Rolex Passion Meeting 2015

Seven years ago Philipp Stahl and i started to organize the annual Rolex Passion Meeting, the most unique meeting for vintage Rolex collectors in the world.
On invitation only and only room for a group of about 40 people. This meeting is all about trust, friendship, sharing, crazy watches, but most important its all about the people behind the watches.

The London Issued Meeting 2014

I am just back from another great event. The London Issued Rolex / Tudor meeting. And what a blast it was..

Glory to the 5513 Submariner

As i just picked up an amazing gilt sub for my collection and this 5513 is in the stable of Bulang & Sons i could not resist to shoot the couple.

Watches with attitude

As you know i am a non-date Sub lover. And for sure when they show some character and attitude. And a great case...

Back to the roots part 2

Simply... i love Maxi Mk1 5513 Submariners. Nothing beats that dial for a 5513. I had 2 before... and now it's back again.

Essence of vintage Rolex

Maybe i showed you to many watches and many thoughts on why i love vintage Rolex so much already. But this one i surly want to share with you! I am not into this because of mechanics, technical issues of wristwatches. But because of design, lifestyle and most important the feeling of wearing something with meaning on your wrist. A piece that will be part of your life and history. Will meet the important moments in your life and will past them on. And often might show them by scratches, patina etc. Something i might be able to past on to my kids. 

But i also love vintage Rolex because everytime i put on a vintage watch i realize that the watch already has seen a life. Uhhh how many stories small and big could it tell... imagination is a mighty tool LOOL!

The golden era of vintage Rolex

I love these watches. So often we see people chaise 'grails' of the vintage Rolex world. I have done it, been there. Have owned almost all the grails i wished for. But after 6 years of roller-coaster and a more 'mature' look on our hobby i stepped away from the 'reference' rush. And i am more and more focused on sexy watches. With character. This is hell of a beauty....

5513 love...

Just a nice image.... we are so lucky!

The 5513...simple but soooo beautiful

It keeps to be my favorite reference. Reduced to the max. But with the right patina, great case and right inlay.... PURE SEX ON THE WRIST!

5513 Comex ... killer beauty

A friend bought a beautiful 5513 Comex. I already told about all the special coolness of the 5513 Comex. But today i just want to share the shear beauty of it. What a killer dial. For me... the matte logo Comex dials are among the most beautiful dials ever made!

The Iranian Milsub !!!

Dear friends, i am proud to present you one of the rarest Milsubs i know off....

The Iranian Milsub. As far as the story goes about 10 where delivered to Iran. But till today only 1 has popped up and according to Rolex this is the only one which reached Rolex for service back again. I am so happy a friend allowed me to share it here on my blog.

But first things first. In the 70th the Sjah of Perzia Mohammad Reza Shah ruled Iran. At that time he as also the Sultanate of Oman and others used British (EX) SAS and SBS commando's to train their elite troops. Like units of the Imperial Iranian Army. Training - SBS teams passed on their expertise to cold war allies and strategic friends. Amongst those instructed included the U.S. Navy Seals and the Sha of Iran's Naval Special Forces (which where under command of the Army). These where days of high pressure in the middle-east... terrorisme, Munich, oil-crisis, ...

When those SBS officers came into the country they brought their gear with them. And also their Milsub's.

And the Iranian's wanted the same type of equipment and therefore a very small procurement of watches were ordered from Bexley, and this Iranian order of Milsubs was bolted on to a British consignment. They where not issued by the MOD but ordered at Rolex Bexley directly.

This watch has the same characteristics as the Milsub's issued to the MOD. Only the engraving of the caseback is different. About the engraving their is still research to be done. As it is differs from the British style. Look at the second hand. It's different then those we normally see. I have seen more of the Milsub's fitted with them. And the general feeling is they are replacement. But don't look like Omega hands (often used as replacement). When you think, that this watch lived far away from the English issued watches and did not reach Rolex service in the past. It is a detail which opens questions. Where there more second hand versions? Or did the Iranian Army have watchmakers who fit the same replacement hand then the English MOD.... Who knows?! Still a lot to discover! That's what makes this kind of watches so interesting. An ongoing research.

What makes this story so unique..... is that Rolex confirmed the delivery to Iran. Including the serial numbers! Hudson letter with this one.

All together this is a very interesting watch to me. The only one we know off till today!

Maybe we will find another one some day. And more of the details will become more clear. But i hope my friend will never part from this one!

The full history is still in research. Hoping we will find out more.

Beveled lugs... i love them!

Wen i look back on my way in this hobby and what i see around me the last year, i have to say... quality, quality and quality. The great guys who teaches me and are much longer into this always focused rather on quality then on reference. They always looked for fat and unpolished cases and great dials. As these watches keep smiling at you over and over again. Also long after they just gave you the quick fix in the addicted rush for the next crown. I know what i talk about LOOOOL! When look what happened the last year, the hobby matured. The hype of exploding prices is gone. The quick buck, for which a lot of people joined this has turned. And now more and more people get adducted on details. Looking for correct and great condition watches. And that is a great direction. More focus on the passion then on the hype. Like in other hobbies....

Of course we should only buy watches that give us the emotional bonus. Sometimes that is character, mint, history, stories.... and sometimes even not great condition watches. The mint quality does not always mean sex on the wrist. But you should look for the best quality you can get for your money. No matter what budget.

I learned to love cases like on the images. Unpolished and with the original bevelled lugs. I love that style. At each twist of your wrist the light is playing,.. the shape is changing. Pure sex on the wrist.

5513 Comex.. for me the best

Well i guess it's no surprise anymore. First of all i am a non-date plexi guy. But even more... with Comex the 5513 with valve is the one to get for me. Much lesser numbers then the 5514. And this one is also a medium numbers... with matte logo dial. As Marcello last told me... about only about 20-30 left in this configuration. And in this condition ?????

Late 1972 delivery. And the only 5513's with valve. Which makes them kind of prototypes for me.