Monday, January 21, 2019

Bring a Loupe: A 1969 Zenith Ref. A273, A Heuer ‘Pre-Carrera’ Ref. 2443 With Salmon Dial, And A Classic Rolex Datejust

Once in a while you can see the the light in the strangest of places if you look just right. As a bit of a photography nut, vintage optics often factor into my daily check-ins on eBay, and while hunting down a certain lens from the 50s earlier this week, I chanced upon something truly unusual being offered by an individual specializing in old photo gear. In an age where information is so easily accessible, it’s becoming increasingly tougher to find a watch you’ve never seen before, especially if you’re constantly searching, but I found just that this week, and am now excited to share it with you. 

Alarm-equipped mechanical watches really don’t get enough love, and at the prices they typically trade at, it’s hard to not see a considerable amount of value for your dollar. They’re functional, amusing to see in action, and offer an accessible entry point into the world of chiming and sound generating mechanical timepieces. This piece is no exception, but is perhaps more interesting than most alarm watches I’ve seen in a while, with Tiffany & Co. branding and an idiosyncratic dial orientation, similar to that of many watches designed with professional drivers in mind. 

At 33mm across, it is indeed on the smaller side, but this is one of those instances where I’d still advise pulling the trigger. It’s just such a compelling watch, with all sorts of curious details, like the squiggly alarm hand, luminous indices, and 24-hour track that traces the outermost edge of the dial. I’d be lying if I said I fully understood who or what this watch was originally intended for, but I can say with full confidence that it’s unbelievably cool, and would make a killer addition any collection of horological oddities or pieces linked to Tiffany.

An individual in Ardmore, PA, has this piece listed on eBay with both a starting bid of $995, and a Buy It Now option at $1,395. Find the full listing here.



from Best Watches For Men http://bit.ly/2CxoHND