Cameras and watches.

[furcafe]

Gruen Precision Airflight (Air Force Association dial, c.1969-70) & Leica IIIg (c.1959) + Taylor-Hobson 2 inch/2 Anastigmat (c.1953-64).

 

[Deleted member 82967]

Long ago I used to fix and resell watches.

This was one of my better jobs:

Nice Lady's Antique Wristwatch

 

[dave lackey]

Has anyone had experience with U Boat watches? A bit out of my price range, but they look interesting.

 

[JeffS7444]

Has anyone had experience with U Boat watches? A bit out of my price range, but they look interesting.

Interesting in the sense of paying 1290.00 USD for a watch built around a 12.99 USD Ronda 762 quartz movement? Those are good, inexpensive movements, but jeez.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

To be fair, the design elements are always what folks notice about a watch. And that Ronda movement is in all kinds of timepieces. Is it super fancy? No, but it gets the job done. I think Victorinx uses them in their quartz watches as well.

 

[dave lackey]

So, it’s amazing to see the interest and passion in watches! Impressive!

And somewhat daunting when I am using a bare bones vintage Leica M2 and looking for a nice watch to match it.

A simple, attractive, basic watch, that is both attractive and, in the spirit of a vintage watch, is perhaps a more difficult decision than I first thought. Especially when price is a major concern.

Hmmmm…🤔

At the moment, I am still looking. A 1962 M2 chrome film camera, tan leather cover, no electronics, with a black A&A silk strap. The German watch mentioned above looks pretty close with either a tan leather watch band or a silver bracelet. This is fun, I am learning a lot and I appreciate each and every post!🙂

 

[p.giannakis]

And somewhat daunting when I am using a bare bones vintage Leica M2 and looking for a nice watch to match it.

Oh no, this is how it started with me too. You start noticing the thoughts and before you know it you are online checking the price.

 

[dave lackey]

Oh no, this is how it started with me too. You start noticing the thoughts and before you know it you are online checking the price.

LOL…. I may be a collector of the cheapest watches from the coolest brands. 😱

 

[Pál_K]

...At the moment, I am still looking. A 1962 M2 chrome film camera, tan leather cover, no electronics, with a black A&A silk strap. The German watch mentioned above looks pretty close with either a tan leather watch band or a silver bracelet. This is fun, I am learning a lot and I appreciate each and every post!🙂

Reading that description, this watch came to mind immediately:


Glashütte Original

 

[furcafe]

So, it’s amazing to see the interest and passion in watches! Impressive!

And somewhat daunting when I am using a bare bones vintage Leica M2 and looking for a nice watch to match it.

A simple, attractive, basic watch, that is both attractive and, in the spirit of a vintage watch, is perhaps a more difficult decision than I first thought. Especially when price is a major concern.

Hmmmm…🤔

At the moment, I am still looking. A 1962 M2 chrome film camera, tan leather cover, no electronics, with a black A&A silk strap. The German watch mentioned above looks pretty close with either a tan leather watch band or a silver bracelet. This is fun, I am learning a lot and I appreciate each and every post!🙂

If you're looking for a German watch to match your Leica, I would highly recommend a Sinn or Damasko.

Here's my Damasko DA45 (discontinued, but can be found used in great condition due to the ice-hardened case) on the Tri-Elmar.

 

[p.giannakis]

LOL…. I may be a collector of the cheapest watches from the coolest brands. 😱

I recommend seiko 5 and orient tristar. Just spent some time online learning how to spot the fakes.

 

[Out to Lunch]

LOL…. I may be a collector of the cheapest watches from the coolest brands.

I'm out of the watch-buying game but have a look at the 'classic' renditions from low-cost brands like Pilot, WatsWatch, Fossil a.o. Cheers, OtL

 

[dave lackey]

These are all great suggestions. Thanks!😎

 

[furcafe]

Vixa Type 20 (c.1954) made for the French Air Force by Hanhart as part of W. Germany's WWII reparations (& a precursor to the 417ES made for the reconstituted Luftwaffe starting in 1956 & famously worn by Steve McQueen) & a Berning Robot Royal 36 w/Carl Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar (both c.1955-9).

 

[dave lackey]

I like the look of this watch.🙂

 

[dave lackey]

Perfect match!👍👍👍

 

[largedrink]

Vixa Type 20 (c.1954) made for the French Air Force by Hanhart as part of W. Germany's WWII reparations (& a precursor to the 417ES made for the reconstituted Luftwaffe starting in 1956 & famously worn by Steve McQueen) & a Berning Robot Royal 36 w/Carl Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar (both c.1955-9).

View attachment 4827084

Good to see some more Robots!

 

[Godfrey]

Vixa Type 20 (c.1954) made for the French Air Force by Hanhart as part of W. Germany's WWII reparations (& a precursor to the 417ES made for the reconstituted Luftwaffe starting in 1956 & famously worn by Steve McQueen) & a Berning Robot Royal 36 w/Carl Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar (both c.1955-9).

View attachment 4827084

That's lovely: a nice matching pair of watch and camera. 😀

I wish I'd been able find a good Robot Royal. I bought and returned four of them over the course of a year or so, finally just gave up.
But I re-found the Kodak Retina IIc cameras shortly afterwards and have been happy with them.

G

 

[furcafe]

I like the look of this watch.🙂

If you like the style & want modern "conveniences" (like actual water resistance), Hanhart still makes several models, including the 417, in various sizes as part of their Pioneer collection. Unlike the Hanharts made for the Luftwaffe, the Vixa also lacks shock-protection (it wasn't part of the French Air Force Type 20 specifications in 1950, though it was added for the Type 21 requirements in 1956), making it unsuitable for Steve McQueen-type activities like motorcycle racing.

 

[furcafe]

That's lovely: a nice matching pair of watch and camera. 😀

I wish I'd been able find a good Robot Royal. I bought and returned four of them over the course of a year or so, finally just gave up.
But I re-found the Kodak Retina IIc cameras shortly afterwards and have been happy with them.

G

Sorry about your bad luck w/Robot Royals. I didn't have any trouble finding fully functional bodies + lenses off eBay (though it was over several years & 1 has a loose accessory shoe). They are quirky to load & very heavy for their size due to the built-in motor drive. What has been difficult for me is finding lenses separate from the bodies (which is why I have 2--1 had the Zeiss 50/2 Sonnar & other the Schneider 45/2.8 Xenar).