BS: Vintage watch thread

Subject: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 10 Dec 15 - 05:14 PM

The pocket watch thread is too dang big so lets do a new one. Any new additions to report. I picked up a beautiful 21 j Elgin veritas with the hard to find 3 finger bridge. I will post a pic later. Mahlon restored it for me to new state. Will did you get anything lately. Oh also restored an1879 hunter cased longines.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 10 Dec 15 - 05:19 PM

I just had my Omega Dynamic reconned by Omega at vast expense (happily paid by insurers).

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 10 Dec 15 - 06:17 PM

That is a wonderful watch Richard, next time you need service let me know, I will have Mahlon do it for you. Beautiful watch. I have a sea master and one early omega pocket watch.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 01:23 AM

Thank you. I am however in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 04:22 AM

Is this a wind up?

I'll get my coat...

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 04:23 AM

Hi Dan - you're right - the old thread was wobbling along for pages!

Well, since we last talked about these things, I bought myself a modern automatic by Christopher Ward - from the "not quite new" shelf - which has a black titanium casing and is very comfortable. An everyday watch.

My latest beauty is a LeCoultre from 1956 - lovely face and movement and in perfect condition.

LeCoultre face

LeCoultre movement

LeCoultre was a Swiss firm which, like Wittnauer, exported their movements to the US, where they were cased and timed. The ones sold in Europe were sold as "Jaeger LeCoultre". They also made movements for Vacherin & Constantin.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 04:26 AM

Richard, I've sent one or two items to Dan's Amish watch man, Mahlon, in the US. He's a superb technician and, even allowing for postage costs both ways, is a better buy than many repairers here in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 04:31 AM

Hey Dan, do you remember the Elgin "Father Time" I got from you? A fantastic watch.

Well, I bought myself a nice Canon 70D DSLR camera some months ago, and recently acquired a copy stand. I've been testing out an old Pentax Asahi Super Takumar 55mm manual lens with a x3 converter ring on it for maro photography.

Here's a pic of the Elgin movement - close up!

Father Time

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 04:39 AM

Ooooh - Now the obvious joke is out of the way, I have an old Sekonda self winding watch that I managed to break when trying to adjust :-( It is not worth much but has sentimental value as it was my Granddads. Anyone think it is worth sending off?

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 10:17 AM

Wow will, awesome pics.. Amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 10:27 AM

Send it to Mahlon, I can give you his address dave. No problem. Family item's no matter the grade deserve to live again. Pm me don't worry about the cost I got your back

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 10:46 AM

If everyone carried a pocket watch there would be peace on earth. We all would be so busy keeping them running on time there would be no time left for hate :)

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 01:46 PM

I'll drink to that, Dan!

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Greg F.
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 03:51 PM

If everyone carried a pocket watch there would be peace on earth.

Amen to that, Dan!

Be well,

Greg.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 05:47 PM

Thanks Dan. Much appreciated. I look forward to your PM and to having Grandad's watch working again :-)

He always made me smile in many ways but the watch really tickled me as a young man. He was so amazed at such a clever thing as a self winding watch that he spent far longer moving his arm up and down than he ever would have winding a traditional watch! He would have loved the internet
and when I think of how interested he would have been at it I still miss him. But with fond memories :-)

It was either loosing or gaining, can't remember which, and I tried to adjust it. Unfortunately I caught a hair spring with my screwdriver and made it worse by trying to put it back. Needless to say, it never worked again :-(

Out of interest, the other watch I hold dear is my late step-Dad's gold Cyma. That had a crack down the back and a local jeweler did what was required to fix it. Seems OK but I am reluctant to wear it on all but special occasions. No idea of the worth or rarity but, whatever it is, it will stay with me till I shuffle off this mortal coil!

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 08:00 PM

Mine's a Casio with a round face, real numbers and a plastic strap. I appear to be allergic to all other straps. £5.49, eBay, post free. Been using 'em for over ten years. I too will get me coat...

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 11:38 PM

Well steve what they lack it coolness they make up for in accuracy. No mechanical watch will ever beat quartz. Electrons vs springs :)

Dave I was out tonight but will pm you Saturday morning

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 11 Dec 15 - 11:52 PM

The fun in carrying a 100 + year old watch daily is knowing that there is a real possibility you will miss that doctors appointment that you really didn't want to go anyway :) quartz is just to accurate to give you those odds

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 12:07 AM

And why would one buy a six dollar watch that keeps perfect time when they can spend 500 dollars on one that doesn't. Lol

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 04:07 AM

I like your style, Dan!

Dave - your dad's Cyma is an excellent watch and well worth keeping - and wearing. I have a Cyma, and you can read a bit about it here.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 04:53 AM

Like Dan says, there's no question that the most basic quartz watch will keep as good time and better than a mechanical watch. But watch nuts don't collect watches because they want to know the time - any modern smart phone can do that as equally well as a watch - but for things like design, function and elegance of engineering.

This is a picture of the movement in my wife's Elgin 354 - a small, "Lady Elgin" pocket watch worn as a pendant and made in 1915:

Elgin 354 movement

This is a tiny watch - a style that would eventually morph into a wristwatch. Just look at the damaskeening (engraved decoration) on the plates. Note how the centre gear wheel is half hidden by the barrel bridge plate - and the outline of the continuing wheel is engraved on the plate. Look at the way that the engraving on the wheels makes them look like spirals. All done by hand.

That why I love these watches - the beauty, elegance and craftsmanship. By the same token, you can get excellent factory-made guitars, but I also love custom-made, hand-built guitars.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 05:14 AM

I get all that. I do think my Casio cheapie has become a bit of a classic though. They've been making that model for donkeys' years now. It's a bit too big to be ladylike and a bit too small to be manly. Kind of wristy metrosexuality for the inverse snob. The battery lasts for about five years, then the best thing to do is to bin the watch, for two reasons: first, a new battery costs almost as much as the watch, which will be pretty battered after five years anyway (the joy of a cheapie is that you don't have to care) and second, a watch with replaced battery will permanently steam up inside the first time you wash your hands. As far as I'm aware, this issue has defeated the smartest minds. I have spares. You don't have that with a Rolex.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 12:16 PM

I am obsessed with these little machine. Carry one daily. Beautiful works of art and addicting Hobby for sure

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 02:03 PM

check out this very scarce Fredonia Independent watch company keywind. It is the Howard brothers who partnered with Mark Twain. They were only in business for 4 years. Very scarce watch. I have two so I have this one on for sale.

Way cool

fredonia1

fredonia2

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 02:23 PM

Hey Will,
Elgin Veritas, 21J RR rare 3 finger bridge. They only made a few thousand of these in the 3 finger bridge flavor

e1

e2

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 02:41 PM

Wow, that's a beautiful Elgin movement, Dan - now don't go and start getting me jealous with an itchy wallet!

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 03:30 PM

Lol we are both doomed togo bbroke my brother

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 03:47 PM

I tried to see the Elgin, Dan, but the photos disappear before I can see anything other than a corner of blue background. I caught a glimpse of the Fredonia, then it also vanished.

How time flies!

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 04:38 PM

Hummm maybe the screen resolution on the pc.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 04:40 PM

I think you can use the button below the pictures to shrink them

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 05:23 PM

Email me maeve, I will send you pictures

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 15 - 06:27 PM

Resolution was fine for the bit I could see before all vanished into black. Even when I click on the link to the photo-streem all becomes unnavigable black. Odd- never had trouble with that site before.

I'll email you in the morning- thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 06:04 AM

It's Sunday. I have no wet or energetic actions planned. I think it is a day to wear the Cyma :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: maeve
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 07:27 AM

"Photo-streem"? Oy.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 09:50 AM

Like will said that is a wonderful watch, wear it anytime. You won't hurt it and there is nothing thatccannot be fixed easily. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 11:28 AM

For some reason I am really enjoying wearing it today. The past times have been special occasions that my late stepdad would have enjoyed but, on reflection, he would have enjoyed the normal, mundane Sundays with us just as much. What put me off using it in the past was the cracked back but now that is fixed I must wear it more often! The crack was odd. Bear in mind that it is gold. He had a ring that I have as well and that is 'crazed' inside and irritates my finger if I wear for more than a couple of hours. Is it possible that some people's sweat affects gold in this way?

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 11:56 AM

If it is white gold yes. White Gold is white because it has a rhodium coating that wears off. Yellow Gold no but I have seen them scarred from wear when the size is a little big on the wearer

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Dec 15 - 03:09 PM

They are both yellow gold so maybe they were worn too big. All academic really and just out of interest. Thanks anyway, Dan.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 12:18 PM

Is a 1972 wristwatch considered to be "vintage"?

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Greg F.
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 12:40 PM

Dave, any decent manufacturing jeweler could re-size that ring invisibly & also smooth up the inside for you.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: maeve
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 02:03 PM

Thanks for forwarding the photos, Dan. Beautiful!
Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 02:19 PM

Pete yes it is, especially in an omega. My focus is railway pocket watches usually 100 years or there about. Lots of collectors want 70s wrist watches especially political ones like Agnew or Nixon

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 05:17 PM

Aye - I was wondering whether to go for that, Greg, but I have a Claddagh ring that I wear as a wedding ring anyway. Maybe one day when I have some spare cash :-) Thanks for the thought anyway,

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Greg F.
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 06:09 PM

You're more than welcome, Dave; just thought I'd throw that into the mix for whatever it was worth. Best regards.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: GUEST,Henry Piper of Ottery
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 04:18 AM

I wouldn't swap my 1972, R.A.F issue Hamilton for any other watch, It was bought by my Father in Law for £5.00 from a military surplus store to replace his original '5os military issue watch ( Also a Hanilton,)which he lost, and given to me when he died, its barely lost or gained anything since I acquired it about ten years ago. Best watch Ive ever owned.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 03:24 PM

There are no bad hamilton watches. Doesn't suprise me. I have some from 1895 and they keep time.

Hey will, I just found a hamilton 992 elinvar
The 992e is so rare have a look at the ebay prices. I nailed it with two silver cased Illinois all for 130 us

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 03:47 PM

Aw Dan - an Elinvar - you son of a gun. And what prices!

How do you do it?

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 17 Dec 15 - 08:35 PM

Stumbled on an auction what a deal

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 02:18 PM

I started carrying a size 18 hamilton 21 Jeweled railroad pocket watch. I can see the damn thing without reading glasses. I hate getting old

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: maeve
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 03:43 PM

Great to see you posting here again, Dan.
Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Jan 16 - 04:36 PM

Smiths alarm clocks, 1960

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 12:00 AM

That is way cool jack, thank you

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 04:39 AM

This is still one of the greatest films about how a watch works - the Hamilton watch factory in 1949. I have a Hamilton Grade 747 just like the one featured in the film.

How a watch works

Wonderful watches. The modern Swiss Hamiltons are good - I have a Khaki Mechanical with an ETA 6497 movement in it, but there's something about the original US movements.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 05:03 AM

This is one of the most intricate and beautiful Hamilton wrist watch movements ever made (IMO) - the "Intramatic". It's an automatic movement, developed with Buren, which uses a mini-rotor. It's not the most efficient automatic movement by a long way, but gorgeous to look at!

Hamilton "Intramatic"

Click on the pic of the movement to see it larger size.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: gillymor
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 08:21 AM

olddude: "I started carrying a size 18 hamilton 21 Jeweled railroad pocket watch. I can see the damn thing without reading glasses."

Exactly the reason I asked for (and received) a Seiko Solar military style watch for Xmas. It has characters almost as big as my Waltham Vanguard which I only carry when I wear a suit, about twice a decade. Between the Seiko and my lovely Citizen's Eco-Drive my outdoor and indoor chronometer needs are met.
Not trying to hijack your thread, Dan, just wanted to say a few words on behalf of solar aficionados and the mothers in Nashville.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 09:20 AM

Those are great watches gilly.
Will, I completely agree with you. Wonderful

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: frogprince
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 11:28 AM

Dan, we had a spring gala reception at the local art gallery last eve. That little Waltham attended, with the chain looped across the red vest my current lover made for me a few years ago.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 09 Jan 16 - 01:35 PM

Wonderful foggy thatis a great Waltham

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: cnd
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 01:31 PM

I bought a watch at a yard sale a couple years back but it has no identifying info on it. Nothing like your fancy ticking ones, but I thought it'd be an easy way to find out if anyone knows what type of watch it is. Here's a picture of it: http://i.imgur.com/MUvXHZY.jpg

Any help identifying it would be great. Before the question is asked, it doesn't work and I don't have the strap. It does have a (presumably dead) battery on the back that is about the size of the watch, and two buttons, one on either side.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 10 Jan 16 - 04:22 PM

Cnd, in the early 80s they made a ton of this style digital watches. Some Japan movements some from Taiwan, the us made would be marked. Could be just a new battery. You can pry open the back and replace it. It should run and the old ones are fun

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: banjoman
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 06:11 AM

I own a 1930,s Benson Gold Pocket watch. Its in perfect order and keeps time accurately. Bought to replace the similar one bought as a 21st birthday present for my father in 1931 which mysteriously vanished after his death in 1951.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 06:40 PM

I am not familiar with Benson but I bet it is a beauty ... I usually carry a hamilton 992b like the one my dad gave me as a teen. That one was destroyed in a house fire but I have the exact replacement that will go on to my grandson

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 08:18 PM

Sorry last post was me

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: frogprince
Date: 11 Jan 16 - 09:13 PM

"I usually carry a hamilton 992b like the one my dad gave me as a teen"

Appalachian roots, for sure; Dan, just how old were you when your teenage dad gave you the watch?

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 04:56 PM

J.W. Benson was a London watchmaker in the early years of the 20th century - Swiss movements imported and then cased and finished in London. I have Benson watch with an Audemars movement:

Benson Audemars

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 12 Jan 16 - 05:28 PM

Wonderful

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:54 AM

My latest Swiss Hamilton - the X-Wind Automatic Chronograph. This is an aviation watch with a rotating bezel sliderule system which allows the calculation of crosswind drift.

All I need now is the plane to go with it!

http://www.mjra.net/WillFly/Hamilton%20Khaki%20X-Wind%20Automatic%20H776660%20face.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Will Fly
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 06:55 AM

Wrong link!

Hamilton%20Khaki%20X-Wind%20Automatic%20H776660%20fa

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: olddude
Date: 14 Jan 16 - 09:51 AM

Those watches will are amazing.. I absolutely love it

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: keberoxu
Date: 03 Sep 19 - 03:06 PM

This past weekend, I drove to
Waltham, Massachusetts, once known as the City of Watches, I hear.

I wasn't there about time-pieces.
The trunk of my car was full of books, which it was time to get rid of.
By the railroad tracks that follow the banks of the Charles River,
a long street of warehouses includes one property which maintains
a shop for second-hand books.
The shop is staffed by the teenagers and adolescents who
participate in a program for older children in care of some sort.
The program is a non-profit.
The building is the real deal, warehouse-wise, with
garage doors and loading docks.
And they happily took my grocery sacks full of books.

Had an awful time getting to that shop, however,
because of one-way streets and also
two-way streets on which left-hand turns are forbidden ...
had to go around in spiraling circles in my car
just to get from Point A to Point B.

Okay, thread hi-jack over. Thanks for listening.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: cnd
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 10:26 AM

I was recently gifted an antique pocket watch from a family member. He told me it was owned by my great grandfather, and was used during his days as a signalman and cook while working on a caboose.

He said it was circa 1880s and looked a lot like this one (link) -- Illinois Watch Co. with a gothic script logo, Arabic (not Roman) numerals to show the time, and a smaller circle for the seconds. I haven't opened it up to get a serial number yet.

Sadly, the action is not currently working. I'm considering taking it to a local watch shop to get it fixed.

Subject: RE: BS: Vintage watch thread
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Apr 22 - 10:50 AM

My great aunt once informed me that Ansonia, Connecticut, was the "City of Watches." Timex used to be there.