Being into watches - it's just not the same.

[David Hughes]

It's a name I remember but haven't seen around for ages, although I have one. I vaguely think they had a historic role years ago because they introduced something or the other that went mainstream...


Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

A Novelty French Watch

A Novelty French Watch

This is by Beuchat of France:-

My wife took a liking to it in a heap of bric-a-brac and so got it as a present. The ladybird rotates like the second sweep hand would. Unusually it needs a 17mm strap but has o 16mm one fitted.

I will polish and clean it one day but not this week...

Regards, David

 

[Larry Cloetta]

I’m sitting here laughing at myself because, following some of the links, I have found that I can’t really even afford the homage watches. Or, like all things in life, I can afford them, or anything else, provided I gave up something else. But, I do enjoy dipping into this thread periodically just to see what gives other people pleasure.
Fascinating world, even if I am not personally tempted.

 

[David Hughes]

I’m sitting here laughing at myself because, following some of the links, I have found that I can’t really even afford the homage watches. Or, like all things in life, I can afford them, or anything else, provided I gave up something else. But, I do enjoy dipping into this thread periodically just to see what gives other people pleasure.
Fascinating world, even if I am not personally tempted.

I find the watches are cheap but servicing and repairs ruin me. My second Omega (the Geneve Automatic) cost me about USD5 but services come in at about USD 180 to 200...

OTOH, the cheapo ones at one or two pounds each are fun and make a change from the serious stuff. (And I'm always losing the keys to the antiques.) Here's a laugh for you:-

The one on the left was given to my wife a while ago, I forget why I bought it for her, and I can translate the text on the face into several languages now. The one on the right came with the pink strap as revenge from her and I put the NATO G10 strap on it to make it a bit more butch...

The pair of them with the extra strap came tp under USD5.

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

TBH I'd never heard of Avia before, so I had a look at what's online. They look like beautiful watches, and really inexpensive if you want to pick one up. No idea what the movements were like, whether they were in house or standard ETA type movements. Seems like Avia was bought by Fossil, who continue to make watches with the Avia name.​

Other interesting lesser known Swiss brands are Titoni (popular in Asia), Baume et Mercier (also popular in Asia), Edox, Eterna, Glycine... there and dozens of Swiss brands past and present, all with some really interesting watches.

I finally remembered I was going to show this one. FWIW, I use a nondescript strap and store the original with the box...

Regards, David

 

[Emile de Leon]

Seiko is cool...

 

[kshapero]

Ball Engineer M Marvelight 80hr Power Reserve COCS

 

[kshapero]

 

[hap]

Well, if you buy an expensive watch, they are going to be expensive to replace or repair. It's par for the course with anything expensive, look at Leica repair/replacement costs. Expensive watches often attract unwanted attention and thievery, too. Par for the course.



An automatic watch will never be as accurate as a quartz watch, which is partly what sent the Swiss world into panic with the quartz revolution. Even watches which are certified Swiss chronometers lose or gain a few seconds a day, and that's even influenced by how you place the watch at night. Quartz watches might gain or lose 15 seconds a months, or one second a day, depending on the movement.

I have two (real) Rolex quartz watches. I bought because I love the case design,although it was sort of a flop. Extremely accurate, movement built like a tank, free batteries for life from Rolex. However, Rolex should be running low on parts and if the engine goes...$$$$ cuz does not get fixed, only relplaced. Some people buy up the movements when they come around.

 

[hap]

Ball watches are very nice. Bought and sold several of them.

 

[Dan]

What about sources for good after-market bands?

I'm not really into watches although I have a nice (to me) Hamilton Khaki that needs a new band. Most of what I've seen so far online look really cheap.

 

[Archiver]

What about sources for good after-market bands?

I'm not really into watches although I have a nice (to me) Hamilton Khaki that needs a new band. Most of what I've seen so far online look really cheap.

Manufacturers or websites? Depends on what kind of band you want. There are a great number of websites around that sell a range of straps and bracelets. For your Hamilton Khaki, do you want a leather strap, rubber, or bracelet? You should be able to buy an original Hamilton Khaki bracelet if you want metal.

For leather straps, Hirsch make excellent quality straps and have a huge range. Morelatto are also decent, but I find a number of the Morelatto straps a bit thinner than I like. I mostly have heavy sports watches, so I like thicker straps. The Liberty range is my favourite.

www.hirschstraps.com
www.morelattostraps.com

Dealer websites will offer better deals than the retail prices listed at the manufacturers, as always.

There are also custom or lower production volume strap makers around. Wotancraft in Taiwan make very thick straps for Panerai and similar heaviness watches. Yes, the same Wotancraft that make those awesome leather camera bags. Expensive bags, expensive straps. I have a black Wotancraft strap which is super thick but very comfortable once it broke in.

www.wotancraft.tw

I'm also fond on the Zulu and Rhino heavy duty nylon straps. Great for pairing with a chunky Seiko diver. I get my Zulu straps from Howard Marx at West Coast Time.

https://westcoastime.com/

 

[Emile de Leon]

Watch straps..here is one of the best...
https://www.camillefournet.com/en/watch-band/leather-watch-band

 

[Freakscene]

3. A man's dress watch.
This is when you're wearing a suit, tux are "dressed". These usually don't get much wear but are essential. All men should own one. This should be as THIN as possible so it disappears into your shirt sleeve. It should be very discreet, small by today's sports watch standards. No complications. Not even a seconds hand.

I usually wear a MeisterSinger single hand when dressing up. It doesn’t even have a minute hand!

Marty

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I usually wear a MeisterSinger single hand when dressing up. It doesn’t even have a minute hand!

Marty

Why not just wear a sundial on your wrist? No hands at all!

All the best,
Mike

 

[David Hughes]

What I'd like to find is someone who can make a plain simple strap for my FED ERC as the leather is rotten on mine. OK, nothing to do with watches but someone might just have and idea...


Regards, David

 

[Dan]

Manufacturers or websites? Depends on what kind of band you want. There are a great number of websites around that sell a range of straps and bracelets. For your Hamilton Khaki, do you want a leather strap, rubber, or bracelet? You should be able to buy an original Hamilton Khaki bracelet if you want metal.

For leather straps, Hirsch make excellent quality straps and have a huge range. Morelatto are also decent, but I find a number of the Morelatto straps a bit thinner than I like. I mostly have heavy sports watches, so I like thicker straps. The Liberty range is my favourite.

www.hirschstraps.com
www.morelattostraps.com

Dealer websites will offer better deals than the retail prices listed at the manufacturers, as always.

There are also custom or lower production volume strap makers around. Wotancraft in Taiwan make very thick straps for Panerai and similar heaviness watches. Yes, the same Wotancraft that make those awesome leather camera bags. Expensive bags, expensive straps. I have a black Wotancraft strap which is super thick but very comfortable once it broke in.

www.wotancraft.tw

I'm also fond on the Zulu and Rhino heavy duty nylon straps. Great for pairing with a chunky Seiko diver. I get my Zulu straps from Howard Marx at West Coast Time.

https://westcoastime.com/

Thanks for these recommendations. I'm searching for a leather band and those sites will keep me busy for a few of the virus hours at hand.

 

[Dan]

Watch straps..here is one of the best...
https://www.camillefournet.com/en/watch-band/leather-watch-band

Cool, thanks!

 

[Freakscene]

Why not just wear a sundial on your wrist? No hands at all!

No hands, but sundials have a gnomon to cast a shadow, and there is the small matter, to put it plainly, of telling the time after the sun sets.

Marty

 

[Vince Lupo]

I'm kinda getting out of vintage watches as, believe it or not, I’ve actually lost interest in them. I've sold off a fair number of them over the last couple of years, but will be keeping a ‘core’ group of them for daily wear.

These first two I like, but will likely part with. First one is a Hamilton 88-W-800, US Navy, 1940's. 987S 17 jewel movement. Not sure if those Mercedes hands are original to the watch, but it's the way I bought it 20 years ago and I happen to think they look pretty good.


Hamilton 88W-3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

This one is from 1917 - unmarked 15 jewel Swiss pin-set movement in a sterling silver George Dimier case, David Boettcher watch strap. Keeping pretty good time for 103 years-old.


Suisse2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

One that I just sold -- 1927 Waltham Chevrolet dealer watch.


Waltham1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

Sold this one last month -- 1916 Elgin trench watch, David Boettcher strap.


Elgin Trench2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr


Elgin Trench3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

One of the prettiest watches I've ever owned -- the watch is from about 1917, the holder is likely from about the same time. I had a jeweler add the 14k lugs so it could take a standard 16mm watch strap.


Elgin Pendant1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

1951 Seamaster bumper automatic - nice watch, sold it a few years ago.


Omega Seamaster8 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

1970's Cartier, from the Must collection. Neat watch, had a wood face and sides, sold it a few years ago.


Cartier2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

1940’s Cortebert in an 18k case, a real beauty. Kept great time.


Cortebert1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

Late 1950's-early 1960's Hamilton (Swiss movement), 14k case.


Hamilton14K-7 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

One of the few 'good' watches I've ever owned - Patek Gold Ellipse, mid-size, in 18k white gold case and buckle. Beautiful in its understated-ness. Sold a few years ago.


Watches30 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

1930's Huber Nautica -- this one's a keeper. Paid $100 for it.


Huber Nautica by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

Most of the watches I have are vintage, and as a result are on the small side (compared to today’s watches anyways) and not particularly expensive. So I never have to worry about playing the ‘one-upmanship’ game, as I don’t even think I’m in the game to begin with.