Just arrived: Circa 1966 Certina New Art Automatic on a Fischer stainless bracelet: Some crystal damage from heat or solvent, but running well so far:
Wow! That’s really early for a Vacheron repeater. Could you post a video of it chiming? Seriously, much more awe inspiring than any mere chronometer.
Bang for the buck I am very suprised at the level of finish from Seiko, even general line like this one.
Swore I wasn't going to buy any watches for several months but couldn't pass this one up. A Soviet Era Pobeda (Victory) with unusual dial. Like new condition in factory delivery box. One small scar that looks like someone slipped with a spring bar tool trying to put a band on it long ago. I suspect the watch was returned to a jeweler because of the scratch and not resold till now. The scratch would be invisible when a band is in place. Certainly a beauty with the old school Soviet Era dial. IIRC the balance of these watches is made from an alloy developed for the Soviet space program and is near indestructible so far as any conceivable stress that a watch might be exposed to. Clean as a pin inside and out. Said to be in perfect running condition.
a Seamaster Chronometre ref 2518 with waffle dial and sub seconds, and lovely lovely patina! my first purchase at OF from a well-respected member!
Nice. Never abused and aging gracefully. I'll be taking my Diantus apart soon for a complete servicing so I ordered a duplicate parts watch so I'll have any parts I might need to replace. The movement of the parts watch looks okay. I got it for four bucks plus five bucks shipping because the exterior of the case is badly corroded. The case of the Diantus I already have is perfect, like new condition. I'll take the parts watch apart first so I won't run into any surprises when stripping down the good one. These were a low cost pin lever Swiss made watch, the case is actually better suited to a low end Quartz movement. Its un necessary to remove the stem to take the movement out of the case. unfortunately the groove the stem rides in precludes either water resistance or keeping out fine dust for that matter. If for any reason I'm not satisfied with the watch after servicing I'll probably replace the movement with a quartz movement taken for one of my older quartz watches. The gold tone case and satin finish dial of these watches are very nice. Its a fairly slim lightweight watch that one can forget he is wearing. PS Just watched a clip from a favorite Anime' series "Archer". Found out that super spy Sterling Archer wears a Omega Spacemaster presented to him by his boss/mother Malory Archer.
"Heart of Archness" when Archer is first captured by pirates they tell him they know he is a rich man because of his watch. Archer says "oh right the Spacemaster".
Acquired my first Zenith... been listening to the amazing ticking...Temporary strap, I’m thinking a very dark grey suede in due course...