Tag Archives: usedwatches

Cartier, Cartier Watches, Luxury Watches, Previously Enjoyed, Yellow Gold Watch

Cartier Santos 100 Yellow Gold

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Named after the Brazilian aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos-Dumont,
unnamed-7 (1)the Cartier Santos 100 took flight in 1904. Dumont was known for many things, one of them being his win of the Deutch de la Meurthe prize on a flight that rounded the Eiffel Tower. Dumont had expressed to his good friend, Louis Cartier, that he wanted to be able to check the time while flying. So, Cartier designed a watch inspired by his friendship with the famous aviator and created the everlasting design of the Santos.

What makes the design and style of the Santos 100 iconic is the unnamed-4 (1)curved edges of its dial and its exposed screw. It is a dress watch that broke away from the traditional Smallzie concept. It’s large, crisp and sits comfortably on most wrists do to its curved casing. It’s clean and oversized numerals make it easy to read and introduce a classic and distinctive dial to Cartier’s signature look.

Although the Santos was innovated and launched in the early 1900’s, because of its contemporary look, Cartier was able to maintain the classic design till this day. The Cartier Santos 100 is no longer in production and though there are many currently available  in the pre-owned market, I anticipate this watch will be an iconic piece and will maintain its value a century from now. Current estimated prices are depending on condition and if the watch comes with its original Cartier packaging and certificate of origin. Yellow gold as pictured is available for sale on our website for $15,950 . The Santos 100 is also available in stainless steel and steel and gold which can cost anywhere between $3,500 – $4,500.

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The double-sided folding clasp allows you to adjust the length of the strap from both sides, which enables the person wearing it to position the center of the clasp as they see fit. The Santos also fits comfortably under most sleeves. A couple things that are not ideal about the Santos 100 is that it does not illuminate, nor does it have a calendar feature on the dial.

On its centenary in 2004, Cartier also came out with the stainless steel version of this yellow gold beaut!

The pictured Santos 100 is circa 2010!

Automatic Watch, Chonograph Watch, IWC, Luxury Watches, Special Edition

IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galapagos

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The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galápagos Islands, with a black rubber coated case and strap, plays tribute to the International Watch Company’s partnership with the Charles Darwin Foundation. unnamed-1The CDF is an international non-profit scientific organization, working in the Galápagos Islands since 1959 under an agreement with the Government of Ecuador. Their mission is to work closely with government institutions, providing scientific knowledge and assistance to ensure the conservation of the Galápagos.

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago  in the Pacific Ocean, in Ecuador. It is considered the world’s supreme destination Galapagos-04for wild life viewing because its isolation is home to a diversity of plant and animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Its prominence derives from Charles Darwin’s visit n 1835. It is said that the island, and the species that call it home, were what inspired his theories of evolution, therefore its conservation is extremely significant to our civilization.

The matte black rubber that coats the stainless steel case is special to the Galápagos Edition because it is applied through an unnamedintricate vulcanization process, creating a connection between the watch and the island. Its case back also pays tribute to the Galápagos Islands and the species that inhabit it. What I love most about this watch, besides its unique storyline, is its practicality. It’s aesthetically slick while also being thin and easy to slip under a dress sleeve, for when you decide to go on your very own Galapagos adventure and then inconspicuously morph into James Bond for the evening. From air to sea, this watch will work for anything that life plans to throw your way!

The highlighted white accents on the dial make it very legible and unnamed-3easy to read, even when time gets away from us. The fit is
extremely comfortable and lightweight and the body is durable. My only concern is that I’m not sure how the case will wear over the years. Since it has the black rubber casing, I’m not sure what it will do to the look of said rubber after exposure to salt, sun and body acidity, but only time, and experience with this beauty, will tell.

Part of the proceeds from the sales of the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Galápagos Edition has gone to the Charles Darwin Foundation, essentially this IWC is commemorating the study of evolution and, at the same time, contributing to it. Safe to say that the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galápagos Islands is an evolutionary timepiece.

This watch is Previously Enjoyed and was last retailed for $6,900, but you can own it for just $4,250 today through Beverly Hills Watch Company.

BUY IT HERE!

44mm, AP, Audemars Piguet, Automatic Watch, Carbon Watch, Chonograph Watch, Previously Enjoyed

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Limited Edition Carbon 44MM

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Limited Edition Carbon 44MM

This Audemars Piguet is where the world of luxury watches and luxury race cars come together as one. Starting with its carbon fiber construction, which is also the omnipresent material in Formula One race cars and the material used in motorsports across the world, and ending with the mechanical and aesthetic resemblance.

Michael Schumacher, known as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, believes that the process of making a watch is much like the process of working on a race car. The most intricate details are significant because even the smallest functions have a cause, a connection and an effect.

The AP Grand Prix itself works like a race car, which is how it received its name. The dial reads like the instruments that are on the dashboard, the crown is the gear, and the bezel is the break disk. The rotor that controls the resilience of the race car is much like the rotors that are found within the AP, and the lug nuts on the wheels are much like the screws holding the watch together. When you pop open the hood of a race car and ogle the high performance engine, think of popping open the Audemars Piguet Grand Prix and admiring the movement of the chronograph.

Grand Prix of Long Beach, California
Grand Prix of Long Beach, California

The AP Grand Prix gets its name from the open-wheel race held on a street circuit in downtown Long Beach, California. It was the first race during each year of the World Series starting in 2004, but it was the premier circuit in Champ Car starting in 1996. Till this day, the Long Beach Grand Prix is the longest running major street race in North America, highlighting this AP’s technique, resilience and flair.

The forged carbon is extremely light. Originally made for aeronautics, the forging method had to be altered by AP to cater to molding smaller pieces. Over time, they have adjusted the technique of heating and cooling the molds to be able to create this beautiful luxury timepiece. In result the case has a glistening effect, a silky feel, and although large, chunky and masculine, the forged carbon allows the watch to stay nice and light.

The strap of the watch stays true to its motorsport origins. It’s made of Alcantara which is the same leather used inside race cars. Alcantara is made of 68% polyesters and 32% polyurethane, which mean that it is extremely durable and stain resistant. The look of the strap and its tactile feel is similar to that of suede, which people commonly misinterpret it as.

unnamed-1The look of the watch is sexy and sleek with its red and black carbon case. The characteristics of the dial flirt with the idea of speed and thrill seeking. The only downside of having a carbon fiber watch is that the carbon is very brittle and when banged around, the edges may start to wear down, and eventually crumble. If that does end up happening keep in mind that having to replace the case or bezel of this watch can be expensive, so wear it with care.

You can purchase the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix in either titanium, 18K rose gold or platinum. All three are limited edition and have a limited supply of 1,750 pieces, 650 pieces, and 75 pieces, respectively.

At the end of the day, if you are a luxury watch and a motorsport lover, this is the watch for you. Its core works like the core of a race car. Its body is made out of the same materials as a race car. Therefore, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Limited Edition Carbon is essentially, the race car of watches.

 

40mm, Automatic Watch, Chonograph Watch, Daytona, Previously Enjoyed, Rolex, White Gold

Rolex Daytona White Gold 40mm Slate Arabic Dial

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Rolex White Gold Daytona
Rolex White Gold Daytona 40mm

In 1965, the Rolex Daytona, which was named after the world capital of speed, brought on a new exotic style that introduced a distinctive dial to Rolex enthusiasts. Unlike other watches like Hublot, the Rolex Daytona has kept its classic style over the past five decades. Although the movement of the watch improves each year, when buying a Daytona, you can always depend on its consistency and its iconic look that is effortlessly recognized worldwide.

Last week, I took in a Rolex White Gold Daytona on trade, which was originally purchased new in December of 2014. Its 40mm case fits perfectly on a wide variety of wrists for both men and women. Although it has a versatile body, its ideal companion would be about a 6 to 7 and a half-inch wrist. The absence of the date window on this Daytona and the iconic magnifier that looms over it, also known as the Cyclops, gives the dial a cleaner and less cluttered look. Without the Cyclopes, the dial allows the watch to be used solely for what it’s made for; reading time. I always say that if you own a Daytona you don’t need to know the date.

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Rubber B The Red Devil Strap
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Rubber B The Jet Black Couture Strap

If a man were to acquire only one luxury watch in his entire lifetime, it should be a Rolex Daytona. Its versatility goes beyond other luxury timepieces, being the perfect piece to pair with flip-flops one day and dress shoes the next. It will also fit under most French cuffs and sleeves without giving you any unnecessary issues.

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Hand Made Charcoal Grau Custom Alligator With Red Stitching and Rubber Lining Strap

All luxury watches should be made with precious metals to signify their value and adoration, which this Daytona does. It’s made with 18K solid white gold. I love the slate white gold dial with Arabic numerals, but what highlight the Daytona perfectly are the red accents within the subdials. Also, the Arabic dial is not available in stainless steel, making it exclusive to white gold. It’s also produced in very small quantities, so although the demand for the white gold Arabic dial is high, the production of     this beautiful watch is low, making it rare.

You have the option to wear this watch with a strap or a bracelet. In this case, the Daytona is on a strap, but personally I like it best that way because I find it allows me to wear it with different looks. Above, I have changed up the straps and photographed them so that you can see the way the Daytona refashions itself to what works best for you and your style.

What’s incredible about this Daytona is that it’s Previously Enjoyed, which means that, although it may be a unique and extravagant piece, you can purchase it for under $17,000!

Automatic Watch, Chonograph Watch, Panerai, Stainless Steel Watch

Panerai Luminor Daylight PAM 00236

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unnamed-4It’s 1995 and Sylvester Stallone is walking through the streets of Rome when he spots his first Panerai sitting in the window of a small jewelry store. The watch that was initially designed for the Italian Marina Militare had been available to the civilian market for only two years before Stallone bought one for himself.

His Panerai became his companion during the filming of Daylight and his love for the watch only grew more over time. In fact, he loved it so much that he ordered a couple more for his friends, but this time he had his signature engraved in the case back, creating a special series based on the enterprise of Stallone. The series was called Slytech. Stallone’s love for Panerai hugely influenced the way the public saw the brand and so, he played a part in resurrecting it from the ashes. Stallone asked Panerai to create a limited edition watch called the Daylight, named after his film, followed by a personalized series of the Mare Nostrum. Today Panerai is a luxurious and respected watch that has flooded into watch stores and watch collector’s diverse collections.

If you are looking for a watch with character and a masculine and solid spirit, then like Stallone, the Panerai Luminor Daylight Chronograph is the watch for you!

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If I were to compare the Luminor Daylight to any other luxury watch, it would be the Rolex Deepsea, which is not surprising since Panerai was designed and manufactured by Rolex, who also played a part in assisting the scuba diving tactical teams from the Decima Flottiglia MAS operation during World War II. The Luminor Daylight doesn’t go down to advanced depths the way the Rolex Deepsea does, but unless you’re a frogman in the middle of a war or dive beyond 100 feet for pleasure, I don’t think it should be a problem.

unnamed-1As far as aesthetics, I find the wide bracelet and matt finish cool and practical. I like the matted dial because it eliminates any glare, making the face crisp and easier to read. To be completely honest, I don’t believe that the Panerai is really a chronograph brand. Its look and style is more classic and traditional, as apposed to the complexity a chronograph usually offers.

The great thing about the Panerai Luminor Daylight Chronograph is that it’s not ridiculously expensive for such a beautiful and respected watch. The brand and the look of the watch will still strike admiration in the eyes of watch lovers and collectors worldwide. So, being able to buy a Previously Enjoyed Panerai Luminor Daylight Chronograph that will cost you under $7,000 is practically a steal!