This is Hidden Gems, a feature I will do periodically on interesting watches that are available to buy. I’ll try to make sure all watches listed are still currently for sale, and I’m also going to try to stick to a loose theme. The theme this week? Gold.
This first watch is an icon in fashion and watches. It’s viewed by many as the ultimate dress watch. Famous wearers include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Clark Gable, and Andy Warhol to name a few. I love it because it’s one of the few watches that works just as well when worn by a man as a woman. This particular model is from Theo & Harris has a case measurement of 23mm x 32mm and a quartz movement. As far as watch icons go, the quartz Cartier Tank is the easiest entry point into the club. MSRP $2,110
Here we have a 1956 Rolex Datejust ‘Thunderbird’ Reference 6609 from the Hodinkee shop. This watch model has an interesting life cycle at Rolex. For one it no longer exists as a model in Rolex line up, and two it made the transition from a sports watch to a dress watch. This example is a solid gold dress watch with legitimate sports watch roots. It gets the nickname “Thunderbird” because this watch was the official watch of the U.S. Air Force “Thunderbirds” aerobatic squadron. Rolex even went as far as using the nickname in official Rolex marketing materials which was not very common then and not done at all now. This example is 36mm solid 18k gold with a jubilee bracelet (added after) and a Rolex self-winding caliber 1065 movement. MSRP $12,800
This is the Omega Speedmaster Tribute to Apollo XI Ref. BA 145.022 coming to us from Revolution. This is a solid gold version of the watch worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during their mission to the surface of the Moon. It was made to commemorate the momentous event and produced in limited numbers. An initial batch was given to the astronauts themselves, and 1,014 pieces were made for the public. Engraved on the case back is “THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON.” The Omega Speedmaster it turns out is still the first and only watch ever Flight-Qualified by NASA For All Manned Space Missions. This example is in really great condition and doesn’t come up for sale too often. MSRP $60,000
Mainplate & Bridge 