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

southtexas
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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.
 
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alam
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Nice watch. The only items I found on my dad’s drawer were worn out socks, most of them with holes...

😜
 
Larry S
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OMG what a disaster ! I'll give him $100 for that POS . 😁
 
Rman
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That sock drawer just bested many barns.

S.C.O.R.E.
 
Tet
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Got my dad to check his sock drawer, he found a quartz Rotary. Yeah not quite the same. ...
 
Beepos
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Mon Dieu...

That bezel alone is the cleanest UG bezel I’ve seen

See what the members here say, but if your friend is interested in selling, he or she should contact an auction house, not a dealer. Or sell it here!
 
Florent
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+ Really nice watch, near perfect dial, clean bezel. 😀

- Case is polished, crown is wrong, pushers are wrong, crystal is a replacement and I think subdials hands are replacement too (but not sure) (they are not finally) 📖
Edited:
 
Florent
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Still a very nice piece that I would definitely wear a lot! ;-)
 
CajunTiger
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very nice find!

You have a nice very early reference. 235xxx is the beginning of production.
All the hands are correct for this version and it all looks original.
Edited:
 
Florent
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CajunTiger CajunTiger
very nice find!

You have a nice very early reference. 235xxx is the beginning of production.
All the hands are correct for this version and it all looks original.

Is there any archive or picture of the early nina with those subdial hands ?
 
CajunTiger
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Florent Florent
Is there any archive or picture of the early nina with those subdial hands ?

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?
 
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No Mercy
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alam alam
Nice watch. The only items I found on my dad’s drawer were worn out socks, most of them with holes...

😜
You are luckier than me, I never ever have a sock drawer 🙁
 
bristnj
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What an absolutely fantastic find! I hope your friend (and his father) can appreciate what they have. Yes, a high market valued watch, but more importantly a family heirloom that is irreplaceable! Congratulations to them both. What a great story to go with a great watch! I hope you locate a true professional to service it.
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CajunTiger
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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.
 
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