I wouldn't want to pay 15k for a tag heyer though.
I prefer simple watches from Patek or AP.
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Who's got a nice watch? Traditional watches only, no smartwatches please.
- Thread starter JW8725
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I wouldn't want to pay 15k for a tag heyer though.
I prefer simple watches from Patek or AP.
Simple and tourbillon don't really go together though.
The TAG Heuer isn't not my cup of tea either, I just posted it as an example of a Swiss made tourbillon for Apple Watch Edition money.
And just as easily, someone with an Elgin 21j Convertible or a C.H. Hulbert could turn their nose up at Patek or the like.
As you said, it's all in what one prefers-for me, give me a Waltham "American Watch Company" grade and I'd be perfectly content to never own another Patek(yes, I have had more than one, and currently have zero). I just have yet to find the right Waltham 1872 model American Watch Company with the right "check marks" of condition, originality, and price to make me want to plunk down the money for it.
And, speaking of watches, this came in the mail today. It was an Ebay buy for a decent price. It's a Waltham 1883 model Crescent St(I think I'm now at over 30 of these), and would have been an easy sale for me but the fancy dial really sold me on it. I was hoping for an O'Hara dial(common maker of this style dial that was located just down the street from the American Watch Company factory on Crescent St. in Waltham, MA), but instead found a dial maker I've never encountered. I need to find a fancy minute hand to go on it.
Unfortunately, it's also been oil soaked or WD-40ed at some point in the past. When I first unboxed it, it wouldn't hold wind, but I was able to wind it with a bench key while manually engaging the click(the ratchet that keeps the mainspring from unwinding). I actually runs with good motion, but has so much oil in it that I'm quite surprised by this. I'll probably remove the mainspring barrel and let it soak in Naptha for a week or so before taking it apart for cleaning(WD-40 ruins cleaning solutions, so I don't want to take a chance on that, even though mine are due to be changed). I have to finish my thesis first before I really tackle it, but may start the naptha soak this evening.
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Sorry your references are lost on me as I don't know much about American watches or vintage watches.
My Jaegar is in storage back in the USA. I currently am employed in Singapore. The Jeagar is very basic with no date function. It is not even self-winding. It still has the original leather strap (what most people incorrectly call a "band").
To the left is my 1924 Eligin (Made in the USA). It still keeps perfect time.
To the right is my 1996 Rolex Submariner.
I have two German made mechanical stop watches. They were made in the late 70's. One is in storage, and one I use on the job.
I strictly use non Chinese vintage mechanical watches. Most Chinese watches are made using Hex-covalent Chromium, cadmium, and other nasty stuff you should never have on your skin. My skin breaks out sometimes so I only wear trustworthy jewelry.
I have some old style noise-canceling headphones. I can put the Elgin inside one of the ear-cups, and the ticking sound puts me to sleep when I am flying.
I used my mouse pad for the backdrop because they did not show up well on my desk.
"Horologist" - One who studies timekeeping, clocks, or watches.
To the left is my 1924 Eligin (Made in the USA). It still keeps perfect time.
To the right is my 1996 Rolex Submariner.
I have two German made mechanical stop watches. They were made in the late 70's. One is in storage, and one I use on the job.
I strictly use non Chinese vintage mechanical watches. Most Chinese watches are made using Hex-covalent Chromium, cadmium, and other nasty stuff you should never have on your skin. My skin breaks out sometimes so I only wear trustworthy jewelry.
I have some old style noise-canceling headphones. I can put the Elgin inside one of the ear-cups, and the ticking sound puts me to sleep when I am flying.
I used my mouse pad for the backdrop because they did not show up well on my desk.
"Horologist" - One who studies timekeeping, clocks, or watches.
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I think it will look really cool when restored. I seldom see old Roman numeral watches with V and ViI upside down. The letter V was associated with some god, so placing it upside down was considered bad.
To not spend too much time talking, the 1872 model Waltham "American Watch Company" was the watch that made the Swiss realize that not only could the Americans do it cheaper but also better(i.e. more consistently) with machines than the Swiss could using traditional techniques.
Waltham had a huge presence at the 1876 Centennial Exposition showing off not only their products but their machinery.
There's a story about one of the chief adjusters from Patek going to the Waltham factory during this period and requesting a sample of their best grade watch. At his insistence, he picked one at random. He then took it back, examined it, and the reported that the product was as good as what Patek could achieve in roughly 1 out of 10,000 watches they produced.
Waltham sent 20 1872 models from the 1876 exhibition to the Kew observatory in England for chronometer trials(observatory trials were rigorous and difficult, back in the days before the Swiss corrupted the "Chronometer" name with COSC). A couple of examples finished well enough to earn a Kew "Class A" certificate(a huge achievement that few lever escapement watches were able to achieve) and all others finished with excellent ranking.
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Thanks.
The "Radial" Roman dial was actually fairly typical on American watches.
Honestly, there's not much to do in the way of restoring other than tracking down the minute hand(which I don't think should be a huge issue). It is filthy-thanks to someone dumping a quart of oil in it at some point in the past(probably to get it running long enough to sell it) but a cleaning should take care of that.
Here is a few of my collection,
first is an old Waltham Watch that was passed down to me and I have traced the serial number back to 1908. Recently got it taken to a watch maker and had it thoroughly cleaned and it runs strong and keeps good time.
Next is my 8 year old Nixon Player
Nixon Mellor in Copper
Casio G-Shock (black with gold face) my everyday work watch.
Casio G-Shock X Benny Gold Collab. Black Band with Rose Gold face and bezel.
Then finally my Citizen Eco Drive black ion plated with leather band. All black face with black numbers and white accents.
first is an old Waltham Watch that was passed down to me and I have traced the serial number back to 1908. Recently got it taken to a watch maker and had it thoroughly cleaned and it runs strong and keeps good time.
Next is my 8 year old Nixon Player
Nixon Mellor in Copper
Casio G-Shock (black with gold face) my everyday work watch.
Casio G-Shock X Benny Gold Collab. Black Band with Rose Gold face and bezel.
Then finally my Citizen Eco Drive black ion plated with leather band. All black face with black numbers and white accents.
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My latest addition. New Omega Speedmaster Mark II my wife surprised me with for my birthday. I had been looking at the Speedmaster Pro, but saw this in an Omega Boutique and loved the colors on the dial. The orange really pops against the gray dial. Stunning in the sunlight.
Simple and tourbillon don't really go together though.
The TAG Heuer isn't not my cup of tea either, I just posted it as an example of a Swiss made tourbillon for Apple Watch Edition money.
Agree with you both on the elegant simplicity of the classics; that Tag Heuer wouldn't be my cup of tea, either ..
Thanks for the detailed and fascinating posts.
I had known for some time that mid century US made watches had a reputation for quality and affordability that made them highly regarded.
Actually, in the mid 50s, when my dad was dating my mum, his extended (emigrant) family paid for him to take a trip to the US to visit them for a few weeks. It was the only time he ever visited the US, and it left him with an enduring fascination for US politics and history, a marked preference for the Democrat party, a life-long subscription to TIME magazine (which used to have seriously well written articles at that time), and a lovely American watch that he bought for my mother, which she treasured, and wore for decades after that.
Love that old Waltham; it is a gorgeous watch and I am delighted to hear that it is still running and keeping excellent time. Well wear.
Finally got around to taking a couple of decent pictures of the Speedmaster
I love the looks of the Speedmaster. Beautiful looking watches.
Nice. I'm patiently or maybe not so patiently waiting for the Delfin batch 2 to come out.
You mean this?
Yup, you got it and I'm going to get it soon
. Be interested in your thoughts on the Delfin.
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My Hamilton Khaki Field Auto 42mm arrived yesterday - it's terrific and I'm really glad I gave in to the urge to buy it. Will be nice to alternate between the Hammy and my Tissot PRS516. Will get another auto sometime this Summer; will decide on make & model over the next couple of months.
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Finally got around to taking a couple of decent pictures of the Speedmaster
That lume! The Gray Side Of The Moon model looks awesome
If only it came with a metal strap.
That lume! The Gray Side Of The Moon model looks awesome
It hasn't got a metal case so it's doubtful it will ever get a metal strap.