Dr No
[Moderator Omega - Wristscan]
37671
2020 was the year of . . .
. . . the Dornblüth . . .
. . . in April, and the patina-from-heaven vintage Seamaster . . .
. . . in September. And until last week, I thought that would be it until 2021.
Then I saw this . . .
[seller's photo]
. . . on eBay. A perfect ca '44 Ω ref 2390 with a double-signature I'd never heard of, much less seen, before. A bit of research uncovered Bern retailer Rudolf Niklaus. A ref CK 988 chronograph with 'Rud Niklaus' double-signature was auctioned by Phillips three years ago; other than that, I could find only two others on the 'net, another Omega and a Tissot, both '40s vintage. In other words: uncommon. I certainly had never come across Niklaus before. Türler, Beyer, Cartier, Birks, a dozen others . . . but Niklaus was a revelation.
The listing revealed the movement wasn't operable, but I could tell it was otherwise intact, original, and unpolished. So I said to myself, "Tiffany . . .
. . . needs a brother - let's get her Rudolf!"
I started with a bid at the seller's floor, then progressively moved up to a point where I thought no one would follow. A few days before the auction was set to end, I had a long chat with our first Omega forum moderator, Bill Sohne. When I told him I was bidding on the Niklaus, he said, "That's a good one. I was just discussing it with a few of my pals - we all like it."
The auction was set to end Thursday evening. With maybe fourteen seconds left to go, someone outbid me. I tried raising another 10%, but to no avail.
😔
"Oh, well . . . win some, lose some."
But in my heart, I knew the chances of ever coming across another desirable Omega with that double-signature were going to be low. I was disappointed.
The next day, I checked my e-mails to find eBay was offering a second chance. Sensing a potential scam, I contacted the seller.
"The person who won the auction said he made a mistake and withdrew, so you're entitled to buy it at your highest bid."
😃
According to eBay, the earliest it can be delivered is December 24th. So yes, folks, there is a Santa Claus. At least at my house there is.
🎅🏻
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Wrist Scan for Friday 18th "December Horological Questions" is Open now!!
Hello friends! I will have the big pleasure of hosting this week end. I hope that in spite the troublesome year we are having making a very different year to keep old family traditions, we will manage to celebrate next Christmas and the arrival of New Yea...
Wow Spangles!! That’s a beautiful watch!!
I can imagine it is not easy to bear the waiting!! I wish it will arrive in time for Christmas! Have a nice weekend!! Cheers! Abel
I am speechless about the Frodsham London
Please post enough pictures when it arrives. GEO
We are pulling for you
But not so much that your new watch rips, laser welding the paper case is expensive and not invented yet
Thank you so much dear Tony !! I’m happy to know...
... you like my selection. Thank you so much for your warm and kind greetings and I send my best wishes and regards for you and your family as well. Be it with much joy and Good Health my dear friend! Abel
Dear Abel, it is going to be a wonderful wrist scan, despite all the difficulties of this year
Like you, I tend to wear the same watch for the special holidays: my Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean first generation 42mm It is special to me for several reasons: It was with me at my wedding, it was with me when my dear son Bruno was born, and I hope I wil...
Hello dear friend René: Thank you so much for your thoughtful post. Agree with you that these special days should serve to remind and thank for the many blessings we have received...
... whichever the religion or beliefs we profess we should take that in account. Regarding watches we are privileged in having several enough to be a dilemma which one to choose. A delightful dilemma I feel. You present here two great choices. The first s...
As always, you are very kind my friend
I will have to agree with you in everything, perhaps I missed wishing well to all our Purists friends regardless of beliefs and religion. It is very good that you mentioned it. Didn't you have an orange Planet Ocean if I remember well? I hope you can get ...
Thank you so much for your kind comments my dear René. I felt your good wishes went to all friends in our Community of course.
Yes, I still own the Orange PO. But the model you own has a different character as the indexes are not orange. A very "J. Bond" look. I guess I will get a good example sooner or later as as you well say they were very popular and many can be found in seco...
Great sentiment René ...
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is an excellent choice. I hope that you and your family have a great Christmas.
Thank you very much for your kind comment dear Cpt Scarlet!
I hope the same for you and your loved ones! Best. René
There will be tough competition
No doubt about it 1) this one, as it reflects in the most interesting way. Notice the lights reflecting on the dial vs the lights reflecting on the crystal. So much fun. 2) many on the horizon, but unlikely that with the current circumstances any will arr...
Hello Rrregulator! Thank you so much for your awesome shot! Your stunning Datograph shows such an interesting play of lights reflecting in both dial and crystal! Great capture!
As you well say Health is what really matters... a our biggest Treasure! Hope your expectations will arrive in time for the celebration but in any case they will arrive sooner or later. Have a beautiful and safe Holidays Season! Cheers! Abel
Thank you Abel!
You have set the scene well, giving us all a cozy feeling. I imagine we are all waiting for fun things to arrive, all the better to have things to look forward to.
My big pleasure Rrregulator! Thank you for your kind comments. I´m glad to know I could set the Xmas feeling in my opening and Yes, we are all waiting...
... for fun things to arrive and better times next year. It is good to have things to look forward to, specially for a safe New Year with much Good Health for Humankind. Have a nice Xmas Season and a great New Year 2021! Cheers! Abel
Beautiful Lange ....
I completely agree, health is the most important thing in life. I hope that you have a merry Christmas
Thank you for this additional shot Paullin! A RM is always an stunning presence on the wrist and these white straps add to its awesomeness. Very nice!
Enjoy it so much and in the best of good health and happiness! Best, Abel
Such a nice Star crowns your Christmas tree Paullin! Well played! The Reverso... a true classic! I see some other watches under the tree! You leave me wondering about them...
... ah! you make me feel curious about that arrangement. Lol! Thank you so much for your contribution and I send my best wishes. Merry Xmas! Abel
This is what I will wear during Christmas
But not the jeans of course. Have a great holiday season gents. Geo ...
Wow, wow, wow, thanks Nicolas!
Wishing you a great Christmas and New Year. Let's hope 2021 will be a little easier. GEO
Thank you so much Yacomino for your kind comments. Glad to know you liked the 931. It is really nice and the dial need to be seen in the metal to really appreciate it.
I´m specially fond of Cali dials and this is a very different offering to the other Cali Pams I own. Have a nice weekend and I look forward to know about your December watches and expectations for the Xmas tree if any. Best cordial regards, Abel
If I am not mistaken the Pam 931 has an older manual wind movement P3000...I wonder how it compares to the P4000 which is really pleasantly surprising me!
Yes can’t wait to get into the wrist can mode this weekend with this theme
Yes Yacomino, the 931 has same P3000 movement. I have no experience with the P4000 as no one of my Panerais got this movement. But I got several with P3000 and they proved to be ...
... very reliable and with the added comfort of allowing the independent action of the hour hand which is very nice feature to have. Most of my Panerai are manual winding and the P4000 (introduced in 2014) is an automatic micro rotor movement which offers...
Festive decisions 🎅 ...
Hello dear Abel and friends ! The big dilemma of choosing an special watch to wear on the nights of December 24th and 31st ,could change at the last minute but as things stand these are a few of the options. Happy Christmas to everyone. Best wishes The Ca...
Wow my dear Captain!! Looks like Santa advanced his visit this year!! Big Congrats my dear friend! I´m very happy for you getting this lovely new Snoopy in time for Xmas celebration.
This is a most charming model and I feel for the first time in my life as watch lover that I´m so excited for the back of a watch as much as for its front! I was told that my watch will arrive in about two months down here so I need to be very patient. I ...
Seasons greetings ...
With best wishes to you and to Mrs Subexplorer and your family. We are looking forward to seeing you in person and sharing some more good times with you in 2021 🥂 Best regards The Captain
Fabulously untool-like tool watches
Except for the edible one, it is a kitchen unto itself
Probably not in the stars for me. 😉
But, I’ll look forward to more photos of yours! 👍🏻
Dear Captain, I'm over the moon with your choices!
That Snoopy is very nice, and the back engraving is superb! or should I say painting? Would you mind sharing some close ups of the back? Best. René
Thank you René ...
The design detail is superb. I hope that you enjoy this one ... ...
I really appreciate your gesture, my friend!!!
It is really beautiful and well executed! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Happy holidays and enjoy your watches with your loved ones in good health! René
That is a good dilemma to have, my friend! Huge congrats again!
The Moonshine and the 321 are close choices too, I would guess Warmest regards
As for question Nr 2, no, no watches are expected for me, which will make, for the very first time in my collector's life, a virgin year for me. But I cannot complain.
As for question Nr One, well, it will be among theses ones... ...
A great HOLIDAY selection and the
Vacheron/Le Coultre is my special treat. Thanks for all you do here and looking forward to next year for sure. Best, Tim
That´s a great selection to celebrate next Holiday Season my dear Nicolas!! Spectacular watches all of them. You may rotate them for day and night use on the 24ths, 25th, 31st and 1st...
... because it is impossible to choose only one of them. You share them in all their glory in your superb photographs. As per your first time Virgin Year, this has been a complete madly different year my dear friend. I wish next 2021 will bring much Healt...
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