1973 Rolex Explorer II. This particular example is a MKII. If you notice the start of the “L” in the word “PERPETUAL”aligns directly under the X of the word ROLEX above. Its serial number of 3.2 million confirms its date of production. The first model 1655 was launched in 1971 and had a production run of 15 years with 7 different “STERN and BEYELER” dial variations in that period.

In 1944, to celebrate 50 years of active production, Universal unveiled the ‘Tri-Compax’ model at the Baselworld show; a triple calendar chronograph with moonphase, which would soon become their best-selling watch, so much so that a Tri-Compax was given to US President Harry Truman at the Potsdam conference. This almost perfect 33mm reference 12265 houses a UG cal 283 manual wind movement.

An Omega Ref CK 987 AF from 1936 in an oversized stainless steel case which is large for the period. The watch is housing a Cal 33.3 Chronograph movement. Unlike other chronographs from the period with a mono-pusher and the later chronographs with pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock position, this wristwatch has a pusher at 2 o’clock and the reset pusher integrated into the crown. The watch is accompanied by an extract from the archives confirming the watch to have rolled off the production line on the 5th of May, 1936 and was delivered to Italy.

40mm, 1960’s Favre Leuba BATHY 160 (Ref:53243), with mechanical depth gauge, a first of its time. The membrane-type depth gauge is perhaps the smartest solution for displaying diving depth on a watch dial. It is also widely used on land to measure barometric pressure, where it is commonly known as an aneroid can. With its original Corfam strap….specifically made for this watch by Du Pont. Retail price on this watch in 1968 was $155.00

This Rolex 16233 Datejust features Saudi Arabia’s national emblem together with the name of then-king Fahd in Arabic script (فهد) on the dial. Dating back to 1990, when Rolex allowed sovereign and corporate clients to commission special order watches. These were most likely orded as gifts for clients or long service staff members. I have yet to see another 2-Tone version with this dial logo.

Delivered on October 5th 1960, this Omega Speedmaster 2998-2 has a few special features. Often replaced during an Omega service, this original “BASE 1000” bezel managed to remain on the watch some 65 years later. For only a short period of time, this reference had what is refered to as a “Lollipop” chronograph hand. Its all Radium markers and hands still get my geiger counter “Excited”. Powered by the one and only Omega 321 workhorse movement.

This Omega 145.022-69 was sold to Mr Gerber, its new owner, on the 9th September 1970 by Bermans jewellers in East London, South Africa. Its lovely chocolate dial is common to all Speedmaster around this serial number of 296xxxx as is likely due to the dial paint used at this time. Thank you Mr Gerber for keeping its box, papers, invoice and even its spare links!

Tudor 9401 SAN, Originally owned by a South African Navy diver. He left WalvisBay dive unit to attend pre selection for 1 RECCE unit and then on to Duku Duku for “Special forces” selection….This was the last batch of Tudors to be delivered to the Navy and this reference superceeded the reference 7016. It is likely that there were only a handful of this reference (9401) ordered as very few of these have surfaced.

1955 New Old Stock Rolex ref 6466….with caseback sticker and original Rolex strap. It has a most incredible radium “waffle” dial with “Dagger” hour markers. Radium filled “Sword” hands compliment these dial markers. This watch was given (Along with a few others) in lieu of payment for a repair to a gentlemans Mercedes vehicle. Click on image for the whole story.

Along with the Rolex above, these watches too were used as payment for a vehicle repair. The Movado (Centre) is a New Old Stock reference 19038 and is run by an in house Movado M95 movement. Its working is slightly different to most chronograph movements as it starts by using the top pusher but stops and resets using the bottom pusher. All these watches came to me on their original factory leather straps and buckles too.

Its not every day you get to go back 75 years and see something in EXACTLY the same condition as the day it was displayed in the jewellers window! This New Old Stock Movadotriple date moon-phase reference 14920 houses the complex cal 473 movement and still has its original factory leather strap and buckle.

1960’s Breitling Cosmonaut ref:809, with its original users handbook. Takes some time getting used to telling the time on the 24Hr dial!

Tudor 9401 and 7016’s all South African Navy issued. These were issued between 1975 and 1978 and were in circulation until the mid to late 1980’s. Often these watches were given back and re-issued to individuals or groups for a particular operation or course completion. Click on the above image to visit the article on these and the Rolex 5513’s that ended up in the South African Army and Rhodesian Special forces units.

An exceptionally rare South African Navy issued 5513. These were issued in 1971, prior to the Tudor Submariners, in what looks like very low numbers. All seen examples show the same inside caseback service markings and bear the outside caseback engravings familiar with all the SAN watches. Click on image for the full story.

This South African Navy issued Tudor 7016 remains in exceptional unpolished condition. These watches were issued to Navy Divers, Navigators and Submariners. SAN Warrant officer Dive instructor epaulettes are shown in the background of this picture. Click on image for the full story.

To read the whole story on this South African Navy issued watch, please click on the image

To read the whole story on this South African Navy issued watch, please click on the image

A few years back i was offered this photograph from someone who had obviously bought a whole “job lot” of a Rolex watchmakers workshop in South Africa. There were a few interesting things…….but this original photograph of what i imagine to be Hans Wilsdorfs office, stood out to me. Of course I immediately accepted and the picture was sent with a few other things (catalogues etc) that someone else I work with had bought. The picture itself looks original to me….It has a very glossy coating that has cracked in certain places over time. The picture is an incredible “who’s who” of influential people of the time, and i believe it to be Hans Wilsdorfs office in Geneva. Click on the image for the full story.

The Lemania 2220 was issued to the South African Airforce in the mid 1960’s and were often dual issued (Firstly to the Royal Navy and then to the SAAF)

A South African Airforce issued Lemania “Series 3” 2220. This is the only one i have found and has only AF numbers (no previous 6B markings). I suspect these were in service for a very short peroid of time, and fell between the white dialled 2220 and the Lemania 1872 issues.

Lemania 1872 issied to the South African Airforce in 1971. A total of 630 of these were ordered in two seperate batches. Click on the image to read the whole story on these incredible military watches.

Lemania 1872 issied to the South African Airforce in 1980. A total of 800 of these were ordered in two seperate batches

The IWC MK11 were used by the South African Airforce during the 1950’s and early 1960’s