That's a real one- glossy black text on matte black dial- badass! All A11's I have seen have been sterile dials (I think...) so this would have been a way to get around that- kinda.

 

But- before anyone goes ape trying to track these cool ass watches down- remember, these are small- 31mm with that massive crown adding another 6+mm (or more actually) or so. It's part of their charm, but like all US Mil watches of this period, you just have to dig them for what they are.

 

On the subject of "getting excited over a $25 Bulova", I have this one on the way. I think it may look quite decent after a service and a new crystal. Thanks again to @Nepomuceño for the heads up

@Norfolk I bought it to celebrate Lanzini's goal ⚒️

 

What's with that crown? Huge, and some kind of lanyard loop connecting it to the case?

 

Do what i did @snunez & google it.

Interesting read.

 

It was a simple method for sealing the crown to make it water tight.

 

Military regulations did not allow for branding on the dial. My Waltham A-11 has the same style black printing of the brand. Unfortunately, my photography skills are limited and you can't see it in this photo, but it is there.

 

My white one says hi


oh, and I paid 10x what you did, worth every penny

 

That sure is a pristine example!
You wouldn't happen to know the reference or dimensions of a replacement crystal?

 

Yup- it's why I didn't balk at paying the premium. As much as I love a bargain and finding a diamond in the rough, when I see something that pristine at a- albeit high, but not insane price- I don't hesitate.

And I should note- that's not the way I thought before I joined here- I was always hunting for the bargain and often disappointed by cosmetic issues. It was a few members here that helped me "see the light". Bargains are fun, condition is everything- particularly if you aren't a fan of patina like me (lume color shift aside). When you can find the diamond in the rough- that's the magical find- but don't be locked into an idea of always having to get the "deal". Sometimes it's worth paying the premium for a pristine example- and you never regret it.

 

Not a bargain- but a story about a "bargain":

I am posting this here becuase it does apply to all of us bargain hunters and this is the bargain thread. We all love a bargain and project watches can be tempting. Sometimes they are easy, and sometimes not. Those of us who have been at this for a while know the perils, but I just want to share this for our newer bargain buddies so they can understand what it can take sometimes when we take a risk on a vintage watch. Luckily this one was cheap, and parts were cheap, but I have had a few that have cost me a fortune so it can vary.

A few months ago (while trawling for bargains to share here) I found this lovely guy

I recognized it as a Belforte by the case back (Benrus sub-brand) and it looked to be in excellent shape. Seller said "not running- balance is good" which could have been a myriad of things. I took the gamble and bought it for $30.
When it arrived, the crown would set the hands, the second hand wound tick for a few seconds if I shook it, but winding it felt like gravel was in there and it wouldn't take a wind.
I am lucky enough to have a close friend who is very watch handy (not a watchmaker). He can do general maintenance, clean up a movment, swap parts, and does killer cosmetic cleaning and can color match a relume (truly gifted- he should pursue watchmaking but he has already has a day job). I take him most of my bargain pieces (my good stuff goes to my watchmaker).
He opened up the watch and this is what he found


So off to eBay I go to find the part. Although Belforte was a mass produced brand, this particular movment want apparently widely used. I found similar movements, but not the same. So I took a gamble and bought this one that was one digit off for the caliber.


Well, that didn't have the right part in it. So off into the bin of project watches it went. A few weeks later, my friend sends me this (I love that he also hunts for my parts too-he loves a project).


The guy was asking $20 I offered $10, he counter offered. When it arrived, the watch was a total disaster- but it wound smoothly, kept near perfect time and ran for about 40hours- can't ask for better than that! So off to my friend it went and I got this back a few days ago.


I have far more into this watch than it was worth, and had I brought this to my watchmaker it would have been painful- but I like the watch and becuase the parts were so cheap and I knew the labor would be free, I was willing to throw a little money at it.

If this had been a far more expensive watch, parts movements more costly, and I had to pay full watchmaker prices- I would be less inclined to take the risks that I do.


I think it's important to remember that just becuase it's "cheap", doesn't mean it will be a bargain- it can bleed you dry sometimes. Get to know the brands we are looking at here, know what parts cost and how available they are. Many of the watches from the likes of Gruen, Benrus, Bulova, etc used the same parts across several lines- so running condition is less important than cosmetic condition. But for some of the more obscure or collectible brands, parts can be rare or cost prohibitive as they are proprietary and long NLA (like Zodiac, UG, Longines, etc).
The more informed we are about the whole "cost", the more educated a purchase we can make.

 

Great story and that watch looks great. Also, the Bulova you posted earlier looks fantastic as well.

 

Late last night I started on page one of this thread to see if any linked watches were still available and I saw this one, that still is. Seeing your picture (before I even read your text) I was like "that's a Belforte!" haha.
Shortening a very long linkPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Part of the issue is the sheer volume of stuff on ebay though. No one wants their auction to be the one that somehow the bidders happen to miss and it sells for hundreds less than another example. This isn't just for watches - there's other stuff I follow and sometimes there are just outliers where for whatever reason the bidders weren't there - but others exactly the same sold for hundreds more before and after. This is why when I list something I don't do the $.99 no reserve. I'll look at previous auctions and what an item sold for, and put a starting bid comfortably under that, but still at a price I'm willing to accept, and most of the time I'll include a BIN to begin with.

 

Nice Benrus at great price. https://www.ebay.com/itm/353244954416Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

We gotta keep some for ourselves this one was from a few pages back. And given the recent conversation about the Sky Lights I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

i looked at that one daily and kept telling myself to Just pull the trigger and buy it. I should have listened to myself

 

Just a note on this one- it looks as though it has radium burn on the dial. If you don't mind this then go for it, but if you want a flawless dial, this may bother you.

 

Ok, I've not contributed for a while - how about a ladies Zenith for $20 and free shipping?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-La...or-repair-signed-A-Burger-Lucern/153935435367Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network





The dial isn't great, but not as bad as that first photo makes it out to be.

 

Ok someone who can tinker needs to get this - there is a at least one Longines-wittenaur movement and dial, a Le coultre dial and movement, as well as a bunch of bulova dials and movements, an unblemished looking Helbros Invincible dial and hands, as well as a bunch of other stuff. At $31 shipped I'm having a hard time not buying and parting it all out:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Assortment...865540?hash=item2af4c03c84:g:SukAAOSwQq9fjX7-Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network