AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE REF. 25863TI TERMINATOR 3 LIMITED EDITION
Audemars Piguet created special watches for Arnold Schwarzenegger to commemorate his role in the Terminator movies. One notable example is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore “End of Days” released in 1999 in collaboration with Schwarzenegger for the film End of Days. This model marked the beginning of AP’s partnership with Schwarzenegger. Similar collaborations followed, including limited editions for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines like the present example which we are offering for sale.
The present Royal Oak Offshore reference 25863TI is part of a limited edition of 500 pieces created for the Terminator 3 movie. The case, crafted in titanium, is exceptionally large at 48mm. The watch features a black dial with a chronograph complication with orange accents on hands and is paired with a leather strap and a matching titanium buckle. Overall, it is in excellent condition, showing only minor signs of wear. While it does not come with a guarantee, it includes its original Limited Edition box along with the three Terminator DVDs.
UNIVERSAL GENEVE TRICOMPAX 14kt 481101/03 UNTOUCHED
The Universal Genève Tri-Compax is an iconic vintage chronograph known for its triple complication: a chronograph, perpetual calendar, and moonphase. Produced in the late 1940s to early 1960s, this model is highly regarded for its technical sophistication and elegant design. Powered by the Caliber 281 or 285, it was celebrated for precision and functionality. The watch features a clean dial layout with sub-dials for each complication, making it both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Its rarity and complexity make it highly sought after by collectors, particularly those interested in vintage timepieces with a sporty yet elegant character. Available in various case metals, including steel and gold, the Tri-Compax remains a classic example of mid-20th-century Swiss watchmaking. Recently, the Universal Genève brand was acquired by Breitling and is set to be revived, which has sparked renewed interest from collectors who are rediscovering the brand’s rich heritage.
This example of Universal Genève is likely one of the most well-preserved to appear on the market. The watch is in untouched, unpolished mint condition, showing only light signs of wear on the case. The watch has been sparingly worn over the years, but it has never been restored or polished. The case is truly fantastic, with sharp lugs and all the original factory finishes on both the caseband and caseback. The caseback still clearly displays the reference number 4811101/03 and the serial number, which is quite exciting since many of these UG Tri-Compax models have seen these inscriptions fade, even from light polishing, due to their depth. The dial is flawless, with no defects, scratches, or stains. The Caliber 281 movement works perfectly and shows no issues. A minor defect is that the original crown has lost the UG logo over time, but this is easily fixable. Another factor that increases the rarity of this watch is that it is made of 14kt gold, which is quite rare, as most UG Tri-Compax models were produced in 18kt gold. Not only is the watch exceptionally well-preserved, but it is also fully correct and original for its year of manufacture.
PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA REF. 96 STAINLESS STEEL
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 96 is a landmark in the history of wristwatch design. Introduced in 1932, it was one of the first creations under the Stern family’s stewardship of Patek Philippe. At a modest 31mm in diameter, the Ref. 96 was small by today’s standards but perfectly proportioned for its time. Its clean lines, slim case, and elegant dial epitomized simplicity. The Ref. 96 was powered by manually wound calibers such as the 12-120 or 12-400. The watch was offered in various metals, including yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, and platinum. The dial designs varied significantly over the years, ranging from simple silver dials to more eccentric sector dials. The Ref. 96 has recently been rediscovered by many watch enthusiasts, both due to the renewed appreciation for smaller watches and for its timeless elegance and significance in Patek Philippe’s history.
The overall condition of this extremely rare stainless steel Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 96 is truly exceptional. The case appears to be untouched, still retaining its original factory finishes. It remains sharp, with well-defined lugs and a pristine, untouched flat bezel. The dial shows natural signs of aging, which is entirely expected for a watch of this age. It is most likely untouched and uncleaned, still featuring details such as the accent on “Genève” and the comma between “Patek” and “Philippe”—characteristics that often disappear after dial restoration or cleaning. The caliber is functioning perfectly without any issues. All components are correct for the year of manufacture, including the rare “Fab. Suisse” signed dial, as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. The strap is not original Patek Philippe and the buckle is in white gold and period correct for the watch.
The watch is accompanied by a Patek Philippe extract from the archives stating as date of manufacture 1934 and date of sale 1936.
BLANCPAIN LIMITED EDITION SPLIT SECOND CHRONOGRAPH YELLOW GOLD
Jean-Claude Biver’s time at Blancpain, from 1982 to 1992, was transformative. After acquiring the nearly defunct brand, Biver focused on reviving its rich heritage of high-end mechanical watches. He repositioned Blancpain as a luxury brand, emphasizing craftsmanship and exclusivity rather than mass production. A key moment was the revival of many complex complications, such as the split-second chronograph, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar, which further solidified Blancpain’s reputation for technical mastery. His approach of promoting traditional Swiss watchmaking and avoiding digital technology in favor of mechanical movements helped re-establish Blancpain’s prestige.
The condition of this rare Blancpain, manufactured during the Biver era, is truly stunning. If you’re looking for a superb 90’s Blancpain with a complication to add to your collection, this could be one of the best examples available on the market today. The case is untouched, with heavy oxidation, indicating the watch was likely stored in a safe for a long time. Remember, watches with complications like a split-seconds chronograph were extremely expensive and not widely accessible to the public, which is why this watch has been so well-preserved over the years. The watch shows minor signs of wear and aging, but it has never been polished or touched up. The dial is in excellent condition with no defects. The heavy gold bracelet is incredibly well-preserved with no stretch. Given the complication and matching yellow gold bracelet, this could very well be one of the most expensive Blancpains from the Biver period. The movement, based on the Frederic Piguet 1186, has been checked and works perfectly. Its condition and rarity make this watch highly desirable for any neo-vintage watch collector.
Limited Edition of 100 pieces.
ROLEX EXPLORER REF. 1016 FULL SET FIRST OWNER
The Rolex Explorer is one of the most renowned “tool watches” from Rolex. While Rolex watches are now considered symbols of prestige and luxury, during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, they were designed with practicality in mind, serving as reliable instruments for specific tasks. For example, the GMT-Master was created to track two time zones simultaneously, and the Submariner was engineered to provide a dependable tool for underwater activities. Similarly, the Explorer was developed for individuals who required a durable watch capable of withstanding extreme conditions, such as mountain climbing and other challenging adventures. Launched in 1953 alongside the legendary Submariner, the Explorer played a pivotal role in defining the modern sports watch, combining ruggedness with functionality. The Rolex Explorer 1016 was produced over many years, resulting in numerous variations of the model. The current example is from the mid-1970s and features a matte-finished dial.
The present Rolex Explorer 1016 is a well-preserved and untouched example of this iconic timepiece. Recently acquired from the original owner, the watch has never been polished or refinished in any way. The case remains untouched, retaining its original factory finishes, while the dial exhibits a stunning orange patina on both the hands and hour markers. The aging and signs of wear are consistent with a watch that has remained unaltered since its purchase in the early 1970s in Italy.
All components are correct for its year of manufacture, including the matte-finish dial, the 7836/258/71 bracelet, the 1570 caliber movement, and the 1016-signed case back.
The watch comes with original box and papers.