Let's talk about watches...

[eltoroosborne]

Love that watch - classic


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[Rhinoww]

On 2/11/2024 at 3:01 PM, Rhinoww said:

Here you go

Watch arrived. Very easy process to import from Japan to US - perhaps due to the seller’s paperwork. 
Regardless the sellers images, like the ones I took of the watch with my iPhone, show the detail as yellow. It’s actually gold - which is what I was thinking originally. 

Very happy with the watch but some of the yellow bands I ordered may not work quite as well. I did end up with a sailcloth band with yellow stitching that should work well. I’m planning on using the OEM band for a bit just to get a sense of what the manufacturer intended before I start swapping things out. 

[Fuzz]

Ahh, it was more gold in the dial. There are some nice hybrid bands that would match that.

 

[El Presidente]

9 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Ahh, it was more gold in the dial. There are some nice hybrid bands that would match that.

 

Stop it. 

I know what you are doing 

 

 

[Fuzz]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Stop it. 

I know what you are doing 

Biz is biz.

[El Presidente]

I am not a huge fan of Chronographs but this one caught my interest this week. 

 

 

[LOMTL]

39 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I am not a huge fan of Chronographs but this one caught my interest this week. 

This brand is somewhat underrated, so much watch for not so much money, especially on the secondary market. Good example here, chrono, annual calendar, date with an ETA 2894-2 based movement.

 

[Miner]

I've just come across Christopher Ward watches and this has taken my fancy. Has any one had any experience with CW watches?

[Fuzz]

11 hours ago, Miner said:

I've just come across Christopher Ward watches and this has taken my fancy. Has any one had any experience with CW watches?

A friend of mine has a few of his watches. He's quite happy with them. Really good watches at a reasonable price.

I was thinking of getting one for my goddaughter.

[westg]

11 hours ago, Miner said:

I've just come across Christopher Ward watches and this has taken my fancy. Has any one had any experience with CW watches?

Check out the new lumtec range Clive.  I like them.

[El Presidente]

This was my first ORIS watch, ORIS World timer. 

I never should have sold it. 

Great little restoration vid. 

 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

On 3/1/2024 at 8:00 AM, LOMTL said:

This brand is somewhat underrated, so much watch for not so much money, especially on the secondary market. Good example here, chrono, annual calendar, date with an ETA 2894-2 based movement.

I love their watches.  Very boutique and special.  I am big fan of the Manero Flyback

 

[RDB]

I’ve always thought that a date should be at either 3pm or 6pm…

[Ryan]

Last November, a friend in Cuba found this watch on an online auction (in Havana) and asked if I would like it. I have been looking for an intact pre-revolution Cuervo y Sobrinos for 10 years, and this ticked all the boxes. He knows his stuff and got pictures of the movement before bidding.

I got it at a decent price. Got it back to Ireland and sent it to England (billandsons.co.uk) for restoration of the dial. There had been water damage and some mold on the dial. There is an argument for "patina" but this was too far gone for me. The movement is original and had been serviced. I had been hoping to have it for the trip to Cuba a couple of weeks ago but it wasn't ready in time. I'll have it when I go in June. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

How it was.

After restoration. Restoration cost much more than the watch itself but well worth it to me.

 

[El Presidente]

Very nice job 

[GaryK 54]

Very nice restoration work on the dial. I particularly like your decision to leave the patina on the hands of the watch. Well done. A beautiful timepiece. 

[Rhinoww]

Fantastic job on a watch that will make you smilE every time you look at it for years. 

[Ryan]

22 hours ago, GaryK 54 said:

Very nice restoration work on the dial. I particularly like your decision to leave the patina on the hands of the watch. Well done. A beautiful timepiece. 

Thank you. Yeah, my local guy (dawsonjewellers.ie) just took some peg wood and rodico to the hands to get some of the looser gunk off. Nothing else. Only the dial was sent to England.

[gillmiller]

On 2/22/2024 at 7:02 AM, Rhinoww said:

Watch arrived. Very easy process to import from Japan to US - perhaps due to the seller’s paperwork. 
Regardless the sellers images, like the ones I took of the watch with my iPhone, show the detail as yellow. It’s actually gold - which is what I was thinking originally. 

Very happy with the watch but some of the yellow bands I ordered may not work quite as well. I did end up with a sailcloth band with yellow stitching that should work well. I’m planning on using the OEM band for a bit just to get a sense of what the manufacturer intended before I start swapping things out. 

What a beauty!

[Rhinoww]

So this rehab got me thinking - when I was a kid we went to Switzerland on a (very special to us) family vacation. It was the mid 70’s and I was a kid. I wanted a chronograph but brought like $150 on vacation from my savings. I bought a Lanco Chronograph which cost every penny I had brought with me. I wore it for a few years until the spring broke. I put it away. You know like over 40 years ago 😂. 
 

Over the years I brought it by my watchmaker when I was was getting one of my Omegas serviced. He took a Quick Look and said don’t bother with it as he didn’t know the maker. Repair is too expensive. 
Today I did a bit of research and found that the movement is a Valjoux 7733, which seems to have a pretty robust history in brands like Huerer, some early Brietlings and a host of smaller brands like Lanco. Based on the cost of my recent Omega Speedmaster clean and gasket job of around $575 and wait of 9 months, it made me wonder if there were specialists out there for the Valjoux 7733 movement.
 

Curious if there are any recommendations for a watch repairman/center in the US that is qualified and works on this movement enough that a clean/repair doesn’t take them too long (and perhaps not as spendy as my local guy). 
 

Admittedly a bit OT, but the rehab above got me Thinking….

 

[BrightonCorgi]

9 hours ago, Rhinoww said:

Curious if there are any recommendations for a watch repairman/center in the US that is qualified and works on this movement enough that a clean/repair doesn’t take them too long (and perhaps not as spendy as my local guy).

Give them a call and see where it goes https://www.rgmwatches.com/repair/

[Rhinoww]

5 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Give them a call and see where it goes https://www.rgmwatches.com/repair/

Thanks. I will reach out to them. 

[Rhinoww]

Back on topic - anyone here a collector of the old Seiko automatics, 6138 or 6139 watches?  Considering dabbing with at least an early Pogue, as the first automatic to space to add to a theme on space travel (omega and Bulova tuning fork both made it on early spacecraft and are part of my small collection). Lots of interesting options and history with the Seiko (and I will admit I was a bit surprised as I had only thought of their disposable quartz watches). Also seems that while a few complications, the price point particularly on some of the more exercised units might allow for some attempts at junior watch repair. 
Anyone here already go down this rabbit hole?

[BrightonCorgi]

On 4/5/2024 at 5:09 AM, Rhinoww said:

Back on topic - anyone here a collector of the old Seiko automatics, 6138 or 6139 watches? 

I'd go for the Seiko digital watches of the late 1970's. They are special watches that really set the brand as being cool. 007 worthy.

[Fuzz]

Just saw this Hanhart, limited to 50 pieces worldwide. Thinking about getting it for my old man.... and me by extension.