Post your watches

Some lovely pieces, gents.

My latest acquisition is the below pictured, working man's Smiths Empire. Loses a few mintues each day which ain't too bad for oldster like this. Recently ultrasonically cleaned, rebilt and oiled by a very nice, helpful chap. I rather like it.

SmithsEmpirePocketWatch_zps9ddf26df.jpg
 
n1vlo said:
i had one of those for down the pit...with the steel cover over ....never failed

Olvin, my dear fellow, the chap I bought it from mentioned these steel covers and is going to have a look to see if he has any decent ones for me. He mentioned them as being used by miners and farmers amongst others and stated that if and when, despite the case's protection, the movement stopped due to infiltrating debris, the hardy wearers would pour naptha or petrol into the movement, give it a light swillling around then tip it out and hey presto! Full working order restored.

I am putting together a suitable chain from separate parts as all the decent, complete articles are much too expensive and the cheaper ones appear to be, well, tat to be honest. I have received a sturdy length of stainless steel chain that is is not too butch and am awaiting a decent looking but not too expensive sterling silver t-bar and proper swivelling watch fob clip. This will be for occasional use with a waistcoat alá Norman Clegg but for every day use, which it is intended for in the main, I hope to make a leather loop strap to fit round my belt and reach down into my jeans pocket.

If the aforementioned fellow cannot turn up a suitable steel case then I'll try to fashion a decent enough goatskin lined pouch to protect it from all the nefarious detritus that somehow seems to gather in my pockets.

Ta for responding and just how is the youngster coming along with the DE? Are you still favouring the Progress?

Graeme
 
I have inherited something very similar off my Grandad, managed to get the back open and noticed the sterling silver lion symbol and an italic B which i take it is around 1902, dont know the maker, i will clean it up and post some pics later.
 
jaycey said:
I have VWAD...Vintage Watch Acquisition Disorder.

Whilst in Morocco I get an e-mail from our very own Rev-O asking me if I am interested in another Smiths Astral, yes of course I am!

Then when I got home I got a call from my Brother who works in the insolvency business to come and view some 'stuff' at a jewellers that has gone bust here in London.

So here's this weeks haul...

Left to right, Smiths Astral, Helvetia in 18k Gold, J.W. Benson (London) in 9k Gold and 2 Omega pocket watches. All manual wind.
Also got a Pocket watch chain in 9k rose gold.


Jaycey,

My goodness, those are some prodigious lovely timepieces.

I had a thing for old Rotary watches for a while after receiving my late Grandfather's 17 Jewel, gold tone mechanical. I started wearing it after a series of Next cheapos gave up. Bloody things never even lasted to a battery change! The old Rotary did me proud for around 5 years until I dropped it. I had it professionally repaired but it has had a few repairs since then and I'm fed up forking out for it so it lies in a drawer. I also got a nice gold tone automatic from the bay for £24 a few years back but it now needs a jolly good clean and service and they want £90 for that. Neither are priority at the moment but one day I'll see them restored to something like their former glory.

Graeme
 
That is indeed a beauty, Rev. I especially like the brown leather strap and black face combination. Tell me, where did you get the strap, please?

Thanks,
Graeme
 
Hi Graeme I think it is from here http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/strapdetails.html

I have the same watch as Ollie (in fact its his fault I bought it !!) but mine is on a black rhino strap gives the watch a different look.
 
Thank you very much indeed for the link! I have just ordered a two piece, closed end strap in 18mm width dark brown leather to put on my not so glamourous but very practical Citizen Eco-drive military style watch which also has a black face. It is not in anyway as nice as the above Precista but I must cut my cloth to suit my pocket, so to speak. It will also will revive a currently unworn watch, giving me another option. Additionally, I thought the prices very reasonable compared to what you can pay for a Hirsch.

Graeme

P.S. here's the beastie in question:

951256d1359327561-recommend-thin-military-divers-watch-divers-bezel-573483d1323330792-never-owned-watch-before-citizen-eco-1.jpg
 
missingskin said:
Hi Graeme I think it is from here http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/strapdetails.html

I have the same watch as Ollie (in fact its his fault I bought it !!) but mine is on a black rhino strap gives the watch a different look.

That's the one!

Handmade in England, really really nice, best straps I've ever had and very reasonably priced. :)
 
Tell David I sent you and give him my regards. I'll certainly use him again. Btw, I have one of his leather NATO straps here, 20mm but I don't wear it. Cost me £24 (iirc) - will post to anyone for a tenner plus £2 postage
 
Changed my order from David: instead of plain dark brown I asked for the Montana brown grain which will more closely match a heavy buffalo grain leather belt I'm making for myself. Fella got back same day and said no problem, just like that. No more Hirsch for me!

But, I've gone and bought another pocket watch. This time a vintage Swiss made 15 jewel Rotary:

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Setting myself up for a severe ear bashing now......
 
Rev-O said:
Gairdner said:
But, I've gone and bought another pocket watch. This time a vintage Swiss made 15 jewel Rotary

Setting myself up for a severe ear bashing now......

That's from when Rotary were good.

Thanks for the confirmation, dear Reverend. I have much less knowledge than thee and can be hasty when making purchases. A retail therapy cure against time spent alone all day, most days, can oft reap disappointing results.
 
OK, here's my quartz beater:

CWC G10 from 1980, the first year that the MoD used quartz.

Like SuperSpeed razors, this watch has a date code (on the back) and for this year only is in a thicker, heavier case - called a "Fatboy". The tritrium lume has aged beautifully and it keeps excellent time.

The strap is a Rios Diplomat, a clip-on design for the fixed bars of the watch.





 
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