Our latest visit to Vintage Watch Company in Burlington Arcade didn't disappoint...
Today we take another wonderful look into the world of vintage watches. With the sale of Paul Newman’s very own Paul Newman, the $1,000,000 Submariner and a Daniels pocket watch fetching £2 million, more eyes than ever are looking towards vintage watches. Naturally, Rolex is one of the main leaders in this segment both for price tag and attention.
The huge range of watches available at Vintage Watch Company - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
So, it probably comes as no surprise to hear whenever Ben and I are in London, we always make sure to swing by our friends at Vintage Watch Company (VWC) in Burlington Arcade to have a glance and quick hands-on with some of the rarest most desirable Rolex watches available today.
Burlington Arcade, Mayfair - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
David Silver and the VWC are on the eve of celebrating 25 years in the business of selling vintage Rolex in the heart of Mayfair London. Walking past the instantly recognisable shop window a few key examples instantly caught our attention as well as a few familiar military style watch straps.
With grail level watches on our mind, we headed inside to see David. Here’s our full photo gallery of the visit…
The Rolex Daytona 6263
The Rolex Daytona 6263 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
I don’t at the moment, but I’m sure at some point I will own a solid gold watch. There is something about them that feels so wrong, yet so, so right. This particular example is a fantastic one. Screw down pushers, clean black aluminium tachymeter and of course, the old school rivet oyster bracelet that tapers down to a crazy width at the buckle.
The Rolex Submariner 5513 Explorer Dial.
The Rolex Submariner 5513 Explorer Dial - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The ultimate Submariner right here. This is the reference number 5513 Explorer dial and its one that has clearly had a long life. The bezel is a fantastic grey fade, the dial, hands and lume all equally aged and, well it’s an explorer dial Submariner. What more is there to say? This is the end game when it comes to Submariners. If you’re looking to spend not far off 6 figures on a watch, you can definitely do worse. Give me one of these, my existing Submariner and a Big Crown and that’s my collection of Submariners complete.
The Rolex GMT Master Blueberry 5860
The Rolex GMT Master Blueberry 5860 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The GMT Master remains a pretty hot watch at the moment, helped even more so with the latest Batman GMT released at Baselworld 2019. As we’re talking about hot GMTs, it doesn’t get much hotter than the Blueberry. Made in very small numbers during the 70s, the all blue bezel was only available on special order and reserved mainly for the Eastern market and military forces.
A pretty cool sleeper Rolex that's reputation is very much under the radar when compared to similarly rare Rolex models.
The Rolex Submariner Big Crown 6568.
The Rolex Submariner Big Crown 6568 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
And there’s my Big Crown. Collection of Submariner’s complete! This is the 6568, which of course Bond famously wore in Goldfinger. It’s a dream example. Custard colour lume with hands to match perfectly faded bezel to a blue and a sharp case. This is one of the most elegant Submariner’s ever produced. Throw it on a pull-up leather watch strap in chocolate brown and you’re good to go.
Rolex Day Date Factory Diamonds.
Rolex Day Date Stella Dials and diamonds - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Three pretty crazy looking 80’s Day Date watches each with factory diamonds, each very unique and each insanely rare. I’d expect nothing less from VWC.
A range of Rolex watches on the ZULUDIVER military styles.
A range of Rolex watches on the ZULUDIVER military styles - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine [product ids="4328,3707,3118"]
If you’re in the market for a vintage Rolex and you’re in London, be sure to mention to David you’re a military style strap fan and you’ll end up with one of ours included, to really change the look.
A range of Rolex Submariner's on ZULUDIVER military style - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
As we leave David, he briefly tells us and shows us something pretty special he is working on at the moment. We don't want to say too much, all we will say is be sure to stay tuned to both David's Instagram and our Online Magazine...
A Rolex Submariner 5513 on ZULUDIVER military style - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
As always, if you’re in the market for a vintage Rolex and around Mayfair, whether it be a rare Big Crown or Daytona, or a timeless Datejust be sure to pop in and see David at Vintage Watch Company to get an exclusive hands-on look at some of the rarest Rolex models openly available on today’s market.
