Hi, and merry Xmas to you all


I have to admit, I’ve always liked a vintage, albeit one in pristine condition.. which in itself is a bit of a contradiction.


My first was an Omega Geneve


Bought in this condition, it didn’t take me long before the urge of having it restored kicked in..


One Brendan (Webwatchmaker) later..


And it came back looking like this.


Great, great little thing.. you would think, after spending so much money in a restoration job, and after such results, I’d be wearing this every day with pride.. alas, that wasn’t the case.. I just couldn’t bond with it.


I know understand, the reason.. the watch came back like new, but new it wasn’t.. its a vintage, and a vintage should always be, first and foremost, a conversation piece.. but what the watch gained in beauty, it lost in charm, and when there’s no charm there’s no love to share and that’s the end of it.


Next down the line, was my Tudor 7944..


Great watch, in great condition, with some (for me) special features, such as a roulette date wheel (I was a casino dealer at the time), a very unique crown (+) and bezel..



Unfortunately, back then, I was so focused on raising money to fund my next purchase, so this one ended being short lived, and sold.


Fast forward to the present, and many, many watches later (none of which a true vintage)..


This comes along..



This is a vintage chronograph, in 18k gold, which had been recently cleaned and serviced, by a famous watchmaker..

It’s history is unknown to me, but whatever life it had, it must have been a great one! I mean, look at that dial!


This gentleman (the watchmaker) went to such extent to keep the watch originality.. that when it came to find a replacement crown, he ended up having to fly to Italy to personally look at the replacement and making sure it was, period correct, and of the right shade of gold!


Speaking of love for watches, and conversation pieces!


I bought this in part/ex along with a Rolex 1501.. and walking out, I’ve put the Rolex in a pouch, and the Axes on the wrist.

And I remember the seller smiling and saying.. you’ve just bought a Rolex, but you’re putting “that” on the wrist?


And that’s how, I’ve found love (again) for vintage watches.


Thank you all and Happy new year.

Claudio

 

An enjoyable read Sir. Best wishes to you and wear your time pieces in the best of health.

 

I totally feel you!! the joy of a vintage Omega is out of space !!

Happy new year

 

I like the Tudor, enjoy your aged beauty

 

Never seen a DeVille with a texture like that...flowers?

 

I had the same experience when I sended one of my first Vintage Omegas to Omega for service. Watch came back and looked like new, but something was missing for me. So I sold it afterwards, currently enjoying my Ref 2374/3 Bumper with Patina

 

Here’s a better pic of the dial, don’t know much about it, apart that, “no one knows much about it”

 

I saw one similar to yours on a local sale, but no clue about those dials.

 

Interesting story and very nice collection of watches you've got!
Happy and prosperous new year to you!

 

The flowery dial looks like it might have originally had gold leaf worked into the design.

 

Dibs.

 

That dial is lovely. It would be interesting to get some more info on them. Please share if you decide to dig!

Happy new year! And post #200!

 

Congrats & happy new year!

 

I'm playing my Eternamatic

 

The blue dial Omega is just WOW.

 

I’ve been trying to dig some more info out for a long time before selling, albeit never on this forum as I wasn’t a member at the time.. both TZuk members nor SAS (which is an authority when it comes to Omega’s watches) couldn’t find any info.. the only thing SAS was able to do, is to confirm its genuinity & originality (pardon my English, not my first language)