May 18, 2024

2021 Rolex Daytona Cosmograph 116503 black dial 40mm $25,575.00 CAD. 505-00508

Sporting luxury chronographs make for some of the most collectible watches. Of the many Swiss chronographs available Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch and the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph are the most popular.  This two-tone 18 karat yellow gold and stainless Daytona blends sporting performance with a more sophisticated and versatile look for any occasion, especially with the preferred glossy black dial. It’s a formidable chronograph, a luxury piece of jewellery and a lifestyle statement all in one. The Daytona phenomenon isn’t new, although it’s more powerful now than ever. They’re the mythical Holy Grail watch for many collectors and have been difficult to find at Rolex agents for many decades now. On the secondary market, they’re more plentiful but costly; current models in stainless steel have asking prices twice what they sold for brand new. Vintage models from the 1960s and 70s can and do sell well into 6 figures. Even the upscale 18-karat gold and steel models like our latest example have a waiting list if you’d like a new one. This one is previously owned and has worn regularly since the it was purchased new from a Canadian authorized Rolex agent in the winter of 2021. It remains in its original condition although now it shows scuffs and scratches associated with regular use. It wouldn’t be difficult to polish the evidence of use away but we believe in the saying “it’s only original once”. Collectors are willing and expecting to see some signs of use but not abuse. We can easily refinish it to look like new in only a few days, but we’ll let the next owner decide if they want it refinished or left original. This model has recently been replaced with the very similar 126503 Daytona, now with contrasting champagne rings around the registers. The new model can be seen on the Rolex Canada website here. The 5-year international warranty will remain in effect until the winter of 2026. This version of the Dayton features the latest bracelet design with the integrated fliplock buckle and “easylink” micro extension for days when a bit more room is needed. Beating inside the 100-meter, water-resistant Oyster case is the fully in-house developed Rolex calibre 4130. This movement made its debut in the 2000 Daytona. In more than 100 years of history, this is Rolex’s first chronograph mechanism developed entirely within the corporation. They’ve pretty much always offered watches with stopwatch features but the mechanical components have always been supplied by other manufacturers. With the release of calibre 4130 Rolex finally freed themselves from production limitations imposed by other companies.  You’d think with the vast manufacturing capabilities of Rolex there shouldn’t be any problem meeting Daytona demand. Such is not the case; in fact, it’s become even more difficult to find a Daytona at your local Rolex boutique. The automatic Daytona has always had waiting lists. Since the new movement was introduced there is more demand than ever. We are offering this watch just above its suggested retail price, but significantly less than the average asking price for anything comparable on the secondary market, especially considering this is a 2021 model and still covered under the factory warranty. It comes complete with the original inner/outer boxes, instruction/service booklets, endorsed warranty card with holder, green plastic chronometer tag, cardboard product tag with model/serial number, white cardboard box sleeve, and even the foam box liner. Our estate price is $25,575.00 CAD. Stock #505-00508.

May 17, 2024

10kt. round box link diamond-cut chain with rhodium, 24-inch, 27.4 grams. $1,800.00 CAD. 431-00820

The variety of chain styles we encounter seem almost endless. We have never seen this particular design and don’t even know what to call it. Even trying to describe it is going to be a challenge. What we can tell you is it measures almost 3.2mm in diameter and consists of interlocking 4 segment links, with a diamond cut faceted pattern. It has been further enhanced with white rhodium giving it a sparkle like it was set with thousands of tiny diamonds. The round profile means it will never look twisted. It is quite substantial feeling with a substantial finished weight of 27.4 grams. At 24 inches long it will fit over most heads without the need to undo the large lobster clasp. The chain is suitable for either a gentleman or a lady, and can be worn with or without a pendant. It is in perfect condition and was only worn a few times according to the original owner. This unique necklace is estate priced at only $65.69 per gram for those of you who like to compare our value. Total price is $1,800.00 CAD. Stock #431-00820.

2017 Tag Heuer Jack Heuer Ltd. Ed. Autavia CBE2111 42.7mm $5,200.00 CAD. 520-00124.

Jack Heuer is the great-grandson of company founder Edouard Heuer, who established the company back in 1885. Jack Heuer was instrumental in designing one of the world’s most renowned wrist chronographs in 1963, the Carrera. The Autavia is a model that goes much further back into Heuer’s history. In the 1930s Heuer developed a dashboard timer that could be used both in automobiles as well as in aircraft. The name Autavia is derived from AUTomobile and AVIAtion. The Autavia moniker was revived in 1962 when Jack Heuer launched the first new watch while the company was under his direction. To celebrate the 85th anniversary of Jack’s birth, Tag Heuer introduced a limited-edition tribute watch that was highly influenced by the original 1962 version. The new edition was limited to just 1932 pieces worldwide. Our example is number 0825/1932. It was originally purchased at Birks Jewellers Canada. It has been lightly worn since that time in  responsible manner and maintains the original finish in our opinion. It displays some minor surface scratches on the buckle, case, and bracelet. The completely high polished finish can be fully restored within an hour by one of our onsite technicians if you wish. With a worldwide run of fewer than 2000 pieces, these watches were almost completely spoken for before they hit the showcases of authorized agents. A perfect condition 227-page hardcover book documenting the history of the Autavia is part of this limited edition package. This rare book is in perfect condition, its spine isn’t even creased. A book like this is a must for any vintage watch enthusiast. The watch is powered by Tag Heuer’s in-house manufactured Tag-Heuer calibre 02. This 33-jewel automatic winding certified chronometer mechanism has a generous 75-hour power reserve while running at an industry standard 28,800 cycles per hour. When this watch was available it carried a price of $6,050.00 in the U.S.A and $7,200.00 in Canada. We may never see another one of these rare watches again. Originally purchased through an authorized agent; this is not a grey market import, and not subject to import duties in Canada. The classic silver panda dial is beautiful with a radial sunburst finish. The hands and hour markers are treated with luminous pigment that is quite effective. I love the fact that this tribute to Jack and the Autavia comforms to the spirit of the original using only the old HEUER logo and not the more modern TAG HEUER on the dial, buckle, and crown. The Comes complete with all the original packaging, booklet, instructions, bill of sale for $7,200.00 plus tax, and even the outside cardboard box sleeve displaying style and serial number. This all-original, excellent condition estate example is priced at $5,500.00 CAD including our complimentary 1-year warranty. Stock #520-000124.

May 16, 2024

1.00ct. tw. SI1-J gents 14kt gold diamond ring, 18.9 grams, size 12. $2,400.00 CAD. 116-00098

Mass produced gents rings are never built like this one. With the price of gold at new all time highs, the basic commodity costs for material, make producing a quality ring like this for a reasonable price difficult. Add to that the cost of decent quality natural diamonds, a somewhat weak Canadian dollar and the price can easily balloon. If you are a big guy and need a larger size the problem is compounded because the shanks of production rings are usually super skinny to keep the price in line. No such problem with this custom made ring. It is a large finger size of 12, it weighs a heavyweight 18.9 grams, and contains 5 nice quality SI-J round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 1.00 carat in total, all cut to an excellent standard. The channel set stones are showcased in harder and more flattering white gold. The ring measures 8.9mm wide at the top and tapers only less than a millimeter to 8.1mm at the bottom, with a shank thickness of 2.1mm. This ring was handmade to last several lifetimes. It remains in excellent condition and shows no worn areas. You’d have a hard time producing a new ring of this weight and quality without any diamonds for our estate price. Add the 1.00 carat of natural diamonds and our estate price of just $2,400.00 is impossible to beat. The ring can be adjusted up or down a couple of sizes if needed. Stock #116-00098.

2.83 carat natural emerald & diamond (40=0.75ct. VS-G) ring, 5.8gr., sz. 7, $5,200.00 CAD. 206-00519

Regardless of price, its rare to see a decent quality emerald. The nature of emerald causes the vast majority of them to grow heavily included. Even semitransparent emerald is uncommon and finding one with decent colour at the same time is truly a rare occurrence. Our most recent estate emerald ring exhibits fantastic clarity with only minor inclusions, and very nice green colour; not too pale and not too dark. Emeralds are a specific variety of the mineral beryl. Two other popular beryl gems are aquamarine and morganite. Pure beryl is completely colourless, under the right conditions, beryl can form in almost any colour. If there is sufficient chromium in the natural environment when a beryl crystal is growing, mother nature produces a green emerald. Sometimes the colour is so pale you can hardly see any green and sometimes they are an opaque green that is overly saturated. This one turned out great. The oval faceted mixed cut measures a substantial 10.6mm x 8.8mm x 5.6mm and is conservatively estimated to weigh 2.87 carat. There is a good chance it weighs slightly over 3.00 carat but we’re not curious enough to pull it out of the setting to find out exactly. This rare stone shows not wear, scuffs, scratches, or nicks along the edges. It has been set in an premium quality 18 karat white and yellow gold setting containing 40 round brilliant cut diamonds. The bead set diamonds on the shoulders form a braided pattern. Yellow gold claws are very flattering to the rich green gem they secure. This ring remains in original condition. The warm hue, white gold alloy of the rest of the ring is beginning to show through the rhodium plating on areas where it is wearing through. We can apply a fresh rhodium plating after the ring size is adjusted if requested. The ring remains in its original unpolished form. Inside the shoulders is a decorative lattice design that keeps this large ring from becoming too top heavy, while at the same time offering easy cleaning access to the diamonds. Emeralds are more rare than diamonds and in exceptional quality are more expensive too. If you aren’t happy with the quality of your emerald, or you want a very nice one offering exceptional value, you need to see this beautiful ring. Estate priced at $5,200.00 CAD. Stock #206-00519.

SOLD