Collector Guide

The late Diana, Princess of Wales was born The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961 in Norfolk. She received the style Lady Diana Spencer in 1975, when her father inherited his Earldom. Lady Diana Spencer married The Prince of Wales at St Paul's Cathedral in London on 29 July 1981.

As Princess of Wales, Diana undertook royal duties on behalf of the Queen and represented her at functions across the Commonwealth Realms.She was celebrated in the media for her unconventional approach to charity work.

The royal's timepiece collection was no exception: Most of the watches that Princess Diana collected and wore over the years had a special meaning behind them. A yellow gold Patek Philippe model(Ref:3618), gifted to her by Prince Charles for her 20th birthday, was often seen on Diana's wrist during the early years of their marriage. This Patek Philippe Ref. 3618 is very rare, and made from 18K yellow gold.

Princess Diana was also gifted several timepieces for her wedding to Prince Charles. The royal family of Saudi Arabia gave her a gemstone-laden Asprey timepiece that was later converted into her immortalized choker necklace, while Queen Elizabeth II presented her with a diamond-set Vacheron Constantin watch from 1947.

Following her and the Prince of Wales's divorce, Diana was more often seen wearing her Cartier timepieces. She possessed two: a Tank Louis Cartier watch with a yellow gold case and black alligator strap and a Tank Française, also in yellow gold. The Tank Française (a gift from her father, John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer) was chosen by Prince William as his personal keepsake upon his mother's death. Cartier's emblematic design—first conceived in 1917 and inspired by a bird's-eye view of the war tanks of WWI—only gained more ground as a chosen piece of Princess Diana's personal collection. "The Tank Française blurred the lines between watches and jewelry with its more modern sharp edges and mirror-finished bracelet," says Edouard Caumon of Watchfinder. "Although it was produced in yellow gold, it still managed to maintain its composure and elegance, and it also clearly made an impression on the young Princess. She was known to have worn one from its initial release from Cartier - around the same time as her divorce from Prince Charles, suggesting it heralded a new era of independence."

Diana had a beautiful and priceless collection of watches and jewelry. With many of them gifted to her by friends and family from around the world. Diana was also lent many of the Queen’s jewels to wear over the years. However, two of Diana’s most prized positions; her engagement ring, and her Cartier Tank Française watch. Are now in the possession of her two daughter in laws; Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle.

Princess Diana was a true style icon, who had great taste in luxury watches and jewelry. She’s still the People’s Princess, and still sadly missed.

Omega had a keen interest in motor racing in the 1990s and other brand ambassadors included ralf schumacher and Michael andretti.

This speedmaster was launched from the karting track in Kerpen, Germany, where Michael schumacher developed his driving skills while he was young.

CALIBRE 1141 In 1995, the automatic calibre 1141 became the rhodium-plated version of the calibre 1140, which was built for Speedmasters with “reduced” cases. Like its predecessor, the calibre 1141 featured smaller dimensions (25.60 mm in diameter) to fit the more refined chronograph design. It had a frequency of 28,800 and featured a distinctive chronograph plate.

Year of production 1996 watch reference pic 3810.61.41 case stainless steel diameter 39mm hands baton bracelet leather strap glass hesalite dial red, sln luminous calibre 1141 launched by Michael schumacher racing this striking model is notable for its “younger aesthetics” and was produced in both red and yellow versions. the piece was launched by racing legend michael schumacher who had become a new omega ambassador in 1996. as well as featuring a racing-style minute track, the watch had a rubber presentation box that resembled the tyres of f1 cars and featured schumacher’s signature in white. 1996 racing launched by michael schumacher.

The watch is now available to purchase at our store.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England in late June or early July; the event is scheduled to avoid clashing with the Formula One season, enabling fans to see F1 machines as well as cars and motorbikes from motor racing history climb the hill. In the early years of the Festival, tens of thousands attended over the weekend. 

 The Goodwood Festival of Speed was founded in 1993 by Lord March in order to bring motor racing back to the Goodwood estate — a location steeped in British motor racing history. Shortly after taking over the estate in the early 1990s, Lord March (who later became Duke of Richmond) wanted to bring back motor racing to Goodwood Circuit, but did not have the necessary permit to host a race there.

Therefore, he instead hosted it on his own grounds. With a small selection of entrants made up of invited historic vehicles, the first event that took place on Sunday 20 June proved to be a success, taking in a crowd of 25,000 despite a date clash with the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. After the second event also clashed with Le Mans, Lord March would ensure that the event would never be allowed to clash with either Le Mans or Formula One races. In 1994, Saturday was added, making it a weekend event.

In 1996, Friday was added, making it a three-day event. In 2010, the Moving Motor Show was added on the Thursday. The 2020 event was cancelled then later run in October combined with events at Goodwood Motor Circuit, without spectators, but streamed online and shown on terrestrial TV.

The event was modified to incorporate historic cars from the Revival, rally/sprint cars from the Member's Meeting, and an attempt to set a new track record.

The world of watchmaking and motorsport have long been synonymous with one another.

Brave men exploring the limits of physics in complex machinery separated by fractions of time.

Mayfair watch has proudly partnered with up and coming British Racing Driver Horatio Fitz-Simon, supporting his latest feature under the spotlight at the World Famous Brands Hatch Festival & Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone in a Formula Ford.

Horatio Fitz-Simon is a 19 year-old racing driver from Towcester, England.

Moving stateside when he just was a baby, and raised in California, Horatio’s fate was obvious from an early age. An avid motor racing fanatic from the start, he only ever had a single goal in mind: to one day be a Formula One driver.

His career started at 12 in karting, and immediately saw immense success. In his debut season, Horatio impressed right from the starting line by achieving several race wins, pole positions, and podiums. He achieved 3rd overall in the Sanzaru Games Rotax Challenge and was awarded "Driver of the Year" along with the title of "Rising Star".

Following up in strong fashion, his 2013 Season featured several pole positions, ten race wins, and eight lap records, going on to become the California Redline Oil Series Champion, Gatorz Challenge of the Americas Vice Champion, and an overall ranking of #5 driver in the US. Recognised for this astonishing feat, Horatio was thrust into the global spotlight when selected to drive for Team USA in the Rotax World Finals. Set amongst the world’s most elite driver line-up, he cemented his position at the top, setting consistent fastest laps.

Today, Horatio has thrown in all of his chips and returned to the birthplace of motorsport to pursue his racing career in its purest form. He is currently testing for the 2020 season and competing in various one-off events to garner the attention necessary from those who can make his dream a reality.

Credit: Bobwatches

Reference 1655 (1971-1984)

• 39mm

• caliber 1575

• large orange 24-hour hand painted tritium indices

• black dial only

• lines between even numbers on the bezel

Reference 16550 (1985-1989)

• 40mm

• caliber 3085

• white gold surrounds on hour markers

• black or white (faded to cream) dials

Reference 16570 (1989-2011)

• 40mm case

• cal 3185 with Nivarox hairspring

• skinny red 24-hour hand

• black or white dials

16570 Version 1 – (1989-1997) Features “SWISS – T<25” Dial, 3185 movement, drilled lugs case, pressure bracelet clasp

16570 Version 2 – (1998/1999 features “SWISS” Only Dial, 3185 movement, drilled lugs, locking bracelet clasp

16570 Version 3 – (1999-2005) features “SWISS MADE” Dial, 3185 movement, drilled lugs, or no-holes case

16570 Version 4 – (2005-2011) features “SWISS MADE Dial, 3186 movement, no holes case, rehaut, solid endlinks, locking bracelet clasp

Reference 216570 (2011-2021)

• 42mm case (sometimes called a Super Case, or Maxi Case)

• caliber 3187

• black or white dial

• large orange 24-hour hand

• Chomalight lume

Reference 226570 (2021-present)

• 42mm case (sometimes called a Super Case, or Maxi Case)

• Caliber 3285

• Black or white dial

• Large orange 24-hour hand

• Upgraded Chomalight lume

• Enamel dial