Watch of Today

[FLwatchguy73]

4 minutes ago, JohnD said:

I just managed to buy your watch's brother today, though this one is marked 'Limit' otherwise identical, same 9158 movement.....

The deep blue dial is already a winner for me.

[JohnD]

1 hour ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

The deep blue dial is already a winner for me.

After a bit of haggling I managed to get it for £60

Apparently the 'Limit' watch brand is English and was established more than 100 years ago (1912) by Hurst Brothers in Oldham. They also sold 'Swiss' watches, with Dennison cases, under the 'Hurco' banner...

Edited April 14, 2020 by JohnD

[FLwatchguy73]

18 minutes ago, JohnD said:

After a bit of haggling I managed to get it for £60

 Sweet deal! So, I may be guilty of buying an exact duplicate of my new Hamilton. It's supposedly a non-runner, but for less than $20, I couldn't pass it up! This one has a bit of a back story as it is engraved on the back.  I can only assume was an employee recognition award for a Sunday where 800,00 copies of "The Washington Post" was printed by a specific employee or perhaps a shift supervisor. Interesting nonetheless. It's dated to March of 1978, so that helps narrow down the date of my other Hamilton.

[JohnD]

Nice

6 minutes ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

 Sweet deal! So, I may be guilty of buying an exact duplicate of my new Hamilton. It's supposedly a non-runner, but for less than $20, I couldn't pass it up! This one has a bit of a back story as it is engraved on the back.  I can only assume was an employee recognition award for a Sunday where 800,00 copies of "The Washington Post" was printed by a specific employee or perhaps a shift supervisor. Interesting nonetheless. It's dated to March of 1978, so that helps narrow down the date of my other Hamilton.

Nice addition to the collection, My 'Swissonics' collection, as well as the 'Limit', now comprise of this 'Talis'..(ESA9158)

And this 'Montine' (ESA9157)

Though this Citizen Cosmotron electronic is very similar in style and electro mechanical operation....

 

 

 

[FLwatchguy73]

I'm partial to that Cosmotron!

[JohnD]

19 minutes ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

I'm partial to that Cosmotron!

It is absolutely mint condition, still has the original protection sticker on the back and came with the contemporary 'Rowi FIXO-FLEX', German made, stainless bracelet....

And another picture of it taken today in the sun...

 

[FLwatchguy73]

Once again, I've already featured today's wrist watch, so I'll share the pocket watch of the day. I originally acquired it to educate myself on the design of the movement in an effort to help a fellow WRT member with an issue they are having with their watch. This one on the surface appeared similar, unfortunately, it was not. The watch was filthy, inside and out. Inside the oil had dried up decades ago. Outside someone had splattered paint all over the dial and case. Because of the way the paint drips were distributed, I assume the Crystal has been replaced after. I did learn that the mainspring had broken and that it had a safety pinion similar to American watches of the day. The broken spring had tripped the pinion. I pulled the entire mechanism apart. Thankfully the entire movement was in overall great shape. I think this watch should be called a transition watch. As I discovered, though it features a more modern going barrel gear train, it has an extra gear to allow it to be wound counter clockwise just like Fusee trains previously had. You can see the about for that extra gear just To the left of the engraved horses tail. I cleaned the dial up completely and it looks pristine thankfully. The paint drips were awful to remove. I decided to leave the patina of the silver case, I think it gives it character. After sourcing a new mainspring from cousins, it's running at peak performance. The silver hallmarks on the case date it from approximately 1906. I do like it's patina, I'm keeping it that way. Very happy with my investment.

Dial before...

Dial after

Notice the arbor of the extra gear just to the left of the engraved horses tail

Why is it the collective knowledge of humanity has forgotten how to open English watch cases of this period? The case is mangled near the back catch because of ignorance.

Hallmarks from Chester, 1906

[AndyHull]

One of my favourites today.

The all original, and clean as a whistle, black dialled HMT Rajat 21 Automatic is back on my wrist. 

I need to find a better strap for it though, the one it is on currently,  doesn't do it justice.

[AndyHull]

A fresh battery arrived for my blue beaver, so that is on the other wrist today.

I think this is the first Canadian to join the 404 club. The lack of any form of indices suggests that "time" in some parts of Canada may be a fairly elastic concept. It is currently about quarter to .. something.... probably one.. or maybe two, you decide. 

This watch has a "one tick per minute" movement, and as a result,  gets away with a tiny battery, which naturally I did not have in my stock.  Being a genuine Renata battery, I think it probably cost more than the watch.

Edited April 15, 2020 by AndyHull

[VWatchie]

Don’t think I’ve ever posted in this thread, so I felt it was about time.

I got this Candino watch from the 70s at tradera.com (Swedish eBay) housing an ETA 2772 for about $30. It was in good condition but in need of an overhaul and some cleaning up. Except for the automatic winding (which works so-so) the movement now works perfectly, and I really like that red 70s race car looking seconds hand.

[HSL]

17 minutes ago, VWatchie said:

Don’t think I’ve ever posted in this thread, so I felt it was about time.

It turned out just great, a job well done!

[Hopgoblin]

Wearing my 1970 Hamilton reverse panda chronograph with a Valjoux 7733 movement.

I see these up for auction or sale quite often; well at least the 1971 version which has a different script, but rarely do I find them with the original bracelet as this one does.

 It's a beautiful watch with its wonderful star burst dial and red contrast.  Just love it. 

[Hopgoblin]

Felt like I should be exercising more but decided to wear my 1969 Breitling Sprint instead. Breitling intended these tourneau case watches to be used for athletes. Probably the reason they went with a 39mm case and easy readable hands both for easier viewing. I could be wrong but makes logical sense to me. Starting in 1970, they went with a fiberglass case as the stainless steel cases may have been to heavy for their intended purpose. 

 

Love the contrast of the Tropic Swiss blue band with the florescent hands. Fun watch.

Edited April 16, 2020 by Hopgoblin

[nichod]

I'm a little late, Florida, but that English key wound is just wonderful.  I've not even seen such a piece out here in the hinterlands.  Great job on the dial!

I love pocket watches, but seldom wear one around.  Take them out and hold them occasionally.  I have two later Swiss movements and some older Elgin and Waltham family watches.  They are great history. 

Personally, I think something changed in the universe when my grandfather parked his 1900 12S Elgin for a gifted Helbros wristwatch!  And it was not a good change (mid 60's, it was).

I should start looking for an English piece.  My only British goodies are a couple of Eddystone radios.  Probably rarer over here than watches but harder to lift!

[FLwatchguy73]

3 minutes ago, nichod said:

I'm a little late, Florida, but that English key wound is just wonderful.  I've not even seen such a piece out here in the hinterlands.  Great job on the dial!

I love pocket watches, but seldom wear one around.  Take them out and hold them occasionally.  I have two later Swiss movements and some older Elgin and Waltham family watches.  They are great history. 

Personally, I think something changed in the universe when my grandfather parked his 1900 12S Elgin for a gifted Helbros wristwatch!  And it was not a good change (mid 60's, it was).

I should start looking for an English piece.  My only British goodies are a couple of Eddystone radios.  Probably rarer over here than watches but harder to lift!

English Fusee watches are fascinating. To think you can find, on occasion, and NOT cheap, English watches that are still functioning after 200+ years, incredible. The principle of the mechanism is diabolically clever once you understand it. Because they were made for over 200 years, you can watch them evolve. Various designs, features and gimmicks came and went. Even the transition to the more modern going barrel system had it's evolution to accommodate the public who were accustomed to the unique features of Fusee watches. I can't think of very many other mechanical objects that can still function after that amount of time.

[FLwatchguy73]

Today's watch is my new to me, vintage Timex electronic with a jazzy blue shadow dial and Roman numerals on the case rather than on the dial. Thank you to @JohnD for inspiring me to get this 

 

Edited April 17, 2020 by FLwatchguy73

[FLwatchguy73]

On 4/15/2020 at 7:58 AM, AndyHull said:

A fresh battery arrived for my blue beaver, so that is on the other wrist today.

I think this is the first Canadian to join the 404 club. The lack of any form of indices suggests that "time" in some parts of Canada may be a fairly elastic concept. It is currently about quarter to .. something.... probably one.. or maybe two, you decide. 

This watch has a "one tick per minute" movement, and as a result,  gets away with a tiny battery, which naturally I did not have in my stock.  Being a genuine Renata battery, I think it probably cost more than the watch.

I wonder if you were to peel that stamp off if the numbers would still be hiding underneath? I think perhaps.

[JohnD]

1 hour ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

Today watch is my new to me, vintageTimex electronic with the jazzy blue dial and Roman numerals on the case rather than on the dial. Thank you to @JohnD for inspiring me to get this 

 

The bracelet seems to be sitting a bit 'strange' on your one?  This is how it fits on mine.......

Rear view.......

And side view........

Hope this helps to get a better fit...... (or is it just that you have a smaller wrist and the strap pulls differently?)

Edited April 17, 2020 by JohnD

[FLwatchguy73]

I may have had it on a bit tight. The clasp is a bit fiddly to do as the excess tucks under rather than over. I also just noticed one of the spring bars was replaced with a bent pin. I'll replace that tonight. Everything else looks ok.

[JohnD]

8 minutes ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

I may have had it on a bit tight. The clasp is a bit fiddly to do as the excess tucks under rather than over. I also just noticed one of the spring bars was replaced with a bent pin. I'll replace that tonight. Everything else looks ok.

That probably is it. strange bracelet isn't it? Bit of a bugger to put the watch on without risking dropping it!

[FLwatchguy73]

1 minute ago, JohnD said:

That probably is it. strange bracelet isn't it? Bit of a bugger to put the watch on without risking dropping it!

my thoughts exactly!

[JohnD]

1 hour ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

my thoughts exactly!

I suppose I'm going to have to wear it today now

[FLwatchguy73]

[Delgetti]

Rolex is more than Sub and GMT. 

[Hopgoblin]

6 hours ago, FLwatchguy73 said:

Today's watch is my new to me, vintage Timex electronic with a jazzy blue shadow dial and Roman numerals on the case rather than on the dial. Thank you to @JohnD for inspiring me to get this 

 

This watch has such a classic design. Love the sundial bezel. Great vintage color.