someone would fly to Mars.. it would be 15 minutes news and 30 minutes Youtube. Then it must have been a milestone for humanity. So much respect.

Imagine... their fathers and George Band.. climbed, walked.. carried... throught rough nature for 1 month then. Just to reach basecamp one. With all grear. Setting up camp every night. Now we fly in...

Here are some images of the evening.

The private VIP room.. champagne was needed ;-)

The old theatre is so nice...

Jamling Tenzing ready for his speach.

The royal gallery LOOL!

Just a short break....

Peter Hillary...

Childhood holiday's.

What a great couple of guys. I was not only impressed by their expeditions and what they have done.

But they where also so nice and kind. I had great talks with them and a handfull of friends the night before in a bar.

A lot of drinks and great fun!

George Band. Just amazing and such a gentleman.

Some meet and great after the presentations...

And more drinks.

The evening was closed by a DJ.. and some more drinks with friends in the middle of the night.

What a event.

Big respect to Philipp for pulling this one off.

Old and new...

2011-03-23T13:18:00.002+01:00

I guess you understand which i think looks 10x better.
Percy from R-L-X was one of the first to post images of the new Explorer 2. The new orange hand.
Well what to say. From this picture it looks like...

For me the new Explorer 2 looks like a mix of all kind of watches. Without choosing a own statement. Big Orangehand from the old one. But indexes from the Sub + bezel from the recent Ex2 it looks like. For me it can't match the old style. Which was a understatement Toolwatch. Now it looks like all of a kind + a bit of Posh! Maybe.. i hope it looks better live.
Some images of the non-date Sub (Photoshop) looked nice ;-)

So can't wait to have one in my hand... to see how it looks live. Maybe i am mistaken.. maybe not.

Maybe i am just a sentimenal fool LOOL!

HTE meeting Maastricht (daytime)

2011-03-23T07:17:00.001+01:00

The HTE event in Maastricht was a blast. For me personally. But also as event itself...

First of all.. for me as i was able to have a great friday evening, having drinks with close friends. But also having them together with Jamling Tenzing, Peter Hillary and George Band. People who have seen so much. Concqered so much. Not only all of the highest mountains of the world. But also north-pole, south-pole... you name it. To spend a really relaxed evening with them was not only great fun. But also they have a great view on life.... i was very impressed.

The next day the event was held in a great location in the center of Maastricht... Philipp and his team did a great job. Also getting a great exhebition of grail watches all around. A lot of old friends where there. And a lot of new people i met. It was fantastic!

It was all there.. a lot of Exploreres LOOL... but also 6200, 6538, 5510, pump and screw-down Newmans, 6541's.. Milsub's,.. Comex, gilt, Stella-dial, Tropical,... Killy, vintage Patek chrono... you name it.

And of course the original watches, that have seen the top of the world. Everest, K2.. you name it.
Heinrich Harrer's Orangehand, given to Tenzing. Bands watches... from 1953 expedition (white dial) and 1955 expeditions. And on the wrists of Tenzing and Hillary the Rolex watches that where with them on Everest, K2... you name it. And pool-expedition together with Neil Amstrong.

Jamling Tenzing and Peter Hillary

Shoot for Christies....

2011-03-14T12:40:00.001+01:00

Last week i had a little shoot for Philipp's project. Images for the Christies auction in May. Great fun to do. ANd first time i used the software to shoot my Nikon D3 directly from the Macbook. Which gives you a great image of the result right away.

I will show you the result once the 'catalogue' is out.

A trip needed...

2011-03-14T12:30:00.001+01:00

Last weekend i was away with my wife. For a short trip. Just the 2 of us. Well needed after a lot of work and little time together. A friend adviced me this new hotel. In Bonn, Germany. It was fantastic!

I wasn't much into shopping, city.. outgoing. But more into relax. And it was an amazing hotel. Everything styled by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. Price winning hotel. I was surpised.
The stuff was really nice. Sushi was all relaxed. Spa clean and not to big. Everything had the feel of being taken care off.
A great stay. No need to go outside.

The hotel is the Kameha Grand in Bonn (near Cologne).

Here are some images (some i took from internet, as my Iphone does not show the beauty of it all).

The rooms...

The spa:

The central area:

Nice lunch at daytime:

Sushi at night...

It was a great short trip.. with some sun to end it in style.

Superlative APP

2011-03-04T06:06:00.000+01:00

My friend Auro just made a great APP. His 100 Superlative Rolex Wateches book is already fantastic. Gave me some great grail-sniffing times at home. Now i have those babies with me all the time...

Here you can find more info:

APP Store

and his website... with more great books and stuff.

Sunburst

2011-02-14T14:45:00.000+01:00

And as you might have guessed it.... 1 guitar was not enough ;-) Needed something matching....

Something with that nice faded look. Nothing to fancy by the way. But it sounds fantastic. 2004 Gibson Les Paul standard. In the series of Les Paul's a easy guitar. When you see how much this old ones cost... it's amazing. Up to 120-500K for an '59 Les Paul. Custom build ones.. and so on. But for me it's more then great and a beauty for the eye.

I love the combination! Now i need to find me a great strap.

I am afraid... i started the next collection. LOOOL!

So what's next.. what suits a Newman? LOOL!

Pepsi....

2011-02-13T11:15:00.001+01:00

I picked up an old love of mine. 20 years ago i played for about 1 year. But quit then.. always felt sorry about it.
So i picked up on it again. Now with a private teacher. To do it right and keep rocking this time.
But what makes it also so great. I see so much of the same passion in both world.
Both find their design in the 50th.. and still hold their magic till today.

And as my 1675 does only have a blue bezel.... now i can get the Pepsi look ;-)

Here is my '57 Fender re-issue from early Corona years.

19th of March. Big Rolex-Event in Maastricht JOIN!!

2011-02-11T08:53:00.000+01:00

Philipp is pulling off a great event. A event about the Mount Everest expedition and watches. But also about collecting vintage Rolex. It will be held in a fantastic place in Maastricht. Real amazing atmosphere. And with drinks and dj after the presentations. Special presentations about collecting vintage Rolex (also presentation of watches)... and the son's of Tensing and Hillary will be there and give a lecture... Well see the invitation from in this post for more info and how to join the gang. As it will be quite a big event. Which you should not miss.

Here is his invitation:

As some of you around here already know me over the years a little better then just reading my posts, it will be no surprise that I cherish a deep passion for my beloved Rolex. Their enormous history and specially their world famous Heritage & exploring innovation of their tool-watch concept made me follow my dreams. Many interesting 'encounters' have taken place over the past months that I wanted to share with my 'family' here on VRF but for all kinds of reasons it was not..let's use the word possible and describe
it as: A thin line between passion & obsession

After contacting the maestro Richard himself, I'm proud to announce a special vintage Rolex Meeting in Maastricht, NL on Saturday the 19th of March. Every passioned VRF-reader is invited to come and join us! all my 100 % Passion Members friends in particular!! There will be an exhibition on vintage sport Rolex and their goodies and a lecture about the challenges and pitfalls of collecting. Special guest will be George Band (one of the last living members of 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition) and his 2 memorable Rolex watches he used!

The afternoon will be followed by an exciting evening program. Peter Hillary & Jamling Norgay, sons of world famous Sir Edmund Hillary & Tenzing Norgay will give their duospeech "Two generations of Everest Mountaineers". They will share their personal accounts on their father's accomplishments and talk about teamwork and power of survival. And last but buy no means least, you can join us for an after party with DJ and drinks until the wee hours of the night.

To be clear, the whole revenue will go to the preservation of the Himalaya and support of its inhabitants, by donating to the Foundations of the Hillary & Tenzing families.

So there it is, passion, inspiration and celebration in one go!!!

Click the image to blow up and read the invitation:

A drink with some friends

2011-02-10T19:21:00.000+01:00

Today i had a short break from the office. Some friends came over and we had a great chat. Philipp had a lot to tell. Wooow it will be a hot spring ahead. More about that later. But always great when we meet my friends. And great passion and watches to share. Thanks! I needed that break!

First owner homeplate with a case to die for and what a patina. The Newman also is just wooow!

Some Milgauss power.

Case of 5510 and Tudor BC next to each other.

ok guy's show them. Off the wrist.

What cool looks... 6541 steel bezel.. old jubilee bracelet! Loved that style!

5510 on big logo bracelet

2011-02-08T12:33:00.000+01:00

Sorry for being not so active. I was so busy at work. 14-16 hours a day...
But want to show you my 5510 with the right bracelet now. With 65 endlinks... and a real rare claps.
A big logo claps from '59 is already rare. But this is the matte version. Got it from a friend.
And he and i have only seen 3-4 of them till now...

A big thank YOU!!!!

2011-01-12T10:25:00.002+01:00

Woow... i am surprised! Just looked at some numbers and statistics of the blog. And i am totally amazed.
Seems that the last 6 month this blog received more then 130.000 visits. I am really blown away by that number. I was already happy when a small group would be enjoying this blog. But so much. I only can give you a humble thank you all for visiting.
And it gives me extra boost to keep focused on posting! Hope you will keep enjoying this place.

Also great to see so many visitors directed from othe blogs. More in into fashion and lifestyle! Fantastic! As the worlds indeed blend and match. Maybe i should also do some more posts on cool other stuff blending with vintage Rolex. Will post some of the cool blogs here also!

Thanks!

Bernhard

5510 in the sun

2011-01-03T12:28:00.004+01:00

When the sunlights hits the dial... it shows it's real beauty. A beautiful warm patina...

Heuer auction at Bonhams

2010-12-31T15:25:00.000+01:00

Couple of weeks ago Bonhams had a great Heuer auction. And i only just got the catalogue due of the bad weather.
What great watches and style did they put into the auction. Nice images of the world around it and cool watches. With amazing results. The black Monaco went crazy. Real high price for a übercool watch.

The star of the auction...

And one day i will own one of those in steel.

But i hope it will take a long while before that... as it is my fathers watch. Along his side for many years now. And i hope it will stay with him for a long while.

And in the Rolex - fury of the first 1 year into vintage Rolex i sold this one... mistake.

They are real cool watches.