Another watch thread...............

[Quetzalcoatl]

Not as fancy as some offerings here but I have an Omega Seamaster given to my grandfather in 1983 for 25 year's service with Anglo American Gold in South Africa.
He put it away, unworn, the day he got it and presented it to me 3 years ago.

It's a lovely bit of history with all the paperwork, letter from the chairman etc... I haven't worn it as the original croc leather strap is too small and I can't quite bring myself to take it off. Though I suppose I could keep it to the side and fit a new strap.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

It's a lovely bit of history with all the paperwork, letter from the chairman etc... \.

From Harry Oppenheimer ?

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

From Harry Oppenheimer ?

I have yet to verify the signature, as the letter is signed but only noted as "chairman". However I do not think it was H Oppenheimer as he retired shortly before in '82 and the chairman in '83 noted with directors in the footnote of the letter is G Relly. Harry's son Nick was then deputy chairman so grandad missed an opportunity for the famous name twice!

Mr Relly was still a bit of a character though, and rather annoyed the then president PW Botha by proposing to meet with the ANC at the time regarding resolution of escalating violence in townships.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I have yet to verify the signature, as the letter is signed but only noted as "chairman". However I do not think it was H Oppenheimer as he retired shortly before in '82 and the chairman in '83 noted with directors in the footnote of the letter is G Relly. Harry's son Nick was then deputy chairman so grandad missed an opportunity for the famous name twice!

Mr Relly was still a bit of a character though, and rather annoyed the then president PW Botha by proposing to meet with the ANC at the time regarding resolution of escalating violence in townships.

Yep was just wondering - I worked a short time for AM - was back in the days when we had to wear a suit to work and you could only remove your jacket while you were in your office (if you had one which most people did before open plan).

PWB & the Nats, the less said about those idiots the better.

Back on topic. That strap would probably need some TLC. Get a strap to fit and wear it - it is a shame to keep it in a box!

 

[Piff]

Still haven't made a purchase.
As retirement approaches capital preservation seems more important than a watch purchase.
So, the budget has been reduced.
I'm now looking at the following:-
Tissot PRS516
Hamilton Khaki Field King.
Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic.
Tag Heuer Carrera - 2nd hand.
Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine Bronze COSC.
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Bronze COSC.
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Elite Titanium.

Favouring the Christopher Ward ones but happy to accept advice from the forum.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Wow revival of an old thread. It reminded me of my days working for Bechtel. Back then, 25 years service and you were given a Gold Rolex (they gave awards for every 5 years of service).

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Still haven't made a purchase.
As retirement approaches capital preservation seems more important than a watch purchase.
......................

My 25 year old Rolex Submariner (2 tone) and my 40+ year old stainless Rolex Oyster Date are both worth a lot more than I paid for them. However both are in really good nick. I rarely wear watches since retiring.

As for what to buy. Everyone will have “their” thoughts of what is best based on what they own / can afford.

I do keep looking at the IWC range (especially the pilots watches) and if I was in the market for a watch that is what I’d probably go for.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Still haven't made a purchase.
As retirement approaches capital preservation seems more important than a watch purchase.
So, the budget has been reduced.
I'm now looking at the following:-
Tissot PRS516
Hamilton Khaki Field King.
Hamilton American Classic Intra-Matic.
Tag Heuer Carrera - 2nd hand.
Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine Bronze COSC.
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Bronze COSC.
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander Elite Titanium.

Favouring the Christopher Ward ones but happy to accept advice from the forum.

Watchgecko recently had some very nice Christopher Ward Limited Editions (4 styles, 50 numbered pieces each); needless to say they all sold out pdq, but might be worth bookmarking or joining their mailing list as they promise further collaborations.

 

[Mactech]

I'm not really a watch nut, but I do like a watch that is light, comfortable and accurate. My 'daily' has been a Longines titanium Conquest, bought in Hong Kong in the mid eighties when there really were savings to be had there.
One of my Jaguar drivers in the 80's, Eddie Cheever had a Breitling Aerospace which I was 'forced' to wear quite often when he was in the car, for safe keeping.
It had a gold LCD display and looked super technical and I rather liked it.
Spool forward to this century and who became one of Bentley's major sponsors for their Le Mans project?


I then decided I should buy myself an classic Aerospace for my 60th.
Time flies and all that... but a very short time after that, Bentley called me to ask if I would do a GT3 project for them, and it was then time to move up north to be closer to Crewe.
The Breitling has been ticking along nicely with me for 10 years already

 

[SpikyMikey]

Breitling have also done a few "For Bentley Motors" editions. For me, they tend to be a bit fussy and with some being 48/49mm just too flipping big!
Quite like this one though:

 

[DrNick]

I’ve got an old (from the 80s) Omega Seamaster day date auto. It works fine but it has never been serviced.
Should it be serviced and what benefit would I see from it, given it’s working fine, albeit a bit scratched.
Until I saw this thread I had no idea servicing was an option!I have a suspicion it might cost more than it’s worth.

 

[alabbasi]

If you keep your eyes open at a petrol station, you can usually find a guy selling Krug Ballman watches at a heavily discounted price from the back of his Mondeo

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I love watches although you'd never know because 99.99% of the time, I have an old G-Shock on my wrist. I have big wrists so i'm partial to dive watches. Most of which are Seiko automatic dive watches, although I have a couple of Citizen watches and have recently gotten a few Chinese dive watches which are surprisingly nice.

On the higher end, I own a couple of Tissot T-Race automatic chronographs , as well as an Omega Seamaster and Rolex TT Sub that I bought in my early 30's when i had zero assets and zero obligations. Unwittingly, the Rolex might have been the best investment I ever made.

Most recently, I've gotten into the heritage reissues of popular early 70's time pieces as it represents the era I was born.

Included in the last couple of months:

Vintage Citizen Bullhead that I bought from a fellow in Peru. It's smaller than I expected but a good looking watch

Bulova Parking Meter

Tissot Heritage 1973

Tissot Seastar 1000

I also love mechanical movements, but it's important to understand that they don't keep time as well and require servicing. On many movements, the servicing costs more than the movement itself. Something that you don't have to worry about with a quarts movement.

 

[JHS]

I’ve got an old (from the 80s) Omega Seamaster day date auto. It works fine but it has never been serviced.
Should it be serviced and what benefit would I see from it, given it’s working fine, albeit a bit scratched.
Until I saw this thread I had no idea servicing was an option!I have a suspicion it might cost more than it’s worth.

A tale of 2 watches | OT (OFF Topic) Forums

Sent my Seamaster for service and just had the cost back. £1420 including new bracelet, crown, winder tube and hands. Not too bad as it has never been serviced in 20 years! SWMBO dropped her seamaster on the bathroom floor, smashed the crystal and damaged the face and hands. Repair estimate...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

Your watch is probably worth a lot more than you think!

 

[SpikyMikey]

I have big wrists so i'm partial to dive watches. Most of which are Seiko automatic dive watches, although I have a couple of Citizen watches and have recently gotten a few Chinese dive watches which are surprisingly nice.

One of my favourite watches is a Seiko SKX009J "Pepsi" bezel dive watch. Not super expensive or exclusive, but a classic nonetheless.

 

[Gazwould]

My Black Friday purchase was the Manta Ray.

 

[SpikyMikey]

My Black Friday purchase was the Manta Ray.


View attachment 134962

Now that's nice

 

[Gazwould]

I just said Manta Ray because it's full title is ridiculous.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Favourite SKX009 and it's 'cousin' Orient diver.

 

[Gazwould]

I keep looking at Scurfa watches , I like the fact the owner is a UK professional deep sea saturation diver .

 

[SpikyMikey]

I keep looking at Scurfa watches , I like the fact the owner is a UK professional deep sea saturation diver .

That's a new one on me. I like the Dive 1; the orange faced version looks a bit like the classic Doxa Sub 200.
So many watches, so little time...