Let's See Your Watches! The Vintage Watch Thread.

[Miss Neecerie]

That's a Hamilton dial I've never seen before, though I HAVE seen dials like this under different names. I'd be suspecious as to whether or not it really IS a Hamilton, and the only way to do that is to 'look under the hood', or pull the movement out. That's a job I would NOT recommend you do yourself.

The best man for the job (in my opinon) is Rich Kuhn. He's a specialist in old wristies, and can take a look and give you a apprasial as to what you have, and what it would take to get it back in to running condition. He guarantees his work, and all carry a 90 day warranty.

You can reach him at rich@watchmakerfinds.com

If that IS a real Hamilton, you could be talking some bucks in terms of worth, as Hamilton's seem to draw quite a following, and collectors fight tooth and nail to acquire interesting variations. If this one is as factory made, you could have a real sleeper there.

Once again, it all depends on whether or not that IS a real Hamilton inside.

Regards! Michaelson

Cool, I will get in contact with him and see about it...

Fairly sure I wouldn't sell it , even if it did turn out to be a real hamilton, since it was my grandfather's, but would be nice to have it running.

Thank you!

 

[Michaelson]

Like I said, if it IS a Hamilton, that just adds icing to the cake....but either way, it's well worth getting restored, and it's not that expensive a proposition either.

Keep us in the loop, if you don't mind. I'd like to know how this works out for you.

By the way, please note the change of email address. The yahoo address is correct, and the other address isn't working.


Regards! Michaelson

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

I Dug Up My Great Grandfather's Watch

I was thinking of just titling this "I Dug up my Great Grandfather" and starting the post with.. "well, his watch anyway". But decided not to.

OK everyone, I had posted this yesterday, and knowing my luck there were all kinds of replies, none of which I saw. SO, i'm posting again.

I found this old watch that belonged to my grandfather's dad. I'm no expert, but i'm guessing it's from maybe anywhere between the 30's and 60's. Here are some shots...

Dimensions:
1" wide (including dial)
1 3/16" high

The face itself is 3/4" wide and 7/8" high.
The watch is 1/4" thick.

The face says "Empire" which i'm guessing is the brand. I saw no other markings. The silver plate on back comes off, but i'm afraid to dig around inside. If anyone who knows about watches can tell me what to look for inside and how to do it, I may venture, but for now, I'll leave it in it's drawer.

This is not the original band, and the watch currently doesn't work. If it's actually a nice watch, i'm going to have it fixed and the band replaced.. but, i'm not sure my poor French great grandfather could have afforded anything too great. But, I figure this is the place to ask. Anyone have any thoughts? Also, any ideas on where I can get a nice old vintage watchband?

 

[Mr_Misanthropy]

The Guts

I got it open fairly easily.. and here's what's inside.

Here's what some of the pieces inside say..
Near the large dial it says "unadjusted". By the small dial it says "Swiss"
On the metal area with the three red dots, it says "Savoy Watch Co" and "Seventeen17 Jewels"
One the inside of the cover plate it says "Pioneer: Stainless back" and below it, the number 564784.
And other than that, just a maze of dials and things that blow my mind.

Thanks!

 

[sam in santa fe]

McQueen Bullitt wristwatch

Hey guys!
What was the wristwatch McQueen wore in the movie BULLITT? I've never been able to determine it. Sam in Santa Fe

 

[John in Covina]

Don't know if it is the one in the movie, but Tag Heuer watches have some sort of Steve McQueen tie in in their ads last year or 2004.

 

[Salv]

It may have been a Tag Heuer in Bullitt, but the tie-up was due to McQueen wearing a Tag Heuer Monaco in the 1971 film Le Mans.

 

[Flitcraft]

McQueen Bullitt wristwatch

I watched the dvd again, but couldn't figure out what knd of watch it is.
I do know he wore a Rolex non-date Submariner in The Hunter, and he tended to favor that make and model for off-screen wear.

 

[scotrace]

Someone screen cap it?

 

[Bebop]

I don't remember which watch he wore in Bullit but I was lucky enough to meet Steve McQueen as he dated, or at least went out once with a friends mother (she was a racing groupie) when I was a teenager. That was the first time I had noticed anyone other than my father wear a simple Hamilton watch. I used to tease my father about his simple, uncomplicated, plain watch until I saw McQueen wearing the same model. I think that is when I started my watch obsession.

 

[Mycroft]

I don't remember which watch he wore in Bullit but I was lucky enough to meet Steve McQueen as he dated, or at least went out once with a friends mother (she was a racing groupie) when I was a teenager. That was the first time I had noticed anyone other than my father wear a simple Hamilton watch. I used to tease my father about his simple, uncomplicated, plain watch until I saw McQueen wearing the same model. I think that is when I started my watch obsession.

That is so cool, you met HIM! Anyhow, yea he was a modest guy, or so I read.

 

[Bebop]

That is so cool, you met HIM! Anyhow, yea he was a modest guy, or so I read.

He was very modest. My friends Mother was a waitress at a coffee shop and I didn't believe I was seeing the same
Steve McQueen that I saw in the movie Bullit sitting on the couch in the very humble apt. in Rosemead Ca. which is in no way close to high class. I knew he was not a Hollywood type of guy but seeing proof of that was a treat.

 

[bburtner@moran]

LONGINEs ROOSEVELT

Good day, gentlemen.
I want to get a new watch for christmas. I want something really stylish, but I want understatement too. Somesthing that will last a lifetime.

Mr. Bogart came to my mind. Is it known what kind of watches he wore? I know Longines is advertising with him, but that has nothing to say. There is a offer right now, where I can get a Rotary flip-watch for the half price. What do you think of them?

Regards,
Redbeard

Redbeard: Wore a Longines Roosevelt in Casablanca.

 

[221b]

"vintage repro watch"

Has anyone seen those watches in magazines that look like vintage watches from the 30's? The brand Im talking about is Stauer. Any opinions?

 

[The Reno Kid]

There are some pretty nice watches out there, but...

Those watches from the 30s are still around and they're not that hard to find. On any given day, you can find a bunch of them on ebay (for example) at what I think are very reasonable prices. In fact, my daily driver is a 1927 Elgin that I picked up on ebay. I posted a photo in another thread. I tend to be attracted to the standard American brands like Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham, Illinois, and especially Gruen. Their Curvex watches from the mid- to late 30s are simply beautiful. On any given day, you can find a wide variety of watches from these makers great condition (and usually with a new band) in the $50-$250 range. Not chump change, but a good value. Most of these beauties will outlast you if you take care of them.

There are also a lot of web sites where you can buy vintage watches, although the prices tend to be quite a bit higher. There are several watchmakers out there who do routine cleaning and maintenance.

You can still buy good quality new mechanical watches but they are pricey. And for me, there's really no comparison. The most expensive Patek Philippe on the market just doesnt move me. But a late '30s Gruen... Sweet! I'd just rather have the real deal. I'm in the process of weaning myself off quartz watches and I'm loving it. Sometimes I'll put my watch up to my ear just to hear it tick for a few seconds. It's music!

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I just picked this one up on eBay, unfortunately the minute hand fell off. I hope a decent watch shop can fix it.

 

[The Reno Kid]

Tony, that's a great looking watch. The hand can be re-attached by any competent watchmaker in about 2 minutes (assuming it just came off the spindle). Here's a link to the American Watchmakers & Clockmakers Institute: http://www.awci.com/ If you click on the "services" link, you'll be able to get a list of watchmakers. You may even find someone local. Good luck.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

"Vintage repo watch", eh? And whom do you wish to repossess it from?

.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

"Vintage repo watch", eh? And whom do you wish to repossess it from?

.

The dead guy who obviously forgot...'you cant take it with you'

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Tony,

I work in the town where that watch was made about two blocks away from the old factory. It is a beautiful watch.