furcafe
Veteran
D
Deleted member 82967
Guest
Long ago I used to fix and resell watches.
This was one of my better jobs:
Nice Lady's Antique Wristwatch
This was one of my better jobs:

Nice Lady's Antique Wristwatch
dave lackey
Veteran
JeffS7444
Well-known
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.Has anyone had experience with U Boat watches? A bit out of my price range, but they look interesting.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
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
Veteran
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!🙂
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
Pan Giannakis
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.And somewhat daunting when I am using a bare bones vintage Leica M2 and looking for a nice watch to match it.
dave lackey
Veteran
LOL…. I may be a collector of the cheapest watches from the coolest brands. 😱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.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Reading that description, this watch came to mind immediately:...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!🙂

Glashütte Original
furcafe
Veteran
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
Pan Giannakis
I recommend seiko 5 and orient tristar. Just spent some time online learning how to spot the fakes.LOL…. I may be a collector of the cheapest watches from the coolest brands. 😱
Out to Lunch
Ventor
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, OtLLOL…. I may be a collector of the cheapest watches from the coolest brands.
dave lackey
Veteran
These are all great suggestions. Thanks!😎
furcafe
Veteran
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
Veteran
I like the look of this watch.🙂
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dave lackey
Veteran
Perfect match!👍👍👍
largedrink
Down Under
Good to see some more Robots!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
Godfrey
somewhat colored
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
Veteran
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.
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furcafe
Veteran
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).
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