Original Sinn

A few days ago, a member on TZ-UK posted a link to a rather rare and unusual Sinn that was listed on eBay by a jeweller/ watch dealer based in Essen, Germany. It was actually a Sinn 8820 diver, rare because they’re few in number and unusual because it was Sinn’s first titanium watch, preceding the 8829 when it was first released in (I think) 1995. The watch was causing a fair amount of interest – and admiration – but while all and sundry were singing its praises I decided to go one step further and buy it! In fact, it landed yesterday morning after lightning despatch and delivery.

I was a little confused when I first looked at it, largely due to the absence of “Swiss Made” on the dial and the numbers “12345″ on the back. It transpires that the earliest samples released by Sinn had the sterile dial, but all of them bore the same sequence of numbers on the case back (which, I later realised, is not the serial number). The other striking thing about it is the recessed bezel, which allows a very slim case and what is an incredibly light and comfortable watch. The movement is an ETA 2892-A2, treated to a bit of decoration by Sinn prior to fitting, and the water resistance is 200m.

All in all, I think it’s a great watch – all the better, actually, for having a place in Sinn’s dive watch history. The only fault I can find with it is a little slackness when rotating the bezel, but that’s a minor gripe for a watch that looks as lovely as this (apologies – all the photos were handheld)…

Perpetually yours

The Datejust (revisited)

In the world of normal people (you know, the one’s who don’t pay ridiculous premiums for dive watches that can go to depths of 12000ft, when the deepest water they’ll ever see is the shallow end of a swimming pool)… in the world of such people, the Datejust is Rolex’s biggest selling watch by a country mile. I’ve been lucky enough have owned quite a few very nice vintage references – in fact, I thought I always would but after the last one went I found that I had absolutely no desire to replace it. In fact, it served to vindicate my decision to let it go. Funny that, I’ve never really been able to work out why I went off it, but I just did.

Anyway, I recently decided to give the new, larger (41mm) DJII a try and I was really blown away by the feeling of quality, the wrist presence and by the particular dial I had on mine (silver with baton markers). I was thrilled with it, but at the same time I thought it might be a little big for my wrist; however, once more the stars lined up for me and I managed to snag an as-new 116200 (that is, the new 36mm DJ) with virtually the same dial configuration; at the same time, I moved the DJII on to a friend, who I know will love it.

So, all is well with the world, in that I have a DJ again; and it’s both very classic and very contemporary at the same time. Good, that

Guest Post – Eddie Ardanza’s 1675

I’ve been chatting for awhile now with Eddie (who I know from Watchlords, one of the watch forums I pop into now and then) about a rather lovely GMT from the late 1960′s. When he offered to write a post about it I was delighted to oblige

This particular 1675 “landed” on my wrist when I inherited it from my late Father-In-Law; it’s a late ’60s GMT Master 1675, housing the great 1575 movement. Whist in all-original condition it was in a poor state aesthetically and also had an issue with the setting lever. The watch was actually kept unused in a safe for a number of years and, of course, was lacking any kind of attention (or, indeed, a service).

I had the watch packed and ready to send to Rolex Service (in Dallas, Texas) when I had an epiphany of sorts and dropped Tony a note [*good move*], in doing so saving the watch from potentially being butchered by the wise guys at the Rolex Service Center.

Admittedly, my vintage Rolex restoration knowledge is full of voids …enter Tony, who basically guided me through the process on what was desirable to leave as-is and what needed help, and he recommended ABC Watchwerks in Los Angeles, California… the results are all credited to his advice and expertise [*happy to help, mate*]. Summarising, the movement was service/overhauled including renewal of the mainspring & gaskets, replacement of the faulty setting lever, pressure testing to original specs and – finally – regulation to COSC specs. Aesthetically, a new plexiglass crystal was installed and both the case and bracelet were sympathetically refinished, in a “light vintage fashion”.

And here’s the result, now on my wrist and enjoying a new lease of life more than 40 years after it left the Rolex factory!

I think that’s a great story, and anyone who takes the time and trouble to bring an old classic back into daily service deserves to be applauded. Nice one, Eddie!

A day at the races

Sea-Dweller love

I admit that I’m in love with the Sea-Dweller in all it’s guises – my only sadness is that I had to let the Triple 6 go to fund the Great White.

Polar!

I’ve looked for the right white/tritium dialled Explorer II for a long time!