Each week, we present a selection of our favorite watches from the pre-owned side of our collection. We photograph each one so that you get a closer look at what makes these watches so special. This week, we have a Tudor METAS Black Bay Black, a Rolex Turn-O-Graph, an Omega “Schumacher Racing” Speedmaster, a Patek Gondolo, and a green JLC Reverso Tribute.
Tudor Heritage Black Bay Ceramic 79210
This year at Watches & Wonders, Tudor unveiled its latest Master Chronometer watches, but today we are looking at the first: the Black Bay Ceramic with its black ceramic case, black dial, and black strap, with an exhibition caseback giving way to the METAS-certified movement inside. This watch takes the 41mm case sizing of the original black bay and modernizes it with this dark coloration that is only broken up by the markers and hands. You don’t see the Heritage Black Bay take a modern diversion too often in terms of aesthetics, but when it does, we get gems like this one.
Omega Speedmaster Reduced Michael Schumacher Racing Chronograph Limited Edition 3517.30.00
There are few things better than a Speedmaster sized under 42mm. It’s why the Speedmaster Reduced and the First Omega In Space were such beloved models. But it gets better when you can take that sizing and combine it with the model range’s historical ties to the world of auto racing. Enter this Michael Schumacher limited edition of 1,000. What you get is a silver, rally-flag style dial adorned with the classic Speedy racing orange flourishes which add a sporty, and non-NASA-related look and feel to a watch that was originally born to drive. You also get the closed, engraved, caseback celebrating the Schumacher collaboration here.
Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph Thunderbird 116264
The Rolex Turn-O-Graph, the Thunderbird. Whatever you choose to call it, this is the Rolex watch with the elapsed time bezel. Just check the history books. Over time, as the Submariner came into prominence, the Turn-O-Graph moved into the Datejust lineup and what we got through the years were some of the most inventive designs in the brand’s history. This watch is a Datejust in the sense that it says Datejust on the dial, and has the magnified date window. But it doesn’t have just any ordinary fluted bezel. No, this one is adorned with a dive-style timing scale and the bezel rotates making this watch the ultimate dress meets sports from the Crown. Too bad they don’t make these anymore, but the good news is that we have one right now.
Often when we think of a classic, non-round watch design, our brains focus on the Cartier Tank or the JLC Reverso. We’re here to divert your attention away from those watches and to the Patek Gondolo which brings a lot of that styling into a format unmatched in its execution. Looking at this watch, and you see it off the bat. The crisp, textured gold dial looks fantastic next to the subsidiary seconds sundial. The golden effect is then accentuated and punctuated by perfectly proportioned Breguet-style Arabic numerals which elevate the entire design of the watch and make it unmistakably Patek.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds Q3978430
Now that we have diverted your attention away from the JLC Reverso, it is time to turn your attention back to the JLC Reverso because a classic is a classic for a reason. And today we have a beautiful example of one of the most iconic watches on the planet. Today’s watch comes at the perfect time in the watch world as green, for all intents and purposes, is in. And this watch makes green look better than ever as the sunray finish takes the traditional dial layout of the Reverso and elevates it to a new modern format which works beautifully off the green of the strap. A bonus for this one is a gorgeous engraving when you turn the watch over. They call this a Reverso for a reason.
