EMBARK ON A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
Explore vintage watch designs
Welcome to the Amsterdam Watch Company’s online museum, showcasing rare and extremely collectable timepieces we have sold over the years. Discover a curated collection of vintage watches from iconic brands like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet. Our meticulously verified timepieces embody the rich history and artistry of horology. Accessible globally, our museum offers a unique experience for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The Railmaster measures a modern-feeling 38mm in diameter. It is fitted with a beautiful matte black dial with radium indices and hands. The distinct features such as the “Railmaster” text and white lollipop seconds-hand complete a very, very attractive design. This is one of the more collectible vintage Omega’s in today’s market. Not a watch you see in this great condition too often!
With a 35mm width, the Ref. 3940 showcases an opulent 18k yellow gold case that radiates luxury. The cream dial harmoniously blends style and functionality, adorned with intricate details, such as the applied markers and sub-dials
Powered by the reliable Patek Philippe cal. 240Q automatic movement, this perpetual calendar watch effortlessly tracks the day, date, month, and moon phase. The enchanting moon phase display within the dial adds a touch of fascination, reflecting the ever-changing lunar cycle.
Presenting one of the most iconic timepieces in the watch world: the Royal Oak, in a refined 33 mm gold case. This masterpiece, designed by the legendary Gerald Genta, is often considered his finest work.
Patek Philippe Ref. 3404 Incl. Box & Papers, from 1965.
The Explorer is typically a watch you do not notice when you first get into watches. But as you gain a little experience with different brands and models, the Explorer starts to charm its way into your heart. You discover that this is a watch design that approaches perfection scarily closely! From 1980.
This particular PP ref. 3844 is a rare gem in our collection, making it a truly special addition. It’s not just the rarity of the watch that’s impressive, but also its exceptional condition. The combination of an 18k white gold bracelet and case, paired with a vivid blue sigma dial, creates a striking and captivating look. The deep shade of blue adds to its allure, making it a standout piece. From 1984
It features a screw-down caseback, ensuring robust water resistance as utility was the most important thing because people actually used watches as tools, unlike we know watches today. With its 42mm steel case, this timepiece exudes robustness and timeless style. The acrylic crystal, a characteristic of its era, adds a vintage touch to the watch.
Originally designed for military use, the Air Command boasts antimagnetic properties and shock resistance, making it a reliable companion for the most demanding of tasks. From 1965.
Each watch is a testament to the brand’s unwavering dedication to perfection, reflecting a rich heritage of horological mastery.Product Description: The 1815 Chronograph Flyback in 18k Rosegold with Cream “Pulsation” Dial is a masterpiece that encapsulates the essence of A. Lange & Söhne’s heritage while embracing modern chronograph technology. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this timepiece is a symbol of elegance and sophistication. Featuring a timeless design, the argenté-colored dial is meticulously crafted from solid silver, exuding a luxurious appeal. The black ink printing adds a touch of refinement, while the “Made in Germany” inscription proudly showcases its origin. The blued hands complement the overall aesthetic, reflecting the brand’s commitment to precision and excellence. Equipped with a Calibre L951.5 movement, the 1815 Chronograph boasts a remarkable 60 hours power reserve, ensuring reliable performance over an extended period.
This stunning example is all about that dial. A gilt dial, for starters. But it has also developed a beautiful fade from brown to almost black on its tropical dial. Something that does not quite come across in pictures, but it adds a sense of warmth and character to an already amazing Sub.
The Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18026 is a rare gem in the world of luxury watches. Crafted from platinum, this watch is all about understated elegance. Unlike gold models that grab attention, this platinum piece flies under the radar, perfect for someone who values quiet sophistication. What makes this watch even more special is its beautiful taupe dial, a rare and elegant shade that matches perfectly with the smooth bezel—creating a look that’s both modern and timeless. This watch dates back to 1987, a year that marked a turning point in the world of luxury timepieces.
The dial is a crucial factor in determining the value and appeal of vintage watches. In a minimalist piece like the Ref. 1018 Oyster Perpetual, the dial becomes even more significant. And this one truly exceeds all expectations.
This is a tropical gilt dial, not just gilt-printed like many modern watches inspired by vintage styles. This is genuine gilt, created from a brass dial that has its text and minute markers printed in transparent lacquer before being black galvanized. The result is exposed brass for the text and markers, surrounded by black. This dial style, popular in the sixties, is both attractive and highly sought after.
The Cartier Tank Normale stands out with its distinctive flattened case sides, a subtle nod to the vintage Renault Tank that inspired its design. While sharing similarities with other Tanks, this iteration captures the essence of its inspiration with greater fidelity. Adorned with a luminous white lacquered dial featuring Cartier's signature Roman numerals, blued hands, and a classic railroad track, this timepiece epitomizes timeless elegance. Its sought-after Paris dial adds a touch of exclusivity to its allure. Presented with its original box, this little beauty is not just an iconic classic—it's a piece of history redefined.
Indulge in the allure of a timepiece that transcends mere functionality—a masterpiece coveted by collectors worldwide. Crafted in response to a specific need voiced by Pan-American Airlines, the GMT-Master emerged as a beacon of reliability and sophistication. Envisioned as the quintessential companion for airline personnel navigating multiple time zones, Rolex heeded the call by ingeniously modifying the Submariner. Thus, the GMT-Master reference 6542 was born—an emblem of precision and innovation. In the wake of its inception, the 6542 swiftly multiplied into the iconic 1675 series, each iteration maintaining the essence of its predecessor. Yet, among these treasures, one stands out—a 1960 marvel adorned with a resplendent glossy gilt dial and jubilee bracelet. The mere sight of its mesmerizing pepsi bezel, gracefully faded with time, evokes a symphony of admiration.
Measuring a refined 35 mm, it offers understated elegance that effortlessly graces the wrist. Crafted from luxurious 18k yellow gold, the case exudes warmth and sophistication, and manual movement, a hallmark of Patek Philippe's unparalleled craftsmanship. This timepiece embodies the essence of the esteemed Calatrava lineage, subtly enhanced for its era – the distinguished year of 1948.
This is only the third time we have the legendary Corum “Rolls Royce” in our collection. Except for Corum, Corum was given the license to incorporate the recognizable grill in a watch. Each hand-made white gold case was made to order. The “Spirit of Ecstasy” was done entirely by hand and in white gold. The watch even comes with the original 18k white gold buckle and original strap! It is an oddity in the watch world but as is well known often the outliers at the well-known auctions.
Designed by Hanno Burtscher, the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar debuted in 1985 with a 39mm case and distinctive swiveling lugs. The design drew inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus, featuring rounded harbor fortifications. The watch, presented at the Basel fair, garnered over 100 orders, signaling the resurgence of mechanical watchmaking. Fast forward to 1986, and the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar IW.3755.05 made history as the first perpetual calendar in white ceramic (and yellow gold). With a limited production, possibly around 50 units, this rare piece features an original 18k yellow gold buckle and only 81 moving parts, ensuring precision until the year 2499.
This particular PP ref.3581 is a rare find in our store, making its presence quite special. Its remarkable condition is also a rarity, with the bracelet appearing untouched, as if it has never been worn. The vivid blue sigma dial adds to its allure, presenting a deep and captivating shade of blue. The hand-wound movement not only enhances its vintage charm but also marks it as a true masterpiece. The distinctive elliptical shape, known for its 'golden ratio,' takes an exciting turn here. Patek has flipped it 90 degrees, offering a unique and captivating look. Originally a men's watch in the 70s, it has evolved into a unisex piece in 2022.
The Tank Louis is a classic watch that is beloved by women and watch aficionados worldwide. This beautiful example has an 18k yellow-gold case that has factory-set diamonds on both sides of it. You just got to love it! Furthermore, this watch has an elegant leather strap with an 18k yellow-gold hidden clasp. The dial of this example, which is protected by a sapphire crystal, it has the white dial with large, black Roman numerals and blued-steel hands. However, a very unique feature is the yellow-gold applied Cartier brand name under the 12-hour position.
The movement we find in this tiny case, the Cal. 101, was introduced as far back as 1929 by the European Watch & Clock company, a cooperation between Cartier and Jaeger. This watch movement is still the smallest ever made today. It was built around a new philosophy: Duoplan. This design broke the traditional watch movement in two and stacked them, resulting in two layers, hence the name Duoplan. This enabled Jaeger to create calibers with a significantly smaller footprint. The crown was moved to the back, resulting in the nickname “Back-winder”.
Such a small movement allows for the design of one of the most elegant lady’s watches you will ever lay eyes on.
In 1993, Omega sent 28 steel Speedmasters and 7 golden variants up to MIR for a year of testing and exposure to these alien conditions. Omega was particularly interested in the effect of micro-gravity on mechanical watch movements.
The steel models (10 on leather and 18 on steel bracelets) were of the, for the early nineties, standard configuration of hessalite Speedmaster Professional Ref. 345.0022.
When the watches returned to their home planet in 1994, Omega collected them for thorough testing. The conclusion was that the Speedies had performed perfectly and did not suffer any strain from these special conditions.
Embracing an impressive timepiece – the Rolex lady Datejust 6517 'Lapis Lazuli'. Originating from the year 1968, this watch operates on caliber 1161 and is crafted from 18k yellow gold. Its elegance is complemented by the 18k yellow-gold oyaterbracelet secured by an 18k yellow-gold fold-over clasp.
What truly sets this piece apart lies beneath the acryllic crystal – the captivating 'Lapis Lazuli' dial. The allure of 'Lapis Lazuli' Rolex watches.
Rolex thinks of success and sometimes it does not go as planned. That happened to the ‘Stella’ dials in the seventies. But now in the 21st century, it is huge! Let us introduce you to this ‘Queen’, a lady Datejust gold with green Stella dial. Elegant and breathtaking, the combination of the warm yellow gold and green Stella dial. The markers have a matte finishing which makes the dial shine more. Tritium is all intact and take into consideration it was hand-painted…craftmanship we love.
The Rolex Explorer was created in the 1950s as a tool watch for mountaineers and explorers. The story goes that in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and they did so while wearing Rolex watches.
Inspired by this achievement, Rolex decided to create a watch specifically designed for explorers and mountaineers. The result was the Rolex Explorer, which was introduced in 1953.
The ref. 1016 is perhaps one of the most admired vintage Rolex models around. And for good reason! It is a masterclass in watch design. Clean, elegant, rugged and quite simply beautiful. Therefore, it considered to be a perfect ‘one-watch collection’.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this watch boasts a stunning case made of 18k white gold. The luxurious allure of the gold adds a touch of opulence to your wrist, while the precise sizing makes it a versatile choice suitable for both men and women.
The dial of the Calatrava Travel Time (5134G-011) is thoughtfully designed for optimal readability. Gleaming gold markers and hands grace the dial, providing a clear and legible display. Two smaller sub-dials positioned on the dial indicate the home time and local time, ensuring you stay in sync with the world around you.
This clock is called Planeto Astrolabium, which is a real collector’s item! The production of this clock started in the year 1990. Mr. Van der Klaauw originally planned to make 50 examples of the Planeto Astrolabium however, they eventually only produced 42 examples, and ‘surprise surprise’ we have the number 42, which we think gives a little extra to this clock.