I love it as is...nothing like a little wabi on a vintage tool watch

 

I agree, it definitely looks like this watch was used for its intended purpose. I really love the tropical dial -- I haven't see many Bathyscaphes turn tropical.

 

https://www.watchprosite.com/page-wf.forumpost/fi-4/ti-580266/pi-3607051/

Mine with AS1686, circa 1962-3. Box bought separately but from same time frame, early 1960’s.





https://www.ebay.com/itm/Waltham-Ba...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Interesting article about Blancpain ‘private labels’ including Waltham
https://wornandwound.com/affordable-vintage-tale-two-private-label-bathyscaphes/

 

Great read, thanks for finding this! I'm still enjoying the Waltham

 

I’ve always liked these - but have struggled to buy one, as the more common 34mm wide ones look too dainty on my gorilla wrists... that said I do kick myself for passing up a boxed one with papers on eBay for $800 last Jan plus one that was offered to me on here... can’t believe how much they are priced up at now!

 

I used to like this thread a lot. So bump with a new arrival !

 

Beautiful watches in the thread. It’s great to see how they all aged

 

Nice one! Since this thread was made I found the original Bathyscaphe and sold the Waltham. Still a huge fan of both brands!

 

Hello just purchased a waltham on ebay ands its missing a few bits!! googled the model and came across this thread any information on where to get parts for these watches i live in New Zealand and have never seen anything about . Thanks Tim

 

Buy a parts watch, maybe? Or two.

Study eBay

Ask watch forums for help?

did you know it needed many parts before you got it in hand?

I hope the movement has no rust or corrosion.

welcome

 

hello just purchased this off ebay and im after a bezel and hands ? any help would be greatly appreciated

 

any watch forums or specific websites you know of would be greatly appreciated
thanks

 

Hi Tim, I would suggest returning the watch if possible. If I recall, it was listed at quite a high price to begin with.

I don't think you will ever be able to find the correct bezel for this watch. If you do, be aware that the bezel dimensions for this generation and the later generation are slightly different and are not easily interchangeable. I'm not sure about hands...maybe you can find them someday.

Another issue will be finding parts that don't look out of place on this watch. Imagine finding a bezel that looks NOS - it just wouldn't work here. Same with the hands.

A rusted movement would actually be the easiest thing to remedy on this watch. These came with generic AS movements that can be found in other watches from the time period.

 

Sadly I agree- this is one of those project that you will probably never be able to complete- the parts are just not out there.

 

hello
thanks for your concern in regards to this particular watch
firstly i have know great knowledge about this particular model other than my Grandfather had a blancpain and after he died ( the watch disappeared!! ) i have since always wanted one some twenty years later im now able to get some what half of one. I know its not in perfect shape nor the correct model as my grandfathers . But at least its a start as you im sure you can understand you can have a real connection to a watch and the memories and history they curate . I would love to be able to buy a period correct Blancpain but this is something well out of my reach . So this is my start point ... i understand for a lot of people the "franken watch" is looked down upon . For me this is not the case i do not inrend to sell or profit from this watch and my ultimate dream is to have it on my wrist in functioning condition and hopefully one day on my young sons!
thanks again for your reply but i wont be returning this watch as already it means a great deal to me

Tim

 

The hands are pretty common. The bezel, well I'm in the market for one. Have been looking for years

 

That makes sense Tim. There are plenty of generic hands and bezels that will work for you in that case. You will just need to measure the sizes needed and use that to guide your parts search. It won't be "correct" but I am sure you can find something that is appealing to you.

 

You can try to restore it.

http://www.atelier-horloger.fr/contact.php

I'm also working on a project. Not sure what the end result will be but I'm giving it a shot!

https://omegaforums.net/threads/restoration-of-a-1st-gen-eterna-kontiki-what-to-do.127577/

 

Hallo Tim,
as I am informed, Squale did supply Blancpain with the Bathyscaphe cases (as well as the FF 1000 and 3H Bund cases).
As Squale lately found a batch of NOS cases and built some historic 'hommages'
( see here: https://www.awco.nl/two-ultra-rare-squale-x-awco-special-editions/)
I would try to get in contact with Squale, they make service for their watches and maybe they can get your watch complete with old parts.
Greetings Konrad

https://www.squale.ch
https://www.squale.ch/en/customer-service

The AWCo batch of Squale watches with Rayville cases: