This week, Bring A Loupe offers a wide selection of vintage pieces – all outstanding watches with their own merits. You will find a sensational dive watch from Longines, a dress watch from Vacheron Constantin, and a chronograph from Heuer – and it doesn't stop there. This is your Bring A Loupe for May 27, 2016.
A Vacheron Constantin Chronomètre Royal Reference 6111 With Original Box
"Chronomètre Royal" – the name was ambitious, but Vacheron Constantin's watches made under that name more than lived up to it. It all started with ultra precise pocket watches in the beginning of the 20th Century, but in the 1950s, it was all about exemplary wristwatches, such as this reference 6111 with the gorgeous integrated "Maltese" lugs, similar to the ones from the Patek Philippe reference 2568-2. The manual-wound caliber 1008BS is pretty spectacular in its design too, and offers hacking seconds, a pretty rare feature at the time. Here, the central seconds makes this watch even more modern looking. This example comes with a crisp case, and the original box, while the seller notes a replaced crown. As expected, you can read the name of this VC proudly engraved on its case back.
The dealer Vesper & Co. is offering this outstanding chronometer for $12,450 here; it comes with the original box and a certificate from Vacheron Constantin.
A Longines Diver Reference 7042-2 With Early Dial
The "Swiss" marking on the dial and the small lume dots near 3,6,9, and 12 o'clock, indicate a primitive version of the Longines Diver, probably the most desirable vintage execution of this iconic 42 mm dive watch, and still produced by Longines to this day. The two cross-hatched crowns are characteristic of the Super Compressor case, where increasing pressure of the water actually tightens the case back, thereby increasing the waterproof resistance of the case – on this reference guaranteed to a depth of 100 meters. The dive time can be measured on the inner bezel, which is rotated by the upper crown, while the lower one connects to the small automatic caliber 19AS. Additionally, this diver comes with a Longines-signed, stainless-steel bracelet, very likely original to the watch according to the reference article here.
Matthew Bain is offering this rare (and gorgeous) diving watch here.
An Angelus Chronodato With Yellow-Gold Case
As is so often the case with eBay, the picture in this listing does not really do the watch any justice. This solid-gold Angelus appears to be in outstanding condition, with a crisp dial and a well-preserved case. The Chronodato remains one of the most emblematic wristwatches; introduced in 1942, this Angelus was the first chronograph with a triple calendar, produced in 1942. The two complications are flawlessly combined on a very legible dial thanks to the date windows, which would become a standard for the industry. Even better, this watch comes with a set of instructions from Angelus; the document seems original to the watch, and explains how to use the renowned caliber 217. As the seller points out, the movement will need a service, and the minute hand shows oxidation.
This Angelus Chronodato can be found on eBay here; at the time of publishing had just gone over $2,000.
A Wittnauer Electric With Distinctive Handset
The Wittnauer Electro-Chron stands out thanks to its unique lightening handset; we recently covered a pretty special example here. The dial of this Wittnauer indicates an early reference, dating from the very beginning of the 1960s (hence the "Electric" on the dial) while later versions say "Electro-Chron." The movement of this unusual watch is pretty interesting too: the caliber Landeron 4750 might be battery-powered, but it features a regulating balance that you would expect in more "traditional" caliber (you can find the full specs here).
You can find this Wittnauer offered for $500 here, and it comes with its original box.
A Military Omega Seamaster 30 For The Pakistani Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force has a long history of providing Omega watches to its pilots, especially Railmaster and Seamaster models. Over time, those became highly coveted by collectors, and as it often happens in the vintage world, frequently faked. The "P.A.F." engravings on the case back should always be considered with suspicion; luckily, this Seamaster 30 from 1964 was fully confirmed by the Omega Museum, with the serial number of the movement matching the military delivery in the Archives of the manufacture. This 37 mm Seamaster also features the distinctive wide baton hands of the military version, but unfortunately they have lost their lume. The seller also indicates that the manual-wound caliber 286 was recently serviced, so there should be no mechanical issues.
A UK-based dealer just listed this military Seamaster here.
A Heuer Autavia Reference 7763 With Compressor Case
The reference 7763 is characteristic of the later execution of the Autavia in the end of the 1960s, when the larger Compressor-type case replaced the initial screw-back case with thinner lugs. The great balance of the dial was not lost in the move, while the manual-wound chronograph movement for the two-register also evolved from the Valjoux 92 to the more recent caliber Valjoux 7730. Here, you can see some small nicks on the MH bezel (the name comes from the dual display of minutes and hours), but nothing dramatic. Note that the angle of the pictures does not really facilitate checking the originality of the crown, but it looks fine nonetheless.
You can find this later Autavia on eBay here; at the time of publishing, bidding had just reached $4,500.
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