What's Selling Here - November 30, 2023

By Charlie Dunne

In this week’s What’s Selling Here we have a number of amazing timepieces. The star of the show is most certainly the Paul Newman 6241. These Newmans have moved very quickly each time we’ve listed them over the past few months, so reach out fast if you are needing one! I am personally thrilled about the Memovox E 855 - my first vintage watch! It is a spectacular unpolished example with a great deal of patina on the dial and thick branding at 12 o’clock. On top of that, we have a super attractive “Claude Brasseur” Memovox Reference 875. This watch was worn by the actor in a French espionage film ‘il faut vivre dangereusement’. I watched the movie, and cannot tell you a thing about the plot - as I was unable to find a version with subtitles. If anyone wants to fill me in on what I missed, please reach out to me! We also have a beautiful Patek Philippe reference 3940 in yellow gold with box and papers. Eric and I have discussed this reference countless times at the office (along with the reference 3970) and I think these are among of my favorite complicated timepieces by Patek. On the affordable side, we have a super clean Damas that someone needs to pick up swiftly. It has a remarkable dial and super fresh case. It is a bit small, but packs a mighty punch! Two very interesting watches to mention are the OMEGA calibre 33.3 chronographs - both of which are 38mm in diameter. Take a moment to check these out as I don’t anticipate we will have many of these in the future.

Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Reference 6241 with Box

The vintage Rolex Daytonas garnering the nickname "Paul Newman" due to their exotic dials made by Singer with small boxes in the registers are some of the most iconic and desirable vintage watches that exist.

The present watch is one of the most desirable versions, a reference 6241 featuring a white dial with Mark 1 dial with oversized T SWISS T signature below 6:00. It features the original “Mark 1” acrylic bezel. There is a slight crack in bezel by 90.

The watch dates to circa 1968 and features a 1.76M serial number. The dial is in remarkable condition. The case is probably very lightly polished, but is in remarkable condition. The bracelet is probably original to the watch with the highly-desirable 71 end links. It is dated 1969, indicating the watch probably left the Rolex factory in 1969

We do not know the service history, but it is running well. The watch comes with box. It does not come with papers.

Patek Philippe Reference 3940J Unpolished with Box & Papers

The Patek Philippe reference 3940 perpetual calendar is one of the most elegant complicated timepieces one can find from any manufacturer. This particular example is in yellow gold featuring the later series dial. The dial is English and has beautiful serifs for the month and day abbreviati∂ons in the registers.

This watch features the thin self-winding calibre 240Q with microrotor. The case is 36mm. The case is unpolished.

The watch comes with box and papers. We do not know the service history, but it is running well.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox “Claude Brasseur” Reference 875.42.204 Unpolished

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox reference E 875 is one of my favorite Memovox references. The cases are really great with fantastic proportions at 37mm in diameter (or 45.5mm lug-to-lug). The case is unpolished. This example features the blue and white dial variant nicknamed by French Jaeger-LeCoultre collectors “Claude Brasseur” for its cameo on the actor’s wrist in ‘il faut vivre dangereusement’. The dial is in phenomenal condition and is super attractive.

The bottom right lug has a slight dent, but is still very attractive.

It features a high-beat calibre 916. For those with an appreciation for alarm watches and Jaeger-LeCoultre this is a phenomenal option.

It does not come with box and papers. An Extract from the Archives can be ordered.

Learn more about this watch in ‘A Collector’s Guide: Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Reference E 875’ by Charlie Dunne.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Reference E 855 Unpolished

Along with the Atmos clocks, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s advancements in alarm timepieces throughout the 20th century are certainly one of the most iconic genres from the Le Sentier manufacturer. Perhaps the quintessential Memovox is the reference E 855 from the 1960s. The reference’s “E” stands for Etanche, which indicates the case is a water-resistant model.

This example dates to circa the 1960s. The case is unpolished. The case measures 37mm in diameter and wears excellent. The dial has a beautiful patina, which I find very attractive.

The watch is powered by the calibre 825, the first automatic alarm wristwatch to incorporate the calendar complication. The movement is a bumper-automatic, which means it does not rotate a full 360 degrees. Instead, the oscillating weight will bounce back and forth between two spring sides within the movement.

The watch does not come with box. It does come with papers. We do not know the service history, but it is running well and keeping good time.

Damas Wristwatch Unpolished

This Damas is a super cool wristwatch. The dial is very attractive with a blue outer scale. The case is super crisp and unpolished. The watch is not a chronograph, but instead has continuous running center seconds, which can be stopped using the pusher at 2 o'clock and reset with the pusher at 4 o'clock.

The watch does not come with box. It does come with papers. We do not know the service history, but it is running well and keeping good time.

OMEGA Speedmaster Reference 2998-6

The OMEGA Speedmaster is certainly one of the most iconic watches with a truly rich history of exploration and sport. This is a super cool reference 2998-6 featuring warm luminous hour markers. The case has been polished and it is paired on a 7912 bracelet with 6 end links. The crown is a later example which has been replaced. The bezel has some wear. The lume is incredibly attractive and is super dreamy!

This watch does not include box and papers, has a manual-wind movement (Caliber 321 made by Lemania), and is 39.5mm in diameter.

To learn more about the OMEGA Speedmaster, you can read my ‘Reference Points: Understanding The OMEGA Speedmaster’ article and corresponding video.

OMEGA Calibre 33.3 Chronograph 38mm In Steel

This is am incredible and uncommon chronograph dating to the 1940s with an enhanced case. The case measures a massive 38mm in diameter and features a beautiful dial with applied hour markers. It is powered by the legendary OMEGA calibre 33.3. For those looking to add an outstanding timepiece to their collection, this is a great option. The case is lightly polished, but is very nice.

The watch does not come with box or papers. We do not know the service history, but it is running well.

OMEGA Chronograph 38mm In Steel

This is a very attractive and uncommon chronograph dating to the 1940s with an enhanced case. The case measures a massive 38mm in diameter and features a beautiful multi-scaled silvered dial. It is powered by the legendary OMEGA calibre 33.3. For those looking to add an incredible timepiece to their collection, this is a great option. The case is lightly polished, but is very nice.

The watch does not come with box or papers. We do not know the service history, but it is running well.

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Trilogy Enamel Dial 1/9 In 18k White Gold, 18k Rose Gold, And 18k Yellow Gold

This is a rare opportunity to acquire three important timepieces from the OMEGA Speedmaster trilogy. These watches feature the enamel dials and are in 18K cases of white, rose and yellow gold. The cases are unpolished.

The watches do not come with box or papers. We do not know the service history, but they are running well.

To learn more about the OMEGA Speedmaster, you can watch ‘Reference Points: Understanding The Entire Lineage Of The OMEGA Speedmaster’ video I made with Ben Clymer in 2015 (and corresponding article)

Tissot Visodate Unpolished

This Tissot Visodate is a super cool timepiece. It features a gold capped case in rose. The condition is very nice. It measures 35.5mm in diameter. It appears to be paired on the original strap and buckle.

This watch features the thin self-winding calibre 240Q with microrotor. The case is 36mm. The case is unpolished.

The watch does not come with box and papers. We do not know the service history, but it is running well.

Concord Saratoga Royale in 18K Yellow Gold Unpolished w/ Papers

This Concord Saratoga Royale is a super cool timepiece. The bracelet is phenomenal. Some may call it blasphemous, but I would argue it is superior to many of the top names’ offerings. The case is 18K yellow gold, It is unpolished and measures 35mm in diameter. It has a very nice and high quality bracelet.

The watch does not come with box. It does come with papers from 1996. The watch comes from the original owner. We do not know the service history, but it is running well.