00/24 WatchWorld

There is something about these 37-mm Rolex Submariners that just screams my name. Not only are they the early birds, telling the story where it all began. They also represent the coolest Bond (Sean Connery) and looks better on a NATO strap than on a bracelet. They are not for eveyone, I know that. Some find these early Subs too small for their manly wrists. Which is why they seem to enjoy a vintage life below the radar.

Oh, what a wonderful day it was. The sun was all out, bright and reminding us how great life is when it does not rain. On days like this it even feels like the bank manager does not exist, the house is all paid for and that your sorrows are long gone. And this is just what happens once the sun shines all day (ask the Greek. They know.) But let's leave the Greek out (they have enough trouble and victims of plenty of name saying already) and talk about how wonderful the dial and hands are on my 1972 ref. 1680 Rolex Red Submariner. Absolutely stunning view with the direct light. A light like this would usually show small flaws and spots, but not on this critter.

Funny how an inexpensive tool can help a watch increase in value. But that is precisely what happend, when I fiddled around with a €10 magnifying glass that a friend had purchased at a Munich watch show. When switching on the little sharp light in the magnifying glass and getting up-close-and-personal with the – admittedly – patinaed dial of my ref. 5508 Rolex Submariner from 1962 I realized that there was a small dot underneath the baton hourmarker at ”6”.

I am a horolofile. Watches is my drug. Must have watches. Must. Have. Watches. And the first drug does for 2012 is a sweet ref. 1680 Rolex Submariner with red writing from 1972. I purchased this from the original owners daughter who told me it was originally purchased by her father and worn every day since. And you could tell! It was well worn when I received it which is why I took it to the Rolex service center right away. I did however tell them to only very gently polish the case and I cherish the factory bezels and twirls.

A friend of mine brought his latest horological purchase for me to inspect today. Admittedly my first thought was "it´s a fake" when I saw this red ref. 1680 Rolex Submariner. The watch was...herm...perfect in every sense! Looks brand new, tighter than a bodybuilders´buttocks and with factory bevels like I have never seen before on a 42 year old watch. The watch even came with the original anchor, green Swimprof and red COSC tags.

Yes, dearest reader. Another blog entry from the guy in the North, who yet again had to surrender to the awfulness of horological seduction. This time I could not help myself, when a friend offered a wonderful ref. 5508 Rolex Submariner from 1962. Think early Bond aka Sean Connery. Think small case Submariner with a diameter of 37 millimeter. Think no crown guards. Think water resistance of only 100 meters. Then you have the watch. Now add some heavy patina on the dial, but be surprised when knowing that the case is in incredible condition and that the original rivet bracelet came with the watch. And yes, it even has the original bezel insert. And it shows!

My sentiments for certain Rolex novelties seem to go hand-in-hand with my sentiments for new models from BMW: Why change the current model as it is already perfect? However, a year or so will pass and all of a sudden I will not only appreciate the newer version, but even drool for ownership. This is precisely what happend to me recently, while picking up some paintings from my art pusher and later on buying Japanese denims from my...well, denim pusher.

This is what many a watch aficionado have been waiting for: the buffed up Rolex Submariner. And admittedly, what is not to like? The ceramic bezel insert, the slightly wider maxi case, the great looking maxi dial and improved bracelet with EASYLINK extention construction. This is, admittedly, horological perfection. As one would expect from the world's best known watch brand. We all knew it was coming, the 116610LN.