I don’t think we have a thread for this, but I know those of us that trawl eBay always find some unusual/rare/fun watch accessories (or factory tools) that we have no use for but are worth sharing with the collective. In the theme of the bargain thread- I present this today:

Girard Perregaux watch winder. I have never given thought to the history of the automatic watch winder, but this must be fairly early. Judging from the materials and style, I would guess it’s late 40’s/early 50’s. Seller doesn’t say if it’s working or not, and I have no clue on value of such a thing- but it’s cool. And the seller is accepting offers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Early...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Good thread and some of my favorite stuff to search for. I think the demand for quality original accessories will continue to rise, potentially faster than the demand for the watches themselves. (IMO YMMV)

 

Looks like possibly bubble- back era (please educate me if I’m wrong). Have no clue on value, but if you are looking to complete a very vintage Rolex kit, this may be your Huckleberry.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ro...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

This one has sold...but before it disappears completely I thought I'd post it here - a desk calculator by Tissot:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185157721331Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Now that is cool! My mother had a Texas Instruments one of this era (it was IBM beige with orange buttons) that she kept in her desk drawer in a little vinyl case. I remember her telling us that it cost $400 and was NOT A TOY! I believe she still has it.

 

On the topic of watch winders. This one is in my shop, not on eBay. It came from the shop of a watchmaker from the 1940s and 1950s (long ago deceased). This was back in an era when a typical watchmaker had dozens of repaired watches, and an equal number waiting for repair. And in an era when about 75% of the watches in his shop were stem winders. It was a big job every day, winding all those watches he had on test. Bergeon (a big name in watch and clock repairs) solved the problem for him with this tool. Works great on wrist watches, but not so on pocket watches.

 

Nifty signage up for auction. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Lo...p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Now THAT is f-ing cool!

 

I guess Sinclair did it the other way around, starting off with pocket calculators and moving into watches:

 

Love the language- that aren’t a “dealer”, they have agency.

 

I have a few original Omega case back tools, but hadn’t seen one of this type, recently sold on eBay, before:

 

Now I know why I see so many hacked up case backs...

 

Box and papers for Rolex 16710 GMT.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-GMT-...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network



I am always hopeful, when I see a full kit with papers and no watch, that the current owner of the watch will be able to make the kit whole again.
So if you have a ‘00ish GMT with a serial that starts with P392xxx, contact this seller and see if it’s your match.

 

For all of you PR516 owners - a clock to go with your watch
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154769884151Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network


All you need now are the driving gloves:

 

Now that is awesome! I still have the Lecarra from my ‘73 BMW Bavaria- I may have to repurpose that.

 

This brings back memories. In the late 1970's I worked for a guy who had the agency in Ireland for Texas Instruments and boy were their products expensive. They certainly were not cheap and they had people queueing up to buy.

 

I had a TI calculus “computer” (pocket calculator with LCD black on grey big screen) in high school, was probably around $300- I thought I was king shit! That and my Aiwa pocket cassette player with the green EQ sliders, flush chrome buttons and pro-logic auto reverse…I was a tech god!
Now my phone can do all that.

 

Boy do I feel old. We used this in high school........

 

Not that vintage but I know someone needs this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Spee...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network