Want to buy or sell something? Check the classifieds
  • The Fedora Lounge is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

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

1955mercury

One of the Regulars
Messages
195
Location
South Carolina
Thank you Fading Fast. It was in pitiful shape when I first received it and not running at all. I took it completely apart cleaned, oiled and adjusted it. It's keeping time within +/- 4 seconds a day now.
 

1955mercury

One of the Regulars
Messages
195
Location
South Carolina
Here's a 1951 Bulova Allerton model I found in the graveyard.
1951AllertonAsBought-06April2016.jpg


After putting it on life support and giving it a lot of TLC it came back to life.
1951BulovaAllerton-25Aug2016.JPG
 

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
A lot of really nice wristwatches have been posted over the past few days, making this a most enjoyable thread!

I thought I'd turn the clock back a bit further. Here's an open-face LIP 43 mm (aka as 19 ligne) in in-house chronometer mode (17 jewels, adjusted but of course):

LIP 43 Dial (600x800).jpg


The silver case was finished using the niello technique. I'm currently wearing it affixed to a sterling chain.

The pocket watch is a recent acquisition, it would have been produced sometime between 1921 & circa 1940 by the LIP manufacture in Besancon, France. Judging from the fancy cuvette, the company took some pride in this model:

LIP 43 Cuvette (600x800).jpg
 
Last edited:

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
Nice pocket watch, only 'small' thing, you have to attach the chain with the 'safety clip' not with the 'spring ring' to your pocket watch
The spring ring is meant to be attached to your buttonhole (vest) or attached to your belt loop (pants).

The chain in question has a spring ring at one end and a T-bar at the other. The T-bar goes through a button hole in the lapel or vest. Here's another shot of the watch in which the relevant attachments can be made out in the vicinity of the pendant:

LIP 43 Chain (600x800).jpg



I have no idea whether the spring ring is original to the chain but as with all vintage items "it is what it is". Anyways I hope that this clarifies the situation at hand.
 

VintageEveryday

A-List Customer
Messages
390
Location
Woodside, NY
a 1945 Bulova Squadron B with the original velvet presentation box, warranty and outer cardboard box belonging to either my grandfather when he turned 13, or to my great grandfather.
45 bulova.jpg
IMG_20161009_192646354.jpg
bulova set 1.jpg







1936 bulova.jpg
a 1936 10K gold Bulova

1938 bulova.jpg
1938 Bulova Minuteman

a 1960 14K gold Longines that I bought for 5 dollars!
CsNTZQmXEAEAKd3.jpg
CsNTZpfWcAA7jVd.jpg
and about twenty others. Notably a rare 1904 Elgin pocket watch with the second hand at the three o clock position, a 1925 Gruen watch, a 31 Hamilton, a 37 Elgin, several early 40s ones (Gruen, Hamilton, Longines and Waltham) etc. Several of them have gone MIA, which I'm upset about, like my grandfather's 1943 Circular Gruen (i thought it was 1960s, because to this day I've never seen a round Gruen from the 40s, but the case, hands, numbers and movement are all 1940s).


TL/DR: I'm a watch addict.
 

viclip

Practically Family
Messages
571
Location
Canada
Nice collection, you're fortunate to have a family heirloom in the form of that 1945 Bulova.

I'd love to see a few shots of your 1904 Elgin pocket watch including one of the movement!
 

VintageEveryday

A-List Customer
Messages
390
Location
Woodside, NY
Nice collection, you're fortunate to have a family heirloom in the form of that 1945 Bulova.

I'd love to see a few shots of your 1904 Elgin pocket watch including one of the movement!
Unfortunately, I don't know where it is. I left it with my mother this past March when i went back to school, and she doesn't remember where she put it.
 

VintageEveryday

A-List Customer
Messages
390
Location
Woodside, NY
m
Very sweet Elgin! The dial is in amazing condition - I don't think I've ever seen one that clean on a watch that's over 50 years old.

I wouldn't worry too much about the overdue cleaning. I know the experts say you should have a vintage watch cleaned and oiled every 5 years, but I have a sneaking suspicion that's a bit of mythology begun and spread by watchmakers. IMHOP, as long as a watch is running fine and keeping accurate time, the oil hasn't started to gum up and all's well. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
my grandfather's watch hasn't been worn in over 50 years, and it still works perfectly. and the dial is flawless.
45 bulova.jpg
 

Talbot

One Too Many
Messages
1,855
Location
Melbourne Australia
Forgot I had this picture. This is about 1/4 of my collection. This pretty much represents the number of watches I actively wear though. Several are broken, and several have somehow gone missing. But these pale in comparison to many of yours! I have a serious case of watch envy over here, especially that diamond Longines! View attachment 58631

A fantastic grouping. I love 'tank' watches. Wear them in good health!

Reminds me of the time I tried to sell a Bulova Director on eBay a few years back. I described it (wrongly) as a tank watch.

I got pinged because eBay claimed Cartier owned rights to the word 'tank' as applied to watches.

I have seen others get away with it since....
 

VintageEveryday

A-List Customer
Messages
390
Location
Woodside, NY
The watches I carry on a daily basis average at 100 years in age...most in the 120 year old age bracket. I do have a couple vintage 40's/50's tank watches, and personally favor Bulova's myself. The newest 'vintage' watch I own is a 1955 Elgin Shockmaster. They're all great timekeepers (I insist on that), and have been a mainstay of my daily timekeeping ritual. The watch I'm carrying today is an 1881 Elgin G.M. Wheeler 18s Hunter. Regards. Michaelson
wow! My oldest is a 1904 Elgin. How much did your 1881 cost?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
109,253
Messages
3,077,342
Members
54,183
Latest member
UrbanGraveDave
Top