SPOTTED! BY AG: December 2018 – Holiday Edition

Andy Green

Wow, 2018 really got away from us. I mean, I can’t believe we’re just moments away from wrapping up one hell of a year. In between the expected December chaos, I spotted a couple of nice watches. Here they are.

Irwin’s Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Coke’

Irwin’s recently acquired Rolex GMT-Master reference 16710 from the late ’90s. Irwin always had a keen eye for vintage Rolex and is always on the hunt for the next piece. After letting a GMT-Master go to a family member many years ago, he’s always felt the urge to add one back into his collection. Luckily for him, this particular piece (with the full set) came up for sale locally — and here we are.

Bernard’s IWC Big Pilot Annual Calendar Edition ‘Antoine de Saint Exupéry’

Melbourne locals know Bernard (GM of Melbourne retailer Monards) for his supercars, which we often spot outside the office, covered in the livery of one of his watch brands. On this particular occasion, Bernard was sporting his IWC Big Pilot Annual Calendar Edition ‘Antoine de Saint Exupéry’, in red gold. This cult classic has quite the presence in the regular stainless steel edition, and even more in red gold. It’s always interesting to see which pieces retailers choose when they have the pick of the bunch!

Mick’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin (reference 15202)

Towards the end of the month, I popped in to visit Mick at his studio, where he quickly showed me one of his more recent pieces — an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin. Now, this isn’t his first Audemars — he’s had a couple over the years — but this is the one he feels best suited to. I have to agree with Mick here, the Extra-Thin is a fantastic iteration of Audemars Piguet’s current and iconic Royal Oak line-up, at a very wearable 39mm, with a stunning blue dial.

@St_Christophorus’ Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time

While attending my monthly ‘cars and coffee’, I spied this Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time (reference 5164A), belonging to car and watch collector St_Christophorus. Aside from being a huge Patek Philippe fan, the owner is quite the globetrotter, so the Aquanaut Travel Time also serves as a functional purchase. If you’re already following his account, you’ll be hard-pressed to work out which is his greater love: cars or watches (I think it’s cars).

Haoming’s Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle in Pink Gold

While attending the Leica Store opening in Melbourne, I spotted a stunning Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Manual-Winding, in gorgeous pink gold, on the wrist of the evening’s photographer (and fellow watch lover) Haoming Wang. At 38mm, this makes for a compelling dress watch and is really beautiful. If you want to see just how nice this looks on the wrist, head over to Haoming’s Instagram, where he shares his incredible watch photography.

That’s it for 2018. Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season. Till next time,

Andy