Forums Latest Members

Looking for simple, arabic-numbered dress watch

  1. Yukatan Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    51
    Likes
    33
    There's a simple watch style I've been wanting, and surprisingly it's pretty hard to find one that matches the following criteria:

    1. Arabic numbered, non-italic--think 1948 Seamaster, except with numbers going all around. Applied not printed numbers.
    2. 10-18k gold
    3. Automatic or mechanical
    4. Date at the most, don't want subdials.
    5. Dress watch, so under 38mm.

    It seems pretty basic, but I struggle to find a nice one. The old bumper-style automatic Seamasters can fit this criteria, but I was wondering if the experts here knew of other brands/models that fit this criteria?
     
    Edited Mar 8, 2019
  2. Delbok Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    499
    Likes
    809
    What about the ranchero gold plated, that’s not an 18k gold but at least it matches the rest of your criteria unless the subdial for the seconds is a big nono for you

    Edit: thinking about other brands you have some JLC Memovox too, some with Arabic numbers, 3 hands and solid gold...
     
  3. Dan S Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    18,590
    Likes
    42,862
    Arabic numerals all around aren’t as dressy as markers or Roman numerals. That’s why you don’t find so many examples of what you are looking for, because it’s a bit of a stylistic mash-up. I’ve seen watches like you describe, They are just less common.

    I would set a search on eBay based on keywords and just see what turns up without worrying about the brand name to start with.
     
    Foo2rama, Yukatan and connieseamaster like this.
  4. Waltesefalcon Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    3,064
    Likes
    8,274
    I really like my Hamilton Turner. It might be a bit small depending on your tastes and it's only 10k but it has applied numerals all the way around and sub seconds. The one attached isn't mine but one I found on a Google search.
     
    il_570xN.526809188_r6ja.jpg
    Deafboy, Dan S and Yukatan like this.
  5. KingCrouchy Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    1,502
    Likes
    5,664
    Maybe some Vintage VC. Here one (not mine)
     
    _img.jpg
    Waltesefalcon and MikiJ like this.
  6. Gt390 Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    32
    Likes
    28
    Aside from the 18k part this seems to check all your boxes. rolex-air-king-blue-arabic-14000-banner.jpg
     
    Foo2rama likes this.
  7. gemini4 Hoarder Of Speed et alia Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    5,855
    Likes
    16,579
    Patek 5024J

    370E109E-5D00-4DBD-AECA-926391F4AED6.jpeg FB0C44BC-D1C8-40AF-9B6B-EAA34B02B682.jpeg

    AD2F6F48-3BF4-4A81-9ADF-178EF0EC083C.jpeg
     
    MikiJ likes this.
  8. Yukatan Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    51
    Likes
    33
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone! The Vacheron is along the lines of what I've been wanting (not sure about those lugs though). Yeah marker watches look more formal, but I already have a vintage DeVille that fits that bill.

    I actually don't care if it's not a fancy brand name (ideally want a sub $1k watch anyway), but if I include "arabic" for search terms then it really kills the results. So aside from searching for "vintage watch gold" I don't know of a way that decently narrows the search parameters. Heck it can be a modern watch, so long as it has that vintage aesthetic.

    This is more of what I was searching for, but price is a bit steep.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-VA...816284?hash=item3fb5c96c9c:g:pJ8AAOSwPjhbw0CGPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
     
  9. Dan S Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    18,590
    Likes
    42,862
    Yeah, you're right. But it's ok in a Google images search, and it will give you some good ideas. Try a google images search for something like:

    vintage watch gold arabic numerals

    And then try different variations.
     
  10. IanS Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    66
    Likes
    68
  11. jmazpiazu Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    1,264
    Likes
    12,854
    What about a Junghans? This one ticks all the boxes.

    Junghans-Max-Bill-Gold-Gear-Patrol-Lead-Full.jpg
     
    mydeafcat and Foo2rama like this.
  12. Deafboy His Holiness Puer Surdus Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    2,166
    Likes
    6,114
    Hamilton Donald
    upload_2019-3-6_22-54-20.png

    Hamilton Linwood
    upload_2019-3-6_22-55-19.png
     
    Waltesefalcon likes this.
  13. adi4 Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    648
    Likes
    2,085
    Unless you go the Hamilton route, I don't think your list and a budget of sub-$1k really align. Not sure if Hamilton made an 18k gold version of the above tank-style watch, but there are plenty of 14k versions out there with the really nice 982 movements.
     
    Waltesefalcon likes this.
  14. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    12,424
    Likes
    29,477
    This one is 14K.

    IMG_2778.jpg
     
    Dan S and Waltesefalcon like this.
  15. fastfras Mar 6, 2019

    Posts
    302
    Likes
    3,998
    I use this, while not arabic X12, six ain't bad. 36mm plus it runs around 1spd. DSC_0608.jpg DSC_0556.jpg
     
    Waltesefalcon likes this.
  16. Deafboy His Holiness Puer Surdus Mar 7, 2019

    Posts
    2,166
    Likes
    6,114
    Not many 18k Hamilton models. The Richmond comes to mind...

    There is also the platinum Rutledge to consider but these go for more than 1k$
    upload_2019-3-7_7-40-30.png
     
    adi4 and Waltesefalcon like this.
  17. Waltesefalcon Mar 7, 2019

    Posts
    3,064
    Likes
    8,274
    I figured I would go ahead and wear my Hamilton Turner today.
     
    Turner.jpg
    Deafboy likes this.
  18. Yukatan Mar 8, 2019

    Posts
    51
    Likes
    33
    Sorry, 10k or 14k is fine too.

    Eterna looks nice!

    Really want applied rather than printed, but that looks great too.

    I think so far the most cost-effective option seems to be Hamilton 10k.
     
  19. Waltesefalcon Mar 8, 2019

    Posts
    3,064
    Likes
    8,274
    I paid $169 for my Turner just this past year. The 982M is an excellent 19j movement. I believe the biggest difference between my Turner and Deafboy's Donald is that the Turner is 10K and the Donald 14K, though I could be wrong. Dials can be very nicely refinished for these by International Dial Company for around $50.