For today’s edition of Pre-Owned Spotlight, I am going back to my vintage roots. You can take the watch geek out of the vintage boutique, but you cannot take the vintage boutique out of the watch geek. That doesn’t sound quite right, but you catch my drift.
I have decided to track down some vintage chronographs, money no object. I found the best US replica watches that would elevate even the best collections out there. So strap in — no best-value or affordable alternatives today, just amazing vintage chronos!
Rare vintage chronograph #1: Replica Rolex Oyster Chronograph 6034 “Pre-Daytona” Watches
Like RJ, I am not much of a Rolex Daytona guy. The design never quite clicked for me. Early ones, however, do speak to me. But what I like even more are high quality fake Rolex chronograph watches that predate the Daytona era, and here is a nice one. If it’s a rare vintage chronograph you’re after, this could be right up your alley.
This is the perfect replica Rolex ref. 6034 “Pre-Daytona” watches. Measuring 36mm wide and powered by the legendary caliber Valjoux 72, this is chronograph history in the metal (stainless steel, to be precise). Interestingly, these came in different variations. This one features fascinating dial printing. Have a look at how the printing of the sub-dial just runs straight through the main seconds track. It is completely messy by today’s standards. The cool thing, if you ask me, is that it makes you wonder how exactly these dials were printed. It is one of the things I love about vintage Swiss made copy watches; they trigger imaginary time-traveling bouts when you gaze at them.
This 1953 example comes on an original beads-of-rice bracelet. Yes, there was a time before the Oyster, Jubilee, and President trinity. It is offered here in the Netherlands by Amsterdam Vintage Watches. The price is a cool €45,000.
Rare vintage chronograph #3: Fake Breitling AVI ref. 765 Watches
The final rare vintage chronograph in today’s Pre-Owned Spotlight comes from Breitling. This is the famous 1:1 cheap replica Breitling AVI ref. 765 watches. If you feel the previous Lemania is too small, this AAA super clone watches, at 40mm wide, might work for you. Although it had its bezel replaced, the lume is, apparently, still original and beautifully colored. Importantly, the case has not been refinished, which is rare for a watch from 1961.
The 765 is interesting because it predates the famous Breguet Type 20. Apparently, in 1953, Breitling replica watches for sale was in negotiations with the French Air Force, but the deal fell through. The Breguet, Auricoste, Vixa, Dodane, and Airain chronographs that came a year later, in 1954, look a lot like the 765.
Again, this is typography Nirvana. You can clearly see that this was done by hand. Have a look at the 3s in each of the sub-dials. They are completely different. Similarly, we have a hooked 7 in the sub-dial and a straight 7 for the lumed hour marker. The same applies to the 5s. Ah, this really awakes the geek in me. This top fake watches is offered by Wind Vintage. The price is set at US$19,900.