Watches you wouldn’t call “good”, but love all the same.

tyrantlizardrex · Apr 19, 2019

Whilst I’m not a fan of calling well loved (read: well worn) watches “good”, they do have a place in my heart (and my budget!).

In the spirit of loving the imperfect, I thought it might be fun to share the watches that we love, despite, or even because of their flaws.

Edit - pinching the definition of good from @Spacefruit for clarity: “Good - Serviced, complete with absolutely correct parts. Could be called “very good” it is likely the condition most collectors or owners are happy with. The case and dial should be undamaged.”

I’ll kick things off with this CK2300 that I was enabled into by @Tire-comedon, @Dr No, and @mac_omega .

It’s got a big scrape on the dial, and radium burns all over, but I love it! 🥰

Bring out your three legged, one eyed, no toothed mutts!!! 👍

aap · Apr 19, 2019

Here are mine:

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lillatroll · Apr 19, 2019

This is one of my favourites. It has quite a bit of discoloration on the dial. It's the kind of watch you can wear without worrying about it too much. I believe the dial is relatively easy to find a decent replacement for, which is definitely not the case with the bezel.

Shabbaz · Apr 19, 2019

My first pie pan which i gave to my father...

w154 · Apr 19, 2019

I’d love it if my Seafarer had a better dial, but it is what it is ! And at least it’s better now than when it arrived in the post 😲.

ewand · Apr 19, 2019

Here's my guilty secret - the hands have (I think) been repainted, and not that well. Dial is a bit spotted which is OK; case looks like it has been polished and then re-brushed previously but I dunno...

It's got a cool worn-in look - some people asked me if it was a Heuer Autavia "Orange Boy" ...

I stuck it on this 1970s NSA bracelet as I think it suits the watch well.

Dan S · Apr 19, 2019

I think this photo does my Frey super compressor it's full (in)justice. Not good ... not good at all.

Dan S · Apr 19, 2019

Here's another. The dial is rough, but still appealing to me.

Canuck · Apr 19, 2019

Not pretty now, but you should have seen it when I acquired it! It was in a demolished gold shell case with a horrible dial, but thankfully, the movement was good. Caliber 351 bumper automatic, circa early 1950s. Donor steel Omega case and better (but not perfect) dial. Cleaned it and replaced the mainspring, one rusted screw in the movement spacer ring, new case clamp, generic crown, crystal, and hour hand. Amazing performer. The title implies a watch needn’t be “good” to qualify in this thread. This is a “good” watch, just not cosmetically stunning!

Nathan1967 · Apr 19, 2019

Because it’s honest, it’s lived a life and it’s been places. Maybe a few it shouldn’t have!

Thankyou @GuiltyBoomerang for passing this one on

Nathan1967 · Apr 19, 2019

The radium has burnt the be jaysus out of this one.....but what character. If it was “good”, it would actually be quite ordinary in my eyes.

Thanks @ConElPueblo for letting this one go

Stripey · Apr 19, 2019

What my colleague calls my Chernobyl watch (because of the radium lume)

Stripey · Apr 19, 2019

Stripey
What my colleague calls my Chernobyl watch (because of the radium lume)

Better picture, I hope

Rman · Apr 19, 2019

This one really cleaned up well. Love the warm patina on the dial.

ClarendonVintage · Apr 19, 2019

lol humble brag thread

allwoundup · Apr 19, 2019

Late '20s early '30 empire in Taubert/Borgel waterproof case....love the angular architecture of the case and lugs, and the metallic ring between the dial's minute and hour chapters....runs like a champ.