Throwback Thursday: Jaeger-LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm

Few vintage watches possess such a flair as the (Jaeger-)LeCoultre Deep Sea Alarm. Although over sixty years old, it combines an exciting complication with a captivating design, housed in a case with a very contemporary diameter of 39mm. It is a true rarity, not only because diving watches with an alarm function are seldomly seen, but also because Jaeger-LeCoultre made this model for only three years, between 1959 and 1962. It was launched as Jaeger-LeCoultre in Europe, while this American version only carried the name of LeCoultre.

By Adrienne Faurote

Throwback Thursday: Heuer Single Button Chronograph Ref.2403

(TAG) Heuer's heritage in the field of chronographs not only runs deep but also goes back for more than a century. Already around 1880, the firm was making this complication, and this rare single button Ref.2403 from about 1930 shows that they were also among the first to introduce it in wristwatches. What makes this watch even more remarkable is the refinement with which it is made.

Throwback Thursday: Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 3800/1

With the Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus fetching $6.5 million at auction in December of last year, it is safe to say that this iconic model is hotter than ever. This passion also causes an even broader interest in the history of the Nautilus. This includes many exquisite and often rare models like this Reference 3800/1, which Patek Philippe made just before the turn of the Millenium in 1999.

Throwback Thursday: Omega Speedmaster Ref.2915 ‘Broad Arrow’

The Speedmaster is, without a doubt, one of the most important and recognizable watches in the history of Omega. However, when this particular Ref.2915 was made in 1958, its true claim to fame was still in the future. That didn't make the Speedmaster any less innovative when it was launched. It was the very first chronograph that had the tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel rather than printed on the dial. This increased the legibility of all the functions and was one of the reasons many professionals embraced it. This would later even include NASA, where one of the successors of this model would make history as the first watch worn on the moon.

Throwback Thursday: Patek Philippe Reference 3974

Patek Philippe's history is a constant stream of highlights, particularly when looking at their more complicated pieces. The brand invented the annual calendar, but not before making its mark on one of the most coveted complications available, the perpetual calendar. The reference 3974 holds a special place in this, as it was the very first perpetual calendar with a minute repeater, powered by an automatic movement.

Throwback Thursday: Ulysse Nardin Minute Repeater

Ulysse Nardin is a brand that has not only a rich heritage but also a very diverse one. The brand was founded in 1846 in Le Locle, Switzerland, and quickly made a name for itself with its high precision chronometers. While Ulysse Nardin has always thrived in mechanical excellence, they have presented their watches in a wide variety of different styles. Whether it is restrained or progressive, the brand's most outstanding achievement is most likely that they have all made it their own. Their DNA is undeniably present in all creations, including this exceptional minute repeater from 1950.

Throwback Thursday With An Officer And A Gentleman From Patek Philippe

There is nothing quite like owning, and wearing, a watch that was made nearly a century ago. In particular, when this watch is from Patek Philippe. In the early 1920s, the brand has just started the production of wrist chronographs, and this specific watch from 1924 is a perfect example of their lasting beauty. It was part of a production run of just 27 pieces, all equipped with a single-button chronograph movement. Sixteen of them were fitted with a so-called officers-case with double hinges.

Throwback Thursday: Rolex Ref. 6269 “Le Hibou Grand-Duc”

Gemstone set Daytona's made from precious metal are nothing new today, but in the 1980s, it was quite trailblazing for Rolex to offer its sports models in such a configuration. When you like that, it doesn't get much better than this Ref. 6269 "Le Hibou Grand-Duc." Made for the French market, it features on the caseback the French import marks and Rolex France's logo. Its name, meaning "the owl Grand Duke" is also inspired by the image shown in the French import mark.

Throwback Thursday: Patek Philippe Reference 3448 “Senza Luna”

To watch connoisseurs, the Patek Philippe reference 3448 needs no introduction. When launched in 1962, it became the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar powered by an automatic movement. It immediately also became one of the most beautiful, as even today, few other perpetual calendars can match the pure style of reference 3448. One of its most prominent features is the moon phase display, which is located at six o'clock, and surrounded by the dates, indicated by a hand. But not all reference 3448 have this feature, as some are "Senza Luna."

Throwback Thursday; Cartier Tank à Guichets

The history of Cartier is filled with many incredible watches, often in unique shapes. Over the years, many have become icons of 'La Maison' and gathered quite a few fans along the way. Others remain somewhat of a mystery, as they are so rare that they hardly ever come up for sale, and are often not more than a footnote in most books. This is also the case with the Tank à Guichets, with its novel way of indicating the time.

Throwback Thursday: The Patek Philippe Ref.1463

The Ref.1463 is a charming chronograph that Patek Philippe first introduced in 1940, and of which it made the last models in the late 1960s. With a diameter of 35mm is it small by today's standards, but considered quite sportive when conceived. This is also confirmed by the fact that Patek Philippe gave this reference a water-resistant case. It is also the only vintage chronograph model by the brand, featuring round pushers for the chronograph function.

Throwback Thursday: Heuer Autavia GMT

When people think of a vintage sports watch with a second timezone, the Rolex GMT-master is often one that comes to mind first. However, there have been more imposing sports watches with this complication, like the Heuer Autavia GMT. The one we have here is from around 1970 and part of the second generation of reference 2446, with its distinct red chronograph hand, larger registers, and fluted pushers.

Throwback Thursday: Patek Philippe ‘The Garrard’s 2497’

Not all watches are created equal, and this is even the case when we are talking about Patek Philippe. Among its rich history, does reference 2497 hold a special place. This perpetual calendar was launched in 1951, together with reference 2499, which also features a chronograph. It took over from reference 1526 and set itself apart from its predecessor by its more lavish and generous styled case, which has a diameter of 37mm.

Meet A Rare Giant: Rolex Ref. 4113 ‘Split-Seconds’

Some vintage watches hold the power to elevate your heartbeat whenever you see it. Such a watch is the Rolex Ref.4113' Split-Seconds.' Made in extremely limited numbers, with the one featured in this article leaving the Rolex manufacture in 1942, in the midst of World War II, it is a watch unlike any other. Many things contribute to its unique character, starting with the diameter of its stainless steel case, which is 44mm. For a watch made in the mid-1940s, this is not large but huge.

The ‘Waxing’ Appeal Of Vintage Moon Phase Watches

A display that tells the current phase of the moon is among one of the earliest complications that were added to a watch. In today's world, not many people have a particular need to know the exact phase of the moon, but in the past, it played a far more significant role in everyday life. While the importance of this complication has changed over the years, its appeal hasn't. Even on modern watches, a moon phase indicator is among one of the most popular complications, yet a vintage watch with this feature has an appeal of its own.

The Watch Before The Icon: Breguet’s First Ventures In Wristchronographs

With the Type XX is Breguet one of the very few watch brands that have an iconic chronograph in their stable. This watch did not appear out of the blue, as from 1935 on Breguet was already building its first wristwatches with chronographs. Later on, they would evolve into the Type XX, but even those early chronographs had a distinct appeal to them, like this model from 1938 proves.

Throwback Thursday: Rolex Reference 6062 Full Calendar

A Rolex with a moon phase is by any means something special. It is a complication that throughout its history they didn't make that many of. Reference 6062 is among them most certainly one of the more special, mainly because Rolex integrated quite a few features that were at the time not at all common to find in a single watch.