While the wife and I were visiting friends for dinner, the husband mentioned that his father (member of a hellcat Tank destroyer unit) brought back several watches from Europe after the war (WWII). A quick search was launched and one was able to be found in short order. So these watches are still out there, not necessarily with the original owner, but with their children. I give you the 2384-1 Stainless 30t2 sc.pc - copper plated SN 10224576
"Oh that's a shame - it's a pretty common fake. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news " "...Listen, I'll take it for a tenner, whaddayasay?" You dog
you know, it's kind of interesting to think about where the world of vintage watch collecting is headed. Certainly I think it'll be hard to find crazy deals on well known brands like 5513 Submariners/1675 GMTs / Speedmasters / etc because information is just so readily available and it's easy to find price points (whether unreasonable auction houses or otherwise). However, when you think about less known examples like Military or off the beaten path examples (Doxa White Lung anyone?) then you start getting some information asymmetry involved. How do you value something that only has maybe 3-4 data points all in variable conditions? In a way, I think the market is starting to reward collectors who are more contributors rather than passive to this hobby. When people who are looking for information about their grandad's/dad's watch they see a collector who is adding to the knowledge base and give them first shot at buying the watch. In a way, I feel it's one of the few virtuous cycles left in this hobby. Your effort to help catalog and remember the history of the brand that you love ends up being so valuable to others, and they in turn give you the opportunity to keep that story alive. Of course, maybe this is just the way I justify my continual watch purchases. I suppose my wife is accepting it so far since I'm becoming an "expert" at something . . . .
Don't recall seeing any ref 2384 other than white dial with black print. This one's the first inverse dial to date. Art