My Patek Philippe

Posted By HARRIS A S on July 29, 2010

Election, a good Swiss watch premature death

During the 50′s and early 60′s, Election was a popular brand-name amongst those who could not afford an expensive timepiece. Though cheap, most of the movements come with 3 adjustments, enough to qualify for the coveted title of a ‘Chronometer’. Unfortunately, despite this, there were not many that carried such a title on its dial.

After some years of wearing and polishing, many were disappointed to discover the gleaming plating on the case pitted very badly. There were not many Election with a stainless-steel case and back. As a result of which, its popularity plummeted.

Since it is a watch for the have-not, only a handful came with a 14k gold-capping case. Worse still, there were not many 9k, 14k or 18k solid gold ones on the market, then. Unfortunately by now, they were all in the furnace of the gold-smiths. Recently, I was amazed to discover a good size 18k solid pink gold Election for sale. Getting a solid yellow gold one is rare, while one in solid pink gold is indeed rarer still. While Election watches are not desirable as a collector’s timepiece but one in 18k solid pink gold is another kettle of fish, altogether. It will make some collectors think twice, whether such a piece in solid pink gold is desirable or otherwise.
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Posted By HARRIS A S on July 23, 2010

Smiths or Rolex on Sir Edmund Hillary’s wrist, when conquering Mt Everest?

At one time, there were many vintage military watches flooding the market to the delight of collectors. However recently it is observed, there is a great absence of these collectible timepieces. Of course, there is still a few good ones around to be picked up.

While having a peek at some of those vintage military watches, I was taken aback to read an interesting fact (we learn something new, every other day)

and it comes from an established seller and it is only obvious, he would not make a dubious claim, without some form of research or a little homework.

‘Smiths was the last survivor of the British watchmaking industry, and produced military and civilian timepieces until the early 1970′s. Smiths is reknown for having accompanied the Rolex Explorer on Sir Edmund Hillary’s Mt. Everest expedition in 1953. Sir Edmund wore a Smiths, in fact, and not a Rolex! Smiths British military watches are highly collectible. Here’s a 1968 vintage Smiths W10 military, one of the last years issued with British military markings: SMITHS (SS British Military) Excellent 35mm stainless steel screwback case with British military markings on the caseback, signed 17 jewel hack-set movement with inner anti-magnetic dust cover, excellent aged original matte black dial with full arabic numerals, military broad arrow at 6:00, silver pencil hands and sweep seconds, green nylon strap. The solid stainless steel screwback case on this piece is in excellent condition, and is signed with the military broad arrow and the ordinance numbers W10/6645-99-961-4045, 3216/68. The markings indicate a 1968 issue, which I believe makes this among the last Smiths military watches produced. Or watches of any kind, for that matter, as Smiths went belly-up soon after. I have heard rumor that Jaeger-LeCoultre actually made many of the movements for these watches. The 17 jewel hack-set movement is signed, “58, 60466E, Made In England, 17 Jewels” and has just been serviced by my watchmaker. The watch is running fine and keeping excellent time. The dial is original in excellent condition with minor aging and wear, and is signed, “Smiths, T (in a circle), (broad arrow), Made In England.” 1968 VINTAGE SS SMITHS BRITISH MILITARY WITH ORIGINAL DIAL!’

I took the opportunity of liaising with the seller and he kindly consented to my using his material and also, the picture of his watch. However, he was quick to point out the fact, ‘Sir Edmund wore a Smiths, in fact, and not a Rolex!’ came not from him but James Dowling, an established authority, not only on Rolex but virtually all vintage-watches.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on July 19, 2010

How much will the price of this Rolex be, today?

Admittedly, Rolex is the most popular watch in the world for many years already. Apart from quality, its marketing campaign leaves no stone unturned.

For that matter, in Singapore they have nick-names for the various popular models. There is the Rolex ‘kia’ or baby Rolex, beginning with the then model reference 6694. Next comes the Rolex ‘star’, given to the popular bi-color or half-gold Rolex Datejust, starting from the model reference 1601 of some years ago. Finally, the greatest amongst all is the Rolex ‘king’ to describe the Day-date model, with base reference 1803 (6511/6611).

Those are the popular models in Singapore and most people could recognize them from miles away. The moment someone wears a Rolex quartz with a Beta 21 movement, model reference 5511, very likely many of the Rolex lovers would swear that it is a fake Rolex because it is rarely seen and furthermore, the case does not look like the common oysters.

If one is very lucky enough to own and wear a model reference 6036, chances are such a watch would be assumed to be a replica or a fake from Hong Kong or Taiwan. Only a handful of people have really seen one in person. I come across this model while going through some of the old articles about past auctions. Indeed it an extremely rare watch and many people may find it difficult to believe the price of that watch which is only in stainless-steel.

Approximately ten years ago, it has managed to get such a price, what will its price be, today?

Lot 125 SFr. 322’500 / US$ 196,646 (pictured below) Rolex Oyster Chronograph 50m=165ft Anti-Magnetic, Ref. 6036, so-called Jean-Claude Killy, of 1952. WORLD RECORD for ANY ROLEX watch.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on July 14, 2010

Is this still the most expensive wrist-watch (with no diamonds or frills) till today?

Amongst collectors when they sit together, there is always the argument, as to why people still do buy a Patek Philippe watch instead of Rolex. There is little discussion though about Audemars Piguet, which is amongst one of the world’s top watch quality watch manufacturers.

Of course, it is difficult to deny that quantity-wise Rolex is top, since Patek Philippe cannot even produce 10% of the watches, Rolex can manufacture annually. Since most watch buyers are not watchmakers, they do not understand about the quality of a watch movement. I am one of those, unfortunately.

A good marketing strategy sells anything and we do have to remember, the founder of Rolex was a businessman, while Antoine Norbert de Patek and Adrien Philippe were both accomplished watchmakers of the highest level, unrivaled till today.. They contributed a flow of inventions and improvements in the world of watch-making, just like Breguet.

As a lover of these two brand-names, Rolex and Patek Philippe, it is rather distressing when it was made known to me, Rolex would not want to have anything to do with a watch that is older than 30 years, since they are worried, in the event those old watches may require a spare part. Very likely, Rolex may still keep spares or reproduce parts for the likes of Paul Newman and also, some of their top of the range beautiful time-pieces. From experience, some years ago, Rolex replaced for me the worn-out bezel of a Rolex Quartz with a Beta 21 movment. As of Patek Philippe, whatever the age of the watch is, they would gladly make spares which are out of stock.

It is not surprising some of the Patek Philippe watches achieve astronomical prices at reputable auction houses.

Just have a look at this watch which was auctioned by Antiquorum in the year 2000, some ten years ago.

Geneva, April 14, 2002 – The wristwatch Lot 608 set the new ALL TIME WORLD RECORD PRICE for ANY WRISTWATCH when it sold for SFR. 6’603’500, or US$4,026,524. It was Antiquorum’s best watch auction total ever and the 2nd best watch auction total internationally to date. Antiquorum’s April 13-14 auction realized the outstanding sold total of SFr. 38’253’851 (US$ 23,325,518), more than double the pre-sale total estimate of 16 million. The sale’s percentages are: 333% sold in value and 83% sold by lot. Not only was the sale-room full, the Internet audience was also extremely active on Antiquorum Online at http://www.antiquorum.com/.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on July 10, 2010

Be cautious and rational when reading feed-back on eBay.

On some of those eBay listings, there is a mention ‘those with “0” feed-back, please do not bid’ or ‘those with less than “10” feed-back, please email before bidding’. I find this rather strange, since I see nothing wrong with those new-comers to be given every opportunity to participate in this fabulous auction site. I view these precautionary statements unpalatable and it defeats the spirit of eBay, inviting more participants to enjoy the auction. A new member will definitely come in with a “0” feed-back.

After just one nasty experience, I discover those sellers who spell out those precautionary measures are indeed wise and appropriate with their approach.

Recently, I helped an old man friend who will be moving to the home for the aged. Since he has already sold his rare vintage-watches to dealers, who are his child-hood friends, from the country-side, I managed to help him out with the sale of his cameras and related photographic items, as well as, watch boxes. In the main, his items are in mint condition, since they had never been used but kept in storage, for the past 30 years or so. The listing of these items is foreign to me, since I have always been involved with the buying and selling of vintage-watches on behalf of friends, for the love of it and not make a living from this activity.

It is the policy of every prudent eBayer to describe each and every item to best of his knowledge, even mentioning the slightest flaw, the naked eye could detect.

After getting faultless feed-back, I was totally dismayed to be given a negative feed-back by a buyer whose feed-back then was not even enough to replace all the toes found on my one foot. Though unlikely, had there been an oversight on my part, the least he could do was to email me and I would gladly refund his payment including shipping charges, if the fault was genuinely mine. Without any contact whatsoever, he conveniently posted me a negative feed-back. God bless.

A word of caution: do be wary who your prospective bidder is. If you think, the bidder is lacking in experience, just let him know that you, being the seller is not God.

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Nikon F2 DE-1 eye-level mint prism finder
This is a very highly sought-after Nikon F2 prism finder. It is in mint condition and had never been used. It comes with an under-cap.

www.mypatekphilippe.com

Feed-back: (-) Patches of silver on prism had fallen off (in the middle); NOT mint at all!

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Rolex Leather Suede Jewelry Jewellery Box Mint and Rare
This is an extremely rare and totally mint condition Rolex Jewellery/Jewelry box in leather and suede.  Both the box and its outer box are in very outstanding condition with no sign of any use. Its size is approx 28.5cm x 20cm x 8cm.
 
The pictures best describe the item you are bidding.  It is a rare opportunity to own this superb and collectible Rolex masterpiece. Store your very expensive Rolex watch in it or give it to your partner and she will be happy to store her expensive jewelleries/jewelries.
 
Happy bidding and good luck.
 
www.mypatekphilippe.com

Feed-back: (+) Perfect condition item, i met the seller, real gentlemen. Bid with confidence

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Nikon F2 Body with DA-1 Sports Finder Mint
This is a mint condition Nikon F2 camera body with a fabulous mint condition DA-1 sports-finder.  The camera has never been used and had been in storage, all along.
 
Very seldom will one be able to come across a Nikon F2 camera in mint condition, since this very durable machine was produced to be used by professional photographers and serious amateurs.  Even till today,  Nikon has the best photographic system in the world.
 
Happy bidding and good luck.

www.mypatekphilippe.com

Feed-back: (+) Perfect item. Great seller. Highly recommended.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on July 9, 2010

The ugly duckling vintage Patek Philippe box.

He has to move to a home for the aged and he needs the money. Whatever he has kept for many years had been sold to his dealer-friends from the country-side. They are his child-hood friends.

Those dealers picked up all his rare vintage-watches, vintage clocks and also, all the fine furniture. Whether or not, they will put them up for sale nobody knows. Recently, I managed to sell for this dear friend of mine, virtually all his cameras and related accessories which were not wanted by those antique-dealers. Very likely, they have no market for them.

Apart from the old fine furniture, vintage-watches, fountain-pens and cameras, he also kept some watch boxes. I have sold for him all the good ones, including one Patek Philippe box. He put aside all the other watch boxes of lesser brand-names to be given away to his neighbors’ children to play with. He was looking in particular for a vintage wooden Patek Philippe box that can house several Nautilus pieces. Luck was not with him and he does not know, its where-about.

While shifting through all the boxes, nicely stacked-up, to be ‘discarded’, he pointed to me a beautiful Patek Philippe box. At least the outer-box is in excellent condition and so, is the outside of the actual box. When I asked him, as to the reason he decided not to sell it, he said the interior of the box requires lots of attention and there is a great likelihood, no one would be interested in it. I inspected and it is true to what he claimed.

I told him, rather than ‘throwing’ it away, since the box is structurally very sturdy and had never been used, as well as, had never seen the sunlight for a very long time, why not give it a go and it may land up with a collector, willing to bring it back to its original glory. He agreed but whether or not, there will be someone to pick it up is another matter altogether. I personally think the box has some potential to become a princess, though it is an ugly duckling, now.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on June 25, 2010

Though bold and beautiful, I can still go without.

Though I love the sight and also, own vintage-watches, however there are some that attract me more than others. For instance, there are many attractive watches on the market with a clean and mint condition enamel-dial but I do not regret, if I cannot own it.

Recently, I saw a friend wearing an extremely excellent condition and a reasonably masculine looking rare and beautiful Cyma watch with an enamel-dial and a case in 18k solid gold. There is not even a hair-line crack on the surface of the dial and the case is not overly polished. The workmanship is indeed intriguing and just superb. Though attractive but I will not put it on my wrist, for whatever reason, I do not understand.

I sat down and ponder and the only reason I could think of is because that was produced long before I was born and they are not nostalgic. After coming to love watches, sometime in 1952, I began admiring all watches, produced from that year on. Of course, my first watch, presented to me by my late and much-beloved father, was a then current 1957 Cyma Watersport and later on, with my own money, I bought a used 1956 Seamaster Calendar in 1963. The shape and design of some of the watches of the 20′s and 30′s, though attractive and cannot be described in words, the ‘I must own it’ instinct in me is amiss. Maybe, one day the feeling of ‘without it, I cannot sleep at night’ may grow.

As is, I am very attracted to watches produced from the 40′s to 80′s, since from the 50′s on, I could not take my eyes away from a watch worn or strapped on anyone’s wrist.

I am just wondering what is the feeling of others that make them instantaneously attracted to a certain vintage-watch. I am sure one man’s meat is another man’s poison, not only when it comes to vintage-watches but also, some other vintage items, too.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on June 3, 2010

Solid gold vintage fountain-pens.

Usually, vintage-watch collectors also collect vintage fountain-pens of established brand names. Very seldom these collectors indulge in stamp or teddy-bear collecting. It is rather strange.

Based on what can be got in the market, it is much easier to scout around for solid gold watches, rather than solid gold fountain-pens, made by Montblanc, Watermans, Pelikan, Parker, Sheaffer and Swan, etc. Any new ones, produced in solid gold would always come with a high price-tag, too.

Like vintage-watches, I think there is also a great demand for good vintage fountain pens.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on May 31, 2010

Will they still be around, if not exposed to potential collectors?

There are several auction houses around and the very established and mighty ones will only auction top-end watches, while those of lesser brand-names and worse still, with an aged dial, are made to feel unwanted. It is rather sad but that is business.

To a certain degree, we are lucky to have an alternative auction house that will list just anything under the sun, with the exception of items which can be used for anti-social purposes. Here, we can enjoy sighting of the good, the bad and the ugly ‘old’ watches – some really good and genuine but not in top condition, while a minority should be subjected to further scrutiny or best forgotten. It is always advisable to know what you are buying, before hitting the button, since with just one wrong move, the regret will remain for a long time to come.

For example, just look at some of the examples above. If there are not exposed to collectors of vintage-watches, where would they be, today? Especially, if they are in solid gold or even gold-capped, these highly desirable pieces, highly admired by some vintage-watch collectors, would end up in a gold-smith’s furnace, just like at one time before, when falling in love with ‘old watches’ was considered weird and also, nowadays when the price of gold has gone through the roof.

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Posted By HARRIS A S on May 28, 2010

Is Patek Philippe really a watch or a work of ART?

I have always tried to avoid writing about Patek Philippe watches. Each time, I made an attempt my fingers refused to work the key-board and I began to feel teary.

Though I am a member of the prestigious www.watchprosite.com I do not get into its Patek Philippe section, even though my love for Patek Philippe has no boundary. This time around, a watch-collector friend of mine insisted that I visit it. In order not to disappoint him, reluctantly I tried.

It brings back all the memories of yesterday, when my vast collection of approximately 150 time-pieces, contained not less than 50% Patek Philippe, from the simple to the complications. The remainder 50% comprised of the down-to-earth Cyma and Eterna-matic, right up to the ever-popular Omega and Longines, as well as, the mighty house-hold name, Rolex.

That was yesterday but today, as a result of my being cheated by a real estate agent in Sydney, Australia, my dream collection has turned into a night-mare. One word of advice, be wary when dealing with real estate agents, wherever they may be. Generally, they practice self-interest first and customer-interest can go to hell. Their slimy hidden agenda, coupled with a callous, insensitive and unscrupulous conduct, is indeed difficult to detect, till one is stung and reduced to rags.

After ‘visiting’ the exhibition in Singapore, via the courtesy of Kong and www.watchprosite.com, I began to ponder, whether Patek Philippe is actually a watch that only tells the time of the day or is it actually a work of ART, created by our fellow human-beings, wearing the prowess of someone beyond us. I am sure, all the craftsmen/watchmakers, management and staff of Patek Philippe Geneva will be summoned by The Almighty to produce watches for those in Paradise.

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