Venus

[chrisdt]

Recently aquired this watch for £5 at a boot sale which I believe to be a Venus 203. It runs ok but the stem is loose and will only wind the watch. Before I subject it to tottering on the edge of the scrap bin does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how I should proceed. Plenty of info on various other Venus models but not the 203. Thanks.

[oldhippy]

Have you checked to see if it is the right stem? You might need to remove the hands and dial and check for wear in the plates and all the keyless work.

[chrisdt]

Well the old stem has got quite rusty so I have ordered a new one from Cousins. Still cant find too much info on this movement. I was hoping not to disturb the movement from the case as there is a little pusher at 4 which alters the date and not sure how to remove it.

[oldhippy]

I think that will stay inside the case. It should just drop out when you remove the movement. Just be careful not to loose it.

[chrisdt]

OK Thanks

[Nucejoe]

Cool vintage. Rare and uncommon piece.

Ranfft provides picture of day month date works and explains pusher functions, which they work the piece is worth restoration..

Regards joe

 

 

[chrisdt]

Strange you should say that Joe

Look what Ive just spotted:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-VINTAGE-ELCO-CALENDAR-POINTER-SILVER-DIAL-MANUAL-WIND-MANS-WATCH/232778537252?hash=item3632ae9924:g:JHoAAOSwe25bBIv9:rk:9:pf:0

[Nucejoe]

Hi chris,    I can,t open ebay sites, ebay is banned here, or ebay banned Iran.

This is not only a calender pointer which makes it rare and special, but each extra feature of it is rare as well, that is the month indivator and under 12 on top is rare and more precious than the pointer, subsecond is the least valuable feature which is valuable by itself.

So the rarity of the features and special as well gathered all in one dial ,makes this a rare worth restoring and valuable. Larger diameter, gents offcourse increases the value.

I have a thousand of oris calender pointers in my collection, oris got only two rare feature, date pointer and subscond.

Your watch with four rare features is undoubtedly suprior to oris.

I am not good at apprasing, just a guess , if just fixed , it could be appraised perhaps usd450 or thereabout ,though may not fetch as appraised. It is a beauty, you will develope a taste for its beauty, cool serene look. 

Best wishes 

Joe

[chrisdt]

Hi Joe

Well the one on Ebay is priced at nearly usd 1000 but its not really important. Yes its rare but obviously not that rare. I do sell some watches but only to fund watch tools, books and spare parts. That makes it a self funding hobby. Less of course the movements that sometimes get ruined and the watches I pay too much for. Think I will keep this one..

Kind regards Chris

[rogart63]

Nice watch. Don't think it's a venus 203 as that have moonphase also . Think it's a 204 or if it's 10,5 ligne it's a 214. But stem should be the same . 

Hope you get it running again as it's a nice looking watch that deserves a deserves to live on. 

[chrisdt]

It has a little star under the balance in a medalion and 203 under

[Nucejoe]

Wow thousands bucks, perhaps that one is unworn or in like new condition or something.

Anyhow, the case needs cleaning once you have the movement out. The hour indicator marking at hr 5,  is to be replenished by profetionals and minor dial work should not cost too much .Is the crown signed? How many times signed like on the movement mainplate back and front ,crown etc, matters. 

The day month indicators standing level behind the display window is another postive point of your watch, especially if venus had issue and.....

Best wishes  joe