...on the other end of the horological spectrum, I've been kicking around with two affordable, but (what I consider) fun watches. One less than $100, and the other less than $500 but still automatic. They each have an interesting history, and while they won't replace my Submariner, I use them frequently. With a quick band switch, the Hamilton works well for just about any occasion. I have a few others "in between" these and the Sub.
Scott
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1968 911S
1986 Carrera
2006 Carrera S
1973 BMW 3.0CS - Frances (gone but not forgotten)
- Arne
Current - 2018 718 Cayman, Rhodium Silver, PDK
Sold - 1972 911T coupe, Silver Metallic; 1984 911 Carrera coupe, Chiffon white; 1973 914 2.0, Saturn Yellow; 1984 944, Silver Metallic
Hey Arne, that Wyler is a solid keeper... the company is still in business but sadly doesn't make tachy-chronos like that one anymore. Beautiful dial.
Here are a couple of older chronographs, both with Venus cal. 175 movements. The Delbana is a favorite, 18k case with a fabulous Guilloché dial. These were sub-$20 thrift store finds back when that was still a thing.
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Last edited by Bullethead; 10-05-2021 at 04:41 PM.
Russ
ESR # 1537
'62 356S Notchback Hotrod
'67 S Das Geburtstagsgeschenk
'68 T Targa Sportomatic
'68 L SW Targa Sportomatic
'70 914/6 GT
Scott, those Hamiltons are timeless, having a few different bands is a great way to wear a primary with panache!
The mechanisms in these things are surely what attracts gearheads, impressively tiny engineering is an understatement. Old cameras too... I once had over 350, including a prototype '40s Alpa Reflex.
Back to watches: another favorite is this gold Bulova bumper from 1955 or so. Killer lugs with an elegant brown Guilloché dial, applied markers and it keeps great time.
Also a flea-market buy, IIRC the Sirtoli sharkskin strap I got for it cost more than twice what the watch did.
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Regarding winders: if you have more than two automatics (like 3-6)and wear them all regularly, a good box is worth it.
Wolf makes the best... expensive but flawless and silent. Re-setting an un-worn automatic with complications is a pain, and truthfully, they're better off kept running.
Last edited by Bullethead; 10-05-2021 at 04:40 PM.
Russ
ESR # 1537
'62 356S Notchback Hotrod
'67 S Das Geburtstagsgeschenk
'68 T Targa Sportomatic
'68 L SW Targa Sportomatic
'70 914/6 GT
Last bits from me: an older big-assed Breitling, an understated '90s Cartier Roadster and a newer white-gold Rolex Daytona panda.
Prices for these is batshit lately, for no rational reason.
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Russ
ESR # 1537
'62 356S Notchback Hotrod
'67 S Das Geburtstagsgeschenk
'68 T Targa Sportomatic
'68 L SW Targa Sportomatic
'70 914/6 GT
Some of my favorites.
My old, Audi TT automatic. Wore for a decade.
If I remember, over 20 years ago, I sent a $100 bill in the mail to Germany.
I could not find one in the USA. But I had seen a photo, and found a used one for sale in Germany.
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My other old Audi TT chronograph automatic.
Larger and heavier. Sometimes just too heavy.
This is the watch I wear when I go to Europe.
I think both designed by Romulus Rost
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And then a watch I made myself. A little unFinished.
I still need to attach the pushers. Make a new leather band.
Then polish and clean it up.
Difficult to photograph, to show details, as it is a hollow skeleton.
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I finished my watch. I made a new case. I didn't like the old.
I made a new band. Put in the pushers, somehow I didn't break or lose anything.
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Last edited by Scott A; 12-05-2021 at 04:15 PM.
Current long term ownership: 63 Cab, 71 911, 74 914
Those are extremely nice watches, and fairly rare, Scott. The chrono looks like the earliest version that was made by Certina using the Valjoux 7750, probably the most important and widely used movements in history.
Neat Monaco! If that's your first build, impressive! Did you use an aftermarket or one of the new version cases to skeletonize? What's the movement? Will you use modern pushers because of the case source or can you go old-school?
Russ
ESR # 1537
'62 356S Notchback Hotrod
'67 S Das Geburtstagsgeschenk
'68 T Targa Sportomatic
'68 L SW Targa Sportomatic
'70 914/6 GT
Russ,
the skeleton Monaco, I made the new case in CAD, and 3D printed in steel. the cost was about $70.
the pushers are old school, also made in CAD and printed...
the movement is a japan quartz...someday, i will put an automatic inside.
the leather band is just a leather prototype, with plans to remake, and sew with some blue thread.
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Current long term ownership: 63 Cab, 71 911, 74 914