Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Chat away, Classic Porsche related or otherwise

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yoda
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by yoda »

Ralph wrote:I have recently dug this Omega out that I got given years ago by the widow of the original owner. I slung the metal stretchy strap that was fitted a few years ago but now need something vintage looking and more correct for a 1966 item. Anyone got anything suitable? It takes an 18mm strap.

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That’s lovely Ralph. I have something similar that was a wedding gift to my dad from his father in law. I had it restored recently and it’s one of my favourite watches.

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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by keith fellowes »

Ralph, was that a retirement gift from International Computers and Tabulators? It was the sort of thing they did at that time
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by Bootsy »

Popped one of my Omegas onto a leather strap today

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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by Ralph »

keith fellowes wrote: Sun Dec 18, 2022 1:32 pm Ralph, was that a retirement gift from International Computers and Tabulators? It was the sort of thing they did at that time
Hi Keith,

Yes, that was that his widow told me. Evidently he was quite a wizzard with electronics and computers and retired in 1966.

Are you familiar with ICT/ICL?

When it was given to me 35 years ago is was basically new and unused, but unfortunately I didn't look after it too well when I wore it for a couple of years.

Ralph.
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by keith fellowes »

Hello Ralph,
I was a computer operator for ICT at Putney back in the late 60's, all of us late teens/early 20's boys club! Great times
Later became ICL and I was with them in various roles for 20 years

Seeing your watch brought back a lot of memories
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by gridgway »

I'd forgotten that ICL was previously ICT. Before my time, but I worked with ICL back in the early days of my software career
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by Ralph »

keith fellowes wrote: Sun Dec 18, 2022 5:41 pm Hello Ralph,
I was a computer operator for ICT at Putney back in the late 60's, all of us late teens/early 20's boys club! Great times
Later became ICL and I was with them in various roles for 20 years

Seeing your watch brought back a lot of memories
Regards
You didn't know an Edwin 'Eddie' Bateson? He lived in Dulwich or later Sanderstead?
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by keith fellowes »

No, he would have been before my time at ICT.
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by jwhillracer »

Did any of you guys know my late brother-in-law Mike Fletcher, who was with ICT/ICL back then as well?
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by swift911 »

Good things come to those who wait….
About six years ago I noticed a Rolex Datejust 16233 on a guys wrist whilst being served in an automotive supplies dealer. When I asked him about it, he said he had owned it over 10 years and wore it every day. He let me have a look at it and I said if he were to ever want to sell it, give me a ring.
Out of the blue, six years later, I got the call. It’s now away being serviced etc by a Rolex specialist.
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by neilbardsley »

Wow. Great story.

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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by Dougieboy1 »

jwhillracer wrote: Tue Dec 20, 2022 1:27 pm Did any of you guys know my late brother-in-law Mike Fletcher, who was with ICT/ICL back then as well?
JW
Late to this thread. I worked for ICL in Stevenage and Sydenham for 1 year immediately after university, mid 80's. Went to putney office once. My job was the roll out to senior management of a product called the OPD. Forerunner of modern day PC's, word processor, spreadsheet capability and some other bits. OPD stood for 'One per desk' or as it was rapidly christened, "one per dustbin' or 'only partially designed'......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Per_Desk

Good fun, from there went back to University, did another degree and then into the City with Citi......

Drove a wreck of an Austin Healey 3000 at the time and on one occasion had total brake failure going into the car park. Nearly ended the Fujitsu deal as i just missed crashing into the Fujitsu delegation that had arrived to look around the Stevenage plant....

Didnt know Mike Fletcher i am afraid.....
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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by neilbardsley »

Where was the ICL office in Sydenham?

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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by hot66 »

swift911 wrote:Good things come to those who wait….
About six years ago I noticed a Rolex Datejust 16233 on a guys wrist whilst being served in an automotive supplies dealer. When I asked him about it, he said he had owned it over 10 years and wore it every day. He let me have a look at it and I said if he were to ever want to sell it, give me a ring.
Out of the blue, six years later, I got the call. It’s now away being serviced etc by a Rolex specialist.
Would Love to see photos when back 8)
James

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Re: Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by Dougieboy1 »

neilbardsley wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 9:56 pm Where was the ICL office in Sydenham?

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Cant really remember, it was the repair depot so all the kit under warranty went there to be fixed, i think.

From memory, it Was a typical 50's/60's brick built industrial 'shed' complex for want of a better word......
1972 911S
1944 VW Schwimmwagen (originally a Porsche typ128, eventually VW166)
A bunch of other crap (according to my wife)
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