Every year, I tell myself that I am committed to “Zero Population Growth” in my collection, meaning that for every watch I buy, I will force myself to sell one. Some recent binge purchases have left me well short of this ZPG objective, so let me offer these six watches, in a last-ditch effort to at least limit the population growth during 2015. Of course, Black Friday is approaching, so these six watches, all with black dials, seem perfect for the occasion.

Triton Spirotechnique. I bought this one from Caso Watches (in Italy) three years ago, and have worn is fewer than 10 times since then. I don’t know much about this watch; I do know that people keep trying to buy it from me, so it may be worth more to these folks than it is to me. To my (novice) eye, everything appears to be original – hands, lume, bezel, crown and even the crystal. But I am not familiar at all with these watches. Finish on the case appears to be original, and is excellent. Serial number on the case-back is 471696. The only hit on this watch is that the date comes to rest a little off-center, in the window. Service history not known. Price is $5,200.

Autavia 1163 High-Beat Prototype (28800 VPH movement). The story goes that, relatively soon after the introduction of the Cal 11 Chronomatics (in 1969), Heuer had its partner, Buren, make 100 movements with 28800 VPH. We can assume that Heuer believed that this high-beat movement would compete well, against the El Primero. Heuer never produced the high-beat chronographs, but these 100 movements were sold off and over the years have been assembled into watches, I believe by various watchmakers. Over the last decade, we have seen around 10 of them in our little world, some in collections, and some for sale. This high-beat movement is in an Autavia 1163 MH case, with serial number 268976 (case marked 1163 V). Case is excellent; original finish with light wear. Read more about high-beat prototype watches here -- http://thoughts.onthedash.com/thoughts/heuers-28800-prototypes/ The price for this one is $8,500.

Bundeswehr. This Bundeswehr flyback chronograph came from Helmut Sinn’s sale of his personal watches, in 2012. As you may know, Mr. Sinn provided service for the Bund watches for several years, and here is what he assembled for himself – brand new case, with what seems to be a vintage case-back from the 1960s (with correct Bund markings, and a name very lightly engraved); new bezel, new crystal, new crown and pushers; the most beautiful, aged, warm dial you will ever see . . . really stunning. Comes on correct Bund strap, also in nearly-new condition. Fully serviced in 2014. I am selling this on behalf of a friend; his price is $4,400.

Belair GMT. This is the same idea as the Autavia GMT, but in a cushion shaped case. The watch is near mint; original finish on the case, with only the lightest scratches; very clean Valjoux 724 movement; serviced while I owned it. The selling point on any of the Autavia GMTs is the bezel, and this one is as strong as I have seen. The price is $3,000.

Autavia 1163 MH. This is a relatively early one (serial number 204091), with numerals 3-6-9-12 on the hour recorder; original finish on the case, with very light wear; freshly serviced and running well. The bad news -- the hands have been replaced, being from a Viceroy (brushed finish) instead of the original ones (which should be polished) and the MH bezel is from a later run, as it has the pip. The price is $5,500.

Clebar 12 Dato . . . This is the “Poor Man’s” version of the Carrera 12 Dato Ref 2547 NS (black dial / white registers), was produced by Heuer for Clebar, and is identical to the Carrera 12 Dato other than the name on the dial and movement. That’s right – the exact same case, dial and hands as the Heuer. Original finish on the case; 119638 serial number; light to moderate wear. It is in desperate need of a new crystal, but the dial looks excellent, with strong printing and strong colors on the 1-through-31. The Heuer 2547 NS has topped $10,000; you can buy this Clebar for $4,800.

Feel free to make an offer on any of these watches. Payment is only by bank wire or cashier’s check, with shipping and insurance to be added. Send me an email with any questions. I am happy to send or post additional photos, upon request.

Thanks for looking!!

Jeff