I have ben looking for a Chronostop for a little while, this 145.010 popped up on eBay yesterday and I jumped at it for £400 with some incredibly blurry pictures. The watch arrived this morning and I was a little disappointed, the case has had a rough encounter with a polishing wheel, a movement clamp is missing, and the bracelet has been crudely restored, a pusher is also missing (which I knew prior to the purchase). It is keeping okay time with the chronostop function working, but clearly needs a service. I would rather move this one on, and get one in better condition. I guess I have a couple of options.

1) Just move it on as is, I have already had an offer for £500

2) Separate the bracelet and the watch, sell both separately

3) Don't service it, but get a new pusher, and move it on

Anyone got any advice?

Lucas

 

My advice to you would be to send it to me, as a nice gift.

 

I will bear that in mind as option 4) , are you sure you want one which is so heavily polished!?

 

As long as it is free, my polishing tolerance increases greatly

 

I say option 1. you will find another one sometime in the future. Not worth the hassle of fixing and the frustration of wearing a watch which you don't seem to like anyway (polishing).

Chronostop Driver is a cool little thing - the day when you find one you like, you will thoroughly enjoy it!

 

If only I hadn't seen all the amazing watches on here with sharp lines and unpolished cases, I could have enjoyed this watch otherwise!!

 

1. Buff the crystal to remove scratches;
2. Have movement overhauled;
3. Buy a pusher;
4. Buy a black leather strap; and
5. Put the watch on your wrist, serve yourself a nice single malt and enjoy life.

That said, if you really have an issue with the case being overly polished, flip the watch and find another one and go straight to step 5 above with that other watch.

Peire06

 

Sell it. Plenty of nice ones about with a bit of patience.

 

if you split it?... what would you want for the bracelet?...

 

I have sent you a message

 

Ebay Uk? I think we were bidding on the same one. I dropped out in the last few minutes as it was reaching a point where service plus replacement pusher were pushing it beyond the risk sector of the dodgy photos for me. OK condition Chronostop drivers are swapping hands close to the 800-1000 mark. As I recall, the pics were particularly bad and it was unclear if the bracelet was actually original. The fact that it is means you aren't going to lose money on this watch... and I've seen far worse polish jobs!
I think I'd get it fixed and serviced (sell the bracelet for that if you have to...preferably not) ...then wear it occasionally and put it away for a couple of years. That's what I intended to do .... I think these watches are really going to go up in value. ...If you bought it as a daily wearer you might be barking up the wrong tree..

 

Ebay UK, but this one was a buy it now after I sent the seller some messages. I know the Chronostop you mean though, it was also missing a pusher I dropped out at the last minute of that one too, in my view that bracelet was certainly not original. I had some PMs about this bracelet already, what kind of price do you think is fair considering the damage to the clasp?

I am by no means wanting to wear it as a daily wearer, perhaps once or twice a year to motorsports events, but my collection is not large and I would rather wait it out for one in a better condition to come around and put that in a draw for a couple of years than having funds tied up in this one and not being able to purchase a better one (oh the joys of being a student). I also agree about these appreciating in value.

I have decided to get another pusher fitted for £50, not service it and move it on, I feel selling it as just needing a service will be better than it needing a pusher replacing etc. It was keeping time fine. I will hopefully put the proceeds towards something either in better condition, or a slightly different Chronostop model, maybe the 145.007 or I would love to find a 146.011-69.

It is also concerning that you seem to be looking at eBay UK for Chronostops, good luck bidding!

 

I found the smaller Chronostop just that little bit small for a sports watch at 34mm, even a vintage one so I moved mine, the regular 145.009, on for the larger 41mm variant (145.007) which wears very well. I can't see the std one shooting up in value but the driver orientation one might gain a bit due to its rarity and quirkiness. The movement family links with the 861 Speedmaster probably won't hurt either

 

It might depend. I'm a bit ambivalent about the original Chronostop shape, but I LOVE the one they did "allegedly" for the Swiss/Italian Market.
I picked mine up last year with original box for a silly cheap price fro eBay Italy. Love the case shape and grey sunburst finish. It wears really very well. According to a chronostop site I found, there was a suggestion that only 80,000 cal 920 ( with date) movements produced.

 

Take the 500 Euros and move on.

 

Nice and as you say unusual. Here is my rather more mundane 41mm 007. A keeper thus far:

 

@padders I really like that watch, considering purchasing one after this chronostop has been moved. Do you like it? Do you know if the case originally came brushed or polished?

 

I love it, cost a bit more than the 34mm but worth it since it actually entices me to wear it rather than leave it sitting in the box The bezel was originally sunburst finished, mine still is but has a bit of wear. I think the sides were originally smooth. It's not a great picture I know, a bit OOF. There are other less plain variants with roulette chapter rings or 24hr rings etc too. Some have an extra crown for a rotating bezel.

 

Just to update and conclude this thread. I didn't get it serviced, but did get a new pusher fitted, and a new strap. All together it was about £60. I will be putting it up on eBay to fund a new purchase. I actually ended up selling the bracelet separately on here as someone PM'ed me about it. Here are some final pictures.

Thanks for everyones help!

 

I also have the 145.010 (grey dial, non original chronological hand)) on the mesh/milanese bracelet and have to say, the metal is super soft and comfortable.
The concept of a Driver watch is what hooked me and really enjoy that it is fairly uncommon and to date, I have never seen another in the wild. A white dial with no date is the perfect one.