Tex, if you're referring to the Wakmann I posted with the scratched up crystal and band, that one won't be shipped until tomorrow, brand new purchase, and I'm 90 percent sure that band is original. And, yes, it would seem to be 1mm too small, but it matches photos of other orig. Wakmann bands. From what I have seen, they do not have clasps but have a section of stretch band on the underside. Champion could have made them. I don't know.

 

This is perhaps the strangest I've ever seen

 

Yikes! I'd be willing to bet that was a modification. The ref. is one of the more common, and you can see how one might have lumed over the indices and the hands. The hands look a bit primitive. Someone really wanted to be able to read it in the dark. I just hope they didn't try to take it in real water. Maybe a pilot who did a lot of night flying in the 70s. Did you notice he even marked the hr/min hands with one or two white stripes to differentiate. Tool watch guy.

 

OK, thank you, I'm have been trying to confirm this "original bracelet" issue since I bought my AOPA version.

I would appreciate you confirming what is stamped on your bracelet as to manufacture and the size. Also can you post pictures of those original bracelets you mention? Do they have the WAKMANN name stamped?

This style must have been popular, probably at a price point under a BOR or Coffin bracelet.

The "clasp" variety was made to fit both Constellations and Astronauts very nicely. My late 50's black dial 2852 came with the bracelet now on my Astronaut, so its' probably sized in inches and a tick under 18mm.

The second is 19mm and fits the AOPA, yet, by the early to mid 1960's, I would have assumed WAKMANN would have been stamped if sold together.

Anybody want to guess what is stamped in the stretchy bracelet? I see a "WA" and a "M" at end.

I've used a 40x loop on it hoping the last letters were "NN", but alas, it appears to me to be a "M".

 

I would guess that says WALTHAM. And I'll try to answer the other questions for you later. None of my observations should be taken as claims to KNOW much of anything about these watches. I'm just noting what I see, and if there are no definite answers, I'm just fine with that. As soon as someone thinks they have THE answer, it usually turns out to be wrong or at least partially wrong. I just like the watches and want to know a little about them.

 

I thought WALTHAM, too but it seems there’s too much space with the font used.


Yes, I agree on your comment, but a piece here a piece there and soon a bunch of disjointed pieces tell a story.

Thanks for contributing

 

I'm only finding one on eBay that just sold, but it had box and papers and would seem a likely exemplar for NOS condition. The one I posted earlier that I just bought and the one below are the only examples I have now. But of course they could have used others when new and that band could have been sold everywhere. Also interesting is the fact that the 37mm TDRPs had 19mm lugs, which seem to fit the band well, while the 39mm TDRPs had 20mm lugs, and if you look at the rough one I bought with what I believe is original band, the band is clearly 1mm too small. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Wakmann thought it was close enough.

 

I see what you mean about the spacing. It appears there would two letters between L and H, but otherwise, it seems to fit. I won't have the watch with the band until later this week but will let you know if it has any markings that help.

 

Here’s the first of two.

 

The second watch is here, and after some cleaning and crystal polishing it is presentable, although the crystal still has remnants of deep scratches. I bought it without seeing the movement and not running. The photos were horrific, so the price was great. The minor gamble paid off. After opening it, the balance and train seemed free, movement was clean, but stem was frozen. Once I freed it, I wound it, and she took right off. Still needs a service, of course, but in great shape compared to what could have been. On the band question, the only markings are Hong Kong, stainless, adjustable. No maker name. But I’ll keep it with the watch.

 

Here are the twins. Fraternal.

 

A quick update for you Wakmann/Valjoux fans. The watch that was not running (left above) with stem seized and badly scarred crystal is keeping time to within 3.5 seconds per 24 hrs. I won't be wearing much more until after it's been D,C,L,R, but it's been fun, and the Valjoux 730 has impressed me mightily.

 

Handsome pair

 

Great info here guys. I found this thread after stumbling across this one, I’m going to pick it up tomorrow. Wanted your thoughts on it. Dial is mostly clean, looks like some tritium damage/relume to hands. Anything else jump out at you guys before I get it? It is functioning and has the Valjoux 723 (If I recall my calibre correctly?). Thanks in advance.

 

Any pics of the movement?

 

unfortunately I didn’t take a movement pic. I saw it and it’s a 723 as far as I recall.

 

I've seen some silver dialed variants as well with dauphine hands? Example here:

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/wakmann/triple-date-chronograph-rare-silver-dial--id10955279.htm

Price seems a bit spenny - does anyone have any more info on these?

 

Very interesting thread, almost pulled the trigger on one some years ago but didn't because the lume was missing on the hands and the indexes.

 

I just finished this project to bring this beauty back to life. It received a full service and cleaning. Puts a smile on my face every single time ....

 

Mine...love this watch!