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Thommas
·Found this little OLMA bumper automatic at a flea market this weekend and I’ve completely fallen for it.
32mm without crown, but thick/full enough to wear much larger thanks to the huge dial opening and chunky waterproof case. All stainless steel and seemingly unpolished, with drilled lugs, domed crystal, oversized bubble crown, nicely patinated dial, syringe hands, red seconds and aged radium lume. Feels very late 40s / early 50s to me.
The movement is a 16-jewel Swiss bumper automatic with A/R + F/S regulator markings. I initially thought A. Schild, but the more I look at it, the less certain I am. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any visible caliber markings under the rotor path, and the shock protection also doesn’t look like standard Incabloc to my eye.
A few things I’m gathering so far:
watch appears remarkably original/coherent overall
seems to be missing some sort of movement spacer or antimagnetic cover?
movement architecture feels very transitional / early automatic era
despite no obvious recent service, it’s running shockingly well - barely lost a minute in 48+ hours on wrist
Would love to hear thoughts from the bumper automatic experts here:
any ideas on the movement manufacturer/caliber?
does it indeed look like something is missing around the movement?
does the dating seem right (~1946–1952)?
service before wearing more, or keep enjoying it as-is?
Regardless, this may be one of my favorite flea market finds in years. I love the postwar field-watch aesthetic, tough vintage feel and warm patina. Really fun watch, and wearing it feels like being immediately propelled back to the late 1940s.
Also, my wife loves it which is a great sign as she's usually not that into vintage watches. I'm getting a smaller strap custom made for her!
32mm without crown, but thick/full enough to wear much larger thanks to the huge dial opening and chunky waterproof case. All stainless steel and seemingly unpolished, with drilled lugs, domed crystal, oversized bubble crown, nicely patinated dial, syringe hands, red seconds and aged radium lume. Feels very late 40s / early 50s to me.
The movement is a 16-jewel Swiss bumper automatic with A/R + F/S regulator markings. I initially thought A. Schild, but the more I look at it, the less certain I am. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any visible caliber markings under the rotor path, and the shock protection also doesn’t look like standard Incabloc to my eye.
A few things I’m gathering so far:
watch appears remarkably original/coherent overall
seems to be missing some sort of movement spacer or antimagnetic cover?
movement architecture feels very transitional / early automatic era
despite no obvious recent service, it’s running shockingly well - barely lost a minute in 48+ hours on wrist
Would love to hear thoughts from the bumper automatic experts here:
any ideas on the movement manufacturer/caliber?
does it indeed look like something is missing around the movement?
does the dating seem right (~1946–1952)?
service before wearing more, or keep enjoying it as-is?
Regardless, this may be one of my favorite flea market finds in years. I love the postwar field-watch aesthetic, tough vintage feel and warm patina. Really fun watch, and wearing it feels like being immediately propelled back to the late 1940s.
Also, my wife loves it which is a great sign as she's usually not that into vintage watches. I'm getting a smaller strap custom made for her!
