A couple of WIS mates popped round for dinner last night. There were a lot of nice watches changing hands, albeit there was always an unspoken intention to see if a couple of them might be suitable for a trade.
The one I was after is below, and is now mine (yay :)). It’s a stardust Triple 6 – marmite, I know, but highly prized amongst vintage Rolex collectors – and I really like it; although I have both the original and another black insert together with a virtually new bracelet this is how it’ll be worn… heat-treated insert and chestnut NATO. It’s quite something in the metal and whilst I don’t think I’ve managed yet to do it justice under the lens these will do for now. When the sun comes out, though…
And a few more in natural light…
My search for the perfect beater has been something of a perennial quest. After letting a Tuna go last year and missing it terribly I’d been hunting for another nice one for a couple of months, but they seem to be like hen’s teeth at the moment. I was actually on the verge of buying one from Seiya when someone listed his Marathon SAR for sale – a watch I’d been thinking seriously about since admiring some recent photos of it that I’d seen posted on TZ.
Some of the SAR range are a bit hefty for my liking, but the basic model is 41mm and has a relatively sterile dial. Like the Tuna they’re not easy to find, particularly as this particular one was discontinued quite a few years ago. It’s a solid, heavy piece of kit, but it’s also very comfortable on the wrist. Great bracelet too, and lume to read a book by.
When I first started collecting watches, I was fairly set in my ways and had a very clear preference for divers. Even then, however, I didn’t “get” the vintage Seikos with their big cases and asymmetrical designs. I thought they were crass and ugly, and something that I’d never want to strap onto my wrist. Oh, how things change…
I must have had about 10 of the things now, and every time I find myself without one I start scanning the net for potential acquisitions until I stumble across one that meets my very particular needs. The reference with the real history and heritage is the 6105, with it’s Vietnam military connection and the fame achieved through some nifty product placement on Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now. I’ve had a couple of beauties, but the one I really love is it’s successor – the 6309. Produced from 1976-1988, there were effectively two series; the first (and my favourite) having large cushion cases whilst the later models were substantially slimmed down. The former (6309-7040/7049, the slightly different references merely indicating the market for which they were produced) had it’s share of famous admirers too..
Anyway, I’m no Mick Jagger, but I’ve still just bagged my third (or fourth?) 6309. This one has replacement crystal and insert, although the originals came with the watch. The dial is perfect, the hands a 100% match in terms of both colour and luminosity and the case near mint after a light polish applied during service. I’ve ordered a couple of Zulu straps to wear it on and for now it’s looking pretty good on plain black. Oh, and I have a Z22 and super-oyster too, but I doubt I’ll use them.
I’m very happy with it. In fact, I’m beginning to think that it really is an addiction.
What’s your excuse?
Half Past The Hour 