Why the "Olongapo" Stainless Steel Bracelets were born in the Philippines?

     
     Before the Americans left and transferred the use of their Naval Bases to the Philippine government in the early 90's, they left us with a  small "piece of history" on the watch bracelet making industry in Olongapo City. The Americans during their stay in Subic had started and popularized the use of Customized Olongapo Hand-Made Stainless Steel bracelets crafted by the artisans in Olongapo City. 

    According to my research, the first copies of Olongapo made bracelets were associated with Benrus Type I Divers watch and was later copied to other watches like Eternamatic Kontiki Super and Seiko divers because there were many Navy divers, Seals, members of the UDT (Underwater Demolition team) who trained  in  Subic Naval Base in Olongapo, Zambales, Philippines in the 70's and may have asked Olongapo silver craftsmen to make stainless steel bracelets for their diver watches upon seeing the ingenuity of the Filipinos on silver craftmanship. Each Olongapo stainless steel bracelet was hand made customarily for each fighter with the insignia of the unit they belonged to. 

    In my opinion, Olongapo bracelets were born because the US Navy fighters wanted a bracelet that could last longer than their leather and rubber bracelets. A simple idea that benefited during that time all the silver craftsmen of Olongapo City and helped thrive the small bracelet making industry in the province. 

    I am sharing in my possession an "Omega" Olongapo Stainless Steel Bracelet. This bracelet can fit a 6 inches wrist when wore together with the watch.

   Would any watch company in Switzerland make the "Olongapo Hand-Made" bracelets as their next inspiration for their next watch?

    I hope so. :)

Here are some examples of Olongapo Stainless Steel bracelets I have gathered over the internet.

Used on Eternamatic Kontiki Super Divers Watch

Used on Seiko Divers Watch

Used on Rolex GMT- Master 1675

Used on Benrus Type I

Happy Viewing!

Have you already seen a Grand Seiko SBGL109 Cal 9S67 Automatic Watch?

    When this Grand Seiko SBGL109 Caliber 9S67 Automatic Watch appeared in my page, I was amazed because I have never seen a Grand Seiko with a Power Reserve 72 Hour Indicator! Since I don't have a  picture of the back case, I immediately researched over the internet to gather more information on the watch. I saw a similar watch with a stainless steel band and the case back is see-through. I presumed the glass is sapphire. 

    I shared the picture of this watch because I believe that this watch is worth sharing. 

Photo taken from my fb wall.

     I love the way how the watch looks. The simple design of the dial is mysteriously attractive. It has the power to attract. This is a very beautiful GS created by Seiko that I have seen  so far. 

   Since no other country in Asia except for  Japan has dared to produce watches, I hope Seiko will continue to innovate and create more new mechanical timepieces in the future.

   

FS: 1919 S Buffalo Nickel Coin VF

     Honestly, I find it hard to write something new because of what's happening around the world now. A tragic onus just happened in Ukraine two days ago and I can empathize with the feelings of the victims relatives. I hope and pray that everything will be fine in the coming days. I feel tired of reading and watching any sad news.

     Now, I am posting a 1919 S Buffalo Nickel Coin for sale. The price is $80.00 Free Registered Shipping around the world. I accept Bank wire transfer only and no Paypal please. 

     On the year of 1919,  some events happened in America and I think the best thing happened was on February 26, 1919. There was an act of the United States Congress that establishes most of the Grand Canyon as a United States National Park.

Do you own a Swatch Watch when you were a teenager?

    During the late 80's, Swatch watch was introduced in the Philippines. I can vividly remember when Lea Salonga (Best Actress, Miss Saigon, Tony Awards) endorses and wears a Swatch watch during her TV show programs.  She would always say, "Thank you Swatch!" Back then,  Swatch was super popular among teenagers. Though being sold in the Philippines as a bit pricey compared to Japanese quartz watches, Swatch was selling like hotcakes!

    When I studied in Manila, I saved  some of my allowance to buy a Swatch watch. Most of my school mates wore Swatch. I wanted to be "IN", so I saved on money and bought one. My first ever Swatch was made of plastic. I forgot the design of the dial but it was "artsy". I later learned that Swatch connected with art. Swatch watches were inspired by popular culture and Swatch became a "canvass" for famous artists. 

    I took care my first Swatch. I wiped it with a clean soft cloth before I go to bed. I put it back on its plastic rectangular see-through case after I cleaned it.

    According to my research, Swatch was the answer to the losing market share of  Swiss watches during the 70's. Swiss watches dropped its market share from 50% to 15%. People were patronizing cheap quartz watches from Asia. Though cheap, the quartz watches from Asia tell accurate time. Even Swiss nationals are buying cheap quartz watches by the thousands! 

   The only problem with Swatch that I can remember is, you cannot replace the battery when the battery drains because the battery is inside the case. There is no way to open up the case. Once you try to open the case, you will damage the whole watch. But even if the Swatch battery only lasted for a year or less, it was worth buying a Swatch watch at that time.

All photos are from Swatch webpage.

   

Have you own one Swatch before? If not, it is not too late to own one.  :)

1819 SPAIN PHILIPPINES FERDIN VII 8 REALES SILVER COIN

     Here is an example an 1819 Spain Philippines Ferdin VII 8 Reales Silver Coin. This coin was struck a bit off center.

    During the Spanish colonization period of the Philippines, there were many uprising of the natives to overthrow the Spanish Government.  One uprising was undertaken on 1807, twelve years before the mintage of this coin in Lima, Peru. 

   According to Wikipedia,  in 1807, the Basi Revolt started from September 16 to 28, 1807. It is also known as the Ambaristo Revolt. It was led by Pedro Mateo and Salarogo Ambaristo (though some sources refer to a single person named Pedro Ambaristo), with its events occurring in the present-day town of Piddig in Ilocos Norte. This revolt is unique as it revolves around the Ilocanos' love for basi or sugarcane wine. In 1786, the Spanish colonial government expropriated the manufacture and sale of basi, effectively banning private manufacture of the wine, which was done before expropriation. Ilocanos were forced to buy from government stores. 

    However, wine-loving Ilocanos in Piddig rose in revolt on September 16, 1807, with the revolt spreading to nearby towns and with fighting lasting for weeks. Spanish led troops eventually quelled the revolt on September 28, 1807, albeit with much force and loss of life on the losing side. 

     A series of 14 paintings on the Basi Revolt by Esteban Pichay Villanueva are currently being displayed at  the Philippine National Museum  in Manila, to be later moved to a museum in Ilocos.

Where to find the Caliber 2483 Marking in your Vintage Rolex Tudor 7016 Submariner.

    Hi, Today is July 21, 2014 and Happy Monday to all of you! I am posting a very simple post. This post is intended for newbie Rolex Tudor Submariners collectors who wonder where to find the 2483 marking in the movement. It is located below the balance wheel. As far as I can remember, we took this ETA 25 jewels movement out of the watch because the dial was in a very poor condition. There were lots of bubbles on it and we cannot even read anymore even one single letter on the dial. I suspected that the tropical weather here in the Philippines has contributed to the damage of the dial. 

     Or the watch dial  has "some flaws" which deteriorates easily in a tropical country? 

     But if you have a Vintage Rolex Tudor Submariner 7016 with a very nice dial, keep it for long. That dial is a rare find! 

Explaining in my own litlle way on How a Panerai Luminor 8 Days Cal P.5000 Watch lasts its Power for 8 Days

    How many times have we wished that our hand wound watch will last its power for more than 3 days? Panerai has made a solution to that and not only to last the power reserve for 3 days, but for 8 days!  "How did Panerai do it?,"  you may ask. 

   

   I think the simple answer to that question is Innovation. Panerai people have a keen understanding of the basics of a hand wind movement and when they ask themselves, "What if?"  

   Then, Panerai made two Barrel Drums with thin coiled springs inside and put the two barrel drums in a watch and a Panerai Luminor 8 Days Cal P.5000 Watch  was born.

    This is how I understand on how the Caliber P.5000 movement works while looking at the picture below. While winding the watch, you are “winding two barrel drums”. While the “main” barrel drum is wind, it also winds the “secondary” barrel drum for power reserve. And when the “main” barrel drum loses power, the “secondary” barrel drum will come to the rescue and will be the one to supply power directly or indirectly to   the watch movement. Direct means that it will be the one responsible to supply the power to the movement or indirect means that it will wind the “main” barrel drum so that the “main” barrel will not lose power and will continuously supply power to the watch. 

    And you may ask another question, "Why 8 days?".  I think Panerai Marketing people were very much  involved in the making of this watch because 8 connotes Continuity. Please try writing the number 8 by overlapping it with your first writing for 3 times on a piece of paper and you will know what I am trying to say.  Thank you!

All Photos from Panerai Webpage

The two circular object in the middle are the two barrel drums.

Has a crown guard and a locking lever.

     Or the title should be. “Explaining to my own self in my own imagination on How a Panerai  Luminor 8 Days Cal P.5000 Watch movement works.  :) :) :) 

MOLTE GRAZIE!

Vintage 1972 Rolex USA Made Riveted C & I Bracelet used for 20mm Lugsize Old Sports Models

    I am sharing a Vintage 1972 Rolex USA Made  Riveted C &  I Bracelet used for 20mm Lugsize Old Sports Models. This bracelet looks like a 7206 at a glance, but it has some differences with the 7206 if you study it closely. This bracelet was made in the USA so that Rolex could save on money on their bracelet import taxes.

Only one side of a clasp blade is marked Rolex USA, Rolex Logo, C & I,  the month, and the year of manufacture. 

All the endpieces and the endlinks are not marked. 

This rivets are similar with a 7206 but the rivets ends are hollow. 

Happy Viewing!

1875 SPAIN PHILIPPINES 8 Reales B.H.MEXICAN SILVER COIN VF

I am sharing a photo of an 1875 Spain Philippines Mexican Silver Coin in VF Condition

   According to Wikipedia, three years after 1875, the Philippines had its First Official National Census and the total population at that time was around 5.6 million Filipinos.  In the year 1900, the estimated GDP per capita for the Philippines was $1,033.00 and that made the Philippines the second richest place in all of Asia, just a little behind Japan ($1,135.00), and far ahead of China ($652.00) or India ($625.00). 

Happy Viewing!

Biennale des Antiquaires ( Antiques & Arts Biennial ) is set on Sept. 11 to 21, 2014 at Paris, France

    If you are a lover of jewelries, the Antiques and Arts Biennial, will definitely please you as most jewelries with a pedigree will be on display starting on the 11th of  September  2014 up to the 21st. This fair is organized by the Syndicat National des Antiquairies  (French Antiques Dealers Association) and is to be held at the Galleru du Grand Palais Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris France.

    Piaget has announced to include on their sale this unique necklace from the 70's inspiration.

Photos from Piaget Webpage

Insider Tip: On the first day of sale, galleries usually set high prices on their jewelries but if the sale do not come, they often lower the price as the fair goes on. 

Event Type: Art and Design Trade Fair

Begins on: September 11, 2014 

Ends on: September 21, 2014

Address: Galerie du Grand Palais Avenue Winston Churchill

City: Paris

Country: France

Telephone:  +33 (1) 40 03 77 33

Website: http://www.bdafrance.eu/

If you are willing to attend the event, please book a plane, a bus, or a train ticket now to France.

Bon Voyage!

Men's Omega De Ville Caliber 1532 Quartz in Two Tone Wristwatch

    If you have read some of my posts, you will notice that I prefer buying and selling mechanical watches over battery operated watches. The main reason is, there is a wider availability of original mechanical parts than the quartz movement. Yes, there is an available replacement quartz movement for your broken quartz movement but is it an original swiss quartz movement? If that replacement quartz movement needs a servicing, will the store that carries the brand of your watch service it? I am pretty sure that the answer is no. 

    When I bought this watch, I told my technician to open the movement before I will decide to buy it. The watch quartz movement did not disappoint me. It is stamped Omega with the caliber number printed on it. 

We do not polish our watches because most of our buyers want that their watch remain unpolished.  The bezel is a solid 18 Karat Gold .

The bracelet can fit a 7 inches man's wrist. The clasp has an Omega logo stamped on it.

Both the outer and the inner side of the back case is signed.  The Omega quartz movement is in good condition.

The crown has an Omega logo 

Happy Viewing!

Vintage Women Baume et Mercier Stardust Wristwatch

    

    One of my older friends has a swiss ring watch and during one of his travels in Europe, he met a guy working for the company that manufactured the vintage ring watch and offered to buy the ring watch. The guy said that the timepiece would be placed in their watch museum. The offered price was tempting but my friend said no and kept the ring watch with him until now. 

   

   For me, I think its not about how complicated the watch movement is, or how sturdy the watch looks like, but I think its about how appealing a certain timepiece to the eyes of the buyer that would make a watch more marketable and profitable.

   This Vintage Women's Baume et Mercier Stardust Wristwatch with its triangle shape onyx dial  ( for me, it looks like a female ovary :) ) and surrounded by 138 diamonds is really a prize winning timepiece and is an example of how a watch company playfully shape their women's watches to make it so appealing to the eyes of women and maybe even men? This timepiece is not an ordinary work of art. The watch literally  exudes sexiness! :) :) :)

Photo from Baume et Mercier WebPage

   You can read more about Baume et Mercier History on this link: http://www.baume-et-mercier.com/en/b-m-world/history.html

FS: 1903 - 05 China Kwang - Tung Ten Cash Bronze Coin AU

I am sharing a 1903 - 05 China Kwang -Tung Ten Cash Bronze Coin in AU condition. 

This coin is still with me and I am selling it for $100, Registered Mail Shipping Worldwide included in the price.  :)

Please email me if you are interested to buy this coin. :)

Thanks for Viewing!

Rolex Tudor Submariner Year of Manufacture and the Corresponding Serial Number

   I am providing with a copy of the Rolex Tudor Submariner Year of Manufacture and the Corresponding Serial Number for your reference. I hope that this information will help you in searching for the collectible Rolex Tudor Submariner. You can have this printed and put it inside your wallet. :) 

Year.................... Serial (Earliest) 

1959.................... 27xxxx 

1960.................... 28xxxx 

1961.................... 34xxxx 

1962.................... 34xxxx 

1963.................... 39xxxx 

1964.................... 43xxxx 

1965.................... 43xxxx 

1966.................... 56xxxx 

1967.................... 59xxxx 

1968.................... 62xxxx 

1969*................... 68xxxx 

1970.................... 74xxxx 

1971.................... 75xxxx 

1972.................... 77xxxx 

1973*................... 79xxxx 

1974*................... 81xxxx 

1975*................... 83xxxx 

1976*................... 84xxxx 

1977.................... 86xxxx 

1978*................... 88xxxx 

1979*................... 90xxxx 

1980*................... 93xxxx 

1981*................... 95xxxx 

1982.................... 97xxxx 

1983*................... 98xxxx 

1984.................... 99xxxx 

1985.................... 14xxxx 

1986.................... 17xxxx 

1987*................... 19xxxx 

1988.................... 21xxxx 

1989.................... 26xxxx 

1990.................... B33xxxx 

1991*................... B36xxxx 

1992.................... B39xxxx 

1993.................... B50xxxx 

1994.................... B56xxxx 

1995.................... B59xxxx 

1996.................... B79xxxx 

1997.................... B85xxxx 

1998.................... B99xxxx 

1999.................... H13xxxx 

2000.................... H17xxxx 

2001*................... H24xxxx 

2002.................... H30xxxx 

Remarks : 

- (*) is the estimated figures only

- MN info is not included 

- O serial is not included

Vacheron Constantin Malte Collection Tonneau Shape in White Gold Wristwatch

      Vacheron Constantin has announced to the public that their Malte Collection Tonneau Shape in White Gold Wristwatch is out in the market. The newly launched watch model is available in Vacheron Constantin boutiques around the world and the watch is also available on their selected retailers worldwide.

Photos from Vacheron Constantin website

     Vacheron Constantin also opens a new boutique in Moscow, Russia. It is located at  Berlin House Petrovka Street 5 Moscow Russia. Please visit http://www.vacheron-constantin.com for more information.

1902 MEXICO UN PESO ZACATECAS F.Z. SILVER COIN XF

Here is an example of a 1902 Mexico Un Peso Zacatecas F.Z. Silver Coin in Extra Fine Condition.

    This coin was minted in Zacatecas, Mexico in 1902, 4 years after Spain ended its colonial rule over the Philippine archipelago.

Happy Viewing!

Hamilton Has Updated its Official Watch Page

     Hamilton has officially updated its Watch Page with the photo of a Hamilton Pan Europ Watch on it. If I am not mistaken, I think I sold one Vintage Hamilton Pan Europe watch before because when I saw this new Hamilton Pan Europ watch, it was like deja vu..

The Great American Watch lives on!

    What I can remember on the Vintage Hamilton Pan Europe that I sold years ago, was the date and day window  are located on the 6 o'clock hour marker.

Vintage Rolex Tudor 9315 Clasp used for Submariner and Sea - Dweller

      I am sharing for your reference a Vintage Rolex Tudor 9315 Clasp used for Submariner and Sea - Dweller. The clasp is used and has some scratches. This clasp was not polished.

Both blades are signed.

This clap is used for a Rolex Folded bracelet.

    When you are buying this clasp, please make sure that there is no repair at the end of the blade that connects with the buckle because it suggests that the blade IS ORIGINALLY CONNECTED with the buckle.

    Please also make sure that the end of the pin that connects the blade and the buckle has no repair and it suggests that the pin is original with the clasp.

    According to our record, this Vintage Rolex Tudor 9315 Clasp used for Submariner was shipped to the buyer from the United States of America. This post is only for reference. Thank you! :)