June 30, 2025

2021 Seiko Prospex Titanium Diver SNR029J1 44.8mm, $5,000.00 CAD. 501-00120 e14617

Seiko has roots in timekeeping dating back to 1881 when 21-year-old Kintaro Hattori set up a shop in Tokyo selling watches and clocks. A little over a decade later he set up a factory to produce his own clocks. Seiko has a history of innovation and technological achievement that rivals any of the traditional Swiss luxury watch manufacturers. The Seiko Prospex Titanium Diver SNR029J1 is a watch that showcases some of Seiko’s most innovative technology. Despite the immense variety of watches available, the vast majority can be classified into two categories: either automatic or quartz. Automatic watches run on mechanical energy generated by the movement of the wearer’s wrist which winds the mainspring then slowly, predictably releases power to the hands, through a series of gears to an oscillating balance wheel. Automatic watches don’t use an electric power source. They require cleaning/servicing every 5 to 10 years. An exceptionally well-tuned, high-end, fully adjusted, automatic watch can keep time with an accuracy of a few seconds per day. Quartz watches rely on a quartz crystal to keep time, which vibrates when an electric current is passed through it. In most quartz watches, the crystal will vibrate 32,768 times per second, which the circuit interprets to achieve an accuracy of +/- 1 second a day (often much better). The downside of quartz watches is that they need a battery or solar-charged capacitor to power the crystal and move the hands. The Grand Seiko “Spring Drive” movement takes the best aspects of both types of watches, using their “Tri-Synchro Regulator” technology. Like an automatic watch, its power comes entirely by the motion of the wearer’s wrist in the form of stored spring power that is slowly released. However, instead of powering a traditional escapement/balance wheel releasing power through a series of wheels and gears to the hands; the mechanical energy is used to power a tiny generator producing continuous electric current. This current first powers a quartz crystal, keeping time much more precisely than any mechanical balance wheel oscillating 4000 times slower ever could. The watch then compares the frequency of the quartz crystal with that of the spring drive glide wheel and uses the remaining current to apply a frictionless electromagnetic brake on the wheel to regulate its speed. The brake keeps the wheel perpetually spinning at a precise rate as determined by the quartz crystal. No battery to replace, no rechargeable capacitor to fail as with every other quartz watch including solar-powered watches. You get the best of both worlds: the accuracy of a quartz watch with the convenience and reliability of an automatic watch. There truly is no other watch in the world that even comes close to this level of ingenuity. Our latest estate watch comes from a Canadian authorized Seiko agent and was purchased in late January 2021. The Prospex diver is a serious watch. It comes with a water-resistance rating of 300 meters, a case size of 44.8mm diameter, and 15.8mm thick. It is certainly a large watch, but the mostly titanium construction keeps the weight down to a manageable 160 grams. The thick rotating bezel is easy to grasp and simple to rotate, as is the oversized 8mm screw-down crown. A double-locking, foldover clasp is equipped with a cleverly integrated extension allowing 2.5mm to over 30mm of extra bracelet length. A matt black dial is the epitome of legibility with thick hands and applied hour markers, all treated with Seiko’s proprietary luminous material that is equal or better than Super-LumiNova. Instead of highly polishing frames for all the hour markers, Seiko has micro-etched the 12,3,6, and 9 markers. The resulting reflections display subtle dispersion of rainbow interference colours. A sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective inner surface coating should keep the scratches at bay while providing perfect optics. This super hard crystal has been ground with a concave inner surface for better visibility at any angle underwater. A handy calendar and power scale display the 72-hour power reserve of the 5R65, 30 jewel movement. The watch is in very good condition, showing small scuffs and scratches but remaining in original unpolished/refinished condition. There are a few tool marks on the edge of a couple of links from a previous bracelet length adjustment. This is not a grey market watch, it comes complete with its original packaging, booklets, endorsed warranty card, and even the original price tag of $7,800.00 CAD. This model is still being produced and is shown on the Seiko website but now it has a retail price of $9,000.00 CAD. Our price for this carefully worn Spring Drive Professional is $5,000.00 CAD. Stock #501-00120 e14617.

June 29, 2025

2.50ct. black boulder opal ring. Custom made 14kt., size 6 1/2, 5.9 grams. $1,999.00 CAD. 206-00592

It’s been a while since we posted a colourful opal, so we thought we’d do it in style with an excellent example of a boulder opal with a very good play of colour in the green/blue range of hues. While not a true black opal, the appearance between black and boulder opal can over lap. Boulder opal are more valuable than common white opal and usually less expensive than a true black opal. Black opals are coloured by trace elements of iron and carbon causing the dark colour. Boulder opal can easily be spotted by a layer of solid dark brown ironstone that is intentionally left on the back of the stone to provide contrast to the body colour. The ironstone base of this opal is clearly through the back of the ring. Don’t confuse and don’t be confused by someone representing an assembled opal doublet or triplet as a natural black or boulder opal. By the measurements of 14.5mm x 8.2mm x 3.8mm and formula, we estimate this opal weights 2.50 carats. It displays an almost complete colour shift from medium purplish blue to a bright slightly yellowish green as the ring is moved. High quality opals have a life of their own and are captivating to observe. The swirling style ring is the perfect compliment for a colourful opal. The opal has been accented with a white gold crown setting on each shoulder containing what we believe are white quartz gems. 3.8mm natural diamonds would have provided more sparkle but would have added hundreds of dollars extra cost to the ring. We can add a couple of nice estate diamonds, leave the quartz in place, or remove them completely as this beautiful opal doesn’t need anything else to be the star of the show. The ring is well made and in very good condition. The opal remains in excellent condition displaying very good polish with no scratches. One of our onsite goldsmiths can adjust the fit as required up or down a finger size or two. This artistic custom creation is estate priced at $1,999.00 CAD. Stock #206-00592.

June 28, 2025

Ladies Rado Diastar Jubile 152.0488.3, 18.2mm, quartz, $900.00 CAD. 501-00378

Ceramic and other high-tech materials may be new features on many luxury watch brands but Rado has been using ceramic since 1986 and other super hard construction materials since the 1960s. The brand has some of the most distinct designs around. You definitely won’t mistake a Rado for a Rolex or Omega product. The rectangular case measures a uniform 18.2mm wide x 27.5mm from lug to lug, attached to a uniform width 15.1mm flexible link bracelet. The ceramic and titanium construction keeps the weight down to under 44 grams. Rado watches have a slightly edgy look compared to the many more mainstream conservative brands. Our example is in excellent condition. It shows like new old stock, not a single scratch anywhere on the case or bracelet. The simple glossy black dial is an exercise in simplicity. Just an hour and minute hand along with four diamond hour markers are available for time interpretation. The previous owner said the watch was never even worn. The jet black and chrome white links are completely blemish free along with the curved synthetic sapphire crystal. A double fold-over locking buckle is both secure and easy to operate by way of two spring loaded release buttons. In keeping with its high-tech nature, the watch is equipped with a low maintenance ultra precise Swiss quartz movement keeping excellent time. Including Bill Le Boeuf Jewellers 1-year warranty the watch is estate priced at just $900.00 CAD. Stock #501-00378.

June 27, 2025

Italian made, 5.75mm round link bracelet, 18 karat, 7 1/2″, 11.3 grams. $1,800.00 CAD. 431-00949

Loose link bracelets can be very difficult to put on by yourself, this is especially true if you’re trying to do up the clasp with your non dominant hand. A bracelet like this with no front, back, or sides is very easy to wear. The swivel clasp makes securing it closed easier than most, although it still make take a little practice. This high quality bracelet measures 5.75mm in diameter and 7 1/2 inches long. It was expertly crafted in Italy in premium 18 karat yellow gold by Stella Milano. No surprise of the Italian origin as the fit and finish are as good as it gets. The sturdy clasp is both easy to use, super strong and is actually be a focal point of the piece. Excellent condition looking unworn and estate priced at $1,800.00 CAD. Stock #431-00949.

June 26, 2025

1980 Rolex Submariner 1680 40mm with original box $14,000.00 CAD. 505-00610

Without doubt the Rolex Submariner is the most popular sports watch ever produced. It is also the most imitated and influenced almost every mainstream manufacturer to make their version of this classic among classics. We are so happy to present this rather rare example from 1980. This model marked a huge turning point in the timeline of Submariner models. It showcases a few for the model and many lasts for the iconic watch. To Rolex enthusiasts the biggest feature this watch debuted is a calendar function. This concession to utility waited until the Submariner had been in production for 16 years before making an appearance as an “upgraded” version of the no date Submariner. Submariners with and without date functions are still in production today. As less obvious detail of the 1680 Submariner is the hacking movement that enables the wearer to pause the seconds hand by by pulling out the crown to a coordinate time signal As far as the last of its kind are concerned there many with the 1680 compared to other Submariners. It is the last of the 4 digit reference numbers, last of the plastic crystals, last of the beautiful matte finish dials, last of the two way rotational bezels, last slow set calendar correction, last of the slow beat movements. Perhaps the most obscure of the details that make the 1680 Submariner a little distinct is the 6s and 9s printed on the date-ring do not form a closed character, they have a definite space between the vertical stroke and loop sections. We always seem to have an old Submariner in our everchanging estate collection but these 4 digit reference Submariner Date models almost never show up. This one is somewhat special to use because we sold it back in 2010. It remained with that owner until it was recently traded back in to us, looking exactly like it did close to 15 years ago. It still remains in fantastic condition for a 45 year old sports watch. We’ve seen many Submariners that are only a few years old that exhibit far more wear and tear than this example. The matte black dial with simple printed plots with white gold surrounds is 100%, the case and bracelet show minimal wear, the solid link Oyster bracelet is also in excellent condition displaying only minor sag with no stretch. It looks completely original except perhaps the fliplock buckle that is stamped with a V5 (1996) date code and 501B end links that may have come from a later version of the 93150 bracelet. Although there are no other documents besides our invoice from 2010 the box makes up for much of it. The original inner and outer boxes for the watch look like new. The previous owner’s of this watch did the right thing and didn’t store the watch in the box when not being worn. The box was likely set aside and left alone white the watch was being only occasionally worn. We feel the yellowed and frayed around the edges case-back sticker is original to the watch from 45 years ago. We are happy to provide a complimentary 1-year warranty for the next owner. This uncommon and very collectible Submariner 1680 is estate priced at $14,000.00 CAD. Stock #505-00601.

SOLD