Just curious Would you purchase a watch that has inscriptions on the case back? here's one I purchased. Normally I steer clear of these but this one just caught my eye. Fred worked 25 years for that watch. Back then SS Kresge was a 5 and 10 cent store that later became Kmart
Heck yes. That is the ultimate patina in my opinion. It's a story you can trace, to a time hard work and dedication was appreciated. Rather that than buy one with a dial that I had to change because it had a company logo on it. Exception may be is if it was somebody's wedding watch and it ended in divorce or some other type of bad Karma thing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Inscriptions confirms parts of the watch history. Collecting vintage is to me much about learning the historical background. Normally it is close to impossible to find out much. You may be able to get some sorts of extract from the manufacturer, but an inscription often tell much more.
OK Fred (14k case) is on the left in the picture which a bad redial I am going to swap dial with the watch on the right I need a longer sweep hand maybe in a day or so I can pick one up
Very much so. I have three, all with inscriptions. Two are retirement watches with date and years of service on the back. Even though I have no personal connection to these previous owners, I do not mind it at all.
I like the added history. I think many of are curious of the history of some of our vintage piece and having that personalized inscription helps to tell the story of the start of the life of the watch. Pretty cool in my opinion.
1958 Constellation 2852 from seller in Switzerland. Bought in 2013 with the help of OF member MSNWatch. The V.S.S.F, I think stands for "Verband Schweizerischer Sprengfachleute" or "Swiss Society of Explosive Engineers". I'm guessing, from the light use, it was a presentation watch.
I love inscriptions on the back of a watch, as it allows me to research the piece and put it with a person, place and time. This comes from my collecting antique American and English silver and armorial export porcelain-the history is part of what drives me in seeking these objects. One of the things that bums me out about watches is not being able to place a majority of them in their appropriate historical contexts. I am also a sucker for killer engraving, it is an art form that is quickly being lost.
