The watch market is operating at a fever pitch at the moment with waiting lists that are literally years long for some timepieces. If you don’t want to wait until next decade for your Nautilus then you’ll have to take a dip into the second-hand market where watches are available much faster but often at scalper prices. However, you mustn’t let yourself get screwed over and the best way to do that it to find a trusted and reliable used watch dealer. A dealer like Tempus Lord.
Tempus Lord was founded in 2020 by Ish Ahmet, meaning that on the wide stage of watch retailers they’re a relatively new player. Ish, however, is a practiced hand. He first began working in the jewellery and watch trade back in 2004 at the ripe age of 18, helping to serve customers in a shopping centre jewellery store.
From such humble beginnings he moved on to more prestigious showrooms for companies like the Watches of Switzerland group. Working in the Royal Exchange, Knightsbridge, Bond Street and in Rolex boutiques. Throughout he learned about selling new watches. He then transitioned into the second-hand market in 2010. Meaning he has close to two decades of experience in selling watches of all varieties, specialising in top end brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe.
In 2020 he, and his fiancé, decided to take all that experience and knowledge and leap into a business of their own. Thus, Tempus Lord was created, a second-hand luxury watch specialist set in the heart of the City of London, in the Leadenhall building. The business has rapidly grown since then and in 2021 they exhibited at the first London Watch Show.
Ish prides himself on his ability to find customers their perfect timepieces. Whether they come to him for shrewd investment purposes or to find a new family heirloom to be loved and worn for decades to come.
Here are 5 watches available from Tempus Lord that you should definitely take a trip into The City for.
Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi
The Rolex GMT Master II is arguably the most iconic GMT watch on the market. The distinctive day/night, second time zone bezel is instantly recognisable and has a number of signature looks. This one is the Pepsi, so called for its blue and red colouration that looks like the Pepsi logo. It’s the most sought after of the colourways alongside the Batman and Root Beer.
It houses the calibre 3285, which is pretty spectacular. It has an accuracy of +/- 2 seconds per day and a 70-hour power reserve, powered by Rolex’s perpetual rotor. And, of course, it features the titular GMT function.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Platinum
Alongside Rolex, Tempus Lord’s other specialty is Patek Philippe. This is the recently discontinued Annual Calendar Platinum from 2017. The 39mm case is made entirely from platinum, one of the most luxurious and notoriously difficult to work with materials in all of horology. It’s paired with a rhodium sunray brushed finish dial that features a moonphase, power reserve indicator and days, months and date indicators. While the annual calendar is not quite as prestigious as a perpetual calendar it’s still right up there, only requiring adjustment once per year if kept wound.
Rolex Submariner Date Hulk
The Rolex Submariner Hulk needs no introduction, its status has grown exponentially in recent years. It sports a tone on tone green dial and bezel that reminds people of a certain green superhero. It’s the spiritual successor to the Submariner Kermit, a similarly green Submariner in a slightly lighter shade.
In Oystersteel it’s incredibly durable and has a water resistance rating of 300m, making it one of the most quintessential diving watches around. The Submariner is one of the most influential watches in history and the Hulk is its premier modern incarnation. Perhaps only the Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms has had greater impact on the dive watch scene during its existence.
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925
One of the most exciting watches launched last year was the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925, painting Tudor’s iconic vintage dive watch in silver and taupe. It’s also the first of the brand’s dive watches to sport a sapphire exhibition caseback, meaning there are new innovations throughout. This is a watch that definitely got us hot under the collar when we first saw it, and it can be yours from Tempus Lord. Plus, it’s very accessible despite its precious metal case.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Tiffany”
Is there a singular colour as instantly recognisable as Tiffany blue? Probably not. And following Patek Philippe’s landmark Tiffany Nautilus at the end of last year the colour has been booming in popularity, especially on watches, clothing and accessories. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Tiffany” pre-dates the recent upswing in the colour, having been released in 2020, showing that Rolex are ahead of the curve.
With a 36mm diameter it’s feels decidedly vintage on the wrist but it’s well worth embracing your fun side with this bright turquoise timepiece.
More details at Tempus Lord.
