Watch Dandy

Just recently, at a well-known auction house, a Patek Philippe ref. 2526 first series was being offered for sale at what I thought was an unexpectedly low estimate. Surely the watch would use the estimate as a starting point and the bidding would jump accordingly. It was during the pre-sale viewing, with a loupe, that I found the reason for the low estimate. The dial was cracked: a hairline ran from the center all the way across to the marker at four o’clock. The dream was shattered once more. The value of the 2526 lies, to a large extent, in the condition of the dial. And there in lies the rub. Enamel dials are extremely difficult to manufacture and maintain. However, I have recently found something worrying for collectors who, like myself, would love to own a 2526 but are concerned about dial provenance and condition.

Hot on the heels of announcing that it is offering a legit certified pre-owned program, the fan-favorite independent watch maker F.P. Journe has announced a new limited edition Centigraph Souverain in titanium and rose gold. It is an unusual kind of commemorative watch in that it celebrates the tenth anniversary of each of the brand’s boutiques worldwide, and will continue to do so over the coming years as boutiques reach that milestone. Let us explain.

This week, Bring A Loupe presents some truly rare watches that you would be hard pressed to find at auction, or for that matter, anywhere. The Rolex Veriflat exemplifies such rarity, being an ultra-thin Rolex produced only through the late 1950s. The MultiChron Astronomic is another example of a complicated wristwatch, which is still flying under the radar nowadays. As for the Doxa T. Graph, its orange dial and unique handset immediately made it a crowd favorite – so much so that its Ebay listing was gone almost instantly. This is your Bring A Loupe for October 7, 2016.