Fake or Not Fake Ploprof is the question...

Archer · Jun 29, 2019

Foo2rama
???

Shouldn’t it be off the same degree regardless of the date?

Yes, you don't need to wait until the 23rd (or any specific date) to tell. Here is a watch with the dial rotated, but with the normal date indicator:

As you can see, it's between the 5 and 6...

Now job done with a modified date indicator:

If it's not right, you will see it right away...

Cheers, Al

Vintagewtchzilla · Jun 29, 2019

I can only say what i observed on my inverted one before i corrected it. With the same datewheel but correct dial position everything was fine

Archer · Jun 29, 2019

Vintagewtchzilla
I can only say what i observed on my inverted one before i corrected it. With the same datewheel but correct dial position everything was fine

When the date indicator has 31 days, going from 3 to 9 with the date opening will always result in the date window being centered between two dates. The only exception would be if the dial was not symmetrical somehow, so for example the dial feet were bent with a slight twist in the dial position - off by a few degrees. Or perhaps the date mechanism wasn't working right.

As I've illustrated above, if you do a 180 degree swap of a symmetrical dial, the error will be visible on any date.

Kokito · Jun 29, 2019

I will not say anything about watch, but bracelet is 100% correct.

squarelug · Jul 9, 2019

Wanted to close the loop here on this.

I actually ended up sending the watch back.

Apparently the pawn shop where this was located decided to send this to a local watchmaker before shipping in Puerto Rico. The watchmaker of course didn't flip the movement back to it's proper orientation (lol) but did replace the pusher and crown and crystal. Thankfully, these parts were included when the watch arrived.

However, the kicker was that the watchmaker ALSO decided to refinish the case (cringe) and this wasn't disclosed and wasn't that well done either. Which would probably have looked fine had the rest of the watch not been so worn, but with the dial and hands looking like they did it was weird to have a polished case, and it would have been SO COOL if the case was as beaten up as the rest of the watch. Makes me sad, really, and this is a huge pet peeve of mine when this happens as I'm sure it is for a lot of others.

This all meant that I was considering the following service items - fix the hands or source NOS ones, buy a new date wheel, flip the movement, find any missing links for the bracelet (there were some and the existing bracelet barely fit my 7.25 wrists). Which all would have probably cost $1000 if possible at all. Then there was the matter of the scratch on the dial which was ugly, and if I was a wagering man, I'd guess happened when a watchmaker did something incompetent, which is completely conceivable given the watch's history. And if that's the case, who knows what has been f*ed up in the movement itself. The nail in the coffin was finding another Ploprof recently in much better condition, already serviced, for just a little more money, which is not something I expected, so I returned this and went with that.

I do think this is a good project for someone, especially if you have some of the skills yourself to either do the work or source the necessary parts, but alas I am a noob. I have no doubt the watch is original. It will likely be relisted. That case refinishing is a real pity though :-(

greenecollector · Jul 10, 2019

When you say the case was refinished...was that before or after the photos you posted?

In the original photos the case looked too good for the rest, but I wouldn't describe it as a poor polishing job, more like a replacement case.

Do you have photos of the watch you received?

squarelug
Wanted to close the loop here on this.

I actually ended up sending the watch back.

Apparently the pawn shop where this was located decided to send this to a local watchmaker before shipping in Puerto Rico. The watchmaker of course didn't flip the movement back to it's proper orientation (lol) but did replace the pusher and crown and crystal. Thankfully, these parts were included when the watch arrived.

However, the kicker was that the watchmaker ALSO decided to refinish the case (cringe) and this wasn't disclosed and wasn't that well done either. Which would probably have looked fine had the rest of the watch not been so worn, but with the dial and hands looking like they did it was weird to have a polished case, and it would have been SO COOL if the case was as beaten up as the rest of the watch. Makes me sad, really, and this is a huge pet peeve of mine when this happens as I'm sure it is for a lot of others.

This all meant that I was considering the following service items - fix the hands or source NOS ones, buy a new date wheel, flip the movement, find any missing links for the bracelet (there were some and the existing bracelet barely fit my 7.25 wrists). Which all would have probably cost $1000 if possible at all. Then there was the matter of the scratch on the dial which was ugly, and if I was a wagering man, I'd guess happened when a watchmaker did something incompetent, which is completely conceivable given the watch's history. And if that's the case, who knows what has been f*ed up in the movement itself. The nail in the coffin was finding another Ploprof recently in much better condition, already serviced, for just a little more money, which is not something I expected, so I returned this and went with that.

I do think this is a good project for someone, especially if you have some of the skills yourself to either do the work or source the necessary parts, but alas I am a noob. I have no doubt the watch is original. It will likely be relisted. That case refinishing is a real pity though :-(

squarelug · Jul 10, 2019

Didn't take photos as it was a pretty quick determination once I saw the watch. Took a look at the listing ones again and as best I can tell those photos are from after when the work was done, though the case did seem to look worse in person so go figure. They also didn't clarify whether it was a replacement case or a polish, simply that it was "refinished" whatever that means in pawn shop speak.

pascs · Jul 10, 2019

Sorry to hear that, I was expecting that things might have turned out better.

squarelug · Jul 10, 2019

Nothing ventured nothing gained!

greenecollector · Jul 11, 2019

Besides the point now but I see no evidence of it being badly polished in the images at the beginning of the thread so I'm confused as to what's actually gone on...but anyway, you found another so we can move on...

squarelug
Didn't take photos as it was a pretty quick determination once I saw the watch. Took a look at the listing ones again and as best I can tell those photos are from after when the work was done, though the case did seem to look worse in person so go figure. They also didn't clarify whether it was a replacement case or a polish, simply that it was "refinished" whatever that means in pawn shop speak.

Civic4982 · Jul 26, 2019

I just found this thread today!!!

G greenecollector
Besides the point now but I see no evidence of it being badly polished in the images at the beginning of the thread so I'm confused as to what's actually gone on...but anyway, you found another so we can move on...

I concur with you that the watch does not appear to be badly polished.

The finish is one I would anticipate from a old vintage tool watch that has lived a life of various adversities and good times.

It does have some dings and scratches but all of which I feel confidently add to my interest in this watch.

The bracelet has two extension links, my wrist is similar to the OP so it’s a touch snug but wears okay most of the time on my left wrist.

I was very impressed that the watchmaker who serviced it for it running to a lovely +8 to +11 seconds per day.

I plan to purchase a date wheel but leave it alone along with getting an extraction once I have the time to safely learn and disassemble it correctly.

Yes it has 2 scratches on the dial, a faint scratch on the crystal. The lume aging is gorgeous. The gasket between the dial and crystal is worn and the brass is showing through. Oddly , it matches the patina of the bezel and dial quite well.

For a vintage watch guy who wants an entry level piece of history that appears original. This was perfect for me.

New straps are on the way!

I’m really grateful to the OP for letting this one go. I was bidding initially but got busy with the kids and swore up and down the hallway for missing out on it.

As the old saying goes: “ One man’s trash is another mans’s treasure”

View attachment 809280

Civic4982 · Jul 27, 2019

The crystal has a pretty healthy scratch on the right upper quadrant that’s visible from some angles but doesn’t cause visibility issues generally. I’ll probably replace it.

Otherwise I’m not sure if I’ve decided on if I’d like to leave it as is or flip it the typical direction.

I forgot to add this photo of it on the timegrapher:

Been wearing it non stop for 48 hours and it hasn’t missed a best.

I feel the restoration needs a new thread so I’ll probably start one as I get more into this bad boy.

Taddyangle · Jul 27, 2019

There is also a "roll call ploprof" with a ton of great info. Worth looking it up.

Here is mine.

Fake or Not Fake Ploprof is the question...

Archer

Vintagewtchzilla

Archer

Kokito

squarelug

greenecollector

squarelug

pascs

squarelug

greenecollector

Civic4982

Civic4982

Taddyangle

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