A lot happened at IWC in 1944. An American squadron bombed them on April 1 during an air raid on Schaffhausen, there was the appearance of IWC’s first W.W.W. (Watch. Wrist. Waterproof) watches for the British Army, and also the… Read More ›
Vintage watches
A military classic – a look at a Heuer Bund
Produced by Heuer Leonidas S.A. in the late 1960s and early 1970s for the West German Air Force (Budeswehr), these flyback chronographs using Valjoux 22/ 222/ 230 movements known as ‘Heuer Bunds’ are amongst some of the most collectible and… Read More ›
Scarcity and provenance : Eric Clapton’s Ref. 2499/100 Patek Philippe
In the book collecting world, ‘association copies’ often command higher prices, especially if a gift from a notable author to a similarly notable (and perhaps literary) recipient. In the watch world this concept currently seems most commonly manifested via the… Read More ›
Baume et Mercier’s 160 Year Australian Anniversary Tour
The first ‘adult luxury watch’ that I desired was a Baume et Mercier. I was in my early-mid teens, and can’t remember where or when I first saw a photo of it, but I do remember that I saw it… Read More ›
A rare unissued Waltham WW2 watch
Watches labelled as ‘NOS’ (new old stock) are oft prized. For watches, as it is for books or many other collectables, the idea of something that has been untouched, especially vintage watches, is tantalising. The words ‘new unissued in box’ were enough to draw me into the unknown world of vintage military watches. The lure of an untouched 1945 watch was too great.
A look at a rare Fifty Fathoms
Are there sounds in the sea Fifty Fathoms deep? Sea Music : W. J. Turner (1884 – 1946) In 1952, the French government created an elite team within the Navy called the ‘Nageurs de combat’ (combat swimmers). Headed by Captain… Read More ›
Hands-on with an unusual enamel & gold vein dialled Longines
As you know, we love our vintage watches, and today we have another rare horological beast for you. This one is particularly unusual. No, it’s not a Longines with a cracked dial which has had the cracks filled with gold…. Read More ›
A look at a 1939 Longines Lindbergh
In March, I wrote about a rare Longines Wittnauer Second Setting watch. Thanks to a distinguished collector friend of JPVFX, we now have a follow-up post of an even more well known and rare Longines aeronatical beast – the Longines… Read More ›
Marking Time – ‘The Clock’ & a horological workshop
Following an AUD$53 million redevelopment, Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art re-opened, at the end of March, with a new exhibition called ‘Marking Time’. Featuring the work of eleven Australian and international artists, it shows the ways in which they visualise… Read More ›
The rare Longines-Wittnauer Second Setting watch
One of the reasons I carry a camera with me all the time is because I never know when I might meet an unexpected watch. Firstly, a bit of history. The relationship between Wittnauer and Longines goes back a long… Read More ›
HOROLOGIUM 