Tuesday, 28 February 2017

Servicing an Beautiful and Funky Retro 70s Everite With Amazing Green Dial - FHF 905

Here we have a lovely Everite with the robust FHF 905 automatic movement. Everite was the brand for the H Samuel jeweller in the UK. The service process is quite straight forward as the watch is running well and no issue before the service.

This is the result after the service.

Servicing an Beautiful and Funky Retro 70s Everite With Amazing Green Dial - FHF 905
Funky and retro style case and a lovely green gradient dial.


Movement is the FHF 905 automatic movement.
  • Automatic/Manual wind.
  • 21600 high beat movement.
  • 25.6mm D x 5.4 mm H - 25 Jewels.
  • Power reserve approx 43h.
  • Movement marked Swiss. 25 Jewels. - Incabloc shock protection.
  • Date quickset by pulling out crown for 2 clicks.

Friday, 13 January 2017

Servicing an Original 60s Butex Manual Alarm - AS 1568 Manual Alarm Movement

Here we have a very nice vintage Butex manual alarm watch powered by the lengendary AS 1568 movement in excellent condition. Highly collectible and desirable as this is almost the best of mechanical watchmaking in the 60s and 70s.

Below is the result of the service.

Servicing an Original 60s Butex Manual Alarm - AS 1568 Manual Alarm Movement
Good example of this lengendary manual alarm movement
Movement is the A Schild 1568 manual alarm movement.
  • Manual wind.
  • Mechanical alarm function with Date
  • 18000 bph movement.
  • 25.6 D x 6.9 mm H - 17 Jewels.
  • Power reserve approx 46h.
  • Movement marked Swiss. 17 Jewels Swiss Made. - Incabloc shock protection.
  • Date quickset by back and forth between 24h and 20:30h

Sunday, 20 November 2016

Servicing a beautiful original 1957 Omega Constellation powered by the Omega 504 automatic movement

Here we have an orginal 1957 Omega Constellation in its untouched form for many years. First I would like to thank Braddan for allowing me the chance to work on his watch.

I have long been admiring the design  and quality of the Omega Constellation series and this is one of the best examples I have ever seen and worked on.

Below is the result after the service.
Original 1957 Omega Constellation powered by the Omega 504 automatic movement
All returned to how it should be with the appropriate crown and new crystal.

Thursday, 18 August 2016

Essential in any vintage watch collection - Bulova Accutron Spaceview powered by the Bulova 214

Here we have is a mint 1968 mens Bulova Spaceview Accutron.

Bulova invented the tunning fork movement and the Accutron series arguably was their biggest contribution to the watchmaking industry. In fact their logo is in the shape of the tunning fork says it all.

There is a constant "hum" from the watch coming from the tuning fortk, my musician friend says it is an "F" key, whatever that means :-)

For a non-collector, there are a few things worth mentioning about the battery choices for the Accutrons. The mercury batteries excelled in keeping stable current within their serviceable lifes and have much longer storage period unlike silver oxide equivalents. However the tuning fork movements were designed to run on 1.35V and not on 1.55V silver oxide batteries you can buy today. If you put a 1.55V battery into an early Accurton, it could run fast. Some later movements have bigger tolerance in the voltage jump and would run fine. However the watch can be adjusted by a professional watchmaker to run on the new silver oxide battery for a small fee.

The other alternative is to buy Accucell, which is a normal silver oxide battery with a diode soldered at the back to reduce the voltage from 1.55V to 1.35V. Again, I have never tried these batteries.

Worth noting is that this Spaceview is an original and not a conversion. Some heartless watchmakers convert normal Accutrons with a 218 movement into the more sort after Spaceviews by taking dials out or cut around the chapter ring of dials.

Essential in any vintage watch collection - Bulova Accutron Spaceview powered by the Bulova 214
Bulova Spaceview Accutron - Bulova 214 Tuning Fork movement


The date of this watch is 1968, with production mark M8 on the back.

Movement:
Movement is the ground breaking Bulova 214 turning fork movement.
Production date: 1960 - 1977
  • Electronic controlled tuning fork
  • Sweep second
  • Setting mechanisms at the bottom of the movement
  • 360Hz = 1296,000 beats per hour
  • Movemen size: Diameter - 28.7mm, Height - 5.5mm.
  • 15 jewels.
  • Index and jewelled paws escapement.
  • Movement marked Bulova, 214, Swiss Made

Friday, 22 July 2016

Very Nice Vintage Funky Retro 60s Butex Automatic Watch - ETA 2452

Another fine example from my Butex collection. It has a rather unusual design with a mirror polished chapter ring together with the minimalistic cross-hair dial. The design resembles the legendary Universal Polerouter, although without the wonderful and prestigious 215 microtor automatic movement.

Very Nice Vintage Funky Retro 60s Butex Automatic Watch - ETA 2452
60s Butex Automatic Watch - ETA 2452

This watch is powered by the ETA 2452

Features -
  • Automatic and manually wind.
  • 18,600 bph.
  • 25.6mm D x 5.3mm H
  • 25 Jewels
  • Power reserve 42h
  • Rotor marked 25 Jewels, Swiss Made.

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Retro 70s Vintage Famous Mondaine Lobster Divers Automatic - Felsa 4462

This is a retro fabulous Mondaine 70s automatic divers watch with a stylish tonneau shaped case with hidden lugs and with a typical 70s tropic rubber divers strap to be used outside the wet suit when diving.

Retro 70s Vintage Famous Mondaine Lobster Divers Automatic - Felsa 4462
Retro 70s Vintage Famous Mondaine Lobster Divers Automatic - Felsa 4462


Movement:
  • Original Swiss made Felsa 4462 bi-directional automatic
  • 21,600 high beat p/h.
  • 25 Jewels.
  • Power reserve roughly 40 hours.
  • Size: Diameter - 26mm
  • Incabloc shock protection system.
  • Rotor marked with the Mondaine logo

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

NOS 70s vintage handsome Duxot 007 manual sports watch - FHF 96-4 ST

We have here NOS vintage Duxot powered by the common FHF 96-4 ST. It is the same as the 96 ST but with the benefit of the additional date function. This watch has the slightly unusual flat front bezel design which makes the watch stands out from many of the 70s designs and it does look quite smart. It even have 007 reference but I don't know if it is an official endorsement from the James Bond franchaise.

NOS 70s vintage handsome Duxot 007 manual sports watch - FHF 96-4 ST
Duxot manual sport watch - FHF 96-4 ST
Movement is the popular FHF 96-4 ST hand wind movement.
  • Manual wind.
  • 18000 p/h movement.
  • 25.6mm D x 4.5mm H - 17 Jewels.
  • Power reserve 40h.
  • Movement marked Swiss. Seventeen 17 Jewels. - Rufa shock protection.
  • Date, quick change by going back and forth between 21-24 hours.

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Super Nice Vintage 50s Smiths De Luxe Manual Watch - Smiths 27 CS

Smiths De Luxe manual wind watch. Many watch enthusiasts consider Smiths movements to be technically on par if not superior than those produced in Switzerland. In my opinion, this is certainly true in terms of serviceability. However, its a shame that majority of the Smiths are housed in a chrome plated case and are not as hard wearing than stainless steel case. As a result, we get a lot of Smiths watches with battered cases but with very good dials and well preserved movements.

We have here a Smiths De Luxe in exceptional condition throughtout.

Super Nice Vintage 50s Smiths De Luxe Manual Watch - Smiths 27 CS
Super Nice Vintage 50s Smiths De Luxe Manual Watch - Smiths 27 CS
Movement:
Movement is the in-house Smiths 27.CS with centre seconds.
  • Manual wind.
  • 18000 p/h movement.
  • 27.07mm - 17 Jewels
  • Movement marked Made In England. Seventeen 17 Jewels. - Kif shock protection.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Vintage 70s Jaquet Cobur by Alfex Watch Company Manual Dress Watch - Ronda 1233-21 Manual Movement

Vintage Swiss manual watch under the brand Jaquet Cobur featuring a highly unusual and beautiful dial. A very special looking watch with the unique dial and generous size (35mm without the crown and 44mm from lug to lug). Alfex watch company itself have been quite successful according to Watch Wiki and its main focus are the low to the medium end of the watch market in from 60s onwards. This must be a small production for the watch brand Jaquet Cobur using a higher quality Ronder 1233-21 movement instead of the lower grade pin lever escapement. I just adore the brown textured quadrant divided dial and its typical 70s baton style markers and hands. A very smart looking watch in my opinion.

Vintage 70s Jaquet Cobur by Alfex Watch Company Manual Dress Watch - Ronda 1233-21 Manual Movement
Jaquet Cobur by Alfex Watch Company Manual Dress Watch - Ronda 1233-21 Manual Movement

Movement:
  • Movement is Ronda 1233-21 and its the high grade jewel lever version as well as a high beat 21,600 movement.
  • Movement marked Seventeen 17 Jewels, Alfex Ltd, Unadjusted and 1233-21 Swiss and RAX (Ronda import code indicating its a swiss lever)

Friday, 10 April 2015

Vintage 60s Precimax Solid 14K Solid Gold Case Maunual Dress Watch - Peseux 320

Here we have a 60's Precimax dress watch with a lovely dial. With its super slim/flat movement and case, it is designed to fit comfortably on the wrist and under the shirt when the wearer is dressed up like a gentleman! The watch including the crystal is only 7.2mm thick!

Vintage 60s Precimax Solid 14K Solid Gold Case Maunual Dress Watch - Peseux 320
Vintage 60s Precimax Solid 14K Solid Gold Case Maunual Dress Watch - Peseux 320


Movement:
Movement is the reliable Peseux 320 hand-wind movement.
  • Manual wind.
  • 18000 bph movement.
  • 23.3mm D x 3.1mm H
  • 17 Jewels.
  • Power reserve 40h
  • Movement marked 17 Jewels, Swiss Made.
  • Incabloc shock protection.

Friday, 14 November 2014

Mint Vintage 50s Sully Special NOS Manual Mens Dress Watch - ETA 1080

This is a 50's Sully Special with a very unusual dial. Facetedly cut and partly polished to create the chapter ring of the dial. Also the indexes are create by the machine cut grooves. The result is really elegant and suitable as a dress watch in my opinion. Universal made a similar dial.

Mint Vintage 50s Sully Special NOS Manual Mens Dress Watch - ETA 1080
Mint Vintage 50s Sully Special NOS Manual Mens Dress Watch - ETA 1080


Movement is the popular ETA 1080 hand wind movement.
  • Manual wind.
  • 18000 p/h movement.
  • 23.3mm D x 4.15mm H - 17 Jewels
  • Power reserve 40h
  • Movement marked Swiss. Seventeen 17 Jewels. - Incabloc shock protection.

Monday, 20 October 2014

Vintage 70s Sully Special NOS Manual Mens Sports Watch - FHF 96 ST

A very smart vintage Sully Special manual wind sports watch. It has a very nice dark blue sunburst grain silver dial. Sully wasn't a famous brand when it was around but I think they deserved a bit more credit because their watches were nice in my opinion.
Vintage 70s Sully Special NOS Manual Mens Sports Watch - FHF 96 st
Sully Special NOS Manual Mens Sports Watch - FHF 96ST
Movement is the popular FHF 96 ST hand wind movement.
  • Manual wind.
  • 18000 p/h movement.
  • 25.6mm D x 4.5mm H - 17 Jewels
  • Power reserve 40h
  • Movement marked Swiss. Seventeen 17 Jewels. - Incabloc shock protection.

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

NOS Retro Streamline Ricoh Automatic Watch - Ricoh Automatic

Seriously funky Ricoh with a tonneau streamline stainless steel case. Beautiful cotes de Geneve pattern dark purple grey dial with Date and day at 6 o'clock. I have been resisting in wearing it for ages and although Ricoh watches aren't in the same league of some of the highend Swiss watches and I consider many of them possess more charm and character.

Ricoh Automatic Watch - Ricoh Automatic
Ricoh Automatic Watch - Ricoh Automatic
Movement is Ricoh. Made in Japan. All the Ricoh Automatics I have bear the same automatic movement. The construction and craftmanship is top quality although they may not have the high level of decoration and finishes comparing to the Swiss automatic movements.

Features:
  • 18,000 Beat movement.
  • Full rotor ball bearing rotor
  • Bi-directional winding (rotor winds both directions).
  • Rotor marked Ricoh Auto, 21 Jewels.
  • Can also be wind by hand as well as the rotor.
  • Power reserve roughly 48 hours
  • Movement size: Diameter - 28.3mm, Height - 5.5mm.
  • Jewelled lever escapement.
  • Plain alloy balance with flat antimagnetic hairspring
  • Ricoh shock protection system
  • Sweep centre second.
  • Marked F near the balance.
  • Date display, quick set function by pulling out the crown by 2 clicks.