A barn find to give you hope – the story of a very special NOS vintage Gruen Ocean Chief
Editor’s note: This week, Eric Ku, vintage watch dealer and friend of Time+Tide, posted about five years having passed since the remarkable watch barn find story involving a LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm. A man by the name of Zach Norris came across an interesting-looking watch at a local Goodwill store, featuring a price tag of $5.99. He bought it in a heartbeat, suspecting it was worth more than the tag suggested, and was delighted to discover its true value. He was flooded with offers for the watch, one of which came from Eric Ku. He agreed to sell the watch to Eric for a cool $35,000. That’s right, nearly 6000 times the price he paid for it. We put a call-out to see if anyone else had their own story of successful thrift shop hunting, and Frank (@SpeedyFett on Instagram) reached out, telling the tale of his vintage Gruen Ocean Chief. Enjoy! I have a barn find story from a couple years ago that is pretty special. I took my family on vacation to Philadelphia for my kids to experience the old historic area. Little did I know that in addition to the Liberty Bell, just around the corner was…
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Finally, we have the last additions to the “Watch & Act!” Auction. Lot 22: TAG Heuer – Unique Piece, Autavia Caliber 5 ‘Watch & Act!’ Edition First released in 2019, this collection represented the first time the name Autavia had been given to a time-only watch, which is originally a portmanteau of automobile and aviation and used for chronograph tool watches. This TAG Heuer Autavia Caliber 5 is offered in a warmly toned bronze case that complements the graduated moss green dial and strap, and is framed by the ceramic bezel. This model was chosen by TAG Heuer to “symbolise the colours of Australia”. The watch is a Unique Piece and features a caseback engraving of the “Watch & Act!” logo, as well as the text “UNIQUE PIECE AUSTRALIA”. On the dial, note the crossed axe insignia associated with firefighters all around the world — this will be a constant dial-side reminder of the ‘firies’, as Aussies call them, who your watch purchase will benefit. The watch has a bidirectional rotating bezel in brown ceramic and is water resistant to 100m. The sapphire crystal is anti-reflective and the dial is khaki fumé and rhodium plated. The indexes and hands are filled…
Over the next two posts, we’ll be showing the final additions to the “Watch & Act!” Auction. Lot 19: Baltic Watches – Aquascaphe Prototype Based out of France, Baltic Watches have carved themselves a niche in producing watches inspired by the second half of the 20th century, with a range of genuinely attractive references that have proven themselves to be hugely popular with watch enthusiasts around the world. After the roaring success of the Bicompax chronograph release, they immediately began work on their vision of a diving watch, which resulted in this Baltic Watches Aquascaphe Prototype. While several elements of the design were changed for the final production model, this prototype expresses the no-nonsense restraint of a vintage tool watch that was built with a specific purpose and intent. The 3, 6, 9 style of dial was let go in favour of arrow markers at the cardinal points of the dial in the eventual production piece, but the prototype design reminds of the legendary tool watches of the ’50s and ’60s that are so collectible today. It is through the enormous generosity of the team at Baltic Watches that we are able to offer this Aquascaphe Prototype for sale, and…
Montblanc’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration heavily from the watchmaker Minerva and the timepieces they produced in the ’40s and ’50s. And there’s a very good reason why – Montblanc owns the once great Minerva. As a result, we get great-looking watches like this – the Montblanc Heritage Automatic. Replete with its period correct and vogue salmon dial, this elegant three-hander offers a great amount of vintage flair and modern technicality. Housed inside the subtly rounded 40mm stainless steel case, which is just 11.65mm thick, you’ll find Montblanc’s Calibre MB 24.26. This trusty self-winding movement offers 38 hours of power reserve, 26 jewels and an operating frequency of 28,800 (4Hz) vibrations per hour. Complementing the anthracite characteristics of the dial, the Heritage Automatic is paired with a grey Sfumato alligator strap, which has been created by Richemont themselves, in their Pelletteria located in Florence, Italy. What we like about it Montblanc has really been nailing its heritage watches of late, and this heritage automatic is another great addition to the collection. The salmon dial is one to adore, with styling cues that have been borrowed from Minerva timepieces from the ’40s and ’50s. Features Manufacturer: Montblanc Model Name: Heritage Automatic Year:…
This eye-catching special edition, launched at the Dubai Watch Week 2019, features a satin-finished steel case and lush starburst dial inspired by the green in the UAE flag – a colour chosen to inspire hope, growth and prosperity – and four Hindi Arabic numerals painted in Super-LumiNova. This is the first Bell & Ross model to ever feature Hindi Arabic numerals. This watch has been generously donated by Seddiqi Holdings. What we like about it It’s pretty well established in the watch world at the moment that green dials are just better. Case in point is this limited edition Bell & Ross, which has been graciously donated by the Seddiqi family. It’s a stunning watch, featuring Eastern Arabic numerals and, much like a few other lots in this auction, is one that is sure to be hugely popular. Features Manufacturer: Bell & Ross Model Name: BR 03-92 Green Arabic Limited Edition Year: 2019 Reference: BR0392 Material: Steel Dimensions: 42mm diameter Calibre:Mechanical automatic Bracelet/Strap: Brown leather strap View the lot right here.
World women’s number one tennis player Ash Barty has collaborated with Rado to release a watch this year, bringing us the Rado HyperChrome Ashleigh Barty Limited Edition, a white-hot polished ceramic watch that matches perfectly with the uniform of Wimbledon, which was her first junior Grand Slam win – ahead of her career-defining Grand Slam win at the French Open in 2019. Taking advantage of Rado’s expertise in ceramics, both the case and bracelet of the watch have been produced in a polished white ceramic, with the case reinforced with stainless steel. The bracelet is finished with a deployant clasp for a snug fit, and tapers nicely into the 36mm case. The gleaming case is where the watch really shines. The bezel is fitted with 60 diamonds around the circumference of the dial, which not only draws the eye inward but could also be used as minute markers. Once your eye has been drawn into the dial, you’re treated with the soft pearlescent glow of the mother-of-pearl dial, which has been radially spoked for emphasis and is only punctuated with a white date indicator. As a final touching nod to the career success that Ash Barty has had at such…
The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture Fratello Exclusive is produced in a limited run of 29 pieces, and are all individually numbered on the caseback. The 42mm 3 parts-case holds a convex sapphire crystal and clear caseback revealing the inner workings of the FC-712 caliber. The two counters of the moonphase and date are respectively located at three and nine o’clock. The elegant curved dial merges seamlessly with the case and features printed Roman numeral indexes and hand-polished hands. Finally, the blue crocodile leather strap completes the look. The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Manufacture Fratello Exclusive is powered by the in-house developed calibre FC-712 automatic movement with 38 hours of power reserve. Based on the iconic FC-700 movement series from Frederique Constant, it has been redesigned in order to split the moonphase and date into two counters. Both functions are adjustable via the crown. Through the transparent caseback, the movement shows off the famous perlage and circular Côtes de Genève decorations present on all Frederique Constant in-house calibers. What we like about it Andrew – Fratello waited many, many years to make a move with an exclusive edition of their own. And the patience, the fastidious attention to detail and…
With its striking appearance, the ‘Full Black’ Alpina 4 Manufacture Flyback Chronograph demonstrates an aggressive and distinctive personality. The model features an intense black PVD-coated case made out of stainless steel. The black dial with beige luminous pearl black applied indexes, matching the luminous beige hands, provides a stealthy, slightly vintage look. Note the ergonomically shaped chronograph push-pieces, screw-down winding and setting crown, and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It can withstand a water pressure of up to 10 atmospheres, equivalent to a diving depth of 100 metres. The ‘Full Black’ manufacture movement is powered by the AL-760 movement, comprising 233 components with a 38-hour power reserve. This watch is generously donated by the good folk at Monochrome Watches. What we like about it Andrew – One of only a few complicated models in the mix, this Alpina Manufacture Flyback Chrono in sexy ‘Full Black’ packs a lot of punch under the hood. All 233 components that make it up! It was generously donated by our very good friends at Monochrome Watches, one of our favourite sites out there. Nick – The aggressive full black exterior of this watch doesn’t give away the impressive complexity of the movement that lies beneath the…
Released at Baselworld 2019, this SUB 200 130th Anniversary Limited Edition diver’s watch was profoundly popular, and the run of 130 pieces sold out almost before it was released. Time+Tide’s own stock of this model, 30 pieces, was sold in just under two hours. We are offering our own archive piece for sale here, brand new in support of the ‘Watch & Act!’ auction — and to put our own money, a second time, where our mouth is. It has a case of 316L stainless steel and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Special touches on the Limited Edition include an engraved caseback with ‘130’ motif, an orange second hand, and orange ‘130 Years’ text on the dial. Also note the distinctive curvature of the domed crystal, which faithfully re-creates the domed plexiglass used on the 1967 model. It is well sized for both presence and practical daily wear at 42mm. Waterproof to a depth of 200 metres (20 ATM), the model features a unidirectional rotating bezel. All the elements providing dive-relevant information, including the bezel, have a Super‑LumiNova® luminescent coating. The bracelet is also 316L stainless steel and features a folding clasp with the DOXA fish symbol.…
This classic three-handed model from Frederique Constant, with gloss black dial, is a dress watch par excellence. It is presented here with high-polished baton indices, razor-sharp sword hands and an elegant crocodile strap. It is generously donated by Sydney’s Wamada Jewellery, Watchfest and the Sydney Chinese Community. The Classics Index Automatic is a symphony of sleek, clean lines, and an elegant black dial that coheres raw classicism and modern-day design. The Classics Index Automatic is powered by the FC-303 automatic caliber with 26 jewels, and runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, with a 38-hour power reserve. The polished two-part case measures 40mm in diameter, which is right in most wearer’s ‘Goldilocks’ zone. Convex sapphire crystals protect the dial, and the watch is water resistant to 50 metres. Finally, the indexes and numerals for every model are carefully polished and delicately hand-applied. What we like about it Andrew – An absolutely pitch-perfect dress watch with surprisingly handmade touches, including hand-applied indices and numerals on the dial, this is Classics by name and by nature. If your collection is bereft of a black dial dressed-up option, this one is calling you. Nick – This time-only number from Frederique Constant gives…