Post pics of your watches ***Please NO QUOTING PHOTOS***

Wibbs

Yay! You got one. Congrats. That's going to be areal beauty with some fettling.

The Hodinkee effect is hitting a lot of marques and collectors. More investor and fashion types getting into the vintage market with very different ideas about what is considered a "bargain", or even an "average" price. IMH there's a fair bit of behind the scenes dealer manipulation of the market going on. Not at the billion quid Patek made from pure unobtanium end, but at the bread and butter end. EG 70's chronos. Couldn't give them away a couple of years ago, but now that men who would have bought them new are at an age where funerals are more likely, they're coming up more and more in estate sales and there's money to be made. When I observe the rise of a brand like Enicar over the last two years I'm scratching my head(they're OK watches, but in general, high end they were not).

StereoSound

That's a nice piece. I often wonder when I see vintage watches how they become so dirty and gritty on the inside when they are sealed closed. How does it happen? I'm ignorant to the know how of these things.

CarltonBrowne

It's an interesting question. Obviously these watches are not even remotely airtight and, for example, you can often see when one has belonged to a heavy smoker. Here's a picture of the dial without the bezel and crystal (it comes off easily with a case knife).


Some of the staining on this one could be nicotine. Bizarrely UG made a model (or possibly a series) with Climate Proof marked on the dial and these are pretty much guaranteed to have badly weathered dials. I'm not sure whether this is just proof that you should never believe what a marketing person tells you or whether it meant that people bought them and took them to places where they would get a hard life.

dudara

Finally! My Vostok Komandirskie special edition has arrived. Took over 2 months but it's here.

ArphaRima

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Houseki Hiroba in Shibuya

Now that is a watch mecca. Thanks ghostchant! Went on looking for a used Rolex, bought a new DSOTM. Delighted!

Cyrus

Congrats how do you like it ? Have often toyed with buying one !

ArphaRima

Photos just simply don't do it justice.
It glisten and shines beautifully in motion. A stationary shot is pointless.

Very pleased. As a main wearer it wouldn't be a great choice as the black would be too polarizing. But as part of a collection its a must have!

mynameis905

Beautiful watches Dudara and fluffer. Well wear.

ghostchant

Glad to be of help 'tis a beauty

CarltonBrowne

I've been hemming and hawing about this for a while but decided to go for it recently.


Whilst it is a bit rough it's keeping good time and still has the original crown and crystal (not to mention the radium). The first challenge is to get the right strap for it - it's on a Timefactors flieger at the moment which is excellent for the money but it needs to have more of a vintaged feel and be a bit bulkier (and of course the strap must work with the 24mm fixed lugs). I'm not going down the leather NATO route as I feel that, on my titchy wrists, it just looks like there's too much surplus material hanging off the sides. In the long run I may go for a complete cosmetic overhaul as it's not actually an issue piece but I need to ponder on that. I wonder what tales it could tell?

Wibbs

God that's a real beauty CB. Fantastic patina going on. The original crystal a nice bonus(wish I hadn't got rid of mine). And the original "waterproof" style crown. You rarely see that. They're almost always replaced with later types or to jolly up the price with an oversized pocketwatch crown, which the Helvetia's never had. I love the numeral font on these, very Art Deco. They had me at the aeroplane propeller logo TBH.

Oh and I agree re the leather NATO. I don't use mine. As you say if thin of wrist it looks a bit daft. I went back to a standard nylon NATO.

Deep Thought

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

I've been hemming and hawing about this for a while but decided to go for it recently.


Whilst it is a bit rough it's keeping good time and still has the original crown and crystal (not to mention the radium). The first challenge is to get the right strap for it - it's on a Timefactors flieger at the moment which is excellent for the money but it needs to have more of a vintaged feel and be a bit bulkier (and of course the strap must worked with the 24mm fixed lugs). I'm not going down the leather NATO route as I feel that, on my titchy wrists, it just looks like there's too much surplus material hanging off the sides. In the long run I may go for a complete cosmetic overhaul as it's not actually an issue piece but I need to ponder on that. I wonder what tales it could tell?

Thats lovely...Helvetia?

CarltonBrowne

Deep Thought wrote: »

Thats lovely...Helvetia?

Yes - by far the most common of the 1928 "Luftwaffe" pattern.

Wibbs

1975 Bulova Accuquartz "Centenary" edition. TBH I don't usually get into the ephemera of vintage watches, but have been looking for an original advert for these as the few examples on the interwebs are tiny and blurred and the text is illegible. One came along last week and so in the interests of adding info to this often remarkably murky period of time and for a fiver… I'm adding to nobody's knowledge of anything if it's more than a few quid. I'm a cheap watch whoer. :-)

I sourced another Bulova velour(yeah baby!) strap for it as the original two tone leather(Behave!) bracelet was two long for my wrist.

So the translation is; based on my awful schoolboy French and a dictionary and some anglifying it up, as I was too lazy to type it into an online translator…

1875; Joseph Bulova founded the Bulova company
1960; Bulova launches the first electronic watch(they didn't but…)

15 years later Bulova make the highly reliable electronic watch(? I presume they mean their quartz.)

A maximum variation of one minute per year. This is the remarkable accuracy you are offered today in electronic watches. Incredible progress for your benefit. But what good if you shave seconds per month if your watch is disturbed at any moment? And yet, the only regularity of many electronic watches is the regularity they must be returned to the factory for regulation. Because we do not improvise in a field where technology is paramount(i'm kinda lost there ).

15 years before. In 1940 Bulova developed quartz crystal technology(I did not know this). In 1960 the Bulova watch company was the first to produce a real electronic watch: the Bulova Accutron tuning fork.

Go forward 15 years, Bulova has met all the conditions of perfect reliability: that today offers the Bulova Accuquartz Centenary(styles for men and women).

One hundred years of experience. A century was time to learn his craft. Did you know that in 1875 that Joseph Bulova founded the U.S A Company that was to become a world leader in quality watchmaking. One hundred years marked by discoveries and advances that today lead to the Bulova Accuquartz Centenary.

The reliability of the Bulova Accuquartz Centenary, your watchmaker knows. Ask him.


*Bulova Accuquartz Electronic made in limited numbers to mark the centenary of Bulova.(The number 100 represented on the dial)

Apologies to all French speakers everywhere.



So it was a limited edition, how limited it was is another days work. The "pure" tuning fork examples seem to come up more commonly. I have three of the quartz ones. Yes. I am quite mad. The other two are steel examples. One Italian, one for the UK market and this gold one for the Belgian/French market. I've never seen this advert(and a smaller B&W one) in anything but French. They were sold in the US alright, but it seems in limited enough numbers as only a couple so far have shown up there(and one had a French day wheel IIRC). Odd given it was probably their largest market. And US buyers seemed to have been more open to funky shagadelic designs than the European. The gold one seems less common. Most that show up on the Bay are the stainless steel. When they do show up new old stock is common enough. So maybe not big sellers. My Belgian example in gold came with the original price tag and was roughly 220 odd dollars in 1975 exchange rate and that was a reduced price as further examination of the tag shows a higher number under, more like 300 dollars. That's Rolex Submariner/Omega Speedy money at the time. Not cheap. I will say, even 40 years on, they're an accurate old thing. One of the most accurate of my quartz'. Well within the original claimed minute per year.

Wibbs

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

Yes - by far the most common of the 1928 "Luftwaffe" pattern.

Aye CB, but rarely enough in that condition, with that originality, with that level of lovely wabi and the larger sized high end movement driving proceedings. Yours is a really sweet example. TBH I think I've seen about three or four of the Hellies as good as yours since the mid 90's and I'm not exaggerating there(which makes a nice change for me, to be fair :-))

CarltonBrowne

Wibbs wrote: »

Aye CB, but rarely enough in that condition, with that originality, with that level of lovely wabi and the larger sized high end movement driving proceedings. Yours is a really sweet example. TBH I think I've seen about three or four of the Hellies as good as yours since the mid 90's and I'm not exaggerating there(which makes a nice change for me, to be fair :-))

Well, that's put the kibosh on a complete restoration, then - cheers mate! As you well know this one falls under the category "Wibbs told me to do it!" so he who is without sin etc...

Menas

Some of you may remember the kickstarter campaign for William L from late last year?
Well, look at what just arrived. It is a fabulous looking timepiece with a spare band and presented in a very nice little case. I am happy!

sparrowcar

Nice menas, I was going to sign up for the rose gold one but never got around to it. Well may you wear.

Ionised

Almost signed up for that too but had just paid out on the Straton instead.
Looks really pretty though.

Keano

Got mine too Menas. Do you know how to adjust the size of the metal strap?

Menas

Keano wrote: »

Got mine too Menas. Do you know how to adjust the size of the metal strap?

Same as this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cuHgrJKfTE

Clareman

I've the Rose ordered, it hasn't arrived yet once it has I'll upload some photos

kramxw

Menas, ordered the exact same version also, looks good in black with the bracelet.

Have a couple of these incoming also.

Birneybau

kramxw wrote: »

Menas, ordered the exact same version also, looks good in black with the bracelet.

Have a couple of these incoming also.

Wow, they look really great!

STintin

Menas wrote: »

Some of you may remember the kickstarter campaign for William L from late last year?
Well, look at what just arrived. It is a fabulous looking timepiece with a spare band and presented in a very nice little case. I am happy!

Cool, how much it cost ?

Menas

STintin wrote: »

Cool, how much it cost ?

€139 was the cost to back the project for this watch.

Its showing now on his website for €149, but only on preorder.

http://www.williaml1985.com/collections/the-chronograph-collection

gucci

Nice work Menas, I remember debating long and hard about pulling the trigger on one when the kickstarter was here, I just hadn't the spare cash......but reckon I will get one eventually so will be interested to see how it wears for you.
Good luck with it

HDMI

A while back a member here had his yellow SKXA35 for sale but got cold feet when it came time to sell, the fecker said he liked it for fishing :eek: you know who you are :rolleyes:

I have been keeping my eye out and this one popped up on eBay but there was problems with the nasty global shipping program so I messaged the seller and we done the deal outside of eBay which meant I didn't have to pay import fees.

Fitted with a Dagaz Superdome sapphire and sloped bezel with matching hands. It also came with a Strapcode Engineer bracelet with ratchet clasp, 2 zulu straps and the original crystal and hands were also in the package.

The watch sells for about $250 new, the bracelet another $100 and the crystal is $85 + original parts and I got it for $160 which included PayPal fees and shipping from the USA. Excellent deal I reckon

Chapter ring is a little out of alignment but I will sort that later.

fulladapipes

Posted this on the WRUW wearing thread earlier, but thought it's worth a post here too - my two watches. This is my second Speedmaster Professional...won't be getting rid of this one.

Wibbs

Going a tad old school, Longines style.



From top; 1911/12, 1916, 1924(the book is from 1908). The piggie in the middle is one I keep coming back to wearing and have done for 20 odd years, sometimes my "daily driver" for many months at a time. Before the wider interwebs it lived on a "ladies" strap, survived that and scary shocks due to my clumsiness and even my earliest relume job... and keeps on ticking*.




*Getting that pic wasn't that easy. All had run down, so I set them to 1:49 for aesthetic's sake, but even the slightest touch had the feckers start running. The too efficient mechanical old bastards that they are.

blue5000

Wibbs, hope you don't mind me asking, how many Longines watches have you to choose from? I mean wearable, working ones?

bigslick

Speaking of William L, mine also arrived. Really enjoying this watch and the details on it.

Wibbs

bigslick wrote: »

Speaking of William L, mine also arrived. Really enjoying this watch and the details on it.

That's a very nice bit of kit. Loving the case coating.

blue5000 wrote: »

Wibbs, hope you don't mind me asking, how many Longines watches have you to choose from? I mean wearable, working ones?

Off the top of my head* B I'd reckon 8 wearable and working.




*yep I have it the disease so bad that I'm not quite sure. :-o

Eoin

Wibbs wrote: »

*yep I have it the disease so bad that I'm not quite sure. :-o

Less than the amount of Russian divers than peasant has though, I'd imagine. He probably counts his by the barrel.

Senecio

Decided to spoil the wife for her birthday next month. I just hope she likes it as much as I do! Difficult to photograph the face, especially with a phone camera but it's a stunning looking watch.

Wibbs

Longines eh? Never heard of them. Nice watch. I actually know someone who has a very similar model if not the same and it's a very nice watch. Lovely dial. Extremely legible.

dinorebel

Love that WilliamL that could be next for me, I seem to have caught the bug I blame this thread.

Jawgap

Senecio

Wibbs wrote: »

Longines eh? Never heard of them. Nice watch. I actually know someone who has a very similar model if not the same and it's a very nice watch. Lovely dial. Extremely legible.

She received her present this evening and the look on her face was priceless, she loves it. I breathed a huge sigh of relief! Will have to post a shot on her wrist once we get the bracelet resized.

fulladapipes

Decided to try the Speedmaster Professional on a Nato (actually I think it's called a Zulu). I got a leather one, as wasn't 100% sure about some of the striped ones.

It is incredibly comfortable. The leather is thinner than I expected (about 1.5mm), but in fairness it'd have to be to fit through the lugs.

Nothing beats the Omega bracelet for comfort, but as straps go, this leather one is working very well so far. Got it on the Bay for £22 from a seller called watchgecko.

CarltonBrowne

Quite pleased with this one. Advertised with the maker's name misspelt and no reference to the fact it has a solid gold case (I believe 18ct but need to do a bit more research). I was the only bidder. Serial number dates it to 1960.



Needs a new crystal and maybe a new dial if this one won't clean up and keeping perfect time. Unfortunately has one of the slightly rarer UG calibres (1105) - if it was something like a Cal. 262 a loose dial tends to come up at least once a week on Ebay.

Menas

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

Quite pleased with this one. Advertised with the maker's name misspelt and no reference to the fact it has a solid gold case (I believe 18ct but need to do a bit more research). I was the only bidder. Serial number dates it to 1960.

Needs a new crystal and maybe a new dial if this one won't clean up and keeping perfect time. Unfortunately has one of the slightly rarer UG calibres (1105) - if it was something like a Cal. 262 a loose dial tends to come up at least once a week on Ebay.

That will look great when it is spic and span. Do you mind telling us what you got for it?
I picked up a Breitling from the 1950s earlier today for just over €200 incl P&P. Automatic/date. It too needs a bit of love but should look great after a bit of spit and polish. Not sure it will be a keeper though.

Wibbs

CarltonBrowne wrote: »

Quite pleased with this one.

Ohhh and quite rightly too Sir. :eek: Very nice. I'd reckon a new crystal will make a helluva difference. That case is extremely crisp, doesn't look like it was ever polished. And it could be 18kt gold. You jammy… UG made some bloody marvellous watches.

I do love the old spelling errors. Speaking of same, anyone fancy an "Omeaga"? OK it's a 70's quartz, but properly listed with decent pics and that would not be sitting with no bids with two days to go.

It's mad how often that happens. I'd say near weekly, even with high end names, though collectors are better at spotting it.

PS if someone wants to fire a few quid at that above, PM me and I'll disappear the link. It would be a punt mind you as the seller claims it may work, it may not so…

firestarter51

Picked up this Tag Heuer Aquaracer
Still not sure about it, I prefer bracelet and it's taking time to get used to a strap

Eoin

I think it looks good on that strap

fulladapipes

Lovely looking watch.

firestarter51 wrote: »

Picked up this Tag Heuer Aquaracer
Still not sure about it, I prefer bracelet and it's taking time to get used to a strap
SNIP

mynameis905

firestarter51 wrote: »

Picked up this Tag Heuer Aquaracer
Still not sure about it, I prefer bracelet and it's taking time to get used to a strap

How about a NATO? Never liked black straps on casual watches myself.

firestarter51

mynameis905 wrote: »

How about a NATO? Never liked black straps on casual watches myself.

Tried nato straps and I'm not a fan of them on newer watches I thing they look sxxt

jawacz

Hi, this watch found again recently, been lying around home for decades, number inside case: 798396. Case looks like it may be silver.

Wibbs

Looks silver alright. I can just make out the hallmark, which might be London? The date bit I can't make out. Style wise it would be seen as a "Trench watch" circa the First World War, though the style stayed in fashion particularly in the UK well into the 1930's. 15 jewel Swiss pin set lever movement so decent quality. Not sure of the maker. Black and white type dials are the less common ones, less common again are ones without a seconds hand. The hour hand is a later replacement, the minute hand looks original(funny enough, it's usually the minute hand that goes missing). The winding crown is also a later replacement. Ebay could probably dig up the correct parts.