vintage pieces

WITH EXPERIENCE, COMES EXPERTISE

We have unique experience in buying, trading and selling estate jewellery. We have hundreds of previously owned items such as: diamond rings, gold coins, bracelets, earrings, pendants etc. Call or visit our store if there is a particular item you are looking for.

January 13, 2025

1998 Seamaster 120 quartz 36.5mm 2311.11.00 $1,950.00 CAD. 510-00202

Just like today, it’s the big sporty watches that get all the attention among luxury Swiss watch brands. There are some genuine bargains and interesting options you should consider for your first or next high quality watch. I remember these Seamaster 120s when they were new in the 1990s. They were the latest offering for a do it all design watch, but were usually overlooked in favor of the flashy “James Bond” Seamaster Professionals and Speedmaster Chronographs. Today seeing a Seamaster 120 is a rare event. They came with the exact movement (quartz or automatic) as the Professional 300 meter diver versions, but in a dressier watertight case resistant to almost 400 feet. The bracelet is same design as the James Bond series but instead of the bulky dive buckle with extension, the 120 came with a sliding locking buckle that integrated into the link pattern.  It’s a slick system that is well suited the the dressier style. Dressy yes, but don’t be fooled, this is still a rugged design that is up to almost any task. The treaded crown is protected from damage with stainless steel guards that partially wrap around. A threaded case back is protected with a thick O-ring compression gasket to keep moisture out. Likewise the domed sapphire crystal is secured with an interference fit nylon gasket. Thick case lugs and solid bracelet links capped coated with a thick seam of 18 karat that can survive multiple times being refinished and polished. The 120 measures 36.5mm in diameter, feels and wears much the same as a contemporary Rolex Datejust 36mm. Our example is powered by the Omega quartz calibre 1538. It features a 3 years battery life with an EOL “end of life” built into the circuit. This clever system pauses the second hand for four seconds then rapidly advances 5 seconds to warn you the battery needs changing. The movement showcases a surprisingly nice finish (for a quartz), 6 jewels for decreased wear and efficient power transfer through the wheels. The mechanism is renowned for accuracy and reliability. It’s common for these watches to go more than 20 years between servicing! We just popped in a fresh high quality silver oxide battery to get you off on the right foot. To our surprise the case back has never been etched with any form of prior service work. The polished bezel is made from a solid ring of rich 18 karat yellow gold. It shows some small impact marks from wear and tear. These minor imperfections can be polished away at the expense of some loss in gold weight. The beautiful champagne dial showcases the classic Seamaster wave pattern overtop a sunburst finish, with an additional concentric ring pattern under the applied hour markers, plus a full minute track of yet another subtle design. This is just about the most complicated dial we’ve ever seen before. The black skeleton hands offer good contrast with just a tiny bit of luminous pigment at each tip. When the hands overlap each other, both tips can be seen. There is just so much to appreciate in a watch like this. Omega no longer produce the Seamaster 2311.11.00 or any 120 meter models. The closest 18 karat and stainless steel quartz models are the De Ville and Constellation that retail at $8,400.00 and $8,700.00. These don’t come with a threaded crown/case back and offer little water-resistance. For more than 75% less you can have a rare and more capable watch that has been worn very little. The flexible link bracelet shows zero sag or stretch. Other than a light polishing of the bezel the watch retains its original finish. The watch is running perfectly and keeping excellent time. We are happy to provide the next owner with a complimentary 1-year warranty. Estate priced at $1,950.00 CAD. Stock #510-00202.

January 11, 2025

0.50ct. tw. SI1-G natural diamond anniversary ring, sz. 5 1/2, 14kt., 3.0gr., $750.00 CAD. 121-00246

A weak Canadian dollar, high inflation, and record high gold prices have made buying jewellery very expensive. Our estate selection is the best way to get combat high prices and receive waaaaaaay better value than buying new. When it comes time to marking a significant milestone or achievement, think about one of our estate pieces for yourself or someone you love. A traditional anniversary ring like this makes a perfect match for most diamond solitaires, wedding rings, and can easily be worn all by itself. We have many customers who use something like this as a holiday “stunt double”, to fill in for a more valuable ring when when on vacation. These rings or infinitely versatile and never go out of style. This ring is in excellent condition and likely dates from 2013 as it comes with a Gem Lab Appraisal Report dated April 29, 2013. It features a traditional channel set design containing 14 round brilliant cut natural diamonds of SI1-G quality estimated to weigh 0.50 carats in total weight. The 14 karat white gold ring weighs 3 grams in a finger size 5 1/2. The inside of the shank has been laser engraved “We Walk In Beauty”. This saying is thought to have originated with Native Americans as a concept of living in harmony with nature; a philosophy that emphasizes balance, connection, and respect for the earth, sky, and all life. This ring can be sized up or down but will interfere with the engraving. This classic anniversary ring is estate priced at just $750.00 CAD. Stock #121-00246.

 

January 10, 2025

2013 Breitling TransOcean A45310 43mm with box & papers. $4,900.00 CAD. 515-00100

Breitling’s TransOcean is not like their typical professional chronographs or diver styles. This is a far more traditional looking model with some vintage inspiration. It may be vintage in design but at 43mm diameter its size is very contemporary. The semi-matt black face makes it look a touch smaller,but don’t be fooled, this watch is all dial with a very thin bezel. Compared to a Rolex Datejust 41mm it does look large. A watch like this could easily be your daily with useful day to day features like full steel construction, sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 100 meters, luminous hands/markers, and infinitely flexible bracelet that feels more like a silky fabric. Even though it looks a mesh design, it has adjustable/removeable links plus four extra adjustments in the safety lock equipped buckle. The crosshair dial and flat bracelet end sections are what you’d expect to see on a 1950s-60s model. The ever so slightly domed crystal looks like an old school plastic design but is exceptionally harder, made from lab-grown sapphire with an anti-glare surface coating. Simple stick hands and markers with polished edges and luminous highlights make time interpretation easy in any lighting situation. Powering the TransOcean A45310 is the calibre 45 which has been upgraded from its ETA 2824 origin by Breitling’s watchmakers to certified chronometer accuracy standards. It features a day of the week and day of the month display with a power reserve of more than a day and a half. This watch comes with its full compliment of documentation, instructions, fully endorsed warranty papers, plus the original inner and outer box all in excellent condition. Our master watchmaker completed a full mechanical service to the watch in December of 2024 with excellent results. The watch is running better than new with a daily rate of just plus 2 seconds per day (positionally dependent), a balance wheel amplitude of 269 degrees, and a perfect beat error of zero milliseconds. It also passed a water-resistant test to over 300 feet without issue. The watch is in very good overall condition. The polished buckle shows scuffs and scratches that can easily be removed while you wait if you wish. Including our 1-year warranty the watch is estate priced at $4,900.00 CAD. Stock #515-00100.

January 9, 2025

Antique 2.10ct. I2-KL old European cut natural diamond $8,000.00 CAD. 191-00183

As jewellers, gemologists, goldsmiths, and designers, we celebrate the imperfections of Mother Nature. This would be a pretty boring profession if the only thing we were dealing with were perfect gems that were all cookie cutter examples of each other, where the last one was exactly the same as the next one. Natural flaws and imperfections spawn human creativity and inspiration, leading to innovative designs and new opportunities to feature something new. From a purely technical perspective there absolutely nothing perfect about this antique diamond, but we love it none the less. It was cut well over 100 years ago when the science of optics and the physics of light was in its infancy. Trial and error produced the evolution of this style of cut. It lacks the precise geometry of a perfectly cut modern round brilliant cut diamond but it shares all the key cutting details of a new diamond. It has the exact same number and position of facets on both the top and the bottom. All the rudimentary facet shapes are there, they only need to be manipulated in proportion to become a perfect modern diamond the same as the next one. The clarity has numerous feathers and crystals leading us to grade it an I2, although you may feel it looks better (especially in person) with its relatively clear centre section. The colour we have determined to be in the KL range but not the typical yellow to brown hue but more of an uncommon very slight grey tint. The cut and symmetry by modern standards is fair at best but that doesn’t mean it lacks brilliance and dispersion. Considering the age and generous weight of well over 2 carats this is a truly rare example of an antique diamond. Lab-grown diamonds are all the rage these days and are definitely an easy way out. If you don’t want to have a lot of skin in the game, our price for high quality lab-grown diamonds is close to 98% less than a natural diamond of the same quality. This image is of a currently available (January 6, 2025) 2.15 carat, VVS2-H, lab-grown diamond with an excellent cut, symmetry, polish, and no fluorescence, priced at $470.00 USD. We can order this diamond, or dozens exactly the same for less than $500.00 USD plus shipping. Don’t be fooled, you don’t have to pay many thousands for lab-grown diamonds if you source them through competitive independent jewellers like us. It this lab-grown diamond better than our estate antique natural diamond? Yes it is, but as a modern example of technology it leaves us cold, lacking emotion. It isn’t unique and its residual value is the same as any modern piece of mass produced technology. Our natural diamond from the later part of the 1800s has an outside diameter of 8mm (on average) and would make a great statement as the major component in an engagement ring or maybe a beautiful pendant. Our talented goldsmith/designers can create anything you can imagine or have seen before. This estate diamond is priced at $8,000.00 CAD. Stock #191-00183.

January 8, 2025

1.03ct. VVS2-E lab-grown diamond Noam Carver B264-01A (0.28ct. tw. SI-GH) 1.9gr. sz. 4.75. $2,000.00 CAD. 101-00553

Lab-grown diamonds have been inexpensive alternatives to natural diamonds for several years now. As personal relationships change, we are starting to see lab-grown diamonds return to the market as preowned engagement rings and other pieces of jewellery. The owners of lab-grown diamond jewellery are surprised and sometimes shocked to learn that lab-grown diamonds are worth next to nothing on the secondary market. The price of these created stones continues to drop as the technology used to make them matures and becomes ever more efficient. Many stores selling lab-grown diamonds take advantage of generous markups but do not buy back their jewellery, leaving the original consumer the task of selling the jewellery privately. This 14 karat white gold Noam Carver engagement ring (model #B264-01A) is only a few years old and is still a current offering on their website. Including 44 small natural diamonds of SI-GH quality it carries a retail price of $2,355.00 USD (not including a centre stone). Bill Le Boeuf Jewellers have been exclusive Noam Carver dealers for the Barrie area for many years. The award winning Montreal based designer produces some of the industries most popular designs. They offer a lifetime warranty on their rings including complimentary sizing. This lifetime warranty does not cover the centre stone or regular wear and tear. The oval lab-grown diamond in this ring is of exceptional quality. The International Gemological Institute (IGI) report in comes with describes the diamond of  VVS2 clarity, E colour, excellent polish, excellent symmetry, very good proportions, and no fluorescence. Looking at the same or better quality lab-grown diamonds on our database shows a retail price is only around $220.00 USD!!!! That’s right, the current replacement value of this diamond is just $220.00 USD for the same quality IGI graded lab-grown diamond. If you’re considering the purchase of any lab-grown diamond we urge to shop around for the best value. We’ve seen well over a 500% difference in price for the same lag-grown diamonds depending where you but them. A competitive independent jeweller can save you thousands on the purchase of a lab-grown diamond, we do it almost every day for our customers. This estate Noam Carver ring is decorated with accent diamonds running down both shoulders and on the gallery setting. It measures a smallish size 5 but can be made a little larger. It comes complete with its lifetime warranty card showing the ring’s unique serial number. The ring displays a couple years of wear but can easily be refinished to look like new. We’ve decided to leave it original and will polish and rhodium plate it as required for the next owner. The complete ring is estate priced at just $2,000.00 CAD. Stock #101-00522.