Five Vintage Watches Coming Up At The Once Upon A Time Watch Project
Rago/Wright Presents The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation Benefit Auction
By Charlie Dunne
A few weeks back, I wrote about Pope Francis' Swatch watch coming to auction with all proceeds going to charity in the November 30th Once Upon A Time Watch Project by Rago/Wright and The Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation. The star timepiece is obviously the Holy Grail Swatch, however, I wanted to go through a few lots from the charitable auction that you may have missed.
Pope Francis's Swatch watch, Ref SR1130SW-GB743. Image credit: Wind Vintage
1) Vulcain Cricket Reference 305012 Formerly Owned By José Ferrer
Right out the gate, I’d like to share a watch that I am personally fond of. While getting to know Doug LaViolette and learning about his late and beloved son Brian, I felt compelled to donate a watch that I loved from my personal collection - a special Vulcain Cricket reference 305012. I’ve written about my obsession for the Vulcain Cricket on both my platform and Hodinkee, and over the last few years I have collected many examples. This early “waterproof” reference 305012 is one that certainly stands out amongst the Crickets I have come across.
The watch formerly belonged to Jose Ferrer who in 1949 would become the Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the film Joan of Arc. In 1951, Ferrer became the first Puerto Rican and Hispanic Academy Award winner for his performance in the 1950 film Cyrano de Bergerac. He was presented his Oscar by Helen Hayes and Fred Astaire over the telephone which was documented by the Academy. For this same role, he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Ferrer would go on be nominated by the Academy Awards again in the following year as Best Actor in a Leading Role in Moulin Rouge. During the same year at the 6th Annual Tony Awards, he would win both Best Actor-Play for The Shrike, as well as Outstanding Director for The Shrike and The Fourposter. His awards also include the following: Nominee for two Primetime Emmys, Nominee for an NYFCC Award, DGA Award, and BAFTA Film Award. In addition, he was awarded with a Star on the Walk of Fame.
The watch is from the late 1950s and features a gold plated case which has been left as is over the years. You can see slight discoloration on the surface and a few scratches, but ultimately it is one that remains in a very honest and collectable state. Beyond the provenance, I would say the dial is the best factor of the watch. It features the applied “V” logo, elongated dagger hour markers at 3, 6, 9, and 12, as well as a thin guilloche on the exterior of the dial. It is a very rare dial that I have only seen this on one other Cricket (also owned by Ferrer). Currently, the watch is bidding at $1,300. If you are a fellow alarm watch enthusiast looking to add an interesting Cricket to your collection, this may be one to keep an eye on.
See the full listing below:
2) Eterna 'Anatomic' Sevenday Donated by John Pietrasz
One of my personal favorites from the auction is an Eterna 'Anatomic' Sevenday. This watch was donated from John Pietrasz co-founder of Delray Watch Supply. When I had initially heard Pietrasz (better known as “John P”to viewers of his YouTube channel) would be donating a watch, I was excited to see what he had in his watch roll.
Upon seeing this Eterna-matic, I made it clear that I may have to go for this watch myself. I love the chalky blue dial surface and red accents. In addition, the grooved hour markers are a nice detail. The watch is fitted with its original bracelet and is in “mint” condition with the case back sticker still intact on the back. The case style is such a dated look, but I mean this in a good way. Watches like these epitomize the 60s-70s styles. Last night, the watch was at $125 and as of publishing the article it has climbed up to $200. This is still a great value buy, and I may have to try taking this one home as a replacement to my Cricket!
See the full listing below:
3) Seiko “Speed Timer” Chronograph Reference 6139-8002 Donated by Andrew Perez (founder of Astor + Banks)
I visited Chicago for the first time earlier this year, and while in there I met several collectors that represent why the the Chi is considered a standout city in the watch community. While catching up with a group of people huddled around talking watches, I met Andrew Perez. Upon noticing he was wearing a timepiece which was foreign to me, I asked if I could take a moment to check it out. After appreciating the case dimensions and dial, I would ask about the brand. I then learned he was in fact the founder of the Chicago-based watch company Astor + Banks. Immediately after learning about the Once Upon A Time Watch Project, Perez would donate a very cool 1970s Seiko to the auction. It is a Seiko “Speed Timer” chronograph reference 6139-8002, featuring a nice array of colors on the dial and hands. The watch dates to circa 1971 and the model was only available to the Japanese domestic market. The Seiko is currently at great price - only $350. For those who appreciate a clean vintage Seiko with a pop of color, this is still a steal.
See the full listing below:
In addition to his vintage Seiko, Perez has generously donated a brand new Astor + Banks 'Fortitude Lite’.
See the full listing below:
4) Vintage Rolex “Mosaic/Shantung” Dial Oyster Perpetual Reference 1002 Donated by Eric Wind
A few months back I wrote about the vintage Rolex Datejust reference 1603 with a blue “mosaic/shantung” dial. After posting it on Instagram, I received a ton of messages asking to purchase the watch. Unfortunately, it was not for sale as it was in Eric Wind’s personal collection. However, he did source a very similar watch which he is has donated to the charity auction. Hopefully, some of those individuals who reached out signed up on the newsletter.
It’s no secret I am a lover of the 36mm Oyster Perpetuals. When it comes to 34mm Oyster Perpetuals, it could be argued these represent some of the best value buys in Rolex. Not to mention there are an endless array of dial variants to find in 34mm models. While I am often partial to time-only, white dial watches, the blue “mosaic” is hard to deny. It can essentially go with any attire, and is not the typical Rolex you will see on everyone’s wrist. This particular example has a crisp, unpolished case, and puffy luminous plots. Upon seeing it a few months back, I knew it was going to be a favorite of mine in the auction. At the time of this article, it is 29 bids deep and $4,500.
See the full listing below:
5) Wittnauer Owned by WWII Paratrooper Sgt. Donald Jakeway
Watches with military provenance make up a major genre in the collecting scene, particularly timepieces that have seen combat. This particular Wittnaur will be something military watch enthusiasts will appreciate.
“Sergeant Donald Jakeway wore this Wittnauer military-issued watch throughout his time serving in the United States Army. It is the actual watch he wore when he parachuted on the outskirts of Sainte-Mère-Église, France at 12:20 a.m. on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Sergeant Jakeway went on to fight in Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge before being severely wounded. For his courage in combat, Sergeant Jakeway was awarded four Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, four Battle Stars, Jump Wings with two Stars, and the French Legion of Merit…This watch has been donated in honor and loving memory by his son, Don Jakeway Jr. As it turns out, the date of this Watches auction, November 30th, is the date that Sergeant Jakeway passed away in 2019.”
See the full listing below:
