People Liberation Army (PLA) Chinese commander's watch

Collecting vintage watches need not be a "rich men's" hobby. These watches were from the 1950s-60s made specially for the military commander-in-chief. As such, these were People Liberation Army watches issuse by the Chinese military to the special priviledge few. These watches may not be "expensive" but it holds a special history which made it highly coolectable...for those who know..The More You know...the more you appreciate!

Vintage watch collection is about understanding what one is collecting!

Omega Moonphase

During the 80s, there were not many mechanical watches around as quartz were still the favourite then. This moonphase watches were considered "complicated" watch then..

This is a 1950s moonphase with month, day and date function and a small subsidiary second at the 6 oclock position.

: )

Square Moonphase

This is another of my favourite watch which I have found during my work and stay in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam in 1997. This watch was sold to me by a Viet Kieu nmed Ah Tong (returning Vietnamese from USA). The watch was from USA ..but later immigrated to Vietnam with the Viet Kieu bringing it back..Now the watch has settled in Singapore.

Most moonpase watch is round in shape but this is a Square one!

20th aniversary of watch collection (1998 - 2008)

Time flies very quickly!

I have been collecting vintage watches since 1988 when I was still in school. I remember vividly that I have to sell away my hi-fi system, and many other things to raise money to buy my vintage watch.

This moonphase has very special meaning as it was my first "expensive" vintage watch. It was expensive as I was a student then. I can still remember the joy of owning the watch and wearing it to University. Many of my school mates were wearing the then funky and latest Tag Heuer and everyone remembered the slogan "Don't Crack Under Pressure), while I was the only odd one out wearing a vintage 1950s watch.

This watch is still with me as it will have a special meaning in my heart! 20 years has passed! Within these 20 years, many things and people have changed. This watch still remain the same. When I brought the watch home, the watch was 40 years old. Now, the watch is 60 years old!

I am glad that after 20 years, vintage watch collection still continues to give me the joy and happiness! The joy of "searching and finding" is really beyond words can describe! Many of my friends have already given up the hobby ...and I hope my son JJ can pick up this hobby together!

BE happy! : )

Rolex Submariners

6200 - Original Submariner
Launched in 1953. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with an 8mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Submariner not printed on dial. Dial similar to Explorer style dials of same period. Non-Chronometer A296 movement with 18 Jewels. Larger case than the 6204 or 6205. Larger crown marked Brevet.
Updated in 1955. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with an 8mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Submariner printed on dial. Included the Mercedes hands. Non-Chronometer A296 movement with 18 Jewels. Larger case than the 6536 or 6538. Larger crown marked Brevet.

6204 - Launched in two versions
Launched in 1954. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with a 6mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Submariner printed on dial. Dial revised from 6200. Used the upgraded non-chronometer A260 movement with 18 Jewels. Smaller than the 6200.
Updated in 1954. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with a 6mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Model name "blacked-out." Non-Chronometer A260 movement with 18 Jewels. Smaller than the 6200

6205
Launched in 1954. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with a 6mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Model name not present on dial. Dial revised from 6200. Used the upgraded A260 movement. Same size as the 6204. Smaller than the 6200
Updated in 1955. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with 6mm crown. No crown guard however depth rating now printed on dial (white). Model name present on dial. A260 movement. Smaller than the 6200

6536
Launched in 1955. Upgrade of the 6205 model. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with the 8mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Submariner printed on dial. First time use of the Mercedes hands. Movement upgraded to the non-chronometer 1030 with 25 Jewels.
Updated in 1956. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with a 8mm crown. No crown guard however depth rating now printed on dial (white). Submariner also printed on dial. Non-Chronometer 1030 movement. First time Bezel contained markers for first 15 minutes.

6536/1
Launched in 1956. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with a 8mm crown. No crown guard with depth rating printed on dial (white). Model name also present on dial. Chronometer 1030 movement with 25 Jewels. Bezel with markers for first 15 minutes. Triangle on Bezel painted red.

6538
Launched in 1955. Upgrade of the 6204 model. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with the 6mm crown. No crown guard and no depth rating on dial. Model name present on dial. Used the upgraded A260 movement.
Updated in 1956. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with 8mm crown. No crown guard with depth rating printed on dial (white). Model name also present on dial. Upgraded to the 1030 movement. Case upgraded to same size as the 6200 (larger).
Updated in 1956. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with 8mm crown. No crown guard with depth rating printed on dial (white). Model name also present on dial. 'Officially Certified Chronometer' now painted on dial. 1030 movement.

5508
Launched in 1958. Upgrade to the 6536/1 model. Depth rated to 100m (330 ft) with 6mm crown. No crown guard and depth rating on always printed on dial. Model name printed on dial. Upgraded to the new Chronometer 1530 movement.
Updated in 1964. Luminous markers not enclosed by circular border.

5510
Launched in 1958. Upgrade to the 6200 model. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with the 8mm crown. No crown guard and depth rating printed on dial. Submariner printed on dial. New Chronometer 1530 movement.
Updated in 1964. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with the 8mm crown. No crown guard. Depth rating printed on dial. Printing on dial changed to white.

5512
Launched in 1959. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Depth rating printed on dial. Chronometer. 'Officially Certified Chronometer' printed on dial. Submariner printed on dial. New 1560 Chronometer movement.
Updated in 1965. Depth rating to 660 ft (200m) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Depth rating printed on dial. Superlative added to printing on dial.

5513 - James Bond Submariner (Live and Let Die)
Launched in 1962. Depth rated to 200m (660 ft) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Depth rating printed on dial. Non-Chronometer. 1530 movement. Dial marked with Swiss.
Updated in 1963. Depth rating to 660 ft (200m) with 8mm crown. Non-Chronometer 1520 movement. Swiss T<25 color="#000099">5517
Launched in 1971 for the British Marines. Depth rated to 660 ft (200m) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Crown with triple-lock. Bezel with 60 minute markers. Soldered strap bars. Large hour and minute hands. Large T printed above depth rating to indicate luminous material as tritium.

1680 (White Submariner and Red submariner)
Launched in 1966. Depth rated to 660 ft (200m) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Depth rating printed on dial. Chronometer. New 1575 Chronometer movement with Date. Raised and flat crystal. Submariner printed in red.
Updated in 1972. Depth rated to 660 ft (200m) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Crown with triple-lock. Depth rating printed on dial. Chronometer. 1675 Chronometer movement with Date. Raised and flat crystal. All dial lettering printed in white.

16800
Launched in 1982. Depth rated to 1000 ft (300m) with 8mm crown. Crown guard. Crown with triple-lock. Depth rating printed on dial. Chronometer. New 3085 Chronometer movement with Date. Low-profile sapphire crystal. All dial lettering printed in white