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Found: My buddy’s dad has a sock drawer Nina

ELV web
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CajunTiger CajunTiger
One other note...the earliest Ninas have the early calibre 130 (Valjoux 72.6) whereas most of the Ninas are found with the later and far more common cal 85 which is the more common standard Valjoux 72.
Those are very early, not all the first gen comes with the 130 in my understanding. So if u have a first gen with 130, they are a rare find.
 
CajunTiger
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ELV web ELV web
Those are very early, not all the first gen comes with the 130 in my understanding. So if u have a first gen with 130, they are a rare find.

Agreed...Ive only seen a handful in many years of looking. Mine has a Cal 130...but since the OP's Nina is only about 100 after mine...I would guess his may have the same cal 130
Edited:
 
bristnj
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CajunTiger CajunTiger
Agreed...Ive only seen a handful in many years of looking. Mine has a Cal 130...but since the OP's Nina is only about 100 after mine...I would guess his may have the same cal 130
I thought the UG130 was a Valjoux 23, like the UG125? Don't some of the early Big Eyes have the UG130?
 
CajunTiger
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bristnj bristnj
I thought the UG130 was a Valjoux 23, like the UG125? Don't some of the early Big Eyes have the UG130?

The cal 130 is a Valjoux 72.6...also used in the ref 22703/1 and 22704/1(seen below) and my Rolex 6262 (3rd image)
 
L1003438.jpg s-l1600 (3).jpg Case Gasket Wall-After.jpg
bristnj
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Always good to learn something new! So the UG130 became the UG85 (Val.72). Thank you @CajunTiger! Was there ever an earlier iteration of the UG125?
 
M
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I love these confident statements......
- Case is polished, crown is wrong, pushers are wrong, crystal is a replacement and I think subdials hands are replacement too (but not sure)
and
All the hands are correct for this version and it all looks original.
 
CajunTiger
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M Moahunter
I love these confident statements......
- Case is polished, crown is wrong, pushers are wrong, crystal is a replacement and I think subdials hands are replacement too (but not sure)
and
All the hands are correct for this version and it all looks original.


You will rarely find a 50 year old UG with its original crystal. The crown should be a plain U crown, its very common to see these replaced as its standard to replace during service and most watchmakers are just trying to keep the seal tight. Hands are correct for this serial.
 
MMMD
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Dibs on “Sock Drawer Nina” as a band name
::psy::::rimshot::::psy::
 
mazzman
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As was recommended to me on this forum, ABC Watchwerks in LA did a fantastic job on my UG Tri-Compax moonphase. Took about 2 months including holiday breaks. Just got it back last Thursday and it's good to go. Ask for Alex or Aaron. You can PM me for phone #.
 
strick9
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southtexas southtexas
Hello all, I’ve got a good sock drawer story. I finally got my buddy to get into vintage watches. He recalled his dad having some old watches tucked away in the drawer so he gave him a call. Turns out his dad had an old Rolex bubbleback and this UG.

His dad remembers his parents buying as a gift, and he hardly wore it. He doesn’t recall any service history. What are your thoughts on originality? Condition? Polished? The tritium on the chrono hand has fallen out and is spread around the hand and the dial. Otherwise, it’s in pretty nice condition. Lastly, can I get some recommendations for the top service people in USA? Thanks for looking.
awesome find
 
ELV web
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CajunTiger CajunTiger
The cal 130 is a Valjoux 72.6...also used in the ref 22703/1 and 22704/1(seen below) and my Rolex 6262 (3rd image)
Can we see the other side of all these watches
 
dougiedude
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....and how about a picture of the other sock drawer find, the bubbleback?

I'll take dibs NOW on 'Sock Drawer Bubbleback' as a band name... 😁
 
southtexas
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CajunTiger CajunTiger
You will rarely find a 50 year old UG with its original crystal. The crown should be a plain U crown, its very common to see these replaced as its standard to replace during service and most watchmakers are just trying to keep the seal tight. Hands are correct for this serial.

It has the UG “shield” on the crystal centered over the handstack. It’s UG original, but original to the watch? Obviously, I don’t know.

Thanks to all for the comments and insight. They are excited and it’s definitely staying in the family. With the kind help of an OF member, we have identified a watchmaker and hope he can see to fit us in to have the watch serviced.

Edit to add: I haven’t opened this watch, so I can’t say what’s driving it.
 
Cuttysark
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southtexas southtexas
Hello all, I’ve got a good sock drawer story. I finally got my buddy to get into vintage watches. He recalled his dad having some old watches tucked away in the drawer so he gave him a call. Turns out his dad had an old Rolex bubbleback and this UG.

His dad remembers his parents buying as a gift, and he hardly wore it. He doesn’t recall any service history. What are your thoughts on originality? Condition? Polished? The tritium on the chrono hand has fallen out and is spread around the hand and the dial. Otherwise, it’s in pretty nice condition. Lastly, can I get some recommendations for the top service people in USA? Thanks for looking.

Lucky you! In my daddy's drawer I found only a fake Rolex and a Citizen 🤦
 
Tire-comedon
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No Mercy No Mercy
You are luckier than me, I never ever have a sock drawer 🙁
You are Lucky, there were a hundred and sixty of us living in my dad's sock drawer in the middle of the road! We used to get up out of the sock drawer at twelve at night, and lick the road clean with our tongues. We had half a handful of freezing cold gravel, worked twenty four hours a day at the mill for fourpence every six years, and when we got home, our dad would slice us in two with a bread knife...
 
STANDY
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MMMD MMMD
Dibs on “Sock Drawer Nina” as a band name
::psy::::rimshot::::psy::

Why am I thinking of the song "lay down Sally" with the words changed to "sock drawer Nina" at the moment 🤦
 
southtexas
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Tire-comedon Tire-comedon
You are Lucky, there were a hundred and sixty of us living in my dad's sock drawer in the middle of the road! We used to get up out of the sock drawer at twelve at night, and lick the road clean with our tongues. We had half a handful of freezing cold gravel, worked twenty four hours a day at the mill for fourpence every six years, and when we got home, our dad would slice us in two with a bread knife...

That sounds rough.
 
Gabe
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CajunTiger CajunTiger
Do you mean the thin subdial hands?

There are plenty of examples...the earliest Ninas had the thin sub dial hands.
Here is mine also sn 23548xx

BTW- in years of following this reference, Ive not seen another Nina with an earlier serial number than mine. Not saying it doesnt exist, but haven't been able to find one. @southtexas what are the next few digits in your serial?

This is an Evil Nina, as found out they started with earlier serials than pandas: 23547XX
also cal. 130

Back UG NR.jpg
Edited:
 
UG Nina Rindt inside.jpg
CajunTiger
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The movement looks pristine. Can I see the dial?
Edited:
 
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