What watch you're wearing?

[KITROBASKIN]

Those Caravelles tend to be bizarrely durable for such an inexpensive line of watches.

So true for this unit. After the lens got so scratched on my wrist, decided to let the dog carry it. This lasted for quite some time. My hand sewing gave out, I think.

I should not use these unless spending money on a overhaul? Probably not practical to get the lens smooth again?

That Seiko is auto wind.

 

[Monocrom]

Not sure what a sunburst dial is, but it is nice?

It's nice. But if you're the sort who likes to quickly glance at your watch when you're out and about, to tell the time, a sunburst dial is just going to annoy the crap out of you on a sunny day.

 

[Monocrom]

So true for this unit. After the lens got so scratched on my wrist, decided to let the dog carry it. This lasted for quite some time. My hand sewing gave out, I think.

I should not use these unless spending money on a overhaul? Probably not practical to get the lens smooth again?

That Seiko is auto wind.

Polishing up a lens shouldn't be too difficult. Definitely worth it on an old watch that is still able to keep doing its job.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Thanks! The implication then is to just use the Seiko because it is not worth servicing? I have kept it in case my primary watch fails and money or economic conditions are tight.

Any proven diy effective method to recommend for lessening the scratches?

Thanks to fixer, Monocrom and all of you.

 

[Monocrom]

The easiest method is to take a soft cloth and try rubbing the lens with white toothpaste. Rub in, then wipe off. If that doesn't work, check online for scratch remover compound. Some have used scratch remover compound made for a car's headlights. But personally have no experience with that.

As far as servicing. Watches are weird in that they can keep perfect time, or very close to it; while being horribly in need of servicing on the inside. Can't explain why they are able to do that. But it is a very common thing in the watch world. You can't tell if a watch needs servicing just by checking to see if it's doing a great job of accurately keeping time. Generally speaking with modern-day watches, 10 years is a good rule of thumb. With older watches you're looking at closer to 7. Even if the watch hasn't been used continuously for that entire 7 to 10 years.

I mean, it's up to you. No harm in contacting an independent watch-maker and asking how much he'd charge for a service on that particular watch given its particular circumstances.

 

[iacchus]

I've been an automatic guy for a long time now, but needed something cheap and light and accurate to wear while I totally forget it's on my wrist.

I picked this up for a couple of sawbucks on sale. 43mm, indiglo, and light as can be (which surprised me w/ it having a brass case). It came with a leather band but I swapped that out for a much more comfortable zulu immediately.



Pretty happy with it. I've heard these are super loud with the ticking, but that isn't something I'm experiencing at all. Nice lil quartz bit of kit.

 

[Monocrom]

If you want super loud ticking, buy any Swatch model.
Had a couple in the 1990s. Couldn't sleep at night unless I buried them under several sheets of folded up bedding in a drawer. Even worse than the ticking is their Spring-bar attachments. After two strap changes they became too loose, and the bars would always work themselves partially free. Otherwise, great watches. But the loudness and the spring-bar issues were deal-breakers for me.

 

[iacchus]

If you want super loud ticking, buy any Swatch model.
Had a couple in the 1990s. Couldn't sleep at night unless I buried them under several sheets of folded up bedding in a drawer. Even worse than the ticking is their Spring-bar attachments. After two strap changes they became too loose, and the bars would always work themselves partially free. Otherwise, great watches. But the loudness and the spring-bar issues were deal-breakers for me.

That sounds terrible. I'd want no part of it.

 

[F89]

PRW-51FC-1JF by candlelight.

Showing off its LCD.

 

[F89]

I've bought a couple of Casio recently. Fantastic brand.
I'm eyeing off the 5000U, ilikeguns. Love the JDM stuff.
I'll show off my other recent one another night. It's also another Ana-Digi, and it's a gem.

 

[bureaucrat]

@Voider of Warranties

I still have my Grandfather's pocket watch, and it is one of my most prized possessions from my past. He was an attorney, so I'm sure nothing else would do in those days. It's one of very few things that live in the safe besides guns. I like pocket watches, and all my jeans have a watch pocket so I'm good there; however in the work enivronment I'm accustomed to, I never have a hand to facilitate the use of one there (or a second hand to operate a flashlight for that matter). EHS would probably prefer that I use one though. (Thanks for sharing that.)

 

[bureaucrat]

I also have a family heirloom pocket watch, but cannot find ANY watch smith/repair/jeweler that can/will work on it [made circa 1825, it does not have an escapement movement; it is a fusee]. Have you have any contacts for repair of such a watch?
Karl

 

[Monocrom]

I also have a family heirloom pocket watch, but cannot find ANY watch smith/repair/jeweler that can/will work on it [made circa 1825, it does not have an escapement movement; it is a fusee]. Have you have any contacts for repair of such a watch?
Karl

What's the name on the dial, and can you provide a pic. of it?

 

[bykfixer]

I also have a family heirloom pocket watch, but cannot find ANY watch smith/repair/jeweler that can/will work on it [made circa 1825, it does not have an escapement movement; it is a fusee]. Have you have any contacts for repair of such a watch?
Karl

Pm incoming

Some fusee history

Exploring the Verge Fusee Pocket Watch: History and Heritage | Watch Museum: Discover the World of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

watchmuseum.org

Check this out @bureaucrat.

Maybe this guy can help

Pocket Watch Repair-Professional Repair Services for Vintage or Antique Pocket Watches

Professional Repair of pocket watches, including ball, elgin, hamilton, hampden, illinois, southbend, and waltham

www.pocketwatchrepairs.net

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Interesting what is coming up in this thread.

Thought I'd post this just to look at the handsome thing:

SRPK39 | Seiko Watch Corporation

Seiko is one of the few fully integrated watch manufactures. We design and develop our own movements using leading-edge technology.

www.seikowatches.com

Bruce Lee

 

[bykfixer]

An old Gruen automatic arrived today
View attachment 59090
Post '58 Precision model but seems to be early 60's after the Gruen family sold the busines in '58.
580 SS (sweeping second hand). I've yet to find details about that Swiss movement.

View attachment 59091
Stock Speidel stretch band almost looks custom.

Keeps time spot on.

I found a 1962 catalog showing this one. It was called "Surf" from the period of 1958 to 1974. (Edit it turns out it's actually a "Comet" from 1962 to 1966. That the name Surf was a made up name by a company trying to ensure nobody could compare prices with them.)

End edit.

It was a Swiss built watch with a movement first intoduced to the Gruen line in 1936. A Felsa 4000 line was tweaked to become a Gruen 580SS. The case (called WMR for water moisture resistant) was made in Hong Kong by a ginormous case making company called Danemann. It sold new for $39.95, which is nearly $500 today.

After some time buffing with a cotton rag.

And an Elgin Sportsman arrived recently.

Fully restored minus the face, which was cleaned but number 3 has a fade issue.
It came with a pigskin band for a 7" wrist so I added a cow skin number for up to 8-1/2" wrist.

 

[Voider of Warranties]

G-Shock analog Frogman ISO compliant dive watch. Solar, Multi Band 6, and Bluetooth. Supposedly the only analog-only watch by G-Shock, though I haven't fact-checked this. I'm not a diver, nor do I care what the tide is, but I think it looks cool.

 

[bykfixer]

It's cool that you have an Elgin. I'd love an old Curvex myself.

From vintage Gruen forum

The Curvex was wildly popular.


Here's one I'd buy if I hit the maga-millions jackpot
From vintage Gruen forum

A work of art that works.

 

[Voider of Warranties]

I'd be afraid to wear it! My wrist would home in on the nearest bricks or concrete. But she's a looker!

 

[jabe1]

If they ever make a solar model, I'll be on their bandwagon. Same with Bertucci.

Bertucci now offers a few solar models.
My a2t super classic is doing great, and I can't see it needing replaced any time soon or I'd upgrade to the solar myself.