A revisited Post I did many moons ago, which was itself a revised Post from much earlier times, of an auction many years ago, when my watch collecting was still something new. And I’m Posting it here just as a reminder of the fun auction and watch collecting can be, even if you’re not mega rich, but you do have hopefully within your position in life, some modest goals and dreams.
Well, it was one of those days where you manage to do what you said you’d never do – and that’s impulse bidding at an auction. I mean there you are zeroing in on that little vintage model you’ve been after for ages, the estimate is just about do-able and you’ve got the cash in your pocket and Bam! Just your luck!
The bids are all of a sudden thick and fast, jumping between 5 or 6 damned phone lines and the floor bidders have suddenly woken up, to say the least – through the roof in fact and so far above your budget (stratospheric actually!) that you feel really quite inadequate – and completely out of your league. And before you know it, your day, so full of expectations is no more. Gone in a flash of someone else’s money and your item well out of reach – and just a silly, naive dream, as if . . . .
And then, just as you were about to go off for a shell-shocked sulk and a cup of coffee, the next item’s up – it’s been added to the auction – and, Hello? one that you’d never even noticed, such was your tunnel vision towards the previous one – and suddenly there’s this absolute gem – it’s there – right in front of you. . . . .
Wow! – I’ve been looking for any one of HIS – for ages! And the estimate is what? That’s not too bad you know – just maybe I could wing it and swing it! Then you think – oh oh, what’s wrong with it? Maybe it’s a “come and buy me” estimate to lead you on . . But no time to check it out . . . damn . . . . just typical!
Nothing much said in the description and that estimate seems awfully low, so big decision – do I take the chance?
And looking around I don’t see that anybody else has spotted it either, after the excitement of the one I missed. Half of them are still talking about the last one – so maybe. just maybe they haven’t seen it. After all, it was sandwiched between a series of big names, and that’s what most of the Dealers here were obviously snapping up – to resell at inflated big City prices.
You know the usual Omegas and Rolex’s (are they really that good?) and then Tag and the Muller – you get my drift. The inflated name game. But this one is just, well, sitting there, an addition to the published catalogue and almost hidden by the weight of the buzz names – so maybe . . . just maybe . . . .
Sod it! – I’ll have a go – what’s to lose? And this is a true collector’s illness – well I didn’t get the lot I came for, so I’ve saved money, haven’t I? So as I say, what’s to lose?
Well the first bid is just plain silly, derisory really and after that, it just creeps up. This, of course, in itself can be deceiving as it could suddenly take off, but sometimes, just sometimes it bombs and maybe without a reserve somebody gets themselves a real bargain. And that’s my hope here. So, wary of that possibility I quickly jump in don’t I – I mean it’s the obvious thing to do – because – you never know . . . and then after just a few bids and before you know it – it’s all over and the auctioneer is looking at the buyer, saying SOLD to . . . . . and I’m looking around like an idiot – SOLD to – as I catch his eye – Yes! it is – That’s MY number! – as I fumble with my auction “paddle” which was stuck in my jacket, ripping the pocket as I struggled to get hold of it and hold it up!
Wow! This is just so brilliant. I’ve just paid – HOW MUCH? (I can still hear the echo from my Wife’s shriek!) for something NOT on the menu and the auction is carrying on as if it never happened. Is this a dream or what? And was that my bank manager at the back of the auction house? Smirking as he turned away? I’m sure it was . . . . I never knew he even went to auctions . . .!
Anyway – it was no dream and you might just wonder what on earth I bought after all this excitement. Well here’s a clue or two . . . .
The watch was designed and signed by a guy who was perhaps one the best designers of watches – ever. In 1966 he designed the Universal Geneve Golden shadow range of watches, then in 1972 designed the Audemars Piquet Royal Oak and in 1976 the Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, then cases and dials of the Omega’s Constellations and
Seamasters. So quite a pedigree! He also contributed to the designs for the Ingéneur, The Pasha Cartier and the 222 Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Chopard, and so on and on . . . .
He had his own Watch Company from 1969 till 1998 and another from 2001 under a different name. All his watch models are quirky, unique and novel, very technical and high specification and often quite expensive. Octagonal cases he particularly liked and played around with, even producing a Mickey Mouse model or two just for fun.
My model is from circa 1995, so bang in the middle of his best production period – and it’s actually quite rare! There’s only a handful been sold at auctions in the last 10 years and this one changed hands twice before it got to me. I love it as it shows off his unique style and is a perfect introduction into the Genta world.
OK, the watch goes as soon as it’s touched – always a good sign. The quick date pusher works perfectly – OK. I also noted that I couldn’t figure out how to set the Alarm time tried the upper crown but without success. However managed to get instructions online and it was simple simple, so all OK. Read on further to find out how.
The case is in very good condition – a tiny dint in the sapphire glass – OK, a screw missing from the stainless steel back (should be six only 5) – OK and the original leather strap (with tolerable wear) and deployment is for a large wrist – OK. So, it all looks fixable . . . . . .Phew! Note – the missing screw has since been fitted.
So after all that – here are a few images of my impulse buy.
Stainless Automatic Alarm Calendar.
So, this is a Gerald Genta Bartolomeo Alarm Calendar watch with slate dial, gold filled numerals and markers, gold hour, minute and seconds hands plus a GG logo in gold on the red tipped Alarm pointer, which is on a central disc.
The Alarm function is by a central rotating disk and operated and set by the secondary capped 3 position Crown at between 1 & 2 o’clock.
The watch has an automatic Omega Cal. 980 19 jewel movement, so no winding required.
The time is set by the main/centre crown @3.
The mechanical Alarm is activated by upper crown(between 1 & 2) when pulled out one click. With the upper crown pulled out two clicks, it disengages the main crown from the hour and minute hands, which allows the main crown to set/move the Alarm pointer hand (disc) – in either direction. Pushing in the upper crown, re-engages the main crown to the hour and minute hands, as normal.
The alarm is as I said, mechanical and the sound is produced by a small hammer striking a gong attached to the movement. It is what I would call (and Omega said this too) a discrete sound and rather nice in comparison to the modern digital ones.
The watch (although automatic) can also be manually wound using the main crown.
Also of note is the fact this Alarm does not require winding – this is done automatically with the normal auto movement (one winding barrel suffices) and is operational again within an hour in normal wearing.
This is almost the same as the Omega Memomatic which shares the same 980 movement. The difference being the Memomatic has a second disc on the dial which indicates minutes, which allows it uniquely to be set precisely to the minute.
The clearly defined dial layout features a large Date aperture between 3 & 4 o’clock and there is a small quick set date adjuster, just below the 2 o’clock position on a small raised case mount, in the form of a small pusher.
The two piece slate dial has applied gilt luminous dot markers, with white minute markers plus gilt baton luminous filled hands. The bronze coloured bezel is secured with 4 screws. The crystal is Sapphire and slightly domed. The watch case is stainless steel, as is the back with said securing screws with the serial number & model details inscribed plus brand logo. The Gerard Genta logo is also featured on the red tipped Alarm pointer, which form part of the central slate disc on the dial.
The Gerald Genta original T bar leather strap has the original signed stainless steel double deployment clasp. Case diameter is 40mm ex. crowns. and 13mm thickness.
The very few previous auction sales I’ve seen for this model have been considerably higher, though metal specification obviously a factor. But I’m very happy I’ve got a bit of a bargain for what is a relatively rare model, so I’m really pleased with my impulse buy!
Gerald Genta watches are seen as an iconic brand and to actually have one is an unexpected surprise and a pleasure – and my Wife has forgiven me since she set eyes on it – she now likes it as much as I do.
Anyway, I suppose it’s all relevant – and whilst maybe a bargain, it was still quite expensive for me at the time.
But as my better half says, “Well you’re a watch collector dear. And we don’t want any old rubbish, do we?”
Update – The watch is still going strong and it never fails to make me smile when I pick it up after a dormant period (I don’t have winders) and it smoothly continues it’s seconds sweep, as if it was never idle. You don’t even have to waggle it a bit – nope – it just starts as you pick it up – what could be better?
Latest (April 2024) – I recently had the watch fully serviced – with a 2 year guarantee no less, no issues found and as good as it was when made – I am very pleased.
Watch space 