WRUW Today?

Darlinboy

Tudor Snowflake 9401/0....

VetPsychWars

Today we have a watch with a bit of history attached to it.

15 jewel Ferrero "trench watch".

When I first received a watch, it was a Ferrero case with an Invicta 10-jewel movement smooshed into the case. It did not fit properly at all. Something had to give and I decided since I had a complete case that could be repaired, I would search out Ferrero movements and other parts on eBay. I was prepared to wait weeks and months. In the next two weeks, I bought two parts watches, one of which was complete. I eventually found a third one.

Various watchmakers tinkered with the elderly movement until one actually spent some time poising the balance and adjusting the escapement, so now it keeps good time, some few seconds a day on the wrist.

You might notice that the lume in the hands is not the same as on the dial. My hour hand was broken, so I sourced "new" hands and had them relumed.

Strap is 5//8 cordovan in that burgundy/brown color. Buckle is sterling and came with one of the parts watches. I cut the stitching and resewed it on to the fixed wire lugs.

The crystal is one of the fun stories. Otto Frei had a sale on thin glass crystals, measured in sixteenths of a ligne, and friction fit into the bezel. Not knowing any better, I put a pizza pan on the stove, turned the burner on low, and inserted the crystal as far as it would go. Wearing a glove, I pushed the crystal and bezel around the pizza pan until the bezel was just large enough for the crystal to go in all of the way. Added bonus? Contour of the crystal matches contour of the case.

One of my favorite pieces because of the lume and how understated it is.

Tom