Four Highlights Of The Upcoming Fortuna Auction On June 5th

This coming Wednesday, June 5th, the Fortuna Exchange auction will take place again. A monthly live auction where you can bid on watches. In this month, Fortuna offers no less than 153 watches of which we selected 4 to show you: Rolex Explorer 1016, Rolex GMT-Master 165, Omega Seamaster 300 165.024 and a Zenith A. Cairelli CP-2.

Let’s start with the last one, the Zenith chronograph for the Italian Airforce.

Zenith A. Cairelli CP-2 Chronograph

If you’re not into vintage watches, you might recognize this model anyway as Zenith did a re-edition of the CP-2 not that long ago (we reviewed it here). This particular watch, however, was sold in the 1960s by the Italian defence contractor, A. Cairelli. This name is also printed on the dial, as you can see. The Zenith CP-2 was the choice of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana = AMI). The size, rarity, military provenance, and stylish good looks are a few reasons why the CP-2 is prized by collectors. The present example is considered a civilian example without military branch-specific engravings on the caseback. The dial and hands aged very nicely, and are intact. Inside the 42mm case, you’ll find the Zenith caliber 146DP movement. This movement ticks at 18.000vph and has a power reserve of approx. 38 hours. It is a common understanding that there are +- 2500 of these pieces delivered to the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI). The A. Cairelli Zenith CP-2 is delivered on a neutral tan strap.

Click here for more information on this A. Cairelli Zenith. Estimate 12,000USD – 18,000USD.

Omega Seamaster 300 165.024

Introduced in 1957, the Omega Seamaster 300 was – together with the Railmaster and Speedmaster – a watch for professional purposes. Just like the Speedmaster, the Seamaster 300 was also constantly innovated. This reference 165.024 dates back to circa 1967. Interesting about this particular Seamaster 300 165.024 is that it was delivered to the British army. Besides the ‘W10’ engraving on the case back, Seamaster 300 watches for the British army also had fixed bars for use with a NATO strap. The case was redesigned to bear a family resemblance to the Speedmaster and to be easier for divers to read underwater with a wide bezel, big hour markers, and signature sword hands. Inside there’s the copper coloured caliber 552 movement, which was also used in a number of other Omega watches at the time. The watch comes with an Omega Extract of the Archives.

Click here for more information on this military Seamaster. Estimate: 35,000USD – 55,000USD

Rolex Explorer 1016

Perhaps one of the cleanest looking Rolex sports watches ever, the Rolex Explorer. Especially this vintage Rolex Explorer Ref. 1016 with “Tropical” Dial in steel. The Explorer 1016 debuted in 1963 and is most famous for the inclusion of its predecessor on the first summiting of Mount Everest in 1953. The Explorer 1016 is one of our own favourites (as you can read in this article), a beautiful sports Rolex that is as pure as it gets. With a case diameter of 36mm, this watch can simply be worn by anyone, even if you have large wrists, the Explorer always works. Inside, you’ll find the Rolex caliber 1560. This particular example comes on a leather strap. Most attractive about this Rolex Explorer 1016 is probably the “tropical” dial, with beautiful brown tones. A perfect fit for your delicious espresso in an Italian coffee bar this coming summer. It will also work under more serious circumstances of course, just like it did in 1953.

Click here for more information on this Rolex. Estimated 15.000USD – 25.000USD.

Rolex GMT-Master 1675

Last but not least, we show you our other favourite. A Rolex GMT-Master 1675. You all know the story about this watch and the Pan Am demand for a proper travel companion for their pilots (if not, click here). The GMT-Master was the perfect watch for the job and has become one of Rolex’s most recognizable models with its iconic blue and red “Pepsi” bezel. The present example is dated circa 1967 and is beautifully maintained for its age. Inside is caliber 1560 (indeed the same as the Explorer 1016), but with a date feature and an extra hour hand complication. Take a close look at the hour markers at 1 and 2 o’clock, as there are some tiny bits of the tritium missing, but if you can live with that, it is a great looking piece with its beefy lugs and crown guards.

Click here for more information on this lot. Estimated 10.000USD – 15.000USD.

The other 149 watches (from Doxa, Aquadive, Heuer, Zenith, Omega, Rolex,  Mulco, Wakmann, Universal Geneve, Tudor, Longines, Breitling etc. etc.) can be found on the Fortuna Auction website here.