Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

[964RS]

Ok some more 70's coolness available to DDK before it goes public.....

Now not only is this watch oozing in 70's cool looks it also has some pretty cool claims to fame!

The Seiko 6139 has strong claims at possibly being the first ever automatic chronograph and certainly the first one available to purchase, but it is for certain the first ever automatic chronograph worn in space!

Colonel William Pogue was not issued with a Seiko chronograph for his NASA Skylab missions in 1973 but the Omega Speedmaster was so late in getting to him during training that he purchased the Seiko from the Ellington Air Force Base military exchange and used it during his pre-flight training. Come mission time he concealed it in his space suit leg pocket and then wore it on his other arm during the space missions - there are a number of pictures showing him wearing it at the time and his official watch was auctioned a few years ago.

The watch he wore for 84 days on the Skylab 4 is exactly the same as the one I have available here - a Seiko 6139 automatic chronograph with blue/red bezel, golden yellow dial with gold sub dial and light yellow inner indicator ring. The watch has a day and date function.




You can read more about the model and it's history in this excellent article here:-
http://thespringbar.com/the-seiko-6139- ... ors-guide/

This one comes on it's original rare bracelet also!










One sold at Bonhams for £937 :-
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22790/lot/47C/

DDK Price: SOLD

[DeRRis]

Yes please, I'll pm you now.

[trdking]

Love the gold dial on this and the rare band. Like I like my steaks

[richkaz]

Apart from motor sport timers, vintage stop watches have never really caught on in a big way. But they are beautiful mechanical instruments in their own right
and are currently just a fraction of the cost of watch chronometers and chronographs.
Being a Gallet fan I've been keeping an eye on their sister company Excelsior Park who made their own watches and had supplied Gallet and Zenith with state of the art
chronograph movements for many years.
I recently bagged this 1940's stop watch with cream porcelain dial and blued steel hands. It also features a spare parts compartment ( diamond smugglers dream hiding place ).
Only then that I realized this is no ordinary stopwatch – It's a split time / rattrapante stopwatch.
The second hand is started by pressing the top winder at 12.00 . When the button at 55 seconds is pressed, another second hand
which was hiding under the first second hand motors onwards and the first second hand stops and records the elapsed time.
When the 60 seconds winding button is pressed again the 'ghost' second hand stops and records the second elapsed time.
Many split seconds timings can be made over a 30 minute maximum ( recorded on the subdial ). So if you want to record 0-60 and 0-100 MPH timings
they will both be clearly recorded on the dial without making separate 2 runs.
70 years ago watchmakers considered this type of rattrapante movement to be a ' master complication ' .Still spot on after over 70 years !

[trdking]

Bought my First "NEW" watch in a very long time. A pawn shop friend brought in a dozen assorted Heuers on a wholesale deal and sold me this 1887 for $1700. Dollars with box and booklet. I thought it was an OK deal. I'm liking the watch so far. Anyone have one and can comment on how it works for you?

[trdking]

Apart from motor sport timers, vintage stop watches have never really caught on in a big way. But they are beautiful mechanical instruments in their own right
and are currently just a fraction of the cost of watch chronometers and chronographs.
Being a Gallet fan I've been keeping an eye on their sister company Excelsior Park who made their own watches and had supplied Gallet and Zenith with state of the art
chronograph movements for many years.
I recently bagged this 1940's stop watch with cream porcelain dial and blued steel hands. It also features a spare parts compartment ( diamond smugglers dream hiding place ).
Only then that I realized this is no ordinary stopwatch – It's a split time / rattrapante stopwatch.
The second hand is started by pressing the top winder at 12.00 . When the button at 55 seconds is pressed, another second hand
which was hiding under the first second hand motors onwards and the first second hand stops and records the elapsed time.
When the 60 seconds winding button is pressed again the 'ghost' second hand stops and records the second elapsed time.
Many split seconds timings can be made over a 30 minute maximum ( recorded on the subdial ). So if you want to record 0-60 and 0-100 MPH timings
they will both be clearly recorded on the dial without making separate 2 runs.
70 years ago watchmakers considered this type of rattrapante movement to be a ' master complication ' .Still spot on after over 70 years !

Wow, Thanks for sharing. I love anything in split seconds Beautiful Gallet as well. ( have this Gallet 3 register skirted pusher telemeter in Solid 14 K gold. Kind of rare?)

[richkaz]

Wow, Thanks for sharing. I love anything in split seconds Beautiful Gallet as well. ( have this Gallet 3 register skirted pusher telemeter in Solid 14 K gold. Kind of rare?)

Yes, a gold triple register Gallet is a rare and desirable chrono. Well done !

[trdking]

Ill try to find it and get you a picture. I have had it for at least 29 years.

[trdking]

Heres the solid gold Gallet if you want to peep it

[richkaz]

Heres the solid gold Gallet if you want to peep it

Yes, very nice, the difference apart from the dial colour is the 'Olympic torch' applied hour markers ( rather than Arabic numerals ).
Is it approx. 37.0 - 38 mm without crown ?
Does it have a plain unsigned crown and plain case back ?
Is the back of the left hand lug ( when the watch is turned over ) inscribed 'H' ?

Not sure what you have it insured for but it might be quite a valuable watch
Multichron 12 ( second watch down )

http://www.galletworld.com/gallet_watch ... on_12.html

[trdking]

I know the case back is screw down and is plain. I did not even take it off the cushion I will look at it tonite. Thanks for the info! Not sure what I have it insured for. I have a replacement value policy as a lump umbrella so they are evaluated if anything ever happens. It would take too long to sort them all out. I have too many. I should sell some because I am getting old enough to not really enjoy them as much as I used too.

[trdking]

I know the case back is screw down and is plain. I did not even take it off the cushion I will look at it tonite. Thanks for the info! Not sure what I have it insured for. I have a replacement value policy as a lump umbrella so they are evaluated if anything ever happens. It would take too long to sort them all out. I have too many. I should sell some because I am getting old enough to not really enjoy them as much as I used too.

Case is a strong 37mm but definitely not 38mm
Case back and crown are plain and unsigned
The left lug has some sort of stamp or hallmark but I am not seeing an H

[richkaz]

I know the case back is screw down and is plain. I did not even take it off the cushion I will look at it tonite. Thanks for the info! Not sure what I have it insured for. I have a replacement value policy as a lump umbrella so they are evaluated if anything ever happens. It would take too long to sort them all out. I have too many. I should sell some because I am getting old enough to not really enjoy them as much as I used too.

Case is a strong 37mm but definitely not 38mm
Case back and crown are plain and unsigned
The left lug has some sort of stamp or hallmark but I am not seeing an H

I agree 37 mm is correct but so many reviews of the Gallet Multichron 12 state 37.5 or 38 mm - mine is exactly 37 mm without crown.
Gallet never marked their crown and rarely marked the back of the case. The inside of the case back usually states Gallet, the watch number
and Fond Acier Inoxydable ( stainless steel back ).
Gallet were ( and still are ) high end Swiss precision watches aimed at the professional and military markets - they always keep unnecessary decoration to a minimum.

I would guess that your watch dates circa 1968 - 1970 and is powered by a Valjoux 72 movement ( as Rolex Daytona and Enicar Sherpa Graph )
The 'H' on the back of the left lug would have signified an an Excelsior Park 40-68 movement .

[964RS]

Incoming....

Last of the reference 114270 Rolex Explorer 1 from 2010.

Absolutely mint condition and full collector set with everything from new.

Just had a full mechanical service and timekeeping was at 0/1 second a day. Will come with warranty.

More pics and details to follow here:
http://sweepinghand.co.uk/vintage-watch ... er-114270/





Customary wrist shot

[964RS]

....and a white dial Daytona collector set coming in.

I seem to be getting a lot of modern bits this year so far in trades...

http://sweepinghand.co.uk/vintage-watch ... ector-set/