| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
I'm really enjoying this thread! Thanks FtB! Makes me want to start wearing a watch again, but an old mechanical one.  | ||
| Rocketman |
This thread is time consuming! I've only ever seen one of these about 15 years ago. Not this exact one of course. It was at a flea market sale I stopped at whilst out of town. The dealer was asking three or four hundred pounds and I was broke that day.    I believe one of the English or Scottish kings had one of similar style. Anyone know the history behind them? Rocket | ||
| Jackbequick |
"..Makes me want to start wearing a watch again, but an old mechanical one..." I retired from the Navy in 1990, bought one more cheap LCD digital a year or two later, quit wearing a watch when I bashed that one up about 1995, and have not had one on since. I never have any trouble finding out what time it is, there is always something around with the time on it. Now, what day of the week is it? That's a tough question! Jack (Happily retired!) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
SKULL WATCH In researching the watch, there are several examples multiple providers. Some are produced as limited runs by individual watch makers. Elgin is probably one of the best known manufacturers that manufactured one. I did find this excerpt: Mary Queen of Scots had a large one in the form of a skull, which is still preserved by a gentleman near Edinburgh. The case is opened by dropping the under jaw, which turns upon a hinge, while the works occupy the place of the brain. I have found the following auctions: http://cgi.ebay.com/GENUINE-RARE-FIND-GOOD-SILVER- SKULL-WATCH-C1800_W0QQitemZ330054616022QQihZ014QQc ategoryZ398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Silver-Keywind-SKULL-WAT CH-Beautiful-Old-Dial_W0QQitemZ120060770939QQihZ00 2QQcategoryZ398QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www. oniva.com/upload/1667/a4065.jpg&imgrefurl=http://c gi.ebay.com/UNIQUE-SKULL-WATCH-SOLID-SILVER_W0QQit emZ230004335187QQihZ013QQcategoryZ398QQcmdZViewIte m&h=480&w=640&sz=61&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=CMAsHk31Jp pMsM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskull%2 Bwatch%2Bvintage%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26 sa%3DN http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www. antique-watch.com/img2/w7300a.jpg&imgrefurl=http:/ /www.antique-watch.com/stat/w7300.html&h=357&w=260 &sz=16&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=1VHYcm_IbMANCM:&tbnh=12 1&tbnw=88&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskull%2Bwatch%2Bvinta ge%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www. antique-watch.com/img2/w7146a.jpg&imgrefurl=http:/ /www.antique-watch.com/stat/w7146.html&h=284&w=200 &sz=11&hl=en&start=6&tbnid=KcVjl8EARWTNFM:&tbnh=11 4&tbnw=80&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskull%2Bwatch%2Bvinta ge%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN The last two auctions are in London. If you want a second chance to get one. The appear to range in time from the early to mid 1800's through the 1940's. Evidently you chaps have a thing for skulls!  (Message edited by ft_bstrd on December 04, 2006) | ||
| Dtx |
Lots of cool photos in this thread! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
GIRARD-PERREGAUX I would like to see a picture of the original front and back to be able to research it more specifically. GP's date back to 1795 with the claim to fame of creating some of the thinest movements. Most recently, the company introduced the use of ceramic bearings which require no lubrication. The GP's automatic movement is called the Gyromatic and used a unique motion to wind the watch using the rotor but keeping the thickness to a minimum. GP's strive to arrange components inside and alongside one another in order to produce a thin movement. From what I've seen the watches of this type and range in price from $500 to $1,500. I found the auction for the picture you listed: http://cgi.ebay.com/Square-GIRARD-PERREGAUX-Manual -Wind-New-Old-Stock_W0QQitemZ130054148710QQihZ003Q QcategoryZ31387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem That watch is the manual wind. Some GP's can go as high as $20,000 for multiple complications in precious metals. I definitely thing GP's are an heirloom quality watch with quality movements that will survive well into the future and is one watch to hang on to. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
JAZ PARIS Jaz Paris is part of the Lorus/Pulsar group. Most utilize fine Japanese quartz movements. | ||
| Pinball |
Capricorn custom wheels  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Patek Philippe PP is in the category of true "luxury" watches. Ultra Luxury watches include Patek Philippe, Alain Silberstein, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron and Constantin, and Frank Mueller. Ultra Luxury watches are characterized by "in-house" movements that are designed and built by the manufacturing company. Many times they have additional complications and are characterized by precious metals both internally and externally. Watched in this group tend to range in price from $10,000+. Luxury watches include manufacturers like Rolex, Blancpain, Chronoswiss, Girard Perregaux, and Zenith. Luxury watches are characterized by in-house movements that are well built and sturdy but are less adorned than their Ultra Luxury cousins. Precious metals are used externally, but internal movements tend to not to have the extensive adornments of the Ultra Luxury group. Watches in this group tend to range in price from $5,000 to $10,000. Near Luxury watches include manufacturers like, Breitling, Omega, Bulgari, Daniel Jean Richard, Dubey and Schaldenbrand, Tudor and Panerai. Watches in this group tend to use "up tuned" out of house movements. Out of house movements are purchased from manufacturers like ETA, Valjoux, Lemania, etc. These watches take a base movement and increase the performance by utilizing better bearings, better metals, higher quality jewels, etc. (Like performance tuning LS V-8 to make a Corvette power plant.) External adornments tend to be few and far between. Internal adornment tends to be limited as well. Watches in this group tend to range from $2,500 to $5,000. Sub Luxury watches include manufacturers like Oris, Fortis, Sinn, Glycine, Heuer, and Tissot. These watches use exclusively external, out of house movements and stress ruggedness of internal and external design. Watches of this group tend to be utilized by military and space programs due to their heartiness and purpose driven design. External and internal adornment are completely absent in favor of execution of purpose. Watches in this group tend to range in price from $1,000 to $2,500. Non-Luxury watches include manufacturers like Tag, Bulova, Movado, Cartier, Gruen, Citizen, Seiko, Swiss Army or Pulsar. Watches in this group tend to utilize quartz movements both Swiss and Japanese. Case design tends to be much more forward. Displays tend to be both analog and digital. Watches in this group have moderate ability to be serviced. Watches in this group tend to range in price from $150 to $1,000. Disposable watches include manufacturers like Casio, Timex, Fossil, Wenger, and Nike. These watches are almost exclusively digital. Watches in this group can have unique features unavailable to their mechanical cousins (temperature, air pressure, altitude, heart rates, pedometers, etc.). Watches in this group have no ability to be serviced. Once they malfunction, they are disposed of. Watches in this group tend to range in price from $0-$150. | ||
| Interex2050 |
After some extensive searching I finally found a picture of the watch that I was talking about...  So can anyone figure out why it is set up the way it is? (Hint its an aviators watch) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
My guess is that it was meant to be worn on the bottom of the wrist instead of the top. It would also allow it to be worn on either wrist. Although, if that were the case, you would think that they would have put the stem at the 6 o'clock position rather than at the 12 to allow the stem to be wound under a glove. The watch appears to be very early vintage (1900-1920) which, if an aviation watch, would put it during the WWI era. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Ft_bstrd, maybe you can be of help. My old man gave me a watch a few years ago. I can't seem to find any info on the manufacture. It is a "Orfina" It has dual clocks on it. The face says "Twin special 42 jewels" He picked it up in the early 70's in Saudi Arabia. At the time he deciding between a Rolex datejust, and this watch, so do not know it original value. I will get a photo of it as soon as I can. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
ORFINA Does it look like this:   I found one that is currently NOS (New Old Stock) for sale at $600. Orfina is a company steeped in history. They were founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1922 and from the outset have focused on building durable, practical and robust watches. To this end they achieved a great deal of success in producing, aviation, navigational and military wristwatches. They rose to world eminence when they were awarded the contract to build the Porsche Design watch. The original Porsche Design watches were designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself - the man who brought us the Porsche 911. He had the confidence in Orfina’s ability to manufacture his designs, and they executed, as expected, like true masters of horological excellence. Many of the Porsche design watches were sold to the retail public, but were also very popular with aviators, navigators and military personnel. The Orfina Porsche Design "3H military" model was issued to the German military forces in the 1970’s. Today Orfina continue to make traditional military and aviation watches. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it appears that they are using an ETA 2893 movement. This movement is robust and dependable. "42 Jewels" is 21 Jewels times two independent movements. If you can take a closer picture of the watch, particularly the back, I can probably nail down the movement a little better. Orfina watches are becoming collectors watches and are therefore increasing in value. When was the last time you had it cleaned and serviced? If it's been a while, I would recommend the watch be serviced (and worn!!!!). It is and will be a very dependable and unique watch! | ||
| Phantom5oh |
Ft_bstrd, I took a picture of the front, back and side (w/stem) last night but the only one that made it through my email was the picture of the front.  I will post the pictures of the back and side when I get home today. My watch is a manual wind as well. I would love to get a real GP or reproduction leather band for it as I'm not a huge fan of the gold stretch band. I appreciate the help! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Phantom, I would probably look here for a strap. www.banda.com Finding an original GP strap and clasp could be a very expensive venture. You can find some really cool bands and clasps at a much more reasonable price. I have purchased several from this place, and they are first rate quality. An original strap will probably cost 2-4 times what these would. Your watch looks to be the 17 jewel manual wind variety. I would date it from the 1940's to the 1950's. I would estimate the value at around $2,000-$3000 as it is gold or gold filled. Do you know if it's solid? (Message edited by ft_bstrd on December 05, 2006) | ||
| Interex2050 |
Well I shant reveal the reason for the 12 o'clock crown just yet... But instead some background in the watch: -Soviet Origin -WWII era -used a 15 jewel pocket watch mechanism  which also accounts for its 52mm diameter | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Well if it's a pocket watch mechanism, it would require that the crown be at the 12 o'clock position. | ||
| Rocketman |
Ft B, thanks for the Skull info. Do you restore / repair/ fix / service watches too? Your knowledge is very insightful and I'm loving it. However, this has caused me a slight irritation. I'm stuck trying to find where a watch could be that you've never heard of. There's another watch I'm curious about. Seiko have a solar powered watch. What's the deal there, and are they a good timepiece, allowing that they're what, high street fashion at best? And when do we get into clocks in this thread, or don't we? Rocket | ||
| Humboldtblast |
hmm i will guesss that the watch was to be worn around the calf of the leg? Would be easier to see! | ||
| Buellshyter |
My father has passed but he used to own the first digital watch brand. I recall it had a gold case and had tiny red numbers and was expensive for it's time. Have any ideas on that one, FT?? | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'm not sure... but my father had a very similar watch you described... I think it was a Hamilton. I just googled it... it was a Hamilton Pulsar. http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/quar tz/timeline/pulsar.html He didn't like the watch, btw. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Holy crap... $2,000 for a Pulsar in 1972! I know for a fact my father never had one of those... his Hamilton digital watch had to have been much later... and a lot cheaper. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I just remembered I have one of those outrageously expensive diamond encrusted Rolexes. I inherited it 5 years ago when my stepfather passed away and it's been in the safe ever since. I still can't get myself to wear it and almost forgot I had it. I haven't looked at it since he passed. It's funny... I remember my mom forbid him to wear it when she found him doing carpentry work with it on. She was afraid the diamonds would fly off. Great thread Ft_bstrd. It has me remembering stuff I haven't thought of in years. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Clocks are uncomfortable to wear and don't fit under shirt sleeves well. There are many, many watches I no nothing about, but that's the fun. I love to find a watch I've never heard of and researching it. As far as Seiko, there are two levels. The normal models are ones you find at department stores. They are usually quartz Japanese movements. Although these watches keep great time, they are generally disposable. There is a second level of Seiko watches that most never see, Japanese mechanicals. The Solar, Eco-drive, etc are usually quartz movements with alternative power sources. I have a Bulova that has a rotor that drives a generator that powers a rechargeable battery. | ||
| Freezerburn |
I got one of these from my grandfather after he passed. I know that it is a stopwatch, but it is a better piece than my Tissot moto GP. He used it at Westwood Raceway in the 70's to time his roadracing friend Ken Hague (then time champ if I remember correctly). My gramps was a bit of a high performance wiz in the day.  | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
FTB, you got it right. Mine is solid stainless steel with a stainless band. The watch still works, but no I have never had it serviced. Personally for my daily wear I have a nice Citizen Ecodrive. I know it is not an expensive watch, but it is very reliable, and looks a lot like an IWC. I do have my eye on a while gold Rolex datejust. Maybe an Oris or two. I could see watch collecting becoming an expensive hobby. So what is the next topic? Audio equipment? (B&W here) | ||
| Sleez |
hey monkey, i also have a Citizen Eco Drive in titanium, i love it, cost around 300.00 5 years ago. | ||
| Buellshyter |
You mentioned Zenith watches. I collect this kind of Zenith.  | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I have a Seiko Kinetic also not near the range of the ones posted in this thread. It really does make me want to get an old mechanical watch, what fantastic works of art. | ||
| Phantom5oh |
Ft_bstrd, Here are the pictures of my Girard Perregaux that we were discussing. Front:  Back:  Side/Stem:  The back only has a symbol and says 18k Gold Filled on it. I would have expected it to have more info on it. Is that common? |
