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

[Salieri]

Good morning everyone. This is my first post after being led here by a link that a friend sent me and that I had to sign up to read. I thought I'd make the signing worthwhile and post a couple of my watches.

Firstly, a WWII perdiod German Bischoff with Swiss movement. It's quite unusual because, unlike most German watches of the period, it doesn't feature any kind of Third Reich motif and I can let it off having a sinister eagle taking over the world as the maker's logo:

The pictures don't really do it justice as I don't have anything better than a very basic camera and I'm not a good photographer at the best of times. Anyway, in reality the steel case and is much shinier than it looks and the hands are a lovely vibrant blued steel.


The second is an early 20s Illinois Watch Company white gold cased wristwatch:

The strap in the picture is the one that was on it when I acquired it, I have since changed it for a black crocodile skin one that looks much better.

 

[ScionPI2005]

Those are some beautiful watches, Salieri. That Illinois is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Also, welcome to the Lounge. I have a hunch your username is from the video game Mafia...am I right?

 

[JohnnyGringo]

Salieri, that Illinois watch is really beautiful, and it looks to be in wonderful condition as well. I haven't seen a watch face quite like that before-very cool.

 

[Feraud]

I will repeat everyone's sentiment and say that Illinois is spectacular!

 

[Lucky Strike]

I will repeat everyone's sentiment and say that Illinois is spectacular!

Yes, lovely. I also like the Bischoff pocket-watch, the Hamilton with the curved lugs and the two Longines...StraightEight - are they calibre 30L?

An IWC (think I posted this earlier, but here are some slightly better pics):

Steel snap-back case, sterling silver/bakelite fob.

At the other end of the scale, just got this from ebay:

Made in USSR Raketa watch for the weak-sighted, NOS.

 

[Nash Buckingham]

Echoing the comments on the "Illinois" watch - fabulous.

I usually wear a Tag Heuer Monaco - but am looking for a good key wind pocket watch -

 

[Talbot]

I love that Illinois as well, but that Bischoff, well done!

 

[Salieri]

Thanks very much, everyone, I'm very proud of the Illinois in particular. I've another watch that might be from just about a relevant date to the forum (1919ish) that I'm expecting back from a service very soon, so hopefully some pictures of that will follow.

I have a hunch your username is from the video game Mafia...am I right?

I'm afraid not. My name is, of course, taken from the legendary composer Antonio Salieri - renowned mediocrity.

 

[Talbot]

Thanks very much, everyone, I'm very proud of the Illinois in particular. I've another watch that might be from just about a relevant date to the forum (1919ish) that I'm expecting back from a service very soon, so hopefully some pictures of that will follow.



I'm afraid not. My name is, of course, taken from the legendary composer Antonio Salieri - renowned mediocrity.

Whoever finished that Illinois dial is not known for mediocrity:eusa_clap
Care to PM me with details? I'm in the market for a new dial refinisher.

 

[Salieri]

Whoever finished that Illinois dial is not known for mediocrity:eusa_clap
Care to PM me with details? I'm in the market for a new dial refinisher.

When I bought it, the dial was described as new old stock though I thought at the time it was more likely restored. However, the radioluminescence of the paint is actually very faint indeed which makes me think that perhaps it is NOS after all.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

http://www.michele.com/webapp/wcs/s...er2=S-Michele.Womens.Watches.CSX&identifier3=

I have that. I've had it since I was about 14 but I have never worn it though because it has all those diamonds and i'm scared i'll break it or something.

:edit: mine is clearly not vintage though.

 

[ScionPI2005]

I'm afraid not. My name is, of course, taken from the legendary composer Antonio Salieri - renowned mediocrity.

That's cool. I just had to guess. lol

 

[Dinerman]

My dad gave this Pobeda to me yesterday. It's mechanical, made in the USSR in '88 or so. Nothing spectacular, but it's got a nice heft to it. The movement looks to be about the size of a wristwatch movement. The rest is solid metal. It'll do, a nice solid mechanical pocket watch that I don't have to worry about at all away at school.

And then there's my little beater semag, a yard sale find.

And my Doxa, which I have since put a nice lizard band on.

 

[Tomasso]

One more

:eusa_clap

for the Illinois.

 

[ScionPI2005]

Dinerman, that's a real neat pocket watch.

And I like that Doxa.

 

[Talbot]

Dinerman

Nice Doxa, I have one on my shopping list. Its just that at the end of the money there is still some of the month left.

Put a new crystal on that Semag and it'll turn heads.

I use a quartz watch for my real beater, ie working under the house or on my car, coz its hard to kill em' and the cost of repairing a mechanical unit is too high. I wear mechanical for all other.

 

[Dinerman]

Dinerman, that's a real neat pocket watch.

And I like that Doxa.

Nice Doxa, I have one on my shopping list. Its just that at the end of the money there is still some of the month left.

Put a new crystal on that Semag and it'll turn heads.

The doxa's a real nice watch, this particular one used to belong to Robert Gerle, the concert violinist and author. Apparently he bought it on tour sometime in the '50s.

I think you're right about the semag, it deserves to look better than it does. where would I go about finding a new crystal? Watch repair shop? Any idea as to what that would run?

 

[Talbot]

Good thing it is not a square crystal, they are really hard to get.

I'd take it to a watch repair shop that specialises in old watches, or at least one that does more than replace batteries. As to the price, things differ pretty greatly between the Antipodes and the US ,so perhaps someoone stateside can chime in.

Sometimes small cracks and scuffs can be poished out. Starting with very fine wet and dry sand paper, moving to auto cutting compound then polish such as Brasso.

I wonder how much beautiful music was made wearing that Doxa....

Talbot

 

[freebird]

Mido watches?

I found my old Mido wristwatch while going through some boxes from a move 4 years ago. It still runs and keeps good time,. It is a Multifort superautomatic powerwind with what appears to be 4 emerald chips at 12, 3, 6 & 9; and diamond chips in place of the other hours (1,2, 4,5,7,8,10,&11).I'd like to get it appraised, but I'm not sure if a regular jeweler could do so. As soon as I can get some pics made I will post them. Does anyone else have one of these or does anyone have any information on them?

 

[Talbot]

I found my old Mido wristwatch while going through some boxes from a move 4 years ago. It still runs and keeps good time,. It is a Multifort superautomatic powerwind with what appears to be 4 emerald chips at 12, 3, 6 & 9; and diamond chips in place of the other hours (1,2, 4,5,7,8,10,&11).I'd like to get it appraised, but I'm not sure if a regular jeweler could do so. As soon as I can get some pics made I will post them. Does anyone else have one of these or does anyone have any information on them?

I have 2 Mido's, a modern Multifort and an older Ocean Star Commander, both nice units IMHO. They are a good quality watch with a reputation for water resistance.

The Ocean Star Commander has an interesting one piece case. There is no back to remove, you must dismantle the watch by removing the crystal with a special tool.