The wrist watch.

[Wild Root]

Ok, what is the watch most here prefer? For the die hard purests of the 30's and 40's do you wear vintage time pieces? Or do you go with a battery powered modern look-alike?

I have seen a very strong 30's and 40's style revival in men's watches. However they are quite a bit larger in size then the originals. Today I guess men must feel that they have to strap on a school wall clock to their wrists to feel masculine.

I have a few nice wrist watches in my collection. I have to be careful to just have a few of these lovely guys seeing there is another whole world of collecting I could be consumed in!

I have one 1940 Bulova 15 jewel, a 1936 Bulova 14 Jewel and a 1933 Elgin 7 jewel. They keep very good time and if wound up right, could last almost two days long.

If you are one who wants to dress 100% vintage, a classic wrist or pocket watch is a must! Or, if you're just some one who loves good looking watches, they make great conversation pieces.

I'll post some photos of my watches soon, in the mean time, lets see some or hear about some of them.

Cheers,

Root.

[BellyTank]

My daily wrist wearers are-
-USAAF '42 Elgin A-11 Hack with the original canvas strap
-'40s Mido Multifort Stainless, Octagonal case

and of course they are both small cased.
B
T

[Biltmore Bob]

I'm really hard on watches. I love the old time peices, especially the square Hamiltons. I dont have any vintage watches right now But in the '70s I had a Elgin Pocket watch that was from the '30s.

The watch I wear is a modern Timex from their "Classic" collection. It looks exactly like the Timex my Dad wore his whole life. Simple gold tone case, white face, large black numbers and hands. No day or date window. Paid about 25 bucks for it a year ago. I wish it was a manual wind, but it is battery operated.

[Wild Root]

Well, this is starting to be a nice thread. I'll be posting photos tomorrow or the next.

Nothing wrong with modern "Classic" watches! Some have the right look and work very well. I for one hate batteries even though most last 2 to 5 years I don't like replacing them. But, on the other hand one should have a vintage watch cleaned ever so oft to keep it in tip top shape.

I found my 1936 Bulova in a thrift shop in Saskatoon SK. It was just sitting in a display case and I asked to see it. I wound it up, started to tick! Kept time and I asked how much, the reply, $5.00! I have never had it cleaned and it still works like it did when new! I have had that watch for over 2 1/2 years now. I don't wear it every day though seeing what I do right now for work would be murder on a watch of the vintage variety.

Some I see on ebay go cheap, others well, not so cheap.

All the best,

Root.

[Brad Bowers]

Id like to see some of these vintage watches. I don't wear a wristwatch, and haven't worn one since 1980. I used to carry a Westclox Scotty pocket watch that I picked up at a garage sale for $1.50, but have since stopped carrying it. Time just isn't important to me, and if I need to know the time, there's usually a clock around somewhere. I'm most interested in old railroad pocket watches. That's probably what I'd carry if I had one.

Brad

[Wild Root]

Rail road watches... A sure fire way to wear out a pocket! :p

Those things are on the big side. I love pocket watches and I own my Great, Great, Grandfather's pocket watch. He wasn't a Rail man, but he had taste in watches. It still works and I have been known to wear here and there. Nice to have something over 100 year’s old and still work. I'm sure 100 years from now no one will find this stuff that was made today worth any thing and even working for that matter!

Some say junk, I say something that has withstood the test of time!

Root.

[aliados]

Before 9/11 (and all those ) $*&+$%@#! metal detectors I have to pass through on a dialiy basis since then!) I used to carry either a circa 1925 white gold octagnal Wlatham, or a 1903 Elgin sterling silver hunting case, pocket watch, in my vest pocket. Now, alas, I rely on my cell phone . . .
Charlie

[Zach R.]

Speaking of watches, what do you guys think of this one? Its a 1953 Westclox Scotty.(I saw that you said you've had one before too, Brad)

http://i14.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/31/a5/ce_1_b.JPG

[El Jefe]

I've been salivating over this bad boy for about 2 years...still haven't figured out a way to own it and remain married at the same time...
sweet (http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/index.html?uboot.htm)

[The Wingnut]

I'm trying to build up my collection of vintage watches...right now, the watch I wear the most is my grandpa's Benrus which he bought prior to WWII, and wore through the war and his 20 years as a laser physicist at Lockheed. It's not much to look at, but it keeps excellent time.

Others in the collection include an Elgin A-11, a Hamilton Milton, and a repro Gruen Curvex. I've also got a '30s vintage Waltham railroad watch with a 4-4-2 engraved on the back.

[Wild Root]

Sweet watch Mate!

What are the numbers going counter clock wise on the outer part of the face? Can't say I have seen that before.

It has an early aviation appeal to it for sure!

Root.

[PADDY]

Those wee numbers are for the date! pretty ingenius aren't they :-) I hadn't realised either until someone knowledgeable pointed it out to me. Quite a quaint way to show you which day it is (that red ended lever frames the date). Thanks for the kind remarks. Turning into a nice wee thread this. Funny how one thread just seems to grab folk and others never get off the ground. It's always a gamble, you never know what tickles people's fancy!!

[PADDY]

THIS is just beautiful to me. An original Hanhart watch, one of only a few contractors of watches to the German Luftwaffe. Hanhart have produced a modern limited edition of the 1939 version.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Paddy_Middleton/Luftwaffewatch2.jpg

[Wild Root]

Very true! I have started lots that never whent any where. One I sarted about old radios, then a month later people started to hit it. :p

That's a cool way to show what day it is on your watch! Very cool.

Cheers,

Root.

[Biltmore Bob]

seeing the Westclox Scotty reminded me of something. Growing up my dear sainted Grandmother McGrath would give each of us boys a Scotty every Xmas as a stocking stuffer. I think I had twelve of the things in a sock drawer. I don't know where they are now...alas.

[jamespowers]

Well I might as well add my everyday baby to this thread. :p
Made in 1941---probably before Pearl---This Waltham Premier has served me well for quite a few months now. I have been meaning to get it cleaned and have the crystal replaced but it just keeps running and I don't really want to let it go for the time it takes to do all that to it. :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/jamespowers2005/Waltham-Premier2.jpg

Not bad for an old wristwatch I guess. ;)

Regards to all,

J

[matei]

I'm coming into this thread rather late, but my fave watch was a Poljot Aviator - it is a Russian version of a 3133 movement. Totally manual, bulky and dependable. Sadly, it was recently stolen.

It was surplanted by my current fave - a Tissot Le Locle 1853 automatic. Simple and elegant - without being complicated. I got this from my wife on our last anniversary.

[PADDY]

Guy I know on a watch forum got this on Ebay for under 1000 euros and then sent it to Laco in Germany to get overhauled. Lovely Luftwaffe WWII aircrew watch!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Paddy_Middleton/laco43it.jpg

[scotrace]

I've been coveting the reproduction Hanharts on the History Preservation Associates (http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/index.html) site. Nice to see the original. The other is amazing as well! Those Germans have all the cool toys.
The modern versions are ghastly expensive, at least for my pocketbook. I guess it's as the Germans say, "Ach! Too dear, too dear..."

[Wild Root]

Well, now for a photo of the watch that I made mention of that started this thread.

I tried to take a photo of it, but each one was blurred. It's hard to take a close up I guess of such a small item. I'll try and find a way to take a better photo but, in the mean time here is this one, I hope it's not too bad.

1933 Elgin.

http://img304.imageshack.us/img304/7263/1141433img4ac.jpg

Root.

[jamespowers]

Nice watch Root. I bet you wear it a lot. :)

Regards to all,

J

[Wild Root]

Yes, I sure do!

Root.

[wackyvorlon]

I have two pocket watches(I dislike wristwatches), an 18 size Waltham from the turn of the century, and a 1930's bulova in a gold case. Both very beautiful, solid timekeepers.

[Zach R.]

Well, the only Wristwatch I have is a blue-faced modern Fossil watch that weighs a ton. I like it, and it has really strengthened my arm, I think.

Pocket-watch wise I have a NOS 1953 Westclox Scotty that I got off of ebay. Money is a little tight, so that was all I could really afford.

[Wild Root]

I have two pocket watches(I dislike wristwatches), an 18 size Waltham from the turn of the century, and a 1930's bulova in a gold case. Both very beautiful, solid timekeepers.

Oh so you dislike wristwatches eh? Well, pocket watches have been popping up in this thread here and there, but it's purely a wrist watch thread. I have a few pocket watches and they're great, but I'd like to focus on wristwatches in this room. ;)

Do tell me why you dislike such beautiful time pieces. I find that fascinating seeing there are plenty other things to dislike.

Cheers,

Root.

[Brad Bowers]

Do tell me why you dislike such beautiful time pieces. I find that fascinating seeing there are plenty other things to dislike.



You could ask me the same thing, Root! I just don't like wearing jewelry, don't like it touching my skin. The only piece of jewelry I wear is my wedding ring, and that's only when I'm out in public. At home, I take it off. Don't worry, though, my wife does the same thing. :)

Brad

[wackyvorlon]

I find the feeling of a wristwatch distracting, and it often interferes with shirt cuffs. It is very difficult to have it remain in place, without it being unpleasantly tight.

[Wild Root]

Ok, sounds like a reason. To each his own I supose.

I for one like having the watch right there at hand with out pulling it out of a pocket! Works great wile driving a vintage car. Don't want to take the eyes off the road too long wile wheeling a 60 year old auto!!!

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Root.

[jitterbugdoll]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone come across a reasonably priced lady's watch from the 30s-40s? I'd love to find one, particularly one with a cord wristband, but have yet to see any in my area.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d939b3127cce92a9d7341a2400000015108AatmbRq2ctP

Looks like quite a few of you have some really neat watches!

[rubyredlocks]

I have one of those.It was a gift from my mother,she found it at an Antique Mall.It's made by bulova.
They still make some very classic shapes.I love their bracelet styles and splurged on one at a department store X-mas sale.They're not the cheapest,though.
My new watch is similar to this but the lines lean toward more of a cleaner Art Deco feel.

http://www.bulova.com/brands/bulova/product.aspx?id=758&coll_id=23&origin=collection

[Wild Root]

J-Doll, I would say to check out ebay if you haven't already. I see lots of watches on that thing. Some cheap, some not so cheap.

I was at a big auto swap-meet yesterday in Pomona. They had dealers selling auto parts for vintage and new plus, some antique dealers. I saw a box full of watches marked for $1.00 for each watch, there was a nice little 40's lady's watch but it was missing the crystal.

The kind you're looking for may be hard to find since that type of band wore out faster then others.

Good luck,

Root.

[rubyredlocks]

Also,they seem to run very small.I have very small wrists and my actual vintage one is a little tighter than I like.It fits just like your pic,but I like them to feel more like a bracelet.
Of course,it could have been a teen's watch,which could explain the size.

[shamus]

I see ladies watches all the time with corded bands. And they're really cheap compaired to a man's watch. Under $15.00 for sure.

They're all wind watches with a base metal but they're vintage and real.

You won't find them at the Goodwill, you must go to a non-organized thrift store.

[jamespowers]

Also,they seem to run very small.I have very small wrists and my actual vintage one is a little tighter than I like.It fits just like your pic,but I like them to feel more like a bracelet.
Of course,it could have been a teen's watch,which could explain the size.

Any watch repair shop worth using will be able to replace the short cords with longer ones in minutes. You can even do it yourself if you get the material. Watch part supply companies like S. LaRose of North Carolina: http://www.slarose.com/cgi-bin/slarose/
should be able to supply the material for you in a variety of colors as well. I always keep some on hand for my wife's watches. Never know when you might need one. ;)
Don't pass up a good woman's watch because of the band. :)

Regards to all,

J

[Michaelson]

Well I might as well add my everyday baby to this thread. :p
Made in 1941---probably before Pearl---This Waltham Premier has served me well for quite a few months now. I have been meaning to get it cleaned and have the crystal replaced but it just keeps running and I don't really want to let it go for the time it takes to do all that to it. :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/jamespowers2005/Waltham-Premier2.jpg

Not bad for an old wristwatch I guess. ;)

Regards to all,

J

Get it serviced, James, especially if you don't know the last service date. All you're doing is running the watch pivots in old oil and reaming them out by running them dry, especially if the old oil is animal based (which all the old watch oils USED to be based on). Get it serviced, and it WILL last you years and years, or the clean/repair bill will cost you plenty when you finally DO get around to getting it worked on...probably after it's stopped.

Jitterbugdoll, you can find women's wristies all over the place as mentioned above, especially antique malls. They're VERY nice movements if made by companies like Gruen, Lady Elgin, and the like, and many jeweled 17 and higher. Problem is, watchmakers don't like to work on them, so if you can find a couple of the same watch, buy both...have one restored, and keep the second back as a parts watch. You'll not regret it.

Regards! Michaelson

[rubyredlocks]

Thanks James for the idea.I wonder if they could add to the existing metal cord band,it's so unique I hate to give it up completely.

[jamespowers]

Thanks James for the idea.I wonder if they could add to the existing metal cord band,it's so unique I hate to give it up completely.

Call and see if they can come up with a larger replacement. Sometimes the original company still makes the same band. I have had that happen once or twice. Adding to the band can also be done. It just depends on how much it would cost if it required new links made.

Regards to all,

J

[jitterbugdoll]

Well, I took the plunge and bought this 1930s sterling silver marcasite watch on eBay today. It was pretty inexpensive and is in good working condition (I do know of a person that specializes in antique watch repair, but didn't want to mess with that right now.) I figure I can always ask for another watch with a cord band for Christmas or a birthday ;) I mean, the "more the merrier" theory must apply to watches just like it does to all other forms of vintage clothing!

http://i13.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/54/39/36_1_b.JPG
http://i1.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/55/48/e3_1_b.JPG

[ADGENTNC]

I work in the family jewelry store where we sell Rolex, so I kinda have to wear a submariner...I do have a vintage Cyma I wear on a day to day basis, I beilieve it's from the 50's...

[Michaelson]

Must be tough, having to wear a Rolex for business purposes. :cry: ;) Lucky feller! :) High regards! Michaelson

[ADGENTNC]

:fedora: Yeah, I count my blessings daily!

[Michaelson]

As well you should! :cheers1: High regards! Michaelson

[Biltmore Bob]

I just got three westclox pocket watches. Two keep good time if I wind them same time every day. Two run about twenty minutes slow in twentyfour hours. I have heard that they probably just need cleaning. Any thoughts?

[Michaelson]

Not really worth fooling with. Nice old 'dollar' type watches, but don't put any money in them. Regards! Michaelson

[Wild Root]

If they run fast, they need cleaning. If they run slow well, they need cleaning.

I saw that my 1940 Bulova was running two hours fast once. I took it in and had it cleaned. Works perfect now.

Root.

[Michaelson]

Not necessarily. It could just require regulating/timing, and that can be done by adjusting the regulator whip at the back of the movement. Rule of thumb is it's a plus/minus 30 second correction from dead center of the regulator scale to max fast or slow, for a total correction of one minute per 12 to 24 hour period.

There are so many things it COULD be, like I said, it's not really worth pursuing unless it was a higher quality jeweled movement, which the Westclox are not.

Regards! Michaelson

[Wild Root]

Yes, you speak wisely. I agree with you on the Westclox thing. They were cheap watches and well, I was told the same thing by a watch man. It's not worth fixing it if it's got no Jewell movement.

Try and adjust it by the little switch in the back and you might fix it.

Good luck,

Root.

[Michaelson]

...or, just set the one back that's not keeping time as a parts watch to support the longevity of the two good timekeepers! Something to consider...
Regards! Michaelson

[Biltmore Bob]

Yeah I already thought of that one, thank for the input you two.

[ADGENTNC]

Wow, Michaelson, you should migrate east to NC and come work for my store...You seem to know more about watches than our current bench watchmaker!!! :clap

[Michaelson]

I know enough to be dangerous, but that just comes with how long I've been dabbling with the study of horlogy....(grins) ;) Thanks! High regards! Michaelson

[feltfan]

Wild Root seems to have a knack for knowing the various things
that interest some of us vintage hounds. At some point I'll get
around to photographing my electric fans. For the moment, let me
make my first attempt to post photos on this site, by showing a couple
of watches. Let me know if there are any issues with this posting and
the images- I'm testing out Flickr.com.

The first watch is a Swiss Vulcain "Cricket", so named because it
has an alarm. I understand this to be a 40s watch. It is a hand wind
and is my regular wear watch. The alarm is actually a wind up bell
and hammer and is so forceful I can feel it like a joy buzzer in a room
too loud to hear it (punk rock concert, etc). The alarm setting is on
6 in this photo and is turned on/off by the button above the stem.

Its radium moved a geiger counter enough that I have been told it
would have to be kept behind a shield in a lab. Unfortunately,
radium has a short half life and it doesn't glow much anymore.
No, it's not dangerous to me (it was banned because the people who
painted it licked their brushes).

http://photos22.flickr.com/28030859_c4936fde6b.jpg

The other is a gold filled Lord Elgin. It's for special occasions. You can
see it is already slightly dinged- it's soft. It's a 50s watch, also hand
wind, and I am told Elvis had one (he probably had one of everything).
The "cool" thing about it, as you can see, is that it is "digital". I have
seen a stainless steel version, with divets intended to make it look like
a golf ball.

http://photos23.flickr.com/28030871_9b2a0800e9.jpg

For the hat geeks, it's sitting on a 50s Stetson Panama I have
had around for a while.

BTW, elsewhere there has been some discussion of the difficulty of
finding vintage items for larger men of today. Long vintage watch
bands are very hard to find. Anyone got a source?

[Jay]

My only two watches are my 1945 A-11 Waltham and a 1940s square-faced Bulova I got from my dad. The only problem with the Bulova is that everyone always asks me "izzat a girls watch?" I guess since its not overly large modern folks can't tell the difference.

[Mycroft]

I got a few of modern ones. But, I wear pocket watches (new, but lookign for vintage) with a suit (I hate the watch under the cuff feeling). I have one vintage, a pocket watch from late-1800's to 1920's, but it broke before I reseved it as a gift, looking to repar it. I am also, thanks to Paddy's links for a WWII American GI or Pilots watch.

[PADDY]

Just sold this (On TFL ) and it's a marvellous little Art Deco watch from the 30's made by one of a handful of premier Swiss watch company's of the Golden Era (CYMA). It winds well, keeps 'great time' over a 24 hour period and amazingly still has it's original leather strap (in basically NOS condition!!:eek: ). This baby wouldn't look out of place on the wrist of Rick in Casablanca or any of the silver screen Hollywood crowd as they take the boat out to Avalon for the weekend!
This little watch (as was the style back then) has a BIG heart of Gold (literally!), set off by the beautifully domed crystal and stepped case that just cries out ART DECO..!! ;)

Who ever said, "size matters!!" as this little fella is a head turner as much as 'today' as in his 'hay day!!'


http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE040.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE040.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE041.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE041.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE042.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE042.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE043.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE043.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE045.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE045.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE046.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE046.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE047.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE047.jpg)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/th_FORSALE048.jpg (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc260/ROSSANDHARRY/FOR%20SALE/?action=view&current=FORSALE048.jpg)[/QUOTE]