I find it easy to forget that the vintage watches I own were once a part of someone’s life long ago, that really the first owner likely had the watch for decades.


A sentimental post here, but I thought it’d be cool to post any and all personal caseback inscriptions. Kind of like a museum, little remnants of people’s lives from the past.


I’ll start with a recent eBay pickup, a Longines 6T with inscription “AN 7/4 53”...

 

This was found in a sock drawer when my Great Grandfather past. I had it serviced and cleaned up.

"Presented to Cyril Morris
25 Years Service
The Excelsior Life Insurance Company"

 

A gift for my Grandfather, 52 years ago. To mark the 100th Anniversary of my Grandparent’s marriage, I sourced the buckle in 2015.

 

To Swede From Friends On Retirement

 

I just picked this up, with the help of new papa @bigsom. Inscription commemorates 25 years with Toshiba.

 

Cool thread. And although I don’t own any inscribed pieces, I’ve often thought about getting one.

Somewhat related.

 

So great, man I love all of these!

 

1948 Bulova

 

Heaps more here.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/presentation-backs.8289/

 

Well, a 5 year old thread is a buzzkill.

 

Some of the inscriptions that allowed me to find the first owner.

In this case I' ve a letter of his widow







This watch tells the history of a family of Swedish hoteliers






Now in Iowa USA








From Italy to the States











Which of these got the prize?










The Indian Connection











The watch of Captain Curtiss









A story yet to be written (
http://www.threetowners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13870&p=144433&hilit=nicol#p144433)

 

Dutch mining company

 

Don't have any watches with inscriptions to share, but what a great thread idea. Will follow with interest.

 

Gruen

 

@bubba48 incredible! You’ll have to update us if you find anything else about Mr Nicol!

 

It's a beauty, congratulations! What's cool about this caseback is that the inscription was commissioned by Toshiba and the casebacks were produced for Toshiba by Seiko directly. This one is for a 1965 "chronometer" 5722 which is the first year of production for this watch. Very cool!

 

Thanks for the additional information. I only tagged you to give you a shameless plug for your new child.

 

This was handed down to me from my father. It was my grandfathers retirement gift from the board of management at Adam Opel AG, a division of General Motors back then.

 

This watch was presented to my wife's grandfather in 1959.



It was passed to my wife's father, who sadly died a year ago, and hence, to me.

This week we were given a photograph, taken on the day of the original presentation, in 1959.



There, below the arms of the gentleman making the presentation, is, I believe, the watch.




The watch is, of course, an Omega.



Steve.

 

Wow! That is incredible. Very cool.