<p>We promise to invest our time and experience into understanding your needs and desires. We won’t &#8230;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Expect you to have lots of knowledge</li>
<li>Drown you in more detail than you need</li>
<li>Try to push a sale on you</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Our aim is to make you feel relaxed and welcome, and to enjoy the Oakleigh Watches experience from start to finish.</p>
<div></div>


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The oakleigh promise

IWC are best known for their high quality, Swiss made Pilot’s watches alongside their elegant dress watches.

What is IWC best known for?

IWC watches are produced with both in house and bought in movements.

Are IWC movements in-house?

IWC is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

Where are IWC watches manufactured?

Both IWC and Omega are very long-established brands and they each have their own individual style.

Is IWC better than Omega?

When you buy a pre owned IWC watch it is very likely to hold its value or even increase so they make a good investment watch.

Is IWC a good investment watch?

View All Insights

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Can I go swimming in a luxury watch?

“Can I go swimming in a luxury watch?”

This is a question that I am often asked by our clients. Of course what they are referring to is whether their watch is water resistant – will it leak and ruin the movement, dial and hands?

There are usually three areas that need to be considered when the water resistance of a watch is under examination;
<ul>
 	<li>the caseback</li>
 	<li>the glass</li>
 	<li>the crown</li>
</ul>
During testing, these three components are checked for condition and damage or corrosion. Next the seals fitted between the component and the case are inspected and often replaced. The watch is then pressure tested using a purpose built piece of equipment. When it passes – voila! Your watch is waterproof.

So yes, if it passes the test, you CAN go swimming in a luxury watch. But hang on, there’s another question that needs to be asked ……

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8735" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Swim2.jpg" alt="" width="943" height="530" />

<strong>“SHOULD I go swimming in a luxury watch?”
</strong>
All the watches that we sell here at Oakleigh Watches are superb examples of their type and are all of course very valuable.

I can’t imagine a more hostile environment for a luxury watch than a beach with its salt and sand, or a swimming pool full of chlorine, steel and ceramic tiles. And that’s before you even mention the water! So our advice would be – “yes you can swim in a luxury watch but NO, you probably shouldn’t.”

If you’re at the pool or the beach – relax, forget about the time! Or, if you’re like me and feel a bit lost without something stylish on your wrist, switch your luxury time piece for a much more practical G-Shock!

Oakleigh Watches works alongside local Rolex and Omega service agents <a href="https://www.michlmayr.com/?_ga=2.204148883.2033394945.1721402847-623201293.1721402847">Michlmayr &amp; Co.</a> All of our luxury pre-owned watches are tested to ensure they are water resistant and comply to COSC spec. Some of our more vintage stock will not be water resistant and this will be made clear in the description.

&nbsp;

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the-tudor-big-block-listing

The-Tudor-Big-Block-listing

In 1970 Tudor entered the chronograph market with a watch that was very different from its Rolex Daytona brethren – The two incarnations of the ’Monte-Carlo’ were bold, bright and colourful and occupied their own place in the Rolex family lineup, as a slightly inferior model to the Daytona.

Then in 1976 there was a shift and the ‘Big Blocks’ were born. Far from establishing a point of difference from the Rolex Daytona by continuing with the ‘fun’ slightly ‘junior’ theme, Tudor made a watch that was similar to the Daytona and in one key way, actually superior….

As well as toning down the colour palette and producing monochrome chronographs (although exotic-dialed 9000-series ‘Big Block Monte Carlos’ were made), Tudor adopted the Valjoux 7750 movement, not only adding an extra chrono sub dial but also a quick set date and an automatic movement. This automatic movement made the Big Block the first self-winding chronographs from the Rolex group – it would take Rolex themselves well over ten years to make an automatic Daytona and 25 years to make one with an in house movement.

As well as an advanced set of features, the Valjoux movement brought with it the necessity for a deeper case than its predecessors to house the self-winding mechanism and rotor, hence the nickname “Big Block”.

The first Big Blocks were the 9400’s consisting of three references that gave the option of three different bezels:
<ul class="ul1">
 	<li class="li1">9420 with an acrylic tachymeter bezel</li>
 	<li class="li1">9421 with a 12-hour calibrated rotating bezel</li>
 	<li class="li1">9430 with a steel tachymeter bezel</li>
</ul>
In the late 1980’s, the 9400 series was replaced by the 79100 series of Big Blocks and again, there were three references with three bezel types:
<ul class="ul1">
 	<li class="li1">79160 with a black plastic tachymeter bezel</li>
 	<li class="li1">79170 with a black graduated 12-hour rotating bezel;</li>
 	<li class="li1">79180 with a steel tachymeter bezel.</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1">By the mid 1990’s Montres TUDOR S.A. was 50 years old and they started to made decisive moves to differentiate themselves from their Rolex brothers. As a consequence the direct references to Rolex were steadily disappearing from the cases, winding crowns and bracelets of Tudor watches to be replaced with own brand alternatives and the day of the Big Block was over.</p>
<p class="p1">An important watch and often overlooked, the Big Blocks are one to watch that’s for sure</p>

The Tudor ‘Big Block’

Understanding Watch Model & Serial Numbers

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rolex-16570-polar-2010-listing

Rolex-16570-Polar-2010-listing

Rolex have made several versions of the Explorer II since its launch fifty years ago but here we are mainly concerned with The Rolex Explorer II 16570. We will cover other references but this blog is designed to help you understand why you really should be considering a 16570.

When I first thought of writing this blog piece in the autumn of 2020, the Rolex Explorer II 16570 was one of the most overlooked and undervalued of all modern Rolex sports watches. A few months later I realised that the correction had already begun so I thought I had better get on with the piece

<strong>The Rolex Explorer II 1655 – 1971-1984</strong>

So firstly, let’s deal with this ‘Steve McQueen’ thing. The first incarnation of the Explorer II was the 1655 and at some time after its launch in 1971, it gained the nickname ‘Steve McQueen’. As no photo has ever come to light of ‘The King of Cool’ actually wearing a 1655 (he was a 5512 man), the reason why remains a mystery.

However, here are a few things that we do know about the 1655:
<ul>
 	<li>It was launched in 1971</li>
 	<li>It was designed mainly for cavers or ‘spelunkers’, hence the massive luminous GMT hand that told you not only the hour but splits of 2 1/2 minutes too, even in the dark.</li>
 	<li>Unlike the Submariners of the time, the Explorer II had a 39mm case.</li>
 	<li>Despite having the same movement as the GMT Master, a pattern that continued until 2011, the 1655 only told the time in one time zone. The ‘GMT’ hand was fixed with the hour hand so it told the same time, just REALLY clearly.</li>
 	<li>Its other nickname is ‘Freccione’ from the Italian word ‘Freccia’ meaning ‘arrow’.</li>
 	<li>Production was discontinued in 1984</li>
 	<li>There were five different dial variations over the 13 year production run</li>
 	<li>It was a popular watch in Germany and the USA but apart from that it was thought a bit of an ugly duckling and sales were disappointing (Great news for collectors and those who have had them from new….)</li>
</ul>
The Rolex Explorer II 16550 – 1984-1989The 16550 is what the watch world refers to as a ‘transitional model’ although to be honest, I’m not sure that the description really fits the bill. While it wasn’t made for very long in Rolex terms, it was made for almost five years so that’s not really a transition.

The thing that makes the 16550 particularly interesting is the dial – for the first time the Explorer II was available with the option of either a black or white dial and while the black dials were fine, the white ones were nearly always faulty. Instead of staying a lovely bright white as Rolex intended, most of them turned a creamy colour, giving them the nickname ‘Panna’ (Cream in Italian). A LOT of these have been replaced by Rolex with lovely shiny white ones, making the remaining cream ones highly collectible and valuable.

There are also some ‘Rail Dial’ examples out there – a Rail Dial is one where the words “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” line up perfectly with an even gap through the middle – like train tracks. These are rarer still and command a higher price.

The hands were changed from the ‘unusual’ design of the 1655 to the more ‘normal’ Mercedes style and this helped to create a look that was more acceptable to the masses.

Again using the GMT Master movement, this time the 3085 from the 16760, the 16550 now had an independent GMT hand so that it was a two time zone watch. The case was made from 316L steel as was the norm in the day and this makes it slightly less bright than the later models – the cases were also made slightly fatter than the later ones to accommodate the 3085 movement.

By the end of the 1990’s Rolex had a new movement and were working with improved 904L steel so they took the opportunity to fix the dial issues and launch a new model.

<strong>The Rolex Explorer II 16570 – 1989-2011</strong>

This is where things get interesting and lead us to the purpose of the piece that I alluded to way up there in the introduction.

The Rolex Explorer II 16570 is a very similar watch to the 16550. It has a slightly slimmer case that’s made from a different type of steel and an improved movement but apart from that it’s basically the same watch but less than half the price and that’s a situation that’s unlikely to last for long.

16550s aren’t going to get any cheaper so when the price gap closes, and it will, it will happen through an increase in the price of the 16570.

So, there are four main types of 16570, all available with either a black or white dial:
<ul>
 	<li>1989 to 1998 Tritium dial – expect to pay between £9,000 and £12,000. These are the early watches and prices have already risen alot recently – there’s lots more room yet though.</li>
 	<li>1998 to 1999 Swiss only dial – expect to pay between £8,000 and £10,000. These are the rarest of all Explorer IIs and again, prices are rising sharply.</li>
 	<li>1999 to 2007 Swiss made dial with 3185 movement – expect to pay between £8,500 and £10,000. These are the bulk of 16570s as production numbers were higher in the 2000s and they were made for eight years.</li>
 	<li>2008 to 2009 Swiss made dial with 3186 movement – expect to pay between £10,000 and £12,000. These watches have the updated GMT movement and engraved rehaut and are sought after by those who like the most recent versions of things.</li>
</ul>
<strong>The Rolex Explorer II 216570 – 2011 to date.</strong>

Also available with both black and white dials like the 16550 and 16570, the 216570 is something of a fusion of old and new.

The 216570 still has the fixed bezel that Explorer IIs have always had and now they have brought back the oversized orange ‘GMT’ hand – so that’s the old. The new is that the GMT hand moves independently and the case size has been increased to 42mm in keeping with modern tastes.

This brings us to the statement made at the beginning of the piece about how the Explorer II 16570 is a classic, appreciating asset.

You see, the 1655 isn’t to everyone’s taste, it’s properly vintage and it’s priced well out of most people’s reach.

In January 2022, a nice 1655 Full Set will set you back something north of £20,000

In its original Panna form, a Full Set 16550 Rail Dial costs over £25,000 these days and even a nice Full Set Polar with a replacement dial can be £17,000 or so (admittedly, black ones are less) and prices are still rising.

Prices of the last 16570s made with the engraved rehaut and the 3186 movement have risen sharply too but the ‘standard’ 16570s, whether Tritium or Superluminova are still great value – it won’t last long though as these things have a way of correcting themselves so if you fancy one then my advice would be not to hang about….

To see the Rolex watches in our current collection <a href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/brand/pre-owned-rolex">click here</a> and you can see the current range of new Rolex watches <a href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/shop/new-in?pa_brand=170">here.</a>

The Rolex Explorer II 16570

IWC is a highly respected watchmaking brand and is known for being one of the more exclusive watch companies or even the “International Watch Company.’ An IWC really is a watch lover’s watch – their watches appeal to owners who appreciate craftmanship and individual design. Pre owned IWC watches are steeped in history and often have a story to tell.

It is also one of the most innovative luxury watchmakers today, known for pushing the boundaries, and constantly evolving with its watchmaking techniques, its designs, and its calibres.
Below are 5 key things to consider when buying pre owned IWC watches.

<strong>1. Investment, Pleasure or Both?</strong>

If you’re buying purely for investment, then you don’t need to worry about the style of watch. Rather, you need to focus on whether a model is desirable now and whether it is likely to be so for the foreseeable future. So, my top three tips …

• Always go for a watch with the widest appeal and the most limited supply.
• If it’s purely for investment purposes, buy the very best example you can find. After all you don’t have to worry about damaging it if it’s only going to sit in your safe.
• Make sure you buy a Full Set – box, papers, service records and accessories.
If buying for pleasure and or both pleasure and investment – keep reading.

<strong>2. Style</strong>

American President of IWC, Edouard D’Arbaumont said in a 2016 interview that “We don’t think anybody is buying our watches to tell time. It’s all about the DNA, the history of our product, and what is behind our watches. We must tell stories, like in the film industry.”

As such, IWCs watches are more about the exclusivity and sense of occasion they bring to the wearer, and while watches do tell the time, this makes perfect sense for all luxury watches, which many times are worn as a piece of jewellery, craftsmanship, and history.

IWC have several flagship collections including the Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur, Da Vinci and Portofino. However, they have been forever associated with military, particularly Pilot, style watches since their ‘Special Pilot’s Watch’ was launched in 1936.

The three main types of IWC watch are.

1) The Mark Series – these are very plain and straight forward military style watches. A historically accurate representation of the famous IWC military watches of the mid 20th Century. Case sizes tend to be relatively small and dials simple and easy to read. Usually found on leather straps, very occasionally available on a bracelet.

2) The Pilot Series – this is IWC’s modern take on the classic Pilot’s watch, made with a larger case than the Mark Series. These often have added chronograph and date functions. Again, usually found on leather straps.

3) The Dress Watches – the IWC Portugeiser and Portofino watches are some of the finest dress watches available today. Case sizes tend to be on the large side, especially with the Portugeiser. They are characterised by their beautiful clear dials often coloured matched with high quality leather straps.
Their first luxury sports watch – the Ingenieur was designed in 1976 by Gerald Genta, designer of several iconic watches, such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet.
The Ingenieur is a relatively rare sighting compared to the other models. It offers excellent value for money compared to other Gerald Genta designs, if you can find one!

<strong>3. Size</strong>

Does matter when it comes to watches?

It all comes down to confidence and perspective. Just because you’re small in stature, doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t carry off a larger timepiece. In fact, it’s very much the fashion for women to wear oversized men’s watches.

For a man, it’s all about confidence. If you feel comfortable going big and will wear a 46mm proudly, then a Portugeiser Chronograph will look good. If you’re going to be self-conscious, then pick something classic like a Mark XVI.

<strong>4. Vintage or Modern</strong>

The choice between a vintage or modern watch is partly one of personal taste and partly one of robustness. Vintage models tend to be smaller, so if you prefer this look, then something like a 1970’s Tuning Fork would be a lovely choice (see above, it’s not literal).

On the other hand, if you want to wear your IWC every day, then you should probably go for a newer one as the movements from the older models are more fragile and expensive to repair than later versions. More modern IWC’s tend to have bracelet options if that is your preference.

Servicing costs for a vintage watch can be higher and parts hard to come by – two important considerations when choosing between modern and vintage pre owned IWC watches.

<strong>5. Fashion or Function</strong>

What do you want your pre-owned IWC watch for? Assuming of course you’re not circumnavigating the world, is it simply to tell the time or do you need it to fly?

If you do want a pilot’s watch because you are a pilot, the 3706 models are the best place to start.

If you’re simply looking for a fantastic watch made to the highest of standards, then you can have some fun choosing.

5 Step Guide to Buying Pre owned IWC Watches

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IWC Spitfire

Availability

Brand

Model

What's Included

Condition

Reference

Years

Papers

Movement Type

Movement

Diameter

Dial Colour

Case material

Bracelet/Strap

Gender

Matching Model

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<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<p>This IWC Spitfire Chronograph is a different take on the pilot’s chronograph from IWC Schaffhausen, the most famous of all the Swiss pilot watch manufacturers. Everything is excellent on the watch and it looks in superb condition.</p>
<p>The Stainless steel case and matching bracelet give everything a smart but functional look and the Superluminova dial is textured with Arabic numerals. Powered by a Valjoux 7750 based automatic movement, it has just been serviced and is running perfectly with no need for attention for years yet.</p>
<p>Complete with boxes, papers and all accessories.</p>
</div>
</div>
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<div class="elementor-widget-container">
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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IWC Spitfire Chronograph

This IWC Spitfire Chronograph is a superb Sports Chrono with a textured white dial and steel bracelet. A Full Set with a 12 month warranty.

IWC Spitfire Chronograph | 2008 | Full Set

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IWC Spitfire Chronograph

£3,950