Guatemala — Fresh Finds & Untold Stories
The Hunt
This past week, we spent four days watch hunting in Guatemala. Beyond great conversations and incredible food, we managed to uncover a few truly special pieces. By the end of the trip, we had sourced an early and uncommon Air-King, a pre-806 AOPA Breitling Navitimer, and a Rolex Submariner 14060 in stellar condition.
Sourcing Vintage Watches in Central America
Being based in Central America and sourcing special vintage watches can be challenging. In many cases, limited knowledge among collectors and watchmakers has resulted in over-polished cases, refinished dials, and compromised movements. At the same time, there are always individuals who carefully stored their watches and respected the integrity of a vintage collectible.
La Perla - Jewelery and watch retailer
I have a friend whose family once operated an authorized dealer, distributing Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, Omega, and other smaller brands. Stories still circulate about a single buyer acquiring multiple NOS solid-gold Vacheron Constantin pieces years ago — and no one quite knows where that collection resides today. There have also been sightings of red Submariners, along with many vintage Omega Speedmasters and Seamaster 300s.
Regional Connections
During this trip, we visited several collectors shortly after arriving. San Salvador is just four hours from Guatemala City, giving access to a wider regional market and creating opportunities to uncover pieces that rarely surface elsewhere.
Rolex Air-King 5504
Let’s get into our latest finds, starting with the most understated and elegant of the group: the Air-King ref. 5504 from 1959. This piece immediately caught my attention when the previous owner mentioned he had purchased it without realizing its diameter. While most Air-Kings measure 34mm, this example features a 36mm case, making it far more special and uncommon. This case reference was also used for Explorer dials, bearing the “Super Precision” text. The larger diameter, combined with a clean no-date layout, gives the watch a noticeably stronger presence while maintaining its simplicity and versatility. This example features a worn but unpolished case and a beautifully cream-toned dial.
Next, we came across a truly special Breitling Navitimer. This example stands out as a very early pre-806, powered by the renowned Valjoux 72. It belongs to the first batch of Navitimers, produced exclusively for members of the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), making it highly sought after. It features the AOPA logo at 12 o’clock and represents the first commercially used Navitimer. The large dial has a gilt finish with gold-toned text, while the radium lume has aged to a darker tone — a characteristic patina often seen with radium, unlike tritium. Overall, it’s a fascinating pilot’s chronograph in excellent original condition, and we’re considering this model for an upcoming Ref Report.
Finally, we found a more contemporary and familiar reference, but in outstanding condition: the Rolex Submariner 14060. This example shows beautiful patina on the lume plots and features an extremely sharp, untouched case. I’m often asked why I don’t stock the 16610 more frequently. For me, the 14060 is the most faithful continuation of the original Submariner design in the neo-vintage era — a clean no-date dial, tritium lume, and the classic two-line text at 6 o’clock.
To conclude, this was a productive week in Guatemala. Beyond sourcing three excellent pieces for our inventory, we reconnected with friends and enjoyed some outstanding restaurants in Guatemala City — always an important part of the journey.
