PARTNER WANTED FOR CLASSIC CAR START UP BUSINESS / WORKSHOP
I am looking for a highly experience classic car mechanic / shop manager/ business manager who is keen to set up and run their own business on a long term basis. You will need to invest time and money ( which I will match ) in the business.You will be a part owner/ director of the business.
I have extensive experience in the motor trade at various levels ( although my background is in property ) and I know the difficulties of making any such business successful.
I own a industrial unit in Potters Bar ( pictured ) which would be ideal for the workshop and I used to run a Ducati dealership/ Ducati specialist from there from 2006 to 2015
My passion is Jaguars but the workshop could / should be for any high end makes and even include fabrication/ repair to the point of one off car builds. The direction is high end.
I will put in half of the start up capital and will offset the rent on the unit ( as a loan ) as the business gets up to speed. I will also work at various levels initially on account to ensure the business works ( I am not scared of 80 hour weeks ) for a while but do not intend to be at the unit on a regular basis so you will be the boss. You will need to be located locally
This is a major and rare opportunity for the right person looking to secure a long term position which includes a 50% share in the business.
I am open to any suggestions but need commitment with capital to avoid chancers and dreamers.
The car pictured attached is not a teaser , it could be built at the unit The second picture is the unit itself which will need minor adaptation ( which I can do ).
As you will see I also have a interest in vintage watches !
WoWadmin September 15th, 2023
Posted In: Sell My Watch
Military watches are a great way to honor the men and women who have served in the military. This article will explain what makes a military watch different from other types of watches, and then it will go into some of the best options out there.
The company was established in Germany in 1848 by Louis Brandt, who developed it into one of the most important watch manufacturers. In 1880, he moved the company to Switzerland and established it in Bienne, where it continues to operate today.
The company then moved its headquarters to Geneva in 1904 but returned to Biel after World War I.
In a friendly tone:
During World War II ( and after it ) Omega delivered more than 120,000 pilots’, navigators’ and soldiers’ watches to Great Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) to support its Air Force and Navy pilots during service.They were also supplied throughout its territories.
For example, if you look at the pictures of RAF pilot watches that came out in 1942, you will see that these models had black dials with large Arabic numerals at 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions , with white dots at 9 o’clock position . This design was very similar to some other pilot watches from other brands in those days such as IWC , Zenith or Longines . The reason why they looked so similar was because they all used military standards issued by the British Ministry of Defence during World War II which said what should be on every pilot’s wristwatch – this included everything from size , shape etcetera right down to legibility factors like contrast between hands versus dial etcetera .
Cyma was founded by a Greek watchmaker called Joseph Candeau who settled in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1862. This company is still in business today and makes many different styles of watches for the general public.
However, it was during World War 2 that Cyma had its moment of glory when it made watch straps for the British military – which shows how important their contribution was to the war effort.
Before the start of World War 2, Jaeger LeCoultre began as a partnership between Antoine LeCoultre and Edmond Jaeger. Edmond had a background in measuring instruments while Antoine had a background in watchmaking. The two men came together to create the company that would become one of the most respected watchmakers in history.
There were many reasons why soldiers chose to wear their military watches during World War 2. One reason was for practicality: these watches were able to withstand harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and humidity or even water damage when needed (which was often). They also kept accurate time so you didn’t have to worry about losing track of how much daylight you had left before having to find shelter for the night or if it was safe enough yet for your team’s next move forward against enemy lines.
Lemania is a successor of five other watchmaking companies that were based at the same address on Rue de la Corraterie, Geneva. Lemania appeared when three of those companies merged (Léchot-Omega-Lemania). The others were Favre-Lemania and Lemania et Cie.
The first watch with the name Lemania was created by one Isaac Louis Cartier and his son Georges in 1791 as an offshoot of their family business. In 1904, another company called “Faure & Fils” took over this brand and held it until 1911 when it was acquired by Société des Montres A. Cahen Brothers SA. This company had been making watches since 1887. In 1918 Cahen changed its name to “Delbrück & Co.” which would later become “Delbrück Uhrenfabrik AG”. The first wristwatch made by Delbrück was launched in 1924 under the name ‘Sekonda’.
Omega watches were founded in Germany in 1848, but moved to Switzerland in 1880. They are best known for their involvement with an important watchmaking innovation: the “quartz” movement. The first quartz watch was released by Seiko in 1969, and uses a battery-powered oscillator to keep time instead of a mechanical movement like those found in traditional watches. In 1969 Omega became the first company to offer a quartz wristwatch that matched or exceeded the accuracy of their mechanical movements by using an ultra-accurate quartz oscillator (the SBQA001).
Grana was a German watch brand owned by a company called Gruen & Co. The brand was founded in 1869, but was sold to the Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux in 1976.
The company is based in Grasbrunn, Germany
While most of the military watch brands on this list can trace their roots to the late 19th century, Cyma was founded by a Greek watchmaker called Joseph Candeau who settled in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1862. The company produced watches for the German Luftwaffe during World War 2 and continued making them for other militaries after the conflict ended.
In 1956, Cyma introduced its first chronograph movement—the Valjoux 7734—and has been using it ever since. This is one of the most commonly used movements throughout horology history because it’s so versatile and reliable; it can be found in countless high-end watches with price tags into five figures or more today.
Eterna is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1856. The company was started by Joseph Girard and Urs Schild, who named it after the Greek word ēterón, meaning “eternal.” At first, they called their venture the Girard & Schild firm. It wasn’t until they partnered with Jules Piquerez that they changed their name to Eterna — which means eternity in Latin.
Eterna has a long history of creating military timepieces for soldiers around the world over the past century or so. They created watches for both sides of World War I (1914–1918), including wristwatches for German officers and pocket watches for French troops fighting on horseback
Jaeger LeCoultre was established in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre, a Swiss watchmaker. He was one of the first watchmakers to use machines instead of hand tools for making watches, which helped him make high-quality timepieces at a low price. The brand’s first pocket watch was made in 1844; its first wristwatch came in 1879; and its first chronograph (a type of watch that measures time) came out in 1904. Self-winding watches were invented by Jaeger LeCoultre in 1976, allowing the wearer to wind them without assistance from another person or device.
Jaeger LeCoultre has been making high-end luxury watches since its founding in 1833. Its current headquarters is located in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux region; this area is known for being home to many other high-end watchmakers as well as being one of only three places where mechanical movements are still manufactured by hand today (the others being La Chaux-de Fonds and Biel).
Lemania was founded in 1882, which makes it one of the oldest watchmakers still in existence. The company was founded by Louis Brandt and Georges Briot in Geneva, Switzerland. Lemania’s headquarters are located there today as well.
In its early days, Lemania focused on producing pocket watches that were sold to both military personnel and civilians alike. These watches were made out of high-quality materials like gold and platinum—and some examples even featured diamond encrusted faces!
Longines is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer founded in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, by Auguste Agassiz in 1832. In the 1930s, Longines began supplying wristwatches to the French military. During World War II, Longines produced chronographs for all branches of the French armed forces and pilots’ watches for the air force. The company also made special edition watches for various officers and dignitaries such as Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle.
Longines, founded in 1878, is one of the most venerable watchmakers in Switzerland. The brand was best known for its railroad watches and pocket watches but also produced military-inspired timepieces during World War II.
The company’s history began with Charles-Edouard Guillaume (C.E.), who invented an alloy that he used to create a new type of hairspring—one capable of compensating for changes in temperature and humidity. This development made it possible to manufacture thinner watches with higher precision and longer power reserves than ever before, so C.E.’s invention became the foundation upon which Longines would build its reputation as one of Europe’s leading horological brands.
After leaving his post at Audemars Piguet due to differences of opinion about how best to run a business, C.E., along with his son Ernest, founded their own company in La Chaux-de-Fonds: L’Horlogerie Suisse Frères Guillaume (or “Brothers Guillaume’s Swiss Watchworks”). The name was later changed simply The Swiss Watch Works (TSW) when they merged with another local manufacturer called Le Coultre et Fils S A., thus forming TSW&CO Ltd..
Timor watches were made in Switzerland and were used by the US military during World War 2. They were also used by the British military during World War 2, as well as by the German military.
Vertex was founded in 1917 by John Harwood, a watchmaker from Birmingham, England. The company was originally called John Harwood and Sons Ltd., but changed its name to Vertex when it began to make wristwatches. Vertex was one of the first companies to mass-produce wristwatches, which were originally used as military timepieces during World War I because they were more portable than pocket watches.
A list of WW2 watches is a great idea.
The list should be ordered by brand, from oldest to newest.
Each watch should have the year it was manufactured and the type of watch it is (military, pilot’s, etc.). Also include whether it has an automatic movement or manual winding.
The case material should also be included on this list, as well as whether or not the strap material is leather, rubber or metal mesh.
So there you have it, an overview of the top brands that supplied watches to the military during World War 2. It is interesting to see how they have evolved through time and how many are still producing high-quality products today. If you want a piece of history with some unique features then why not consider buying one for yourself?They are a great hedge against inflation and look great on the wrist.
WoWadmin April 21st, 2023
Posted In: Sell My Watch
Watches Of Westminster operate all over the UK and specialise in providing a fast and friendly service “to your door”.
We have a particular interest in vintage chronographs such as Yema and the little known brand Chronosport.
We also buy all other brands as long as they are vintage ie pre 1980.
The Yema brand is quite interesting in that it is not a swiss brand and was set up by a Mr Henry Belmont in 1948 in France and the name was produced after a competition he set up in a local school. Mr Belmont was a accomplished watchmaker and graduated top of his class at the National Watchmaking School of Besancon in 1931
Here is a link to the Yema web site a company which is still producing high quality watches.
https://en.yema.com/pages/our-story
Yema were well known for diving and sport watches one of the most famous being the Yema Superman. This model led to the French company being the largest supplyer of watches made in France and it gained a reputation for being extremely rugged. It gained favour with divers and was issued to the French air force. This watch along with a number of other models have been reissued in a modern format and have proved to be very popular.
My personal favourite Yema watch is the Yachtingraf pictured above which was produced in various versions. A lot of their other models featured the word”graf” in the name such as Meangraf , Worldgraf and Rallygraf all of which are based on a Valjoux movement. They are striking watches and look great on the wrist.
The Chronosport brand of watches is even more interesting and was initially set up and registered in 1966 in the UK and in 1980 it was incorporated into the Breitling and Sinn brands in America.
Originally the brand had a close association with motor racing including Formula 1 and was worn by many well known drivers and was even supplied to the Red arrows team at the time.
Chronosport produced a number of models including the Computergraf ( again the use of Graf in the name ) and the Magnum.
Chronosport models are still available but to me the early models are the most exciting due to their history.
If you have a Yema or Chronosport you are thinking of selling please contact us and we would be happy to discuss a purchase of the watch.
WoWadmin April 17th, 2023
Posted In: Sell My Watch
Here at Watches Of Westminster we love Zodiac vintage watches and are always on the lookout for more so if you have one you were thinking of selling feel free to contact us for a fast response.
Just click on the link below !
Zodiac watches are quite a well know brand and have a loyal following. They are a Swiss firm as you may expect but the brand name does not hint at this .
The Zodiac watch company was set up by a Mr Ariste Calame as far back as 1882 in Le Locle Switzerland
As you might expect its a pretty place to make Zodiac watches . Ariste came from a long line of watchmakers and he wanted to follow his father into the trade.
The first flat pocket watch they produced was released to the public in 1928, and used the unique Zodiac calibre 1617 in house movement.
In 1930 Zodiac produced the first automatic sports watch, and then produced the popular Zodiac Autographic. The Autographic was automatic with a power reserve gauge, an unbreakable ( compared to other brands ! ) crystal, and a radium dial which would glow in the dark, and was also water and shock resistant. The watch was very advanced for its day and popular with the watch buying public.
The model that first comes to mind(to collectors) is the Sea Wolf and this was introduced in 1953. A purpose designed ” dive watch ” it was a world first for Zodiac.
The Zodiac Sea Wolf was superseded in the 1970s by the Super Sea Wolf which increased the depth rating to 750m which is substantial .
There were many other notable models in the Zodiac range my favourite being the Zodiac GMT Chronograph and here is a picture of a very nice example. If you have a vintage Zodiac GMT please let us know.
WoWadmin March 16th, 2022
Posted In: Sell My Watch
If you are looking for a vintage / classic /old watch shop in the UK you are not exactly spoilt for choice there being little more than a handful in central London and even fewer outside.
VINTAGE WATCHES FOR SALE UK
A lot of avid watch collectors scan Ebay but Caveat Emptor !! ( it actually means buyer beware a bargain ) and to be frank unless you are only buying cheap watches say under £100 it can be a nightmare and can easily end in disappointment. Sure you can return the watch if the buyer agrees and you do it within 30 days which is not exactly the same as the 365 day Guarantee you will get from Watches Of Westminster or indeed any other reputable dealer who offers certification and a warranty.
THE KEY ELEMENT TO BUYING VINTAGE WATCHES
Vintage watches are in may ways similar to vintage / classic cars in that they will generally need some tinkering to keep them running well. The problem is that whilst many people ( of my generation anyhow ) could do many jobs on a classic car , old watches are another matter altogether !
When I started the watch business I also attended a watchmakers course ( for the first year anyhow. It was interesting and quite good fun . What it taught me was that whilst I was quite good at classic car mechanics ( I was the mechanic in my Ducati dealership for a while as well ) The skill required for watch repairs were somewhat different. I can always remember taking a watch apart and then not being sure if the screw I was looking for was actually a bit of dust !!. How they actually made the screws in the first place Ill never know !
By its very nature a older watch will probably need a service when you become the new owner unless of course you have bought it from a reputable dealer who will warrant the watch. Of course you can have your new purchase serviced at one of the few remaining classic/vintage watchmakers but problems can soon start to mount if new parts are needed .
ARE VINTAGE/CLASSIC WATCHES REPAIRABLE ?
Anything is repairable but it really comes down to the price !
Take your 2015 Omega Planet Ocean to a Omega dealer and you might get some change out of £1000 if parts are needed. Take your 1965 Omega Speedmaster Professional to a Omega dealer and you can have all sorts of problems if parts are needed. Put simply there are few spare parts left and that dealer is not going to hunt around Ebay for the right parts , the watch needs to go to a specialist and they can charge pretty much what they want especially if new ( rare ) parts are needed
WoWadmin February 15th, 2022
Posted In: Sell My Watch
If you have a RAF watch , a Army watch , a Navy watch or even a special forces watch and would be interested in selling it we would be delighted to hear from you.
You can contact us on WhatsApp 07768316371 and just attach a picture of the from of the watch or use our valuation page below.
What military watches do we buy ?
We specialise in buying all military watches and don’t mind what condition they are in even if not running. You can see from the above image it has been “through the wars ” quite literally !! and as far as we are concerned a bit of wear ads to the authenticity and desirability.
What Brands Are we seeking ?
Buren
Cyme
Rolex
Eterna
Grana
Intenational Watch Company
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Lemania
Longines
Omega
Record
Breitling
Timor
Vertex
Hamilton
CWC
Precista
Newmark
Panerai
Smiths
What Countries Do We Buy From ?
We buy military watches from all countries around the world as long as they are original . Most Countries buy their military watches from Switzerland although America had a number of watch manufacturers who also supplied to their armed forces
WoWadmin December 28th, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
If you have come across a Eberhard watch and you were wondering what it may be worth, Watches Of Westminster are seeking vintage Eberhard watches and can give you a free valuation on your watch.
HOW DO I SELL MY EBERHARD WATCH
All you need to do is fill out the valuation page below or just WhatsApp us a picture of the front and back of the watch TO 07768316371.
WHERE ARE EBERHARD WATCHES MADE
Vintage Eberhard watches are not very common but Eberhard watches started business in 1887 in the birthplace of the Swiss watchmaking business , La Chaux-de-Fonds by 1907 Eberhard had become one of the largest watch making companies in Switzerland. After the first world war things slowed up for the business as the market for watches was becoming somewhat crowded.
After the second world war production at Eberhard resumed and the firm started to produce some interesting and complicated watches including pocket watches.
This Eberhard System Mod Magini split seconds chronograph is a personal favourite of mine. It was made for the Italian military during WW2 but oddly enough only 10 were made possibly due to the Italian army being in a number of difficult positions !
WoWadmin December 21st, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
Here at Watches Of Westminster We Buy and Sell Vintage Yema Watches. Call us Today for a fast valuation and a speedy sale.
We just need a couple of pictures and will give you a fixed price assuming the watch is as described.
There are many different models of Yema watches but here are some of the models we are after.
How To Proceed ?
We just need a couple of pictures ( one of the front one of the back ) and a brief description ie “running” and we can get straight back to you with a valuation to buy your watch.
You can also send details through via our valuation page
The History Of Yema
Henry Louis Belmont, student of the National Watchmaking School of Besançon and major of his promotion in 1931, created 1948 his own watchmaking company under the name Yema.[citation needed]Henry Louis Belmont, French watchmaker founder of Yema, 1948
In 1963 Yema launches the very first Yema Superman, a watch initially developed for diving professionals.
Many variations were then produced by Yema for this model of French manufacture in order to reach a wider audience, as for example the famous 53.00.16 and its black dial or the 24.11.17 with its blue Iridescent dial and its second hand “Pelle”.
In 1966, the first Yema Yachtingraf is launched, a watch especially designed for sailors. This automatic chronograph (Valjoux movement), waterproof to 200 meters, was very popular among French yachting amateurs in the 1960s and the 1970s.
Start of 1970 Yema became official supplier of the French Sailing Federation (Fédération Française de Yachting à Voile) and equipped the French National team who participated to 1972 Olympic Games.
Six different versions of Yema Yachtingraf model were crafted over the years.
The first Yema Rallygraf model was also born in 1966, a watch appreciated by car racing amateurs. One of these chronographs was worn by Formula One Champion Mario Andretti.
On June 24, 1982, for the first time a French astronaut, Jean-Loup Chrétien, flew from the Baikonour base for a 10-day trip into space. On his wrist he wears the very first French watch to leave for the space: the Yema Spationaute I.
On June 17, 1985, the Discovery shuttle took off with Patrick Baudry and his Yema Spationaute II on mission STS-51G (First Franco-American Orbital Flight).
On November 26, 1988, Jean Loup Chrétien goes on a mission to MIR Space Station wearing a Yema Spationaute III.Yema Spacegraf 1982
In May 1986, Yema joined forces with French physician and explorator Jean-Louis Etienne to cross the North Pole. The Yema North Pole watch, created especially for the occasion, accompanied the adventurer during his 800 km solo trip to the North Pole. Very resistant to cold thanks to its titanium case, this model also had a system avoiding the magnetic north. The four cardinal points were determined according to the position of the sun, with the local sun’s time as a reference point.[citation needed]
After 4 years of research & development, Yema designs a new proprietary watch movement: the MBP 1000. Equipped with a bidirectional oscillating mass mounted on ball bearings, they allow a fast reassembly and a power reserve of 40 hours. This resulted in a gain of efficiency but also precision, provided by a regulator whose balance beats at a frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour. Stacking a total of 31 rubies including 2 located at the ends of the axis of the barrel, this technical design effectively reduces the friction generally observed at this element following the mechanical movements.[citation needed]
The mission on which the 10th French astronaut went into the space was called Proxima, in tribute to the nearest star of our sun, which perpetuates the French tradition of baptising the missions of astronauts by the name of a star or a constellation. In 2017, Yema and CNES (the French Space Agency) worked once again together to create a brand new model in honour of this new space mission, the Yema Spacegraf.
WoWadmin December 7th, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
SELL YOUR DOXA !
Do you have a Doxa Diver/ Vintage watch you want to sell and want to know what you can sell it for ?
You can contact us now via Whattsapp on 07768316371 for a super quick valuation offer to buy.
We are really keen to buy your vintage Doxa watch
Here at watches Of Westminster we have recently bought several Doxa watches ( Diver and Chronograph ) and are interested in to buying more .
Doxa are a little known brand but have interesting and substantial history and do have some value even though collectors have not seemed to have picked up on the brand but then thats the vintage watch market .
Capitalising on past glories “Doxa ” have reissued a number of top selling models but whilst very appealing they are simply trying to sell on past glories and its almost badge
HISTORY OF DOXA
In 1953 the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms paved the way for the most covetable of all luxury watch styles: The Dive Watch. Doxa were founded in 1889, by Georges Ducommun in Le Locle, near the Jura Mountains. In 1967 they created, arguably, the most recognisable of this utilitarian style, the sub 300T.
Forced to work at an early age due to having 12 siblings and not much income to the household, Georges started his apprenticeship in 1880 at the age of just 12 years old. His hard working attitude and love for mechanics and precision allowed him to gain respect very quickly. He soon became to realise that he had the aptitude and desire to further the advances of the mechanical movements he was repairing and servicing. With such lofty ambitions at an early age Georges realised that he needed to create a platform that would allow him to fulfil his aspirations of watchmaking. So, at the age of 21, he inaugurated “Georges Ducommun, Fabriques Doxa” in 1889.
Doxa is the Greek word for glory. It is not known why he chose this noun for his new business but I can only surmise that this was what he was, rightfully, seeking for his impressive capabilities. At last Georges’ talents were becoming recognised outside of the Jura region. One of his pocket watches was honoured at the “Exposition Universelle at Internationale” during the World’s Fair in Liege, Belgium in 1905. In 1906 an anti-magnetic Doxa won the gold medal at the World’s Fair in Milan.
In 1908 Georges filed a patent for a robust Doxa 8-Day calibre as he realised the growth of the Automobile Industry, in particular endurance racing. This resilient time keeper became standard equipment in all Bugatti race cars and was soon recognised as the industry standard. Ships and aeroplanes soon followed suit with Doxa becoming ubiquitous in nautical and aviation instrument panels. Georges continued to excel in his aspirations to produce accurate and durable timepieces until his death in 1936. His son-in-law, Jaques Nardin (grandson of Ulysse Nardin), took over and maintained a high level of enduring craftmanship. Radical inventions and innovations were aplenty, including alarm watches, ring watches, a pointer date system and a jumping second hand.
As mentioned above, 1967 was a pivotal year for Doxa when they decided to release their own professional rated Dive Watch. However, this was as good a debut as Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane”. Doxa got it right first time with the assistance of sub-aquatic legend Jaques Cousteau and the US Divers group, for whom he was the chairman.
This conglomerate of horological and deep sea adventurer mindsets were to create the most practical dive watch to date. The Doxa Sub 300T emerged from this perfect unison of aspirations. It was the first dive watch to have an orange dial because it had been realised that this was the most legible colour under water. Along with the black hands, this gave the best contrast. Ironically, Jaques Cousteau chose a black dial, Sharkhunter, SUB300T upon deciding upon utilising the brand for his unparalleled deep sea explorarions. A Cousteau adventurer, Fabien (Grandson of Jacques), did wear the orange dial SUB 300T for his world breaking Mission 31 fete of human endurance and important scientific study, spent in the Aquarius deep sea vessel for 31 days.
The SUB300T was designed with an exclusive rotating bezel that enabled the wearer to calculate decompression times and safe periods between dives. This was also a request of Jacques and the US Diver’s Group. An exclusive saw-tooth edge bezel allowed easy positioning with cumbersome diving gloves on.
In addition to these unique aesthetic aspects the box glass, cushion shaped case and beads of rice bracelet allowed it to become an iconic design.
Believe it or not 1969 Doxa perfected this professional’s wristwatch with a Helium Release Valve. way ahead of omega and Rolex
The Rolex Seadweller is often mistakenly thought to have been the first commercially available watch to incorporate a Helium Escape Valve but not so .
You will need to delve into diving technology to understand the need for a Helium valve but believe it or not Professional Divers when going deep had to breathe a mix of helium and oxygen .
Despite this fact , it took until 1971 for Rolex to offer this technology to the consumer market ( pretty slow but Rolex really were a marketing company selling watches “on trend “
Deep sea divers can spend days at depths often below 200m.
They inhabit diving bells where the pressure is much greater than the surface. To allow for this the divers breath a gas mix that contains helium. Helium molecules are the second smallest known to us.
So small, in fact, that they can find their way into a water resistant watch case. As the diver ascends, the external pressure drops and the helium molecules inside the case expand.
This can cause the glass of the watch to pop out. Hence, the helium release valve which is, effectively, a one way release mechanism which opens a tiny aperture when the pressure inside the watch case reaches 3 bar. An absolute need and similar to avoiding the bends .
Put simply, in the late 1960s and early 1970s you could not get a more technologically advanced dive watch than the Doxa Sub 300T Conquistador it really is a technological masterpiece.
The Quartz Crisis
Like so many quality and creative Swiss brands, the longed lived quartz crisis was the downfall of Doxa in the 1970s.
Thankfully, the Jenny family took ownership of Doxa in 1997.
Special mention must be awarded to watch fan Rick Marei who, as a massive fan of the original SUB300T, had aspirations to re-create it in all its horological and 1970’s styled dive equipment glory.
VARIANTS
Through his perserverence the SUB300T was reborn in 2001. As a successful team they were clever enough not to break the mould and continued to produce the SUB300T and variants.
The desire was to make this niche brand a global entity.
America was a particularly strong market for Doxa watches, buoyed, no doubt, by the exponential growth of the recreational dive market and, later, with the inclusion of the screen grabbing design on Mathew McCounaughey’s wrist during his portrayal of Dirk Pitt in the 2005 film Sahara.
Incidentally, Clive Cussler’s most famous character had a SUB300T on his wrist for many years before Sahara and the Jenny/Marei reinvigoration, but most readers simpy thought the wrist watch of the fabricated adventurer was a made up prop. Cussler worked in a dive shop and was gifted a SUB300T by the owner. He was immediately smitten.
We can only look on in envy as these fantastic looking timepieces were being flaunted on the US watch forums.
This was until 2019, when the Doxa brand was made officially available in the UK for the first time.
We at Watches Of Westminster would be keen to see your vintage Doxa watch and make you a great offer for it TODAY. Just send us a few pictures via our valuation page below. Or you can also Whatsapp us on 07768316371 and we will give you a fast response.
WoWadmin December 5th, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
If you want to sell your broken watch we would be very interested in giving you a free valuation today .
CAN I SELL MY BROKEN WATCH FROM HOME ?
YES ! You do not need to leave home , for the right watch we will travel to you or if you are far away we can send you a free postage pack.
We specialise in making the sale of your broken watch as simple as possible.
HOW ?
All we need is 2 decent pictures, one of the front and one of back of the watch just like the pictures below.
We don’t need a description and you can send the pictures via our valuation page linked below
Alternatively you can Whattsapp the pictures to us on 07768316371 or even text the pictures to the same number and we will get straight back to you.
WHICH WATCH BRANDS ARE WORTH REPAIRING ?
There are literally hundreds of vintage watch brands some of which are no longer being made.
Any decent vintage watch is worth repairing if it can be done economically and thats what we try and do.
Every watch has a history and keeping a vintage watch running is preserving that history.
Many are still running such as Rolex, Breitling , Omega , Audemars Piguet , Bulova , Heuer , Panerai , Grana , Gruen , Elgin , Longines , Patek Philippe , Zenith ,IWC , Timor , Record , Buren ,Cyma , Vacheron Constantin , Seiko , Piaget , Jaeger-LeCoultre, Tudor , Bucherer.
ARE BROKEN VINTAGE WATCHES EASY TO REPAIR ?
In theory all watches can be repaired , the problem with vintage watches is that spare parts can be impossible to find or very expensive to buy.
You then have to add the cost of the watchmaker. If you have ever seen
The inside of a vintage watch , some of the parts are so small they look like little specs of dirt !
WHAT IS MY BROKEN VINTAGE WATCH WORTH ?
There is a huge variation in the value of vintage watches and condition especially of the dial is important.
Sometimes a vintage watch just needs a good service , sometimes it is not repairable but can be used for spare parts. To calculate this we would need to see pictures of the watch so please send them to us today !
WoWadmin December 1st, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
Selling anything of value especially a vintage Rolex watch can be a daunting process as it may be the first time you have and probably ever will do so but there are some simples steps you can take .You dont have to leave home you just have to contact Watches Of Westminster about your vintage Rolex watch.
How to sell your vintage Rolex
The best thing to do is get advice from an expert and at watches Of Westminster we specialise in making the whole process simple , friendly and certainly not long winded.
Does it take long ?
We don’t ask you to leave your vintage Rolex watch with us for weeks in fact you dont leave the watch with us at all !
We can value your vintage Rolex watch from a couple of good quality pictures the same day we receive pictures which you can send via email , Whattsapp or even a text message.
Take a look at our valuations page
https://watchesofwestminster.co.uk/valuation/
Which Vintage Rolex Models Do We Buy ?
Whether you are selling a vintage Rolex Datejust , Submariner . Daytona , Explorer , Milgauss , GMT , Cellini , Precision , Oysterdate , Air King , Perpetual , President / Day date , Chronograph ,Sea dweller or one of the many other vintage Rolex models if you have a vintage Rolex watch to sell contact us for friendly advice.
Do I need To Travel ?
Watches Of Westminster do not expect you to travel anywhere , we are happy to travel to you and make payment at your bank by bank transfer , totally risk free.
What If My Vintage Rolex Watch Is Not Running ?
Rolex watches are pretty reliable but if it has been sitting for a long time it may well need a full service to get it running and thats not a problem for us as we service all of our watches when we buy them. Broken or missing parts such as crowns , glasses or even bracelets are not a problem. We love taking on Vintage Rolex Watches that need TLC.
WoWadmin November 30th, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
Tags: broken rolex buyers, sell daytona, sell my rolex, sell old rolex, value my rolex, vintage watch buyers
Watches of Westminster are one of the UK’s Premier vintage watch buyers , we specialise in making selling your vintage watch as easily as possible and totally stress free.
If you are reading this blog your are probably considering the sale of an old / vintage/antique watch.
For many people this is a complicated and nerve wracking experience but selling a vintage watch can be quite simple , you just need to send some decent pictures of your vintage watch ( just one of the front and back ) via our valuation page on this site or even via Whattsapp ( 07768316371- Simon )
Is my watch a vintage watch ??
There are no hard and fast rules on when a watch becomes vintage but the general rule of thumb is around 20 years although I would consider a vintage watch to be at least 30 years old . However certain watch models like the Omega Speedmaster started life in the late 1950’s and are still in production to this day so the watch model could be considered vintage but you could not call a 2018 Omega Speedmaster itself as vintage.
It may well be best to consider the exact watch model rather than when it was made so whilst we only buy vintage watches you will note from my website that there are watches for sale that you may not consider being a vintage watch or a antique watch . The reason is simple in that I buy watches that I like the look of and if they look vintage then I like them !
The watch below is made by Omega and was a special edition for the Montreal Olympics in 1976 !
At the moment I am wearing a 1992 Zodiac GMT which is quartz !. Given that the first quartz/digital came out in the very early 70’s it would be a mistake to say you cant have a quartz/digital vintage watch. The Hewlett Packhard HP01 looks like a modern watch but is in fact 35 years old so definitely a vintage watch
What if my watch is damaged or not running?
The actual condition of vintage watch can actually be enhanced if the vintage watch has some “patina” .
Watch collectors oftentimes prefer a watch that can display signs of its age and that has been worn, especially military watches as this is evidence that the watch was used in active service. Over polishing a watch is likely to lower the value of a watch.
I have seen many watches that have been sent back to the manufacturers for a service and many of the original parts have been renewed and not returned with the watch such as hands and dials. This process ruins the value of the watch and the old parts often get resold !
Often signs of age like a tropical dial ( simply means the dial has lost colour as a result of being in the sun ) or a dial that has been damaged from the radio active effects of the lume can be a benefit to your watch’s possible value . This is simply how the market works. An old watch with a newish looking dial could be a indication of non originality.
A damaged watch that has been badly repaired will lose a lot of value and restored watches are a bit of a no no for collectors. Originality is everything even if the vintage watch looks a bit worn out ,. Its better to have originality over newness or anything else for that matter.
What is considered to be the oldest watch in the world ?
The Pomander watch ( made in Germany ) is credited with being the oldest known watch in the world. There was a specialist panel appointed to determine the age of the watch and they agreed that the watch was manufactured in 1505 by Peter Henlein. Its thought that Peter trained a s locksmith but at some point in his youth he was involved in a fight in which a fellow locksmith was killed. Peter asked to be committed to a asylum which was actually a monastery known for its scientific work. It was during this time he picked up the skill for making clockwork mechanisms.
This is the most famous and most recognizable watch brand in the world. They are also one of the oldest watch brands, ranking in at number 10 on our list. Rolex was founded in London in 1905 and moved to Geneva in 1919. This is a powerful Swiss watch brand that in 2012, posted sales of over $7 billion dollars, and has 2,800 employees. Its famous “crown” logo is known throughout the world.
3 Legendary Vintage Rolex Watches
VINTAGE ROLEX 6084 14KT GOLD CHAMPAGNE DIAL ON RED LEATHER STRAP
Yes, Japanese watchmaker, Seiko traces its history to 1882, although it didn’t make its first clock until 1892 and its first watch until 1924. In 1969, Seiko made news by producing the world’s first quartz watch. Today they are actively involved in sports sponsorships which helps keep them ticking.
SEIKO DX 6106-7729 GOLD PLATED GENTS VINTAGE WATCH
In 1875, this watchmaker was founded by 23-year-old Jules Louis Audemars and 21-year-old Edward Auguste Piguet. Since then, there have been members of the Audemars and Piquet family involved in the company in some fashion. This longevity has led to a consistency of quality many other brands can only hope to emulate. AP is easily one of the most iconic of the oldest watch brands.
AUDEMARS PIGUET CLASSIC DAY-DATE MOONPHASE 18K YELLOW GOLD WATCH
Waltham Watches were produced in Waltham, Massachusetts starting in 1850. The company set up a Swiss affiliate in 1954 that still produces watches today even though the Waltham factory was closed in 1957. The factory building has now been converted into stylish Boston area condos. Abe Lincoln was given a Waltham Watch after his Gettysburg address.
GOLD TONE WALTHAM POCKET WATCH
This watchmaker started this high-end watch producing company in 1839. Famous watches produced included the multi-time-zone “Complication” and the extremely intricate “Calibre 89”. Patek Philippe still produces some of the finest watches on the planet and is always an anticipated participant in Baselworld. Moreover, Patek Philippe is super popular and famous among all generations in the modern day. They’ve done a great job at staying superbly relevant for an old watch brand. It’s hard for newer watch brands to compete with this.
PATEK PHILIPPE 18K YELLOW GOLD VINTAGE WATCH
Although this family’s foray into watchmaking goes back into the mid-1400’s it wasn’t until 1826 that the company’s name was registered by Julien Gallet. Today, the company produces timepieces that use modern technology and style to keep it ticking along.
Founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1775, the company is credited with inventing the first wristwatch in 1810. This is a fact that makes Breguet one of the most special of the oldest watch brands. The company has created pieces owned by Marie Antoinette and Bonaparte. Today, the company is privately owned by the Brown Family, and continues to produce fine watches. [Update, Breguet was acquired by Swatch group in 1999]
BREGUET NO 1773 YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC MENS WATCH 5157
Vacheron Constantin is one of the most well run businesses of on this famous oldest watch brand list. It was founded in Geneva in 1755, when Jean-Marc Vacheron, a master watchmaker, began his business. Almost 260 years later, the watchmaker keeps ticking by staying relevant and building world-class quality timepieces. Vacheron is the longest continuously operating watch company in the world.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN 18K YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC VINTAGE WATCH
Favre Leuba watches go all the way back to 1737. This old watch brand stayed in the same family for eight generations. Its troubles began in 1969, when inexpensive quartz watches came on the scene. Classic watches from the company included the Bivouac, a watch with an altimeter, and the Bathy, which was a diving watch. This old watch brand is now being revived.
Blancpain is the OLDEST WATCH BRAND in the world. Founded by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain in 1735, the company built its success by producing a limited amount of watches per year. The company was out of business for a period of time and is now owned by watch giant Swatch.
BLANCPAIN SPLIT SECOND CHRONOGRAPH DIAMOND MOTHER OF PEARL DIAL WATCH
Thanks to reader Frank, for adding Longines to this list! Now owned by Swatch Group (like luxury jeweler Harry Winston), Longines was founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832, in Saint-Imier, Switzerland.
LONGINES WHITE GOLD DIAMOND DIAL VINTAGE WATCH
Related: Selling Your Old Watch
Audemars Piguet Sues Tommy HilfigerWoWadmin November 17th, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
We Buy Military Watches Any Condition , Fast Service
There are many makers of military watches and we buy all military watches . The best known brands are Omega , Longines , Jaeger LeCoultre , International Watch Company and Panerai.
Rolex made many models for various military services but are are not famed for their WW2 models in terms of the official army broad arrow used on all watches issued by the British Military.
Hans Wilsdorf however was a full supporter of the Allies during WW2 and often sent military watches to POW’s with clear instructions for them not to pay until their eventual return to freedom. Rolex did however make watches for the special services and here is a link to a very interesting article on the subject.
My main interest is however the watches worn by the general military and most of us have heard of what is now known as the “Dirty Dozen “
The watches ( Buren , Cyma , Eterna , Grana , IWC , JLC ,Lemania , Longines , Omega , Record , Timor and Vertex ) were designed and delivered in 1944 and 1945. The Dirty Dozen watches were created in extremely limited supply to a specific design requirement of the MoD . It is also alleged that there are only around 20 full sets of the Dirty Dozen watches in existence however I suspect there are many more hidden away.
ATP Watches
Somewhat less well known but equally important are the ATP military watch .
ATP simply stands for Army Trade Pattern which again was a specification issued by the British army for a standard watch to be issued to all soldiers.
The case sizes were between 30 and 34 mm with a white or silver dial with black numbers as a clear contrast especially in low light conditions.
The dial also featured a sub seconds dial reminiscent of early wrist watch design and a hangover from pocket watches.
A feature of all of these military watches is the fixed lug or bars holding the straps. Military watches need to stay on the wrist in severe conditions and the spring bars on any watch are often the weakest point.
Watches Of Westminster will buy any military watch in any condition.
If you want to sell your military watch simply fill out our watch selling page or simply WhatsApp ( or text ) us some pictures ( front and back ) to 07768316371 and we can give you an immediate valuation.
We specialise in making the whole process of selling your military watch simple fast and easy. We will often be able to travel to you and can pay by bank transfer cash or even part Exchange for one of our stock watches.
WoWadmin October 2nd, 2021
Posted In: Sell My Watch
WHY SHOULD YOU COLLECT VINTAGE WATCHES
Vintage watch collection offers us contact with and unique watches that are frequently very different from modern looks. We find distinct designs, technology, and histories in old timepieces that new eyes cannot match. There are several reasons to purchase a vintage watch rather than a new one; Aestheticism, sustainability, and the history of each timepiece are just a few factors to consider.
There are specific criteria for judging whether or not a watch is considered vintage. Collectors have their standards for what constitutes an antique watch. Indeed, they frequently differ on what defines “vintage.” Some collectors claim that a watch must be at minimum 25 to 30 years old to be considered a vintage watch, while some contend that anything produced after the 1960s does not count as vintage. Let’s suppose the cut-off point is the end of the 1970s, a very significant period for mechanical watchmaking. Vintage watches never get out of fashion because of their durability and sustainability. You can style them with other accessories to make them look more elegant and classy. There are many options by which you can style a vintage watch. Vintage watches add a district style to an overlook, yet you can style them with white gold bracelets to make a statement.
The fact that vintage timepieces dating tens of years ago may still be discovered functioning, with genuine parts documentation and packaging, as well as a distinct character, is something remarkable. When we acquire a vintage watch, these details might make us think about the person or persons who had it before us and what events it must have witnessed. It is common for objects with a history and a narrative to tell to be far more precious and attractive than those that do not. It’s an opportunity to wear a piece of history around your wrists. It’s been said that unique design is everlasting, and it’s difficult to disagree with the exceptional antique timepieces available on the market. The state of an antique watch may have a significant impact on its worth. Similarly, any repair work that has been done might be perplexing. The condition of a vintage watch is, for the most part, a matter of choice.
When you purchase an authentic vintage timepiece, you can almost ensure that you will be the only person wearing it. Suppose you notice another person wearing a similar model and design as you. In that case, possibilities aren’t the same as your various models; the number of complications and normal wear and tear will almost certainly assure this. Vintage timepieces have a lengthy history. They all have a tale to tell, as seen by their dials and current appearance. The discoloration and aging of vintage watches can add value to them even more considerably than the timepieces themselves. It’s not just the exceptional style of the eye. It is the age that makes them vintage and unique. It’s also the fact that there’s a good possibility you won’t see another one like it if you don’t buy it.
In some instances, the value for money that vintage timepieces may provide is tough to comprehend. In the vintage watch market, there are some incredible deals to be grabbed. A vintage watch is exceptional due to its durability and quality and in part to the fact that everyone appears to have an old timepiece acquired from a grandpa. In any case, that means that you may get a high-quality watch for a lower price than you might expect. If your freshly bought vintage watch is in good working order and does not have any significant damage, you may sell it for a profit if times are tough. Owning a vintage watch gives you the chance to own a premium label watch for the exact cost of the Seiko diver on your wrist.
One of the main reasons for collecting vintage watches is that they were formerly manufactured using high-quality materials and handcrafted processes. Many old timepieces are discovered to feature mechanical and extremely accurate mechanisms in addition to being entirely handmade. In comparison to their modern, machine-built clocks, this makes vintage watches considerably more likely to make a lasting impression.
The most important reason to choose a vintage watch is the sheer satisfaction and pleasure you would derive from having and owning one. Every antique timepiece on the market has its personality, history, and tale to tell. Vintage antiques come with a lot of history and character, so when you glance down at your wrist and see a vintage watch, you start to wonder what kind of life this freshly purchased watch has lived. Watches are meant to be worn and utilized. Therefore those that aren’t doing so should be given away to someone who would enjoy them.
WoWadmin August 3rd, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
The vintage watch market is a fairly specialist retail sector and your choices are few and far between. The famous Austin Kaye closed down last year which I am afraid is probably more to do with the rents/rates in central London rather than the interest in vintage watches.
There are of course a number of vintage watch shops left in London but as ever the price of any watch has to take into account the overheads incurred in order to present those watches to the buying public and very reasonably so. I had premises for a while until it became pretty clear to me that the watch business works very well on the internet and the need for customers to actually see your watches can be easily catered for by meeting in a mutually convenient place.
Everyone has heard of Hatton Garden and whilst it used to be primarily jewellery and workshops there have been more watch shops opening up but again given the rents and other costs bargains will never be available and dont expect a great price for your Rolex ( although the margins are lower on this and a few other brands ).
ARE VINTAGE WATCHES CHEAP ?
Everyone wants a bargain but as with most things in life you have to pay top money or take a risk when buying vintage watches whether thats in London or anywhere else. Unless your buying something fairly cheap ie £200 you really need to buy from a retailer offering a full invoice , a warranty and certification. If you are buying a vintage watch these documents will almost certainly allow you to sell the watch for more than you bought it for in say 5 years time although watch out retail and trade are not the same thing !
DO YOU WANT TO INVEST IN VINTAGE WATCHES ?
A good plan but as ever you need to know what you are doing my best tips are
SO WHERE CAN YOU BUY VINTAGE WATCHES IN LONDON ?
Simple just do a Google search but if you are looking for investment watches , learn the market , investigate what you are interested in and keep a long good eye on the internet. There are bargains to be had but not in the High St retail shops !
WoWadmin July 3rd, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Whether you have found an old watch in the attic or just want to move on a watch you have have been wearing for years you can get a free valuation on your vintage watch today.
Is your watch not running ?? No problem , we can give you a free valuation on your vintage watch whether it is running or not ( do please tell us however ! )
Most people think broken watches are not worth repairing and whilst this may be true for many cheaper brands , there are numerous makes and models where economic repairs can be made if you employ a professional watchmaker as we do.
We really enjoy reaching broken old watches and giving them a new lease of life and owner .
Walking into a High St watch dealership and handing over your vintage watch may well leave you out of pocket and with a vintage watch ruined by new parts ( never replace hands , dials , crowns , cases etc , keep the watch original and only replace missing or unrepairable parts ) you may well be wishing you had not bothered.
Selling vintage watches is quite a specialist activity these days and you really need to know your market. Of course who does other than vintage watch specialists !
The best thing to do is ask Watches Of Westminster for a free watch valuation anytime any day , we can give you a free watch valuation based on just a few decent pictures ( one of the face and one of the back plus one of the winder ).
You don’t even have to use the valuation page on the website , just Whattsapp us some pictures direct from your smart phone ( 07768316371 )
The price we give you is subject to a brief final inspection which we do in front of you and the price rarely changes but we have to ensure we are valuing the same watch and we do sometimes find a issue with the watch that was not evident in the photos although it can work the other way round and we end up paying a bit more !.
Logistics is often a issue with most watch buying firms asking you to visit them. We offer a “to your door” service and are happy to meet you at a neutral location to suit you. The distance we can travel will depend on the quality of the watch but we will even fly to a destination for the right watch and at a time to suit you ( weekends included ).
WoWadmin June 20th, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
A free watch evaluation is something you may just need !
Everybody has or has had a watch and many get handed down over the years and often left in a drawer so get a free watch evaluation today !
Most watches are by sheer statistics vintage however the value of some vintage watches has gone up quite a bit lately but there are so many different brands and models its very difficult to assess the value of a watch unless you are in the business.
Simply finding a similar watch on the internet will not give you an accurate value. There are many factors that will affect the value of any watch such as
Watches Of Westminster offer a free watch evaluation and we will give you a cash offer for your watch.
Watches issued by the military will often have a significant value but this is a very specialist market needing even more specialist knowledge.
Unlike most other companies we don’t need to physically need to see your watch , you just need to send us some decent pictures via our watch valuation page ;
If you prefer you can also send us pictures via Whattsapp on 07768316371
Here are some typical examples of what to send.
The more information you can give us the better evaluation we can give you so also include pictures of any boxes and documents.
We have spent years in simplifying giving customers a free watch evaluation so please get in contact and let us know what you have .
WoWadmin May 24th, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: sell my broken watch, Sell my watch London, value my watch, what is my watch worth
At some time in most people lives the question ” Where can I sell my old Watch Today ” comes to mind. I have bought the best part of a thousand watches in the last 5 years most of them old/vintage .
I like buying old watches but what is the difference between an old and a vintage watch ?
Well its pretty much a question of definition. Vintage watches are generally considered to be so once the are over 40 years old so pre 1980’s. Thats not say a more recent watch is not collectable.
Even a new watch is collectable if the supply is limited such as a limited issue Rolex Submariner or even a Philippe Patek . Omega are well known for issuing limited number runs of watches especially the Omega Speedmaster.
So whilst you may want to sell your old watch , its going to have to be of some value to allow that to happen. Whilst most people have an idea that some old/vintage watches have some value figuring out how much is a much more complicated task especially if the watch is not working and even more so if it has some form of damage.
What is not normally known is that a significant part of the value of any vintage / collectable watch is in the dial.
Original dials in decent condition are a must and the absence of such will detract greatly from a watches value even more so if usable spares are not available. Repainted dials are a no no and many people have ruined the value of their vintage watch by sending it off the the manufacturers for a full refurbishment to get it back with new hands and a dial. Any vintage watch buyer will be looking for originality and as little polishing / refurbishment as possible.
SO
If you ate thinking “Where can I sell my old watch today ” is running around your head then just click on the link below and get a fast and free watch valuation. For a even faster response you can just Whatsapp us on 07768316371 with a picture of the front and back of the watch.
WE BUY VINTAGE WATCHES
Watches Of Westminster are vintage watch buyers and specialise in the fast and friendly purchase of vintage watches. When we say fast , we can send funds to you the same day via Paypal if the distance between us is too great ( although we do travel the country buying vintage watches but of course the value of the watch will determine how far we can travel without resorting to post ).
If you are within a days travel we will often drive to you , inspect the watch and pay you there and then with cash or via bank transfer.
HOW DO YOU SELL YOUR VINTAGE WATCH TODAY ?
Simple just send us a decent picture of the front and back of the watch and add a description such as ” running but a bit scratched / worn by my grandad at Dunkirk etc ” If you have boxes and paperwork for the watch then try and include them as they will add to the value of the watch. You may not think it but most watch buying companies make you jump through hoops to sell your watch. You have to fill out endless forms , wait ages for them to come back to you , arrange a visit to their in town shop ( if possible ) , leave the watch with them for 2 weeks and then once they have possession feel obliged to take their offer !!
SEND US A WHATTSAPP
If you don’t want to use the valuation page link above feel free to just send us a Whattsapp message with the pictures attached.
We are the UK’s premier vintage watch buyers and we understand the importance of customer satisfaction.
FANCY A CHANGE TO YOUR EXISTING WATCH ?
Many of our existing customers actually like a change and will come back to us asking to do a deal on another watch we have in stock. Thats fine we will happily take your watch in part payment for one of our stock watches whether you bought it from us in the first place or not.
WORRIED WE WILL TRY AND NEGOTIATE THE PRICE DOWN ?
We dont “kick tyres” as long as the watch is as described we will always pay the offered amount. Even if the watch has stopped since you sent us pictures as long as it is serviceable the price stays the same !
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT US
WoWadmin March 24th, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
As a avid scanner of anything Jaguar on eBay I was instantly captivated by the following advert appeared in the classic Jaguar section
The ad appeared just as I was setting off on a three week trip to Australia under the heading of Jaguar LeMans the car they never built !
I had been looking for an early XJ6 but the images of this car when finished convinced me this was a good long-term project.
I spoke to the previous owner number of times and he was clearly a genuine seller. The car was based in a Classic Car workshop in Poland with some work having been carried out but it was clear that this was a total rebuild project.
The cars history is quite interesting and I have managed to track down the guy who originally built the car. He went on to work on the XJ220 car and then many notable Lotus cars.
The car was originally built by a chap called Ken Heap during his student years in the late 1960s early 70s and the running gear was from a Jaguar Mark 10 the original engine fitted was a 3.2 L of racing heritage which sadly was stolen back in the 80’s when the car was in storage in Scotland.
Ken was building the car whilst attending university and unfortunately with his new work and family commitments the car was sold on unfinished ( no bodywork ) although its actual route to Poland is a bit sketchy suffice to say the car was not worked on much until it arrived in Poland.
The deal was done over the phone and I had my next project to work on !
The current designer had in the meantime left the classic car workshop where the car was and had set up another company so the first task was to get the car moved which happened but in the meantime the screen ( from a Lola ) was broken ! . The previous car workshop admitted fault and very generously purchased another one from the UK which was shipped to Poland.
I travelled out at the end of 2018 to look at the car and a program and price was agreed with staged payments and a agreed 18 month program.
The above image is the car as bought and the image below is a 3d computer image built up by taking about 20 pictures whilst walking around the car whilst I was sat in it.
Suffice to say I was a lot taller than Ken and didn’t really fit in the car !
A huge amount of design checks were carried out on the existing frame and restoration works started in 2020 and whilst the Covid pandemic put a dent in the program the new body is now being hand beaten and rolled into shape using a metal buck which in itself is a piece of art .
Upon completion of the car it will return to the UK with a view to making some more but that is another story altogether .
WoWadmin February 20th, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
We had a very rare find when we came across this stunning Vintage Rolex 4498 dating back to 1946. The same year that the 100th Grand National was run, Joe Louis KO’d Billy Conn in 8 to win the heavyweight boxing title and George Orwell publishes his book “Animal Farm” for the first time in the UK.
As you can see by the image above the watch has been well looked after over its 70 years and is in immaculate condition, and even still has the original dial.
It is a classical time piece in beautiful condition and would be a must have for any serious Rolex collector or a nice to have for any vintage or luxury watch collector.
At Watches of Wesminster our in house watchmaker has given the watch a full service and it is running as perfectly as if it was made yesterday.
If you would like to own this wonderful piece of Rolex history the you can contact us on 07768316371It will be supplied with a 12 months warranty, presentation box and a certificate of authenticity. For more details of the watch please visit our Vintage Rolex 4498 sales page.
A few more photographs of this stunning watch.
Simon Whitelock February 20th, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Rolex 4498, Rolex for sale, vintage rolex
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