16Jan 2017 by Martin Green No Comments
Affordable at Auction: Longines La Grande Classique

Affordable at Auction: Longines La Grande Classique

Affordable at Auction
La Grande Classique, has there every been a more promising name? The great thing is that this Longines even lives up to its name. Although the majority of them are round, the brand also made a charming tonneau version, and Fellows is auctioning one off that comes complete with the original bracelet which features very fine links. According to the description, the watch is just over nine years old yet still good looking. This might be because it wasn't worn so often, but also remember that these watches were made very well, because Longines still is an insider secret for people who want a very well made watch, for a fair price. The La Grande Classique has a unique lug construction, in which they come from underneath the case and…
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13Déc 2016 by Jonathan Kopp 1 Comment
Affordable at Auction: Rarities from Swatch

Affordable at Auction: Rarities from Swatch

News
Something special for Swatch collectors just before the holidays. Squiggly.com auctions 190 Swatch limited edition and early prototype in an online auction. The lots contain some very rare items. Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Squiggly is a specialist dealer of vintage Swatch watches. They sell watches with official warranty, instructions, and original packaging. Although Swatch is in general quite an affordable watch, you can find at this auction some pieces going for more than what you are probably used to, which is the proof that a Swatch is a collectible item. At this auction, you can also buy some rare posters. In the 80’s Swatch was extremely active to get the name of the brand known everywhere. The marketing strategies were different on every continent. Something that was completely abandoned…
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08Nov 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Affordable at Auction: Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle

Affordable at Auction: Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle

Affordable at Auction
One of the most exciting aviation watches in history is still the Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle. Made in 1931 by Longines, based on sketches by Charles Lindbergh himself. The watch made quite a name for itself, and over the years Longines issued several re-editions of this watch. This is one of them, and perhaps one of the most interesting. [caption id="attachment_2119" align="aligncenter" width="320"] Original 1932 Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle[/caption] Many of the re-editions featured much smaller cases than the original watch. This made them much more wearable as a wristwatch because the original was first and foremost a navigational instrument. For that reason legibility was essential, and the diameter of 47.5 mm ensured that this could be done with ease. Of course, the pilot would not wear a watch like…
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03Nov 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Affordable at Auction: IWC Portofino Chronograph

Affordable at Auction: IWC Portofino Chronograph

Affordable at Auction
The IWC Portofino Chronograph has always been a charming chronograph. For their upcoming auction on November 18th, Auctionata offers one in a very desirable steel case with black dial and silver subdials. It gives the watch a very cool look, and surprisingly modern since the watch is from 1990 and long discontinued. It comes from a time when IWC had a portion of its collection powered by very high-end quartz movements, the so called meca-quartz. This Portofino is also fitted with such a movement. This caliber 630 actually features some Cotes Geneve decoration and is based on a movement made by Jaeger-LeCoultre. It has two quartz controlled stepper motors, of which the one that powers the movement runs at 1Hz, but the one for the chronograph runs at 4Hz making…
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20Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
New Series: Affordable At Auction

New Series: Affordable At Auction

Affordable at Auction, News
When most people think about affordable watches, they think of new watches with an affordable price tag. But ever since we started Watchisthis?! Magazine, we have also focused on watches that where initially out of the price range of the magazine when new, but used it is a whole different story and a good way to find them is at an auction. In the latest issue of Watchisthis?! Magazine you could read for example about two prime examples. First Hublot, a brand that does not come cheap. But when you go for a used model, from when Hublot just started, you can get the famed look for pennies on the dollar. The same can be said of vintage watches. In the last issue of Watchisthis?! Magazine, we highlighted Gerald Genta's…
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