Hamilton PSR Reissue
The Pulsar Time Computer was the first commercial LED digital watch, and it created a firestorm with its red display. The gold version cost $2,100 or more than a Rolex at the time. Its short…
Up for Sale: One of Elvis Presley’s Favorite Watches & More Vintage Watches
This week in Found, our weekly roundup of cool vintage and pre-owned watches from around the internet, we’ve got an obscure but affordable Swiss automatic, one of the first Hamilton Ventura watches ever made and a strange but captivating 1960s skin diver watch for under $1K.
The Affordable Option: Cerberus DS Revue Thommen
Photo: Derek Dier
What We Like: If Revue Thommen is an obscure watchmaker, then Cerberus is even more so. Don’t worry about that too much, though — some otherwise great-looking vintage watches are priced well because they’re either too small for modern tastes or because of an unknown name on the dial. In this case, it’s the latter, but what’s important is that you’re getting a lot of the same quality and features as other Swiss-made automatic watches from the time. It has an elegantly simple case and dial with that ’70s sportiness, and at 42mm wide it’ll even fit those accustomed to more modern watch sizes.
From the Seller: Pristine original dial and screw-back case. The movement was cleaned and is accurately keeping time. The steel bracelet is even original to the watch.
The Icon: Hamilton Ventura
What We Like: There are a number of things that make the completely avant-garde Hamilton Ventura an iconic watch, including its association with Elvis Presley and its appearance in modern Hollywood movies. Most compelling, however, is that it represents a technological milestone as the first electric watch brought to market. This example is from that very first year of production, 1957 — and it’s even got “patent pending” on the dial.
From the Seller: The case is in fantastic condition overall showing normal wear consistent with age and use. Case back shows engraving that reads “Awarded to Martin Lennig for outstanding performance. General Electric. Breakthru 60.”
The Curveball: Vantage Sport Skin Diver
Photo: ThoseWatchGuys
What We Like: Vantage was a brand created by Hamilton to serve a lower price segment in the 1960s. This one has cool “skin diver” style and a manually wound movement, but it’s really the striking dial and handset that make this particular model stand out. And despite a somewhat banged-up bezel, it’ll wear well at 37.5mm wide.
From the Seller: The dial has some noticeable patina throughout. The case doesn’t show any plate loss. The movement was recently serviced & keeps great time.
These Are the 6 Watches We’re Obsessing Over in September 2019
As watch lovers, we spend our afternoons pitching, researching and writing stories, poring over the new timepieces coming in and out of our office, and hunting for deals on used and vintage pieces online. When a new watch comes across our radar, one that particularly resonates with our tastes, we can’t help but obsess over it. We talk about them, debate their relevance, orate on their greatness and rail against their faults. So, here’s a taste of that process — seven timepieces our watch-loving staff are obsessing over right at this very moment:
Bulgari Octo Finissimo
I have a Bulgari Octo in steel. It’s a great timepiece. Gerald Genta design cred with a touch of Italian flair and masculinity that only Bulgari can seem to pull off. It’s a sleeper steel watch. But damn if the Finissimo isn’t a watch I’ve become smitten with ever since it was released in 2017. Lately, I find myself falling in love with it again.
Our watch editor Oren and I have spiritedly debated the merits of this watch for some time now and I think I may have finally convinced him that the thinness and engineering merit respect, but here I am again gushing and he may edit this out, but I’m saying it anyway. The finissimo is titanium, svelte as an Italian Stiletto, and the triple-gray look just completely devastating. It may be the coolest titanium watch out there. Sure, I prefer my watches steel and on rubber or webbing, but the Finissimo makes me want to put on the black suit I own but rarely ever wear and whisk my wife away to a gala I rarely attend. –Eric Yang, Founder
Marathon General Purpose Mechanical
My interest has always been on the iconic pieces that have a story, particularly dress watches lately. But I was digging through some samples of Marathon watches and I’m certainly enjoying the General Purpose in Stainless Steel. Built to government specs for military issue, it’s got an ETA 2801 movement, tritium illumination, a sapphire crystal and a beautifully curved 315L stainless steel case. I’ve never been into military watches, but this one definitely has me thinking about them more than ever. –Brian Louie, Head of Commerce
Monta Atlas GMT
The Atlas is a perfect representative of what Monta does well and what has helped achieve its impressive rise. Namely: conservative, pragmatic tool watch design with a high level of finishing and refinement that is reminiscent of Rolex’s approach — though much more affordable and not mimicking its look. Getting to wear one recently, but only briefly, left me even more wowed by the value being offered and a lingering impression that won’t go away soon. –Zen Love, Associate Staff Writer
Patek Philippe Cataltrava ref. 2545
Though I’ve never been terribly attracted to yellow gold watches in general, I do own a few of them (two of which were my grandfather’s), as there’s really nothing that captures the platonic ideal of the dress watch, to my mind, more than a thin, yellow gold, handwound timepiece. This Calatrava from the mid-1950s is exactly that — a reference 2545 (cousin to the legendary ref. 96) with just enough patina to look make it looks properly worn, but not beat to shit. –Oren Hartov, Associate Editor
Hamilton X-Wind Auto Chrono
The sleek black watch face paired with a silver bezel looks excellent on an all-black band or brown leather band meaning it’s basically like two watches in one. Initially, the X-Wind Auto Chrono was intended for pilots to calculate crosswinds (hence the name) along their journey, but it works just as well on land as it does in the air. And while this watch would likely dwarf my wrist, it’s still lovely to look at. –Meg Lappe, Editorial Coordinator
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator 5235G-001
I don’t think there is anything more elegant than a regulator — typically marked by subdials for hours and running seconds with a centrally-anchored minute hand. While I am not typically drawn to Pateks, and certainly don’t need an annual calendar, there’s something about this 5235G that I find incredibly attractive; the blued steel hands, the simple, well-proportioned, two-tone dial marry with the 40.5mm case extremely well. Now, to find that $40K I left laying around… –Jacob Sotak, Content Director, Gear Patrol Store