Rolex Explorer 1655 'Orange Hand'

 

 The Rolex Explorer 2, Ref 1655, or better known as the 'Orange Hand' has achieved cult status in recent years and is usually on the list of 'must haves' of every serious Rolex collector. I sold a nice example a few years back and have been on the lookout for another since. This particular watch is truly a 'full boat' as it comes with both inner and outer boxes, perforated guarantee and wallet, booklets, hang tag, numerous service receipts and even the original sales invoice!!! It is an Argentinian watch and correspondingly, every document is in Spanish. This piece is surely an investment for the future and I will certainly not be repeating the mistake of letting it go!

Rolex Tiffany GMT Master II

This Rolex GMT Master 2 reference 16710 is special not only because it is a FULL KIT but because it is also accompanied by a Rolex letter confirming that it was delivered to Tiffany in 1989. Rolex very rarely puts anything down in ink and occasionally does so for issued models like Milsubs and Comexes but I've never seen it done for a Tiffany piece in the last 10 years! The date codes on the back of the guarantee in addition date the delivery to July 1989 and there is also an accompanying Tiffany service invoice. I don't think I'll ever find a similar watch with such rock solid provenance! It has only been worn lightly and still has the green sticker on the caseback and will be a keeper for sure.

Omega Military Clearance Diver Seamaster

Having an interest in issued watches, I naturally jumped on this one when it came along. The owner was a Royal Navy diver who also had in his possession nos 001 and 007 (he wouldn't sell these!) of an edition of 150. The watches were commissioned by the unit and have an exceptionally beautiful logo on the caseback which is protected by a saphhire crystal. The watch itself has a nice blue dial although I think black would've been a better choice. Nevertheless, I think it goes well with the RN SM300 and has a special place in my collection.

Rolex Military Submariner

This watch really needs no introduction and is considered by many to be THE Grail in any investment grade Rolex collection. It is the only Rolex model that has specific modifications to all major components, ie, case, caseback, dial, hands and bezel insert and in full specification, is one of the most striking of Rolexes. These were tool watches and used in the most extreme of conditions and few have survived in complete original condition. I suspect the majority are now in the hands of private collectors.

This particular example is in mint original condition and has been fully serviced by Rolex Bexley with the now impossible to obtain Hudson letter verifying date of delivery to the naval base. I obtained this watch from the original owner who bought it off an ex naval diver in the 80s and remember in vivid detail the pure thrill of holding it for the first time.

Heuer Super Professional 1000

This is truly a transitional watch in that Heuer was acquired by TAG during the mid 80s early in it's production run. As such, the majority of these watches are labelled TAG Heuer as opposed to just Heuer. This example is in very good condition and correctly signed Heuer on the dial, caseback and bracelet clasp. The Heuer version is particularly hard to find these days and is probably the best value professional dive watch in terms of cost per metre of depth rating. There are not many watches which are depth rated to 1000m!

Tudor Prince date UAE armed forces presentation watch (SOLD)

This is a very unusual Tudor Prince Date presentation watch with the crest of the UAE armed forces. It has a beautiful white dial with raised silver hour markers and the UAE crest is printed with crisp lines. I've yet to see another example.

Rolex Explorer II 1655 aka 'Orange Hand' (SOLD)

Another iconic model, the Rolex Explorer II 1655, has enjoyed a fairly significant rise in collectibility too. This watch is the earlier version with mark 2 bezel and straight seconds hand. I acquired this piece in LA and took the opportunity to visit Universal Studios where I spotted the original Magnum PI car!

I no longer own this particular watch but hope to acquire another in the future as I do like the big orange 24 hr hand.

Rolex Double Red Seadweller 1665 (Marks 4 and 7) (Mark 4 SOLD, Mark 7 SOLD!)

The DRSD is another cult model which has seen a meteoric rise in collectibility of late. Pictured are the versions with Mark 4 and 7 dials, both with correct casebacks and serial engravings on the inside. The mark 7 was probably the most time consuming project in that I had to fly to Geneva both to deliver and collect the watch following servicing! (Something which I will not do again!). I didn't want to send it by post and deal with customs issues so decided to visit the spiritual home of Rolex. I did treat myself to a nice steak dinner at http://www.relaisentrecote.fr/

The Mark 4 belonged to an ex commercial diver who purchased the watch in Singapore in the mid 70s and is accompanied by a Rolex Singapore stamped booklet, Rolex Service Guarantee and a very rare Rolex letter confirming that history of the watch.

Both watches have now gone to good homes and I hope their new owners will cherish their new double reds as much as I did.

Rolex Explorer 6150

The Rolex 6150 is the earliest Explorer produced and is one of the rarest models. This is the 'Precision' variant although there are some with 'Explorer' on the dial (presumably later watches). The serial dates this one to around 1953 and it is featured in a VRF post. The Rolex Explorer remains indelibly associated with Sir Edmund Hillary's conquest of Mount Everest in 1953. I particularly like the rare pointed gilt hands which are incredibly rare to find today.

Rolex Red Submariner (open 6)

The Rolex Red Submariner is a cult watch and no collection can truly be complete without it! I particularly liked this piece because it was produced during my birth year. It has an open 6 dial with corresponding 2.95 million serial. I purchased this from a pawn shop in Chicago.