Buyers commission of 23% needs to be added to the below prices. Ed White Hammer Price 6,200GBPs (Yep even with the bezel) Rolex Ref 6263 Hammer Price 26,000 GBP Rolex Double Red. Hammer price 18,000 GBP's: Rare 5513 (already here on a separate thread) Hammer 140,000 GBP's Owner went to have the dial changed at a service 20 years ago. Fortunately the service place didnt have one in stock. 95% of the value of the piece was fortunately saved Heuer Autavia GMT. Hammer price 4,200 GBP's Heuer Autavia 11630. Hammer 1,500 GBP's
There were lots to like in that auction ... this little cutie was one of my favourites but, like many, went way over estimate.
So for all of us who don't follow 5-digit watches all that closely - what is the macro take home from that auction?
Prices for all the standard automatic steel watches (Rolex milsubs; Omega Seamaster Chrono/Speedmaster (pre-74 ... ish); Heuer Autavia and carrera; Zenith Primero) are all still very strong and rising. The real rare watches are always going to bring strong money. More surprising, there seems to be real demand for the TAG Heuer re-issues. Small gold chronos can be picked up for relatively nothing if you're willing to shop around; the military collectors will still pay over the odds for something they want. The one Blancpain Aqualung (af) that was in there and that I would have thrown money at was ... have you ever seen a Tom and Jerry cartoon when Tom is surrounded by a pack of dogs; time stands still for a split second, then the dogs engulf Tom and all you see is dust? Well, that broken BP was Tom and the bidders were the pack of dogs. I'm not entirely sure where the price was when the dust finally settled. Given what Ed Whites have been bringing and despite the later bezel I was surprised that this one "only" reached some £6k
My picks and failed bids were the Rolex Pre Explorer (hammered just over £4K) and Longines Flagship Chronometer, box and cert. (just under £800).
I don't have a problem with the dial or hands, but the case back, replacement crown and bezel would have prevented me from spending serious money on a model that is arguably overvalued in the market as it stands. The vintage dive watch market is largely about aesthetics, and that's fine. I own over 30 vintage divers. But I bought very few of them for their outstanding movements or case construction, and restrict my spending on pretty, though otherwise unremarkable examples. And if I were to spend serious money, the condition would need to warrant it, as those in lesser condition will not, as a rule, hold their values nearly as well.
I totally agree with you about looks. The last watch I bought was as cheap as chips and a *cough*Sicura*cough* .. why? Because I always liked the look of them. I know what's inside. I know it's uninspiring. Still, it's pretty on a Nato. That all said, I still think the Blancpain carries the kudos of being a "first", on top of great looks and its story.
Yeah, they have a good story, and some (at least) are pretty. I own this Waltham, which shared parts (and looks) with a Blancpain model, and it is very pretty, for a fraction of the price.
What a piece of junk. The dial's in poor condition and several hands have been replaced. Not to mention the condition of the case...
Considered the SM300 165.024 (Lot 27) but didn't think it was worth the effort to fix up unless it went for cheap, which it obviously didn't. Also, was a bit too lazy to go out to Bath
I was considering the 145.017 Deville chrono with the bust up crystal, but I didn't even get to wet my feet as it went hard and fast to more than double the high estimate.
