Any of you fine folks heard/seen/know anything about Austin watches? This Austin is stamped Rado inside, is Swiss Made and has 17j. That has been the majority of what I’ve seen since stumbling upon them until last night. I found a few later Japanese produced models as well after much digging.

I know value is what a person is willing to pay, but Austin is an old family name and this watch has a nice ribbon dial. Lugs look unpolished, hands could be better, but an interesting watch to me nonetheless. Impressions, history, knowledge of the movement, even price point information would be much appreciated. I know it’s not a collectible watch and I wouldn’t be purchasing as such. Anyone know anything?

 

Looks very much like a rebranded Rado Golden Horse. Has the same case, movement (AS1700/01), hands and crystal. I've not heard of the Austin brand though.

 

Thanks! Figured it might be a rebrand. That movement a solid movement?

 

The “Austin” name listing on Mikrolisk.

 

It's a good solid movement. It runs accurately and well. A good watchmaker can easily service it and parts are reasonably easy to come by. The movement on your photo may be missing movement holder clamps and screws, but that's a fairly easy fix.

 

I would say AS 1700 is a solid movement with many parts still available. I have an Elgin with the same movement.

The bezel on this watch is installed incorrectly as the notch that is by the right bottom lug in the photos should be above the crown instead. Based on that, my guess is the crown is likely a replacement.

I would say the market value is around $250.

 

What does this mean, my friend? What is Mikrolisk? Good thing or a bad thing (remember, I’m about as new to this as a toddler trying to walk )

 

Mikrolisk is a site based in Switzerland that lists watch brand names (copyrighted or otherwise), and the firms that market watches which use that brand name. That’s all.

 

This post caught my attention. I have an Austin Watch Company watch from the 1970s. According to what I've found out, the Austin Watch Company was the inhouse brand from Gordon's Jewelers from perhaps the 1970s until maybe even as late as 1990. My wife gave me this watch in about 1978 and we're sure she bought it in Fayetteville, NC which would track with the Gordon's Jewelers origin. I've been unable to find any more information from any source. I've attached a couple of photos. CBM1590, yours is the only other Austin Watch Co watch I've seen. Thanks for posting this!

 

They have robust movements from what I can research, with both autos and winders running A Schild movements. Austin is a family name and I’ve purchased 5 of them in the last 3 weeks or so…all at very low prices for the movement. All run, but they will get a service next year. Some will get given as Christmas gifts to my family. They are neat watches, for sure. Not high end, but I collect what makes me happy and smile. That’s the point, right? Cheers!

 

XYN import code.

not seen before?

 

I saw the XYN but didn’t know what it represented. I was more intrigued with the 1700/01 that let me know what (and who) made that tick.