Which is the rarest watch you’ve ever owned?

RealFire · Dec 28, 2021

In my collection I believe this Longines pocket watch is the rarest one I have. Longines historical archive dates this to 1917. The movement is the cal 18.89z and the beautiful blue hands are tough to see in photos but I have yet to see another pocket watch like this one anywhere. I have pictures of the movement I'll also post when I find them

DaveK · Dec 28, 2021

While Seamasters from 1961 aren’t rare, I’ve never seen another non-date version of this dial

I have no idea what the production numbers were for these factory Bulova Accutron Spaceview’s. I don’t think this would be “rare”, but in this condition, this one from ‘73 does not have a lot of company.

One of my favourites is this 1929 Illinois Bunn Special Type IIIB in a white gold-filled case. It was made just after Hamilton’s takeover of Illinois, and had a production run of just 1200+/-

Braindrain · Dec 28, 2021

Only 3 known examples of this dial.

And I know who has the other 2.... 😀

Joe_A · Dec 28, 2021

Two very rare Enicar Sherpa Graphs now!

This one was shown earlier in the thread:

One of 500 date stamped June 1962. The reference is retrospectively referred to as the Mark Id. Only a couple have been accounted for and no one knows how many were reverse panda watches with black dials and how many were of the albino variety as seen above. There may have been other dial variations as well.

Now there is this watch, also 1 of 500, date stamped May 1960:

JimJupiter maintains an unofficial registry and so far there are 26 Mark Ia watches that have been documented and only 6 of these are with metallic pewter-gray dials with pearlescent silver tachymetre ring and subdials and with gladius hands as you see above.

As far as is known, of the 500 Mark Ia watches made, some were reverse panda with black dials, some were reverse panda with gray dials and some were all white. It is not known how many of the Mark Ia watches had gladius hands versus the more expected paddle hands used by Enicar through December of 1966.

Two "rare birds" for sure!

CPRwatch · Dec 28, 2021

I’m no expert on Smiths watches , but I think these two are quite uncommon .Im pretty sure the one on the left is a 6RG & I think the de luxe is a A551 (but I’m not 100% on that ).

timjohn · Dec 28, 2021

An Explorer 6298 from 1953

a rare gold-cased Geophysic

And an X-33 with a NASA serial

maanu · Dec 28, 2021

Only 300 were made in 1950s as demo watches for RAF. Only few Radium dials are left.

TexOmega · Dec 28, 2021

Our resident Enicar researcher can comment on how rare, but I've yet to see another

Enicar Sherpas SeaPearl
10-56

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Larry S · Dec 28, 2021

Bill Sohne
Hi everyone

Everytime someone says “ rare “ watch … I keep think of of ordering a steak at Peter Luger’s .

I always like the term uncommon personally …. But as @Davidt posted it’s fun to revisit …..

Happy
Holidays and good Hunting

Bill

“Rare” is a cliche used by hucksters across the spectrum of collectible objects. “Uncommon” is better. Still … love this thread!

TexOmega · Dec 28, 2021

SkunkPrince
I've read my 27.9 SOB NN is super-rare, especially in 17 jewel. That's also 3/0 size, negative set. It was cased in Canada.

My Swiss made Gallet, case and 17j movement....

I raise you 2 adj and screw-down chatons!!
And cool damascening

Wish I had a cool of the era crown!!

YurRomeo1 · Dec 28, 2021

I'll play... Not rare as in 1 of 1 but uncommon I suppose!

Also, not everyone's cup of tea, but that's what makes them uncommon!

SkunkPrince · Dec 28, 2021

Love me some bright yellow gold!

bradurani · Dec 28, 2021

YurRomeo1
I'll play... Not rare as in 1 of 1 but uncommon I suppose!

Also, not everyone's cup of tea, but that's what makes them uncommon!

Wow, I knew this existed, but this is the first time I've seen one surface. Cool watch, and rare. I love 90s chronographs

Foo2rama · Dec 28, 2021

Longines Majatek series 2

Extremely low numbers.

50-200 or so WWII Czechoslovakian pilots watch.

DirtyDozen12 · Dec 28, 2021

Foo2rama
Longines Majatek series 2
Extremely low numbers.
50-200 or so WWII Czechoslovakian pilots watch.

I wonder where this estimate comes from? Looking at order numbers and associated individual numbers, 1000 (minimum) seems more likely.

Foo2rama · Dec 29, 2021

DirtyDozen12
I wonder where this estimate comes from? Looking at order numbers and associated individual numbers, 1000 (minimum) seems more likely.

I thought Series 2 was very limited, perhaps I am wrong. The elaborate movement in 1943 could not have been that common, even if they were using old stock.I thought series 1 was in the 1,000 range and the most common was series 3.

watchyouwant · Dec 29, 2021

Quite a few..... the Blancpain Air Command chrono will be less than 50 examples made. no money in the world will buy you one; there is non for sale. Same with the Royal Navy`s answer to the WW2 Panerai. Issued maybe around 35 watches. Same amount as a rotation from repair into service. No numbers known. Hand Made by a London Silversmith from pure silver ; powered by a WW2 Longines movement. Non on the Market. and 3. maybe the Oversized Longines 1 pusher Chrono ; issued to the very young Israeli Airforce. 1949. And a few others like the White Dial Railmaster Prototype for Canada and the maybe 25 Examples Railmaster prototypes for Canada with black dial and Swan neck regulation ? Enjoy. Kind regards. Achim

Ron_W · Dec 29, 2021

watchyouwant
Quite a few..... the Blancpain Air Command chrono will be less than 50 examples made. no money in the world will buy you one; there is non for sale. Same with the Royal Navy`s answer to the WW2 Panerai. Issued maybe around 35 watches. Same amount as a rotation from repair into service. No numbers known. Hand Made by a London Silversmith from pure silver ; powered by a WW2 Longines movement. Non on the Market. and 3. maybe the Oversized Longines 1 pusher Chrono ; issued to the very young Israeli Airforce. 1949. And a few others like the White Dial Railmaster Prototype for Canada and the maybe 25 Examples Railmaster prototypes for Canada with black dial and Swan neck regulation ? Enjoy. Kind regards. Achim

Hi Achim,
romain rea has an Air Command for sale if you are looking for one. And the Longines monopusher was also used by some Dutch aviators in the early Airforce (KLu) years, one was auctioned off a few years ago with Dutch service papers.
All the best, Ron

watchyouwant · Dec 29, 2021

Ron_W
Hi Achim,
romain rea has an Air Command for sale if you are looking for one. And the Longines monopusher was also used by some Dutch aviators in the early Airforce (KLu) years, one was auctioned off a few years ago with Dutch service papers.
All the best, Ron

I know, Ron. I sold him mine. He had it cleaned up and the Lume on the hands tell you the story. I've known Romain since the 90's. Kind regards. Achim

DirtyDozen12 · Dec 29, 2021

Foo2rama
I thought Series 2 was very limited, perhaps I am wrong. The elaborate movement in 1943 could not have been that common, even if they were using old stock.I thought series 1 was in the 1,000 range and the most common was series 3.

Based on examples that come up for sale, I agree that the second series (caliber 15.26) seems to be the least prevalent. However, it is difficult to say how limited production was. I do not know whether the movements with later serial numbers were old stock or not. As for the first and third series, it is difficult to estimate production numbers. First series examples often lack order numbers so one cannot guess that way. Looking at the order numbers of the third series, 3000 (minimum) seems likely.