I don't know about you, but it seems to me that the finds are only getting better as we get closer to auction season being back in full swing. Save your pumpkin spice lattes ?the seasonal delicacy I'm after is a crisp vintage fake watch of the most well-maintained variety. Supporting the aforementioned notion at the sportier end of the spectrum are replica watches like the Valjoux 72-powered Zodiac Sea Chron, along with the Ref. 2447 Solunar from Abercrombie & Fitch, and one of the best sleeper value plays on the market ?an Omega Chronostop Driver. This week's hunting efforts also yielded a couple of noteworthy examples reflecting a certain smartness, including a rare Audemars Piguet in white gold, and a gilt dial Oyster Perpetual which dates back to the '60s. There's much to dig into this week, so let's get down to it https://www.notonthewires.com.
Zodiac Sea ChronMany moons ago, I became hooked on Zodiac chronographs, after acquiring my first "good watch." At what must've been eleven or twelve years old, I was beyond elated, upon receiving an orange dial, two-register quartz chronograph as a gift, which I helped pick out from the fake watch display of a department store down south. Since then, the fake watch has remained in my possession, though I inevitably got sucked deeper into the game. While this might've resulted in spending more time and money on replica watches than my eleven-year-old self could have ever dreamt of, I did learn a thing or two along the way, including that the Zodiac chronographs of yesteryear are nothing short of genius.
In addition to the Zodia-Chron, Zodiac's mastery of the three register chronograph can be seen through the Sea-Chron. Like the former of the two models, the Sea-Chron is also powered by the Valjoux 72, though it was differentiated by its 38.5 mm stainless steel case, fitted with a rotating bezel. Though I believe we've definitely discussed the Sea-Chron in the past, I don't think I've shared an example as attractive with you before. This piece, on its original bracelet, is particularly pristine, with an unpolished case, the sought after grey bezel, and a flawless dial. The original box is also being included, along with a service receipt indicating an overhaul in May of this year.
Another reason why I've taken a liking to this specific example is that it's coming direct to auction from the family of the original owner. As I've stated in the past, this is essentially the only way to ensure originality with a reasonable degree of confidence. This is because a fake watch that's passed through the hands of an unknown number of individuals has an objectively greater likelihood of having been tampered with in some way, as opposed to an example that's stuck with one person since way back when. In other words, this is a good example, and one which I have zero doubts about concerning originality.
Henry's Auktionshaus will be selling this Zodiac in a sale taking place on the 20th of September in Mutterstadt, Germany. My birthday also falls on the same day, so if you're after a last minute gift, look no further!
Omega Chronostop Driver Ref. 145.010As the market has continued to advance, there's one fake watch that has seemingly defied the effects of frenzied price climbing. This is yet another piece that I first fell in love with as a much younger collector, largely because it was relatively accessible at the time, and luckily remains so to this day. If you're after something which has its toes dipped in the waters of unconventionality, but is still rooted in the oh-so-good reality of 1960s Omega chronograph production, I'd suggest looking no further than the Chronostop Driver.
There are very few replica watches which do it for me like this one, and the fact that examples remain priced within the realm of reason only sweetens the deal. For those not familiar, let me break it down for you. Omega's Chronostop was introduced as a "sixty second chronogaph" which could track exactly that, just sixty seconds. With one single pusher, it was easy to operate, and allowed for the expedient timing of brief intervals. This made the timepiece especially popular in the motoring market ?so much so that the brand would eventually introduce a variant designed specifically for those who liked to go fast. Do you like to go fast? I like to go fast.
"Driver" variants of the most iconic Chronostop correspond with the reference number 145.010, and are characterized by their rotated dial, which allowed for easy reading behind the wheel. I'd suggest taking a look at this example if all of this has been music to your ears, as it's one of the better ones to have hit the market recently. Between the spotless dial, the presence of a correct bracelet with a similarly correct No. 27 clasp, and fact that it's been recently serviced, there's a whole lot to love here. I also commend the seller for fully disclosing any and all repairs which have been done on the watch, in the interest of total transparency.
A collector that goes by the moniker "SuperHero" has listed this Omega in the Omega Forums' sales section. Its asking price has been set at $1,150.
1962 Replica Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1002Just about everyone loves a gilt dial Replica Rolex, and I'm no exception. While I could've easily dug up one of the many gilt sports references available for purchase, I thought we'd keep things going this week, with a gilt dial offering from the Crown that you just don't see everyday. This piece also happens to be priced far more affordably than the bulk of other gilt dial-fitted pieces from Replica Rolex, which ought to excite many who aspire to such a watch. Before I go breaking the world record for the most number of uses of the words "gilt dial" in a single paragraph, let's take a closer look at the fake watch in question.
This is a Ref. 1002 Oyster Perpetual, which can be dated back to 1962 using both the serial number found between its lugs, and the date engraving found on the inside of its caseback. If you want to get really technical, this one dates back to the second quarter of 1962, and yes, it's fitted with a glossy gilt dial. This is a trait that's rarely seen on more basic references like the Oyster Perpetual in question, making both its presence and discovery rather special. From what the pictures show, it also appears to have maintained its original, glossy glory.
Making matters even more enticing is the correct rivet bracelet which its currently fitted with, complete with No. 57 endlinks. This is one detail that I've always found really adds to the overall appearance and completeness of a great vintage Replica Rolex, and to have it fitted from purchase is always a nice touch. If you were wondering what the most tasteful Oyster Perpetual listed for sale online looks like, now you know.
Roy and Sacha Davidoff of Geneva are offering this gilt dial beauty of the Replica Rolex back catalogue for a relatively accessible CHF 5,500. Find the full scoop on their site.
ADVERTISEMENT Audemars Piguet Ref. 5093As we've discussed in the past, finding a great example of a vintage Audemars Piguet is perhaps one of the most rewarding events in vintage fake watch collecting. Considering just how rare these replica watches originally were, and their fragile nature, there are few survivors of time's all powerful test which remain in truly outstanding condition. All of this is certainly known to those who focus their collecting efforts on Audemars Piguet, many of which I know to have dealers and other authorities constantly searching on their behalf.
Though finding a complicated reference is understandably the overarching goal of most collectors of vintage Audemars Piguet, there's always something to be said for a great time-only watch, just as there's always money in the banana stand. As the accompanying pictures would indicate, there's no denying that this example of the Ref. 5093 is a great time-only watch, and one that's surely worthy of the descriptor "outstanding" with regards to its current condition. You'd also be justified in using that term to describe the hobnail and engine turned detailing, as seen on the rather wide, "disco volante" (flying saucer) style bezel, which like the case has been crafted in 18k white gold.
For an added dash of simplicity, the Ref. 5093 has no protruding lugs, and instead joins to the strap at a recessed cavity within the case. That paired with the fact that the fake watch is impossibly thin makes for a wildly comfortable wear. Lately I've had a 44 mm chunk of angular forged carbon sitting on my wrist, and could honestly go for something along these lines right about now.
The Miami based dealer Matthew Bain has this seldom seen timepiece by Audemars Piguet listed with an asking price of $11,500. More photos, details, and contact info can be found here.
Abercrombie & Fitch Solunar Ref. 2447Ending things off on a decidedly fun note, we've got a fake watch manufactured by Heuer for Abercrombie & Fitch ?back when entering an Abercrombie & Fitch store didn't involve being hit with an immediate wave of thumping bass and cheap perfumes. Despite how the Heuer market has taken a bit of a dip, Abercrombie branded replica watches from Heuer remain quite desirable, which is definitely reflected in the prices they command.
This is a Heuer Solunar, which as some will know was the very first wristwatch to be fitted with a tide indicator. As the story goes, Heuer produced an initial run of just 1,000 pieces to introduce the new complication, and following its immediate success, production continued with a line of Solunars produced for Abercrombie & Fitch. Of all the produced variants, this is my personal favorite.
While I could wax on with some insufferably long-winded prose about a love for the sea and how replica watches like such make me feel connected to the all powerful Mother Ocean, I'll make things real simple and cut the nonsense. I love this fake watch because of the rotating wheel used to indicate tides, or more specifically, its tie-dye-esque appearance. As someone with far too many old, tie dyed Grateful Dead tees in their closet, this perfectly fits my particular brand of weird. It's also decently wild to think this fake watch emerged out of the 1950s, considering the more subdued appearance of most pieces at the time.
Sotheby's will be offering this fake watch in their online sale, which begins today and ends in one week's time. Its estimate has been set at $4,000 to $6,000, and where it ends up is anyone's guess.
Replica Rolex Audemars-piguet Omega Bring-a-loupe