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

[viclip]

Feel free to chase me with torches and pitchforks since my new watch is not actually vintage, but is made to replicate the original late 1960s model. I just received my new Glycine Airman SST "Pumpkin" (shown with my other non-vintage Glycine Combat Sub). Very happy with my new watch (as I have been with every Glycine I've owned), expect for the band, which will be replaced as soon as the steel replacement arrives. The leather band is very thick and not tapered - it's like wearing a belt on your wrist. While I'd love to get an original Pumpkin, I'm am much happier with the cost of the current model.

Thumbs up for your fine pair of Glycines!

Based upon my evaluation of the Ningaloo Reef Auto Chrono which I picked up in 2013, I share your praise of Glycine watches ~ excellent Swiss quality at reasonable price levels.

There are many bargains out there for great Swiss watches as the manufacturers seek to shrink inventory levels in the face of persistent sagging sales affecting the industry generally over the past couple of years.

 

[TPD166]

My first Glycine was an original 1960s Airman - I've been a huge fan ever since.

Thumbs up for your fine pair of Glycines!

Based upon my evaluation of the Ningaloo Reef Auto Chrono which I picked up in 2013, I share your praise of Glycine watches ~ excellent Swiss quality at reasonable price levels.

There are many bargains out there for great Swiss watches as the manufacturers seek to shrink inventory levels in the face of persistent sagging sales affecting the industry generally over the past couple of years.

 

[TPD166]

Wasn't one of their slogans "Buy a Ball and time them all!"? I think they also used "Get on the Ball" too.

I've been meaning to showcase my Ball pocket watch for some time, so here it is:

I enjoy telling people that the phrase "on the ball" originated with the Ball company's mission of providing highly precise & reliable timekeepers for use by the railroaders who kept the trains running safely on time across the North American continent.

Incidentally the watch was made in 1911 & is 16-size.

 

[HanauMan]

After my Dad died I was given his old Waltham pocket watch. I don't know how old it is but the casing, which is English, is dated mid 40s. That ingot on the fob is modern. It is a nice watch and I remember how Dad would always keep it in his shirt pocket, only taking it out to read the time.

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[viclip]

After my Dad died I was given his old Waltham pocket watch. I don't know how old it is but the casing, which is English, is dated mid 40s. That ingot on the fob is modern. It is a nice watch and I remember how Dad would always keep it in his shirt pocket, only taking it out to read the time.

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I'm a great fan of American Walthams myself, you're doubly fortunate in as much as your Waltham is a family heirloom undoubtedly of great sentimental value. Incidentally if you can access the back of the movement, every Waltham has a serial number on one of the plates. You can enter that serial number & bring up all sorts of info including production date, using the search engine at:

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/

Now that you've piqued our interest, perhaps you'd consider sharing the results!

 

[viclip]

Wasn't one of their slogans "Buy a Ball and time them all!"? I think they also used "Get on the Ball" too.

Apparently the founder of the Ball Watch company - Webb C. Ball - rivalled P.T. Barnum when it came to showmanship. I think it makes collecting vintage items all that much more fun!

 

[viclip]

After my Dad died I was given his old Waltham pocket watch. I don't know how old it is but the casing, which is English, is dated mid 40s. That ingot on the fob is modern. It is a nice watch and I remember how Dad would always keep it in his shirt pocket, only taking it out to read the time.

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I meant to ask whether the English case housing your Waltham, was manufactured by the Dennison company?

 

[HanauMan]

I meant to ask whether the English case housing your Waltham, was manufactured by the Dennison company?

Thanks very much for the link.

The serial number of my watch dates it, apparently, to 1920. The silver case is, indeed, made by the Dennison Watch Case Co. and is actually hallmarked for 1947. It isn't worth much in money terms but it is of high sentimental value to me.

 

[viclip]

Thanks very much for the link.

The serial number of my watch dates it, apparently, to 1920. The silver case is, indeed, made by the Dennison Watch Case Co. and is actually hallmarked for 1947. It isn't worth much in money terms but it is of high sentimental value to me.

That's a good watch. Incidentally, American Walthams are often found housed in Dennison cases on your side of the pond. The Dennison chap who formed the Dennison watch case company, was one & the same as the entrepreneur who co-founded the original Waltham watch company back in 1850. Following a number of business setbacks suffered by the early Waltham watch company & his eventual departure from Waltham, Mr. Dennison wound up in England. He became the import agent there for the Walthams exported across the pond from the U.S. & one of his English ventures was the creation of the Dennison watch case company. Lo & behold his cases found their way onto the Waltham movements which he imported & thence distributed in the UK! The Dennison case company was a family affair with the founder's son involved. I think the company lasted until the 1960s.

Anyways even if your movement isn't housed in its original case, rest assured that the Dennison English case is nevertheless quite correct for an American Waltham. Small world.

 

[HanauMan]

That's a good watch. Incidentally, American Walthams are often found housed in Dennison cases on your side of the pond. The Dennison chap who formed the Dennison watch case company, was one & the same as the entrepreneur who co-founded the original Waltham watch company back in 1850. Following a number of business setbacks suffered by the early Waltham watch company & his eventual departure from Waltham, Mr. Dennison wound up in England. He became the import agent there for the Walthams exported across the pond from the U.S. & one of his English ventures was the creation of the Dennison watch case company. Lo & behold his cases found their way onto the Waltham movements which he imported & thence distributed in the UK! The Dennison case company was a family affair with the founder's son involved. I think the company lasted until the 1960s.

Anyways even if your movement isn't housed in its original case, rest assured that the Dennison English case is nevertheless quite correct for an American Waltham. Small world.

Thank you very much for the additional information.

I don't know where my father acquired the watch, he was from North Carolina. However, he served in West Germany in the army so he may have gotten it there, or maybe when we vacationed in the UK in the 1970s. I don't think it was a family piece.

I was aware that some watch makers sent out their works without cases, so perhaps this watch was sent to England case less and never had an original case? I note that the case has a serial number as well.

But then again, maybe the original case was a base metal and the Dennison case a luxury addition?

 

[Fading Fast]

⇧ I, too, was curious about the case date and watch date difference. Your explanation seems reasonable. Any other thoughts on how the two could be so far apart in dates?

And it's a wonderful watch both as a watch and as a connect to your dad.

 

[MrCairo]

Hi guys,

Here are my (currently only) two vintage pieces. I have a weakness for vintage Longines - especially from their manufacture days - and I have owned quite a few, but these are the two now left in the collection that I do not see moving anytime soon:

^ Longines Ultra-Chron with the cal. 431. Beating at 36.000 A/h, this was Longines' attempt to match quartz accuracy with an automatic. Amazingly, after servicing, it runs just under +2 spd today!



Then there is this one, the ref 8319 with manual movement 284 (based off the 280, which was used in Railroad grade watches), one of the last great manual calibres Longines made. I had been looking forever for this reference, and a while ago finally found one in immaculate condition. Currently at my watchmaker getting an overhaul (hadn't been opened for years....)

Both watches are from the (late) 60s or early 70s, I haven't had Longines date them yet.

 

[photo2u]

Love those Longines! Very classy...

 

[M Hatman]

Here is a 17 jewel unadjusted self winding Buliva.....movement dated 1953, case dated 1951. Just back from "the doctor", this watch keeps great time........one of my favorites to wear....
M

 

[-Ariel-]

The soviet vintage watch from the Brezhnev's era.

 

[viclip]

The soviet vintage watch from the Brezhnev's era.

Ah yes, a Vostok wristwatch proudly proclaimed to have been made in the USSR.

I've no experience with these, how do you find it as a timekeeper?

 

[cmoy]

Been wearing my 52mm late 30's Gruen Curvex Majesty.

 

[cmoy]

LOVE the deco dial!

Here is my latest addition......picked up in Springfield.......a Imperial Watch Company (a Swiss brand), 17 jewel, no adjustments.......mid-30's, Art Deco........with proper period Jemex 12K 20 year bracelet not often found.
GREAT condition with very litte wear......keeps great time!!!
Cheer,
M
View attachment 74058

 

[M Hatman]

LOVE the deco dial!

Very much in the style of your Gruen!!! That watch looks great!!!! LOVE those curved lines!!!!
M

 

[cmoy]

Thanks M! The Curvex is a bit large on my small wrist but I don't care

Very much in the style of your Gruen!!! That watch looks great!!!! LOVE those curved lines!!!!
M