Certina Blue Ribbon question

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river9

·Feb 28, 2021

Hello I lately purchased for cheap an automatic Blue Ribbon Certina on bracelet (merely 200usd). Caliber is 25-651 w. date changes between 21-23h, movement clean and neat and the caliber keeps time, a crown is depicted on both case-back and bracelet buckle, the silver dial develops a pleasant salmon tone.
In am happy with this watch, althought the bracelet seems suspect to me🙁.
But the most intriguing thing is the watch crown, it doesnt have C logo on the side (or it is very faint)
What are yout thoughts on bracelet and watch crown please share it with me.
Tks and nice weekend

 

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river9

·Mar 1, 2021

Trying to take closeup pics. Is this crown genuine to Blue Ribbon Certina? Please share your thoughts. Thank you

 

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wagudc

·Mar 1, 2021

river9

Trying to take closeup pics. Is this crown genuine to Blue Ribbon Certina? Please share your thoughts. Thank you

I can see a C. I suspect it is original, but I am no expert. It is a very nice watch for the price. Bracelet looks good as well, end links fit and has the c on the clasp. Why does it make you suspect?

 

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river9

·Mar 1, 2021

wagudc

I can see a C. I suspect it is original, but I am no expert. It is a very nice watch for the price. Bracelet looks good as well, end links fit and has the c on the clasp. Why does it make you suspect?

Thank you @wagudc for sharing your thought!
English is not my native language so I will do my best to descript the watch.
In real life stainless steel colour on both bracelet and case do not match. I would say color of brelelet links look more “young”, while the buckle is quite worn.
I suspect a “put together” watch too because the Blue Ribbonbcrown is somewhat more worn than the case.
It happen I used to own a Bristol 235 Certina from the same frame of time (end 60- early 70s) on which the crown logo is different.
Regards

 

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wagudc

·Mar 1, 2021

Interesting, I see what you mean about the subtle difference in the look of the steel between the bracelet and the case. The bracelet and case would be made by different contractors so it is possible they would be slightly different.

You could try to date the movement and bracelet to see if they are significantly different. Are there any numbers on the bracelet that could indicate a date? You can date the head using:

https://www.vintagecertinas.ch/en/certina-case-movement-and-serial-numbers/

 

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ConElPueblo

·Mar 1, 2021

The crown looks like what I'd expect on a Certina like this.
I have non-blue ribbon Certina with the same case (serial 3.1mill) with the same one.

Your case has been polished once or twice (still looks very nice!), so wear is probably on par for the crown.

I am sure that the bracelet is a later addition - from your photos it suits it fine, IMO 😀

 

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ConElPueblo

·Mar 1, 2021

Here is a somewhat similar one: https://www.ebay.es/itm/Certaina-Bl...998205?hash=item4476264efd:g:LNgAAOSwZpJgPRVy

I am a bit surprised that yours is lacking the seconds track, btw.

 

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river9

·Mar 1, 2021

Thank you @wagudc @ConElPueblo for your insight.
My case back has engravings I pictured below.

@ConElPueblo
-> It’s very faint suggesting an heavily polishing. Difficult to capture engraved numbers. It seems there several others I cannot get in photo.
On the clasp there are engravings too “Certina”. No endlink numbers though.
Regarding serial number I will check it out later when I am able to open it.

 

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river9

·Mar 3, 2021

More photos to illustrate

 

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Kapka

·Mar 3, 2021

Wow, that case back is super cool. I have had many of Certina watches from 50s and 60s but I have never seen that case back.
Even the dial is very unusual for Blue Ribbon model (hour markers). All in all, I think you got a very nice piece there. Don't worry about the crown and enjoy that beautiful piece.

 

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river9

·Mar 10, 2021

Kapka

Wow, that case back is super cool. I have had many of Certina watches from 50s and 60s but I have never seen that case back.
Even the dial is very unusual for Blue Ribbon model (hour markers). All in all, I think you got a very nice piece there. Don't worry about the crown and enjoy that beautiful piece.

Thank you for sharing thoughts.
Am quite happy with the purchase, but I think crown engravings are unusual for that brand. Is’nt it?
Cheers

 

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jvieira

·Oct 7, 2021

Hey Kapka,
Thank you for posting this ! The crown logo was always a mystery to me.
I think the bracelet is original. The crown logo on the caseback and the clasp sort of seals it.
The crown looks identical to the proper crown. Perhaps the C was polished off.
I have the identical bracelet but mine came on a DS. It probably wasn't original to that watch, as they ussually either came with the Gay Freres bracelet or a leather strap.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2EkyEPH224/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUSaQL5gvBP/

Needless to say, that is a beautiful watch and an amazing bargain.

cheers

 

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jvieira

·Oct 7, 2021

oh, and it's from 1963