Off topic watch chat for the horologists out there

Post by **Bootsy** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:14 am

Ferry Man wrote:
964RS wrote:If anyone is after an Omega 50th Anniversary Speedmaster ("patch") then mine will be up for sale this week.
I'm after a 'pre-moon' Speedy if anyone knows one.
Expecting to pay the same sort of money as for your new one but would like a beat-up, worn-out, over 40 year old wreck (original dial & hands essential).
Do let us know if you hear....

Pre moon Speedy here http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.ph ... opic=46235

Ferry Man · Post by **Ferry Man** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:02 pm

Thanks Tom.

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:09 pm

I have eventually got hooked and its certainly taken time ( pun). From 1971 until 2007 when I retired I was involved in the aerospace and watch industries initially demonstrating but then selling a range of Swiss machine tools. The main ones I was involved with regarding watches were Wahli and Ewag machines. The Wahli machines were mechanical automated gear hobbing machines for producing gear pinions and gear wheels and Ewag machine that produced complicated tooling to use on the machines in the watch factories.

To say the set up on a Wahli with vibratory bowl feeder full of pinions to be automatically loaded abnd then cut was difficult would an understatement. It was so difficult taking into account the size of watch movement gearing. In the early 70's we had over 40 machines installed at Timex Dundee, with Washington and Feltham also having machines from our range.

Later and after the quartz situation in Switzerland times changed and Timex went along with others. Ewag are still selling now to all major watch factories like Rolex, ETA ( swatch ) etc for all sorts of applications.
During work visits to Switzerland I had the chance to visit these factories and also the major watch and clock museums which are simply fantastic.

Most of this time I wore my dads old watch a mechanical GUDA 31 jewel incabloc super automatic. When I lost the crown on this ( I will get it repaired ) I did the awful thing and bought a quartz Seiko that I tended to hide on visits to Switzerland when working over there.

I have been looking for some time for a nice replacement suitable for putting on a 66 year old wrist and yesterday my luck was in ( I think )

After a small amount of haggling I bought from a good shop a second hand Omega automatic Constellation chronometer dating from around late 50's to early 60's. I havn't had the back off but all looks in order. Even the stainless strap has the logo and the gold insert is on the back together with logo on crown. About 34 mm diameter and black face.
Its the pie pan style.
This watch is in fantastic condition for its age I was probably caught by paying £375- for it but am I pleased!! It really made by day even if I have paid too much, I keep looking at the time, is that a little sad?

If anyone is interested I could post some photo's. Maybe the watch was made in the same year as my 1959 car.

Sorry to go on a bit but I'm happy!

Roy

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:37 pm

Hi Roy,

I love the old Constellations - the older the better

Would love to see a photo when you've time to post.

Thanks

Andy102 · Post by **Andy102** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:46 pm

Bootsy were did you get that new watch box, very cool.

I need some thing like that myself, maybe for less watches though

sladey · Post by **sladey** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 3:49 pm

roy mawbey wrote: If anyone is interested I could post some photo's. Maybe the watch was made in the same year as my 1959 car.

Sorry to go on a bit but I'm happy!

Roy

Yep - let's have some pics Roy.

I remember when I first got mine I would wonder what the time was, look at my wrist, gaze lovingly at the thing of beauty sat on it, and forget to look what time it was. repeat, repeat, repeat

Ferry Man · Post by **Ferry Man** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:17 pm

roy mawbey wrote:Its the pie pan style.

Lovely, I like the 'pie-pans'. We need photos.

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:36 pm

Ferry Man wrote:
roy mawbey wrote:Its the pie pan style.
Lovely, I like the 'pie-pans'. We need photos.

Here's a pie pan for $1100 so maybe yours was quite a find Roy!

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur ... n%26sa%3DG

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:53 pm

Hi All,

Attached 3 photos of my "new" second hand Omega. I truly hope it is what I thought it to be. But it looks so nice I won't worry too much if I am told its not exactly what I thought it to be!

Let me know what you think.

[img][img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq15 ... ga0008.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq15 ... ga0006.jpg[/img][/img
][img][img]http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq15 ... ga0001.jpg[/img][/img]

Roy

sladey · Post by **sladey** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:22 pm

That's beautiful - real class

smallspeed · Post by **smallspeed** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:06 am

gorgeous watch!.. i have an old omega of my grandfathers and a couple of other watches of his.. i finally added to "the collection" this week with a watch of my own; an omega seamaster professional planet ocean.. its kind of the opposite end of the scale to the constelation though; a mighty 45.5mm diameter, and about 1/4 kg in weight

love it though, nad hopefully it can stand up to my clumsy-ness!!

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:57 am

My, that is a large diameter watch! I also like the look of the large ones but when I tried one on my small wrist a few months ago, it was just oversized for me. Look great though, if your arm is the right size for it.

I must say finding my watch in what looks like almost new condition, made me think the feeling would be similar to finding a cocooned 356 carrera just like it had rolled out of the factory! It is surprising how something old and well made but in excellent condition can make one very quickly open the wallet.

Roy

smallspeed · Post by **smallspeed** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:07 am

i was a little worried as i have v.wide hands (you heard me ladies

) but quite slim wrists.. turns out i have RELATIVELY slim wrists and needed all the links in the bracelet with the exception of the 1/2 link! not sure if omega were being stingy with the links or something?!..

anyway doesn't look too big on i don't think, but i'll let you make your own minds up.. poor quality iphone wrist shot attached

roy mawbey · Post by **roy mawbey** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:45 am

The watch looks just fine, no problem at all.

Roy

Post by **Bootsy** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:51 am

Roy, lovely Pie Pan and a great price by the looks of the condition.

Smallspeed - nice PO, looks good in that size.

Andy, box came from Ebay. Lots of sellers on there but you get what you pay for. The cheaper stuff have poor noisy motors, ask how I know!

I'ver had a new arrival but haven't had a chance to take any pics yet!