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Wrist Impression - MB&F LM101

History - F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance

"First wrist impression" articles

De Bethune was founded in 2002 by David Zanetta, an Italian collector, and Denis Flageollet, a fourth-generation watchmaker, who started from scratch to write their own history...

Early De Bethune DB8 & DB10

Dials in natural stone began to be manufactured by Stern Frères in the early 1970s thanks to the development of the ultrasonic drilling technique...

Rolex Datejust Stone dials

"Knowing vintage watches is not a matter to be taken lightly, and generally speaking there are no good experts, only..."

Vintage watches at 41 Watch Geneva

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Rolex

Folding Clasp

Launched in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to simultaneously display the day and date through an opening in the dial. Rolex has never shied away from its association with influential personalities, including a number of presidents, which has earned this model its nickname.

With a diameter of 36mm, reference 1803 was produced from the early 1960s to 1977. It was the first generation of Day-Date to be produced for more than 15 years. The main feature of this model is its domed “Pie-pan” dial and domed Plexiglas crystal. This dial, rarer than the classic versions, does not feature tritium luminescent dots, indicating that this watch may have been intended for the Asian market. The solid hands also lack the tritium corresponding to the model's specificity.

The Rolex caliber 1555 has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours and is not equipped with the crown-operated quick-date system, a feature that appears with the following reference 18038 and caliber 3055.

The “President” bracelet fitted to this watch was introduced when the model was launched in 1956. 

On this particular model, the dial is “no lume”, i.e. there is no luminescent material on either the dial or the hands, indicating that this watch was intended for the Asian market.

As soon as this model was launched, Rolex offered a choice of 25 different languages for the day display, English being the most commonly used worldwide.

Silver

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Date

Discover this superb Rolex Day-Date 1803/8 No Lume available at our showroom in Geneva.

Day Date

Automatic

White gold

White Gold

Launched in 1956, the Day-Date was a pioneering timepiece, being the first watch to simultaneously display the day and date through an aperture on the dial. Rolex, known for its association with influential personalities, including many presidents, gave this model its nickname. Reference 18238, with a diameter of 36 mm, was produced from 1989 to 2000. 

Unlike the “pie-pan” dials of reference 1803, all 18238 dials are now flat. The introduction of a double function for quick date and day setting via the crown is a significant improvement for this reference. This technological improvement has been made possible by the new caliber 3155, which succeeds the previous-generation caliber 3055.

At the time of its release, Rolex offered a remarkable choice of 25 different languages for the day display, English being the most widespread language in the world.

This watch appears to have never been polished, and has been worn very little, given the oxidative patina on the case and bracelet. This superficial natural patina can be removed with a simple, light polishing on request. 

This watch is delivered with its box, original Rolex international warranty (sale date 1995), 2005 service warranty card and manuals.

Champagne

Discover this magnificent Rolex Day-Date 18238 full set 1995 available at our showroom in Geneva.

Manual

Certificate of origin

Warranty service card

Yellow gold

Yellow Gold

Omega

The OMEGA Speedmaster is a legendary watch, famous for its association with space exploration and its role as the first watch worn on the moon. Launched in 1957, the model has continued to evolve while retaining its timeless design and legendary precision.

To commemorate the anniversary of the OMEGA watch given to the astronauts in 1969 for the first moon landing, OMEGA has produced a limited edition Speedmaster, with only 1,014 pieces available. 

Crafted in 18K "Moonshine" gold, this commemorative watch features a vertically brushed dial with faceted onyx hour markers. Inspired by the original 1969 piece, it features burgundy accents on the ceramic bezel ring, caseback markings and movement.

On the back, the transparent caseback reveals the caliber 3861, equipped with a co-axial escapement and a 50-hour power reserve. The glass also features a ring on which a partial world map of the American continent and a domed lunar meteorite inlay are visible, faithfully representing the proportions of the Earth and Moon.

The watch comes complete with box, outer-box, Omega warranty cards, manual and presentation booklet.

Small second

Chronograph

Discover our brand new Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo 50th Anniversary 310.60.42.50.99.001 available at our showroom in Geneva.

Speedmaster

Outer box

International warranty card

Patek Philippe

Pin buckle

Introduced in 1932 with ref. 96, the Calatrava collection was designed in the spirit of the Bauhaus aesthetic, emphasizing simplicity, elegance and functionality. It is considered by many to be the most elegant and timeless classic watch ever created, distinguished by sleek dials, elegant hands and balanced cases. 

Ref. 5196, available from 2004 to 2022, takes up all the codes of its ancestors, with baton hour-markers, dauphine hands, small seconds and slim lugs, but features a 37mm-diameter case. Reference 5196J has an 18-carat yellow gold case (hence the designation "J" for yellow gold at Patek Philippe). 

The heart of the watch is the mechanical hand-wound Calibre 215 PS movement, which offers high precision and a 44-hour power reserve.

This model embodies the refined, timeless aesthetic of the Calatrava collection, making it the perfect choice for those who appreciate understated elegance.

The watch is available with a Patek Philippe archive extract (to follow).

Discover the Patek Philippe Calatrava model reference 5196J available at our showroom in Geneva.

Calatrava

Extract of the archives

Leather

The Oyster Perpetual collection is Rolex's most affordable line, renowned for its waterproof "Oyster" case and automatic "Perpetual" movement, guaranteeing exceptional precision and reliability. Introduced in 1926, the first water-resistant "Oyster" case gained notoriety in 1927 when English swimmer Mercedes Gleitze crossed the English Channel with a Rolex equipped with this revolutionary case. In 1931, Rolex launched its first automatic "Perpetual" movement.

Since then, the Oyster Perpetual collection has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of Rolex's most popular and iconic lines.

The model we present has a diameter of 36 mm, a yellow dial and a 3-link "Oyster" bracelet. This dial configuration was only produced for a year and a half, and discontinued in 2022.
It is equipped with caliber 3230, offering a chronometric precision of -2/+2 seconds per day and a power reserve of around 70 hours.

The watch comes complete with box, over-box, warranty card, manuals and tag.

Yellow

Discover this Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 Cadran Jaune available at our showroom in Geneva.

Oyster Perpetual

Stainless steel

Steel

The Oyster Perpetual collection is Rolex's most affordable line, renowned for its waterproof "Oyster" case and automatic "Perpetual" movement, guaranteeing exceptional precision and reliability. Introduced in 1926, the first water-resistant "Oyster" case gained notoriety in 1927 when English swimmer Mercedes Gleitze crossed the English Channel with a Rolex equipped with this revolutionary case. In 1931, Rolex launched its first automatic "Perpetual" movement.

Since then, the Oyster Perpetual collection has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of Rolex's most popular and iconic lines.

The model we present has a diameter of 36 mm, a green dial and a 3-link "Oyster" bracelet. It is equipped with caliber 3230, offering a chronometric precision of -2/+2 seconds per day and a power reserve of around 70 hours.

The watch is delivered complete with box, over-box, warranty card, manuals and tag.

Green

Discover this Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000 Green available at our showroom in Geneva.

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Early De Bethune DB8 & DB10

Rolex Datejust Stone dials

Vintage watches at 41 Watch Geneva

Our Complete Collection

Early De Bethune DB8 & DB10

Rolex Datejust Stone dials

Vintage watches at 41 Watch Geneva

Our Complete Collection

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Wrist Impression - MB&F LM101

History - F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance

"First wrist impression" articles