Ferrari F355 watch question.

I've found out this watch was made in editions of 50 for each type of F355, but I know nothing more about it. Was it made for a dealership to give out to the buyer, or just a neat accessory to sell? Anything anyone can tell me would be gratefully appreciated.

It has a Valjoux 7750 automatic movement, which is a good quality Swiss ETA chronograph movement, and a see through back.

George
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I didn't even know they made this. Anyone know where to get one? I too would like to know more about it.

 

+1, being a watch guy, I would also like to know more about this.

 

I don't even wear a watch and that one still appeals to me. Nice look.

 

Nice watch, but does the 355 not have a clock then

 

I haven't wore one in years either but that pretty watch would be reason to start again!! The spider version would interest me.....

 

I'm a watch guy, not a car guy. I actually have this one for sale, but not advertised yet. Given the quality of manufacture of this piece and the use of the 7750 movement, I'd rate it at about an $800-$900 watch. That's what I'm planning to sell it for on the watch boards.

I'm looking for info to answer buyer questions, since it appears to be quite rare. The thing's very well made, on a par with your normal $1500-$2000 stainless steel chronograph from the mid-90s, which was when this one was made, but not overly fancy. That's one reason I think it was a dealer thing for F355 buyers. You get the car and the watch that matches it. I was given a copy of a picture from a German Ferrari magazine that showed the F355 Spider edition of the watch and the fact that they were made in limited editions of 50, but no other information.

The dial's quite complex, built on three levels and done with what appers to be red lacquer. If you don't know watches, that's a bit of a special dial treatment.

I've had it cleaned, oiled and regulated to around +5/day, which is chronometer specification. Quite an interesting piece. Since watches are my hobby, I like to learn as much as I can about them. This one's a mystery.

George

 

Do you know of any Birlinetta versions for sale?

 

I'm a watch guy too.....the 7750 is a standard chrono movement. I have 3 watches with them. Mostly by houses that do not manufacture their own movements or have associations with high end brands. Omegas, Tags, Sinns, Panerai, Breitlings and the like use 7750. The watch in question is attractive and I would guess the $800 range is about right. I don't know who made this particular watch but I would guess the finishing on the 7750 movement would be quite minimal.

 

Campbell - Dead on. The 7750 is quite ubiquitous, but that's because it's so darn good. Great motor, as I'm sure you'll agree. Because of the see-through back, I can tell you the only real decorations are engraving on the rotor: "Water Resistance 30m" and "25/50". The value here is in the watch as a whole and the rarity, not movement decoration. I'm pricing it as a standard 7750 chrono, however.

Paul - I didn't even know the watch EXISTED. If you count up the versions of the F355 made, then multiply by 50, you have the number of watches made. That's an incredibly small amount in the watch world.

George

 

My suspicious mind says that I smell a con perhaps. If you own this watch and it is of the quality you say it is then surely you would know the full history ie the brand , who made it what you paid for it etc etc etc. I have bought watches on ebay and in particular ferrari girrard Perregaux (sorry bout the spelling) and lo and behold the price matched the wtch, it was crap.
Your intro to this "Oh by the way I want to sell it" makes me very suspicious. Why wouldn't you start your thread with a 'Hey I have a watch to sell rather than first finding out if anyone twiggs to the con.
Jusy my 2c worth.

 

for a so-call expert you would think that the spelling of "Girard Perregaux" would roll right off your brain. I don't see anything wrong with this thread and I know watches. Nothing like a troll to liven up a mon morning.

 

Interesting. That doesn't look like any of the early GP pieces either so I guess it's most likely a commissioned piece & probably not by the factory either since they already have a contract with GP back then. I guess it'll appeal to any 355 owners esp those who have a GTS. If I have the car, might well pay US$800 for this to match!

 

I agree. First post seems to be searching for information about a watch that "may exist", and once interest is shown, the poster happens to have one for sale! What a coincidence.

 

He actually started this thread in "Collectibles" with no response....

I say "No Foul"....he's just seeking info, like a Fcar owner with "no books".....

Once he has the proper info he can run the For Sale thread......in FerrariAds or somewhere else!

 

George - sent you a private message

 

Scott: The watch exists. That's a picture of it at the bottom of my first post. Please look.

Actually, this is my fourth post trying to get information on it. The other two were on TimeZone and Military Watch Resource. The latter not as strange as it seems, by the way, since a huge number of experts like James Dowling hang out there. I happily invite doubters, trolls, etc. to come lurk at MWR; it's fun and informative. I also hang out at Equation of Time's Ultimate Dive Watch Forum and that's also fun. Come on over.

Yep, I want to sell it. I got the watch as part of a trade and it's value in the trade matched what I want to get out of it. I'm into dive watches and sport Omegas, so I want to flip this watch and put the money into an Omega. If you aren't familiar with mechanical watches, $800-$900 is not an unreasonable price for a good chronograph. The GP you mention goes for three times that.

I've posted what I know about it, but neither the case nor the movement give an original manufacturer. Since this is not uncommon for specialty runs, I figured I'd go to the folks that might be familiar with Ferraris and their associated gear. Yes, I'd happily sell it to someone in this community because you guys would probably appreciate it more, especially if you have an interest in the GTS.

I'm going to post this watch on the boards in the next couple of days, but I've been holding off. I'll be putting a croc strap and deployant clasp on it today, and I didn't want to put it up for official sale until it was fully dressed out. Kind of like putting new tires on a car you want to sell.

Anyhow, I want to thank the character that implied I was some kind of a crook. He brought this thread to the top where people would see it.

George

 

You can never tell on the internet -- but from your other posts you do appear legit -- so I apologize for jumping the rat gun!

 

A quick Google found this. Looks like George is legit, just looking for info. My apologies.

http://www.mwrforum.net/cgi-bin/mwr.pl?noframes;read=191827

 

He SEEMED legit, when he walked thru the door...

*squinting*

 

I am pretty sure they at least now make their own movements in house.

P.S. They are also the new co-brander with the Prancing Horse.

 

Thanks, Bubba for spreading a little factual info in my defense. Scott, I respect a gentleman who, when he finds himself wrong, has the character to say so publicly.

Oh, and a lot of Panny movements are based on the 7750, including their three handed divers. Panerai has got proprietary movements, but they aren't used throughout the line. In fact, I'm not entirely certain if the Ferrari watches use Panny movements, ETAs, or both.

George

 

I have three Panny's too...they do not make their own movements. They are actually ETA pocket watch movements.

 

Here's the animal in question in its new real alligator strap and deployant clasp. Looks better in real life. I'm a lousy watch photographer.

George
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