1947 2503-2 crystal check please

DraganB · Dec 10, 2021

So I purchased this 1947 2503-2 from a local watchmaker. I know it's a bit over polished, but I'm a sucker for dial patina, and it wasn't that expensive. Anyway, the watchmaker purchased it from an older gentleman, and it came with a mineral glass crystal. The watchmaker said he wasn't sure if that's what the watch originally came with, and that he could fit an acrylic crystal if I wanted (he has a large stock of old watch parts). Everything I found online from a similar era has an acrylic crystal, but that could also be a replacement done more recently. Do you guys have any info what this watch originally came with? Thanks

Syzygy · Dec 10, 2021

Welcome to OF. Do you have pictures of the inside of the case back and movement? That's where the real information lives that is needed to suss out the details in order to answer your question (pretty much all questions about watches, as it turns out).

DraganB · Dec 10, 2021

Syzygy
Welcome to OF. Do you have pictures of the inside of the case back and movement? That's where the real information lives that is needed to suss out the details in order to answer your question (pretty much all questions about watches, as it turns out).

Thanks! I don't have pictures of the case back, and I'm a bit scared to open it myself, especially as I don't see a clear lip to wedge a knife in. The info that I have from the watchmaker is:
model: 2503-2 (I presume this is the only thing that you will find on the caseback)
serial number: 11270585
movement: 30T2PC
year: 1947

sleepyastronaut · Dec 10, 2021

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe mineral crystals only became ubiquitous in the 1970s. It's possible a mineral crystal was available earlier, but plexiglass/plastic/acrylic were the common wrist watch crystal materials before the 70s.

SkunkPrince · Dec 10, 2021

sleepyastronaut
Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe mineral crystals only became ubiquitous in the 1970s. It's possible a mineral crystal was available earlier, but plexiglass/plastic/acrylic were the common wrist watch crystal materials before the 70s.

Wristwatches originally came with glass crystals until after WWI when plastics were common. Some watches for WWI came with celluloid crystals, which turned yellow with age.

It's possible someone fit a VTF or other glass crystal at some point. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you're as clumsy as I am and think you'll break it.

I still remember fitting a VTF glass crystal to a trench watch I've had for ages... one of those where you heat the bezel until the crystal goes in. I felt quite proud of myself. 😀

amcclell · Dec 11, 2021

This watch would have been sold with an acrylic crystal but any watch this age would have had the crystal replaced by now. Some watchmakers gave you a choice of plastic or glass and there was a time when glass was perceived as an upgrade because it resisted scratching. In addition to the over polishing, am I the only one who thinks that the dial has been repainted?

SkunkPrince · Dec 11, 2021

amcclell
In addition to the over polishing, am I the only one who thinks that the dial has been repainted?

I'm not seeing anything that would imply that.

1947 2503-2 crystal check please

DraganB

Syzygy

DraganB

sleepyastronaut

SkunkPrince

amcclell

SkunkPrince

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