Personal Engraving on your watch - is it cool or not?

  

   Some Filipinos love to have their names or initial of their names engraved on their personal belongings like watches. Others have their watches engraved to solidify their love with their spouses, girlfriends, or boyfriends, to commemorate wedding anniversaries, etc. Honestly, In my experience, I find it hard to market a watch with a personal engraving. Well, it is another story if the engraving in the watch is a name of a famous person and the watch comes with a paper certifying that famous person is the owner of the watch. That watch will definitely sell fast. 

An example of a Personal engraving on the clasp of a bracelet

  I am not against on personal engravings but I have to protect my business. When watch traders buy a watch with a personal engraving on it, they will "strategize" on how to sell the watch. If the engravings are in the bracelet, they will only sell the "head" of the watch leaving behind the bracelet with them. If the engraving is in the outer side of a stainless steel back case or a gold plaque, they will gently polished off the engraving. If the case is solid gold, they will sell the movement and the dial and then melt the gold. 

 For me, being attached to things and to personalize them is not a very practical idea. If the time comes that you need to sell the watch with an engraving, the price that you are expecting will not be realized because the buyer will explain the side of his business. So, if you are planning to have your watches engraved, please think many times if it is really necessary.  

A example of a Rolex Cal 1600 Manual Winding Movement for your reference

   I am sharing an example of how a Rolex 1600 Manual Winding Movement looks like. This movement is used for a Vintage Rolex Cellini. The movement is in pristine condition and the balance wheel is perfectly rotating and supplying power to the movement.

                                                                   Happy Viewing!

The tale of my 3 Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 3 Gilt Dials and a Rolex Forum I love

   I never imagined that I would be including selling vintage watch parts in my watch buy and sell business. It all started when a watch technician offered me a vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675 Faded Pepsi  Bezel Insert.  Since the bezel did well in auction, I contacted some watch traders to bring me any of their vintage watch parts. An old watch technician came to my office and offered me 10 or more vintage Rolex Dials.  Among the 10 dials, 3 are Rolex GMT Master 1675 Gilt Dials! I consulted with someone who is knowledgeable with Rolex if the dials are all originals and when I got an affirmative answer, I bought the dials from the watch technician.  Before I listed  the dials for auction in a popular auction site, I researched on the dials over the internet to learn more of the dial because I am not a Rolex expert. My knowledge was limited to vintage Hamilton, Bulova, Elgin and Omega.  I apologized if I cannot share the pictures of the dials because I lost the file of the dial.

Vintage Rolex Submariner 5508 Chapter Ring Gilt Dial

I listed first the “best dial” among the 3 used Gilt dials. When the auction was over, I never expected the high bid price and my profit from the sale. I was overwhelmed by the result. I was so happy. Then, I waited for another week before I listed for auction the remaining two Gilt Dials. The two gilt GMT dials also sold very well in auction.  I think the old watch technician kept all the dials for a long time. Like me, he does not also know whether the dials would be sold.  The watch technician only knew that I was looking for vintage Rolex Parts from his friend.  We both win from the sale because the watch technician was able to sell his dials that he kept for a long time and I made profit when I listed and sold the dials.

   While I was searching some information on the net, I saw a site that discusses Rolex. From then on, I read mostly the thread comments on VRF wherein I learned A LOT of different things on Rolex. VRF is a forum for Rolex enthusiasts. There are many people in the forum that I have high respect.  Some people in VRF that I have high regard with are mostly Americans, a Swiss, and an Asian. I think the Asian guy is from Malaysia?  I will recommend to anyone who is interested to learn the beautiful world of Rolex by visiting the VRF site. 

     

Simple Tips for Newbie Watch Collectors on How to Inspect a Vintage Watch before buying it.

    When I started collecting and selling watches, I never had any idea on how to inspect a vintage watch because I only dealt with reputable vintage stores. But when I started going to Arrangue, I partnered with an old watch technician in Arrangue who checked the watches that I like. If you are a newbie watch collector, there is a big chance that some watch traders will definitely take advantage of you. I am sharing with you some simple tips on how to buy a vintage watch. Please read below my simple tips before buying a vintage watch.

Vintage Hamilton Asymmetrical Gold Plaque Case

1. Bring with you a watch loupe at all times. It is available in any watch store. Use the loupe to inspect the dial. Dials in good condition "sometimes" correlate with a good watch movement. If you are buying a vintage Omega, e.g. Seamaster or Pie Pan, use your loupe to see if the plastic cover is original. You can see a small Omega sign in the middle of the plastic cover. Inspect also the hands of the watch. Personally,  the watch hands are not a big issue for me even if the lumes have aged. If the watch has a bezel, check if it is functioning correctly.

2. Inspect the case using your loupe. Check if there are corrosion between the lugs. For Rolex watches, inspect the model number (located between the upper lug) and the serial number (located in the lower lug). Some Vintage Rolex Model and Serial Numbers have faded because of corrosion and sometimes the tightness of the endlinks somehow cut the numbers in half. If the numbers are not visible, drop the idea of buying the watch. Please also study the way Rolex engraved the model and the serial numbers. There are a lot of fake Rolex cases in the market.

3. Check the crown. Pull out the crown and check if it adjusts the time, the date, and the day calendars correctly. If the crown separates with the watch case after you pulled it out, ask a watch technician if it can be repaired. If you are buying a chronograph watch, check all the functions of the chronograph. Push the button on the upper right side above the crown. When you see the chrono hands start moving in a clockwise position, push the button located below the crown, if all the chrono hands return to zero, the chronograph is working properly. 

4. Shake the watch and open the back case with a small blade. For a Vintage Rolex, ask a watch technician (there are a lot of watch technicians in Arrangue) to open up the case, if you don't have the Rolex case opener. Inspect the balance wheel if it is rotating correctly. If the balance wheel wobbles, then there is a problem with the balance wheel. I don't buy watches with a balance wheel that wobbles. It is a big problem. When the watch is already opened, check for the markings on the back case first. For a vintage Rolex, you must have a "bible" for the serial numbers corresponding the year of manufacture because if you don't have it, some people will use your ignorance to their advantage. There are also other things to consider in buying a vintage Rolex like for example, the endpiece number (the thing that connects the watch case to the bracelet) should match with the endlinks and with the model number of the watch, the year engraved on the blade of the clasp should match with the production date of the watch, etc. I suggest that you read more on Rolex. For a vintage Omega watch, inspect the movement caliber number. The caliber should also matched the engravings on the inner side of the back case. Please research more on the caliber and the correct back cases of Omega. 

5. Ask the seller how much he wants for the watch. Trade professionally with the seller if you like to buy his watch. Offer a reasonable price. Do not offer a low ball price.

Vintage Rolex Datejust Two Tone Quickset Automatic Watch

   To old time collectors, please suggest if you want to add to my simple tips in buying a vintage watch so that the newbie collectors will learn from our experiences. Thank you!

Vintage 1961 Rolex Riveted Stretchable Stainless Steel Bracelet for 17MM Lugsize

     Hi guys, I am posting a 1961 Vintage Rolex Riveted Stretchable Stainless Steel Bracelet for 17MM Lugsize for your reference. This bracelet is rare. The stretch of the rivets is perfect but it has signs of wear.

The clasp has a Rolex Logo. Both the clasp and the rivets have no sign of a corrosion. 

The bracelet was made on the fourth quarter of 1961 thus the markings 4 61. 

Both endlinks are marked 63 and they fit a 17MM lugsize.

 Happy Viewing and Goodnight to Everyone!

My First Sale of a Rolex Part - Another Rolex GMT - Master 1675 Faded Pepsi Bezel Insert

     An old man offered me this Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675 Faded Pepsi Bezel Insert and I thought, "What will I do with this?" I searched over the internet and read some comments in a Rolex Forum. I learned from my research that this is an important item to a Rolex enthusiast.

Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675 Faded Bezel Insert

I took photos of this item and listed it on a popular auction site. I always scheduled my items to start at 10 o'clock in the evening (Philippine Time) so that my bidders from the USA, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, and other countries in Europe are not sleeping. When the bidding of this item has started, watchers for this item have increased from 2 to 30 in just an hour after the item became live in auction. As a seller, you know already that the item will sell and the bid price will go up in the seven days duration of the auction. Some people emailed me to buy this item and close the auction. With respect to other bidders and watchers, I politely declined all the offers. After seven days, the item was sold, paid through Paypal and we shipped it immediately.  I emailed the EMS tracking number to the buyer and after a few days, the buyer has given me a positive feedback.  I knew that this is my first ever sale of a GMT Pepsi Faded Bezel because I am very familiar with the background, which is the cover of my old notebook! Thank you to the buyer. Have a nice day to all my readers!

A Simple Recommendation to Bulova Watch Company :)

Vintage Bulova Digital Led Watch Cal 2281

     After our lunch today, I switched on the TV and watched the BBC Channel. I saw someone demonstrating an android smart watch to the BBC reporter. I immediately opened my laptop because an idea just popped out of my head.
    I will go straight to what I am thinking right now. I am challenging the Bulova Watch Company to make android smart watches. Why? Because Bulova pioneered in LED watchmaking. This is Bulova's advantage over the competition. They started producing "future" watches back in the day. This suggestion is not patented and Bulova can use my idea. Bulova can incorporate their "old world" case designs to the "new world" technology. I think it is super cool to see an Accutron case with an android smart technology on it. If Bulova will produce android smart watches soon, please make the price affordable and please include me in your mailing list so that I can save on money before the watches will go on sale. I will definitely buy one. And I hope I am making sense to everyone. 

Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines - a provincial trading place for gold, silver, coins, and vintage watches

     Most of the watch and coin traders who go and trade to Arrangue in Manila come from Apalit, Pampanga. These people travel the whole Luzon area or even the entire Philippines just to buy silver. gold, and watches. If you are familiar with "cold calling" from representatives of a call center company, these people are doing the same work but they do it personally. If you hear someone shouting outside your house, "Bumibili kami ng lumang alahas!" (We buy old jewelries!), these are the people that I am talking about. 

Vintage Omega Constellation Pie Pan Cal 551

They are making house to house calls. They will inquire in every household if the home owner has a broken jewelry, watch, and old coins. They carry with them a digital weighing scale and an acid solution to determine the weigh, the karat and the authenticity of the silver and gold. Since most Filipinos do not know the present value of gold, silver, and vintage watches, these people offer a meager amount to buy the items. After they bought the items, they will go to Arrangue or back to Apalit and sell their items. There are small makeshift stalls at the back of the Apalit Public Market where the trading of gold, silver, coins and watches happens. Like in Arrangue, everyday is a trading day in Apalit except on Sundays. In Apalit, do not entertain a trader near the stall of a certain buyer/seller because that stall owner/buyer will NEVER sell an item to you if he sees you buying items from their traders. Kindly ask the trader to go somewhere a bit far from stall owner buyers. These stall owner/buyers get the best collectible coin and watches because they are already well known personalities in the area and if they like you, they will invite you to their home where they kept the valued coins and watches. Trading in Apalit is safe. I never heard stories of pickpockets in the area. But just for your safety, always take care of your belongings. The dialect they use is Kapampangan but everybody speaks Tagalog and English. If you are a westerner, just blend in with the crowd. Memorize the different item prices in Apalit so that you will not buy an overpriced item. Please bring with you a trusted person so that he can converse with the locals easily. If you are planning to go to Apalit, and if you are using a car, use the Malolos Exit in the North Expressway and just drive straight to Apalit, Pampanga. But, if you are commuting, there are buses in Caloocan going to Apalit. Travel time is approximately 2 hours from Manila. Take care!

Vintage & used Rolex Submariner 16800 or 16610 Bezel Inserts

   

    I have earned $0.62 cents for the last seven days since I was approved in Adsense. I am happy because I earned something. I believed my earnings of $0.62 cents is already a big money because I really enjoy blogging. I love to write and I think this is the best medium for me to share my experiences and sometimes my thoughts. Thank you guys for reading my posts.

     Anyways, I am sharing again 2 Vintage and used Rolex Submariner 16800 or 16610 Bezel Inserts. Both bezel inserts have signs of wear and the pearls are missing.

This two bezels are still available for sale. 

Happy Viewing! :)

1841 Lima Peru 8 Reales Gs MB - a Dead Coin :(

 

    Coins are like people. Some exist. Coins with value outlive mankind history. Their worth steadily increases. They are being sought by collectors.

     And some are dead. One example of a dead coin is an 1841 Lima Peru 8 Reales GsMB. The value of this coin in low grade starts at a  thousand dollars but no collector I knew wants to buy this coin

I will find another coin worth keeping. :(

 

Vintage Rolex GMT - Master 1675 BLACK Faded Bezel Insert

     Good morning to everyone! Have you had your coffee already? Did you sleep well? For me, I had a very good sleep last night. It rained a little last night. I am sharing again a Vintage & Used Rolex GMT- Master 1675 BLACK Faded Bezel Insert. The bezel insert shows signs of wear.

This used and faded bezel insert was sold already a few years ago.

                 

Happy Viewing!

An Example of a Vintage Rolex Blade made in USA for a Two Tone Watch

     Before I will sleep, I will share with you an example of a Vintage Rolex Blade made in the USA for a Two Tone Watch for your reference.

                                                                  Happy Viewing!

Where to find Vintage Rolex Sports Watches & Vintage Omega Pie Pan Dials and Seamaster in Metro Manila, Philippines

     I was still working with a giant multinational pharmaceutical company in the Philippines when I decided to collect watches and coins. The year was 2004. During our company strategic meetings, we were billeted in a hotel. In one of the hotels that we were billeted in, there was a store of vintage watches and other collectible items. The store was near the left side elevator on the first floor of the hotel formerly named, Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel. The hotel is now named Sofitel Manila. The hotel is located inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines area complex. The vintage watch store has transferred to Shangri La Mall in Mandaluyong City when the new owners of the hotel took over.

Vintage Omega Seamaster Quartz Cal 1345

     I started visiting the store if I don't have work. I spent my Saturdays or Sundays going to the store and learning the different vintage watches being sold. My first purchased with the store is a Vintage Hamilton T20? in Gold Plaque Case. I lost the photo of the Hamilton. As far as my  mind can remember, it has a gold plaque case and the shape of the case is like of a half moon?  I eventually sold the Vintage Hamilton T20 in www.ebay.com and made a profit. After I earned profit from the Vintage Hamilton, my hunger to find another collectible but no so pricey watch has began. The rest, they say, is history.
    I started asking around and someone told me to go to Arranque in Manila. I must admit that I am not used of going to that area. I heard stories of criminals or pickpockets lurking in Arranque. But that did not deter me from exploring the place. I asked our young neighbor to accompany me. In Arrangue, you will really  meet different kinds of people and the SUPPLY of Vintage Omega Pie Pans, Seamasters, and Vintage Rolex Sports watches never ceases! Everyday is a trading day of watches, jewelries and coins in Arrangue. People of different backgrounds come to Arrangue to trade. I met a lawyer who trade watches in Arrangue. Whenever I see him on the street, I would always greet him with, " Hi, Attorney!"
   If you are a westerner and  you want  to buy watches in Arrangue, bring with you a watch technician. It is much safer. But before going to Arrangue, study the buying patterns of the buyers in Arrangue. Do not buy too low or too high so that you can get the best vintage watch being offered.
   And always be mindful of your wallet or bag at all times!
   Take care!

Rolex 3085 Movement used for Rolex Explorer II 16550 with Nipple Dial and Complete Set of Hands

     

    This Rolex 3085  Movement is also used for a new model of Rolex GMT-Master II. The condition of this 3085 Movement in near Mint Condition..

     This Rolex 3085 Movement comes with a Rolex Explorer II 16550 Nipple Dial and the complete set of Hands. The dial and the hands are also in near mint condition.

     This movement was sold to a gentleman from Italy. 

Happy Viewing!

Best coin to collect and earning a decent profit when you sell it

       Some Filipino coin collectors find it hard to earn a decent living selling their coins. The reason maybe is they lack the knowledge of what is the best coin to collect and eventually sell it. When I started collecting and selling coins, I focused on an area where most Filipinos do not. I started reading on American coins. I bought some reading materials on the price guide of American coins. I searched in the internet on how to grade American coins. American coins have a large following. It has an enormously huge market. Some Filipino readers would probably think that I am not a "nationalistic collector" because I focused more on American coins. America is part of Philippine history. We are colonized for half a century by the Americans. We used coins minted in the United States.
      In this post, I would like to share with you the price guide on American coins. This price guide is very outdated but I have used it as a guide to buy the coins. This is the link of the price guide,   http://web.stanford.edu/~clint/p/ .  You can also search the web on how Americans grade their coins. Unlike with the Spanish-Philippines coins,  Americans coins are graded accordingly. There is a detailed and published guide on how to grade American coins. You can search over the web the visual tips and information on identifying  a grade of a certain American coin.
     I have also noticed that there are a very few Filipino collectors who have less affinity with American coins. And if you focus now on collecting American circulated coins, chances are you can buy the coins at a price even lesser in the price guide that I have provided you with.
   One best way to sell your collectible American coins is to have them auctioned in the international site of www.ebay.com  Ebay has million of users. There are many buyers of coins, watches, jewelries and other collectible stuffs in Ebay. Inorder for you to earn in ebay, list only coins of higher grades not lesser than XF grades unless the coin is highly collectible even in a low or G4 (good) condition.
   I hope this post will help newbie Filipino Coin collectors who are still in quandary on what coins to buy and eventually earn a decent profit when the right time comes to sell them. And when the profit comes, use it to  pay your existing loan with with a bank/someone (if you have ) or your credit card bills.
   Goodluck!
 

USA 2005 Washington Quarter Coin 10% Struck Off Center BU

    I purchased this coin from a money exchange outlet in Manila in 2009. This USA 2005 Washington Quarter Coin 10% Struck Off Center is in BU condition.

     I am happy right now because one of the most respected auction houses in the world, Christies, has been placing an ad in any of my posts. I wonder if someone clicks on the ad. Hehe. But if by chance you see Christies ad, click on it, you might find the Rolex, Coin, Stamp, Painting, or anything with value that you are looking for. 

 Happy Viewing!

1936 US - Philippines Fifty 50 Centavo Silver Coin in Almost Uncirculated Condition

    This 1936 US-Philippines Fifty (50) Centavo Silver Coin in Uncirculated Condition is uncleaned. This coin is becoming rarer than the 1936 US-Philippine One Peso coin.

                                                                        Happy Viewing!

Vintage Rolex Solid Gold Crown with + sign can be used for GMT Solid Gold 6542 & Manila Yacht Club

         This is a used Vintage Rolex Solid Gold Crown with " + " sign. It has signs of wear.

       

         This Vintage Rolex Solid Gold Crown is maybe? as old as this restaurant inside the Manila Yacht             Club.

       
         This is the view when you are inside the restaurant in Manila Yacht Club. It was a cloudy day when we      had our lunch in the restaurant.

                                                                  Happy Viewing!

Vintage Rolex Stainless Steel Buckle

Hi, I am sharing photographs of a Vintage Rolex Stainless Steel Buckle for your reference.

It is signed Rolex SA Swiss Acierinox on the inner side.

This Vintage Stainless Steel Rolex Buckle fits a 16MM lugsize.

Vintage Rolex Stainless Steel Buckle

Hi, I am sharing photographs of a Vintage Rolex Stainless Steel Buckle for your reference.

It is signed Rolex SA Swiss Acierinox on the inner side.

This Vintage Stainless Steel Rolex Buckle fits a 16MM lugsize.

Begging for a Collectible Coin or a Rolex Spare Part in the street, Hilarious!

Please do not do this when you are in a dire need for a Collectible Coin or a Vintage Rolex Spare Part. :)

The photo is from my friend's wall in Facebook.

Vintage Rolex 7206 Rivet Endlink and 80 Endpiece used for Old Submariners & Filipinos being Funny

This Vintage Rolex 7206 Rivet Endlink and 80 Endpiece are used for Old Submariners.

This 80 endlink fits a 20MM lugsize. I have an experience wherein someone has sold to me a Rolex 80 endpiece but when we measured it, the ruler says 19MM. How on earth does an 80 endpiece become a 19MM? My technician told me that the owner has shortened the endpiece to fit it with his Rolex with a lugsize of 19MM. Filipinos are really funny people and I am a Filipino. :) :) The second photo is another example of how funny we are. I have seen westerners display sadness during the wake of their loved ones in photographs. But, we, Filipinos are different. Please see the photo below. I really do not know why we love to smile all the time! Ha ha!

But seriously, Filipinos are a peace loving people. Peace to all my beloved countrymen! :)

Vintage Rolex Small Tin Case

    If I have a highly collectible dial like that of a Rolex GMT-Master 6542 or its bakelite bezel, :) I would keep them in this Vintage Rolex small tin case for protection.

The case has a Rolex logo and signed Rolex.

Examples of Various Rolex Wallet Calendars & Booklets Cosmograph, Explorer, Yachtmaster, Submariner, GMT-Master

The Rolex Booklets and the wallet calendars are in good condition. The Rolex Wallet Calendar years are 1994-1995, 1996-1997, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006.

This is a very simple post and I hope you find my post a little useful. Have a meaningful and a blessed Sunday to everyone! Happy Viewing!

Various Examples of Vintage Rolex / Tudor Endpieces with Corresponding Endlinks e.g. 17 78350

    Hi guys!,  I attended a farewell party of a friend who is a young doctor leaving our province to work in Canada. Before passing the Board Exam for Medicine, my friend was already a registered and a practicing nurse here in the Philippines. He is going to work in Canada as a nurse to seek a greener pasture. He promised his family to take the Board Exam for Medicine in Canada after he is settled there for 2 years. I wish him good health, a hassle free travel and all the luck in the world! 

    Before going to bed, I am sharing with you some examples of Rolex / Tudor Endpieces with their corresponding endlinks and the lugsizes they fit.

This 361 B should has a folded endlink marked 7835 B 19. This one fits a Rolex Tudor 19MM lugsize.

The 557 endpiece has an endlink with 78350 19. This one fits a 19MM lugsize.

    This endpiece marked 50 is for a jubilee stainless steel endlink with no markings. This endpiece fits a 20MM lugsize.

This 562 endpiece has a 78350 17 folded endlink. This one fits a 17MM lugsize.

This 257 endpiece has a folded 7835 endlink. It fits a 19MM lugsize.