Lee's Watch Thread for MM'ers of Impeccable Taste

[Ken]

So, signed off on my commission today and came home to open the box for this sucker (had been sitting for a couple days since I refused to open it until I knew for sure my commission was coming in as I calculated.)

Absolutely love it, lighter than I thought but solid build quality. Case is the perfect size. I can see this one being the watch that starts me down the, "build a excel spreadsheet of watches I want" rabbit-hole.

[WRXtranceformed]

That is excellent man! Definitely clean and eye popping and looks like it wears at a reasonable size. That is a great "big commission check" gift for yourself

[SlimKlim]

Looks great Ken!

My parents typically aren't sentimental gift givers. A large portion of the blame lies with me because "cars" is not really an acceptable response to "what sort of gift would you like for <insert holiday>?" So they usually resort to a gift card or maybe a household appliance we've really been wanting.

This year I told my Dad I had really taken an interest in watches ever since I had inherited my grandfather's, and last night we got two mysterious jewelry boxes in the mail. We tried for about five minutes to wait until Christmas to open them, then folded.



It is a Hamilton Grade 974 Special Double Roller pocket watch. 17j hand-wound lever-set movement, produced on or around 1937. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/2555056">https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/ ... on/2555056</a><!-- m -->

The case back has a different serial #, and is from a Grade 992 model produced about 10 years before the watch itself. I'm guessing the original back was lost or damaged long ago when parts were more plentiful so they simply swapped it out. The Grade 992 is a "Railroad Grade" watch, and there are ~5 markings inside the case that look like railroad inspection markings (back in the day railroad employees were required to have their watches inspected by the company inspector.) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/2355737">https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/ ... on/2355737</a><!-- m -->

It is in remarkable condition for its age, just an even patina of light surface scratches all the way around, one small dent in the case back and that's about it. The dial is perfect, the plating isn't worn through anywhere, it's incredible how well it's survived. I really love the subtle blue finish on the hands.



With Lee's guidance I popped the back off to have a peek at the movement, then figured out how to wind and set it.



Just listen to its busy little rhythm. Watching something like this run calms my brain in a way I can't quite describe.

[youtube]NWtPdxAa7OE[/youtube]

It ran for about 3 hours before stopping last night, I only found one tutorial on how to wind and set it and it didn't seem to want to wind quite as it should. It develops a lot of resistance in one direction and none in the other, I believe it should get snug both ways to indicate it's wound. I'll probably refrain from messing with it again until I can take it to my "watch guy" and have him look it over and show me how to do it properly.

[WRXtranceformed]

That is a seriously beautiful piece and a very thoughtful and awesome gift. The history behind these pieces is amazing and the level of craftsmanship and "built to last" approach rarely exists nowadays in handmade items. I mean just look at that movement! It's a work of art.

Glad we could uncover some of the history of that thing, it was obviously well taken care of. I would definitely take it by your guy but don't be afraid to take it back and seek out a watchmaker with antique pocket watch experience if he doesn't feel comfortable with it. That really is a dying art and knowledge set and there are really only a handful of people left that can really do a piece like that a good service.

[WRXtranceformed]

So I definitely don't need another piece in the collection, but I wanted to start a "trading up" process using my titanium Skyhawk as the baseline. I found this example and unfortunately the prior owner wasn't interested in trades but fortunately I talked him down to about what I can get out of my Citizen when I sell it.

Will post some impressions when it gets here next week. It's an honest quartz daily driver with some wear and character, but I should be able to wear it without worry (or get it polished if I feel like it) and it has that brand name that should be more desirable in a trade up scenario in the future. Consider it the BMW 328i of the watch world.

Pics (Tag WK1113-0)

[Ken]

So I definitely don't need another piece in the collection, but I wanted to start a "trading up" process using my titanium Skyhawk as the baseline. I found this example and unfortunately the prior owner wasn't interested in trades but fortunately I talked him down to about what I can get out of my Citizen when I sell it.

Will post some impressions when it gets here next week. It's an honest quartz daily driver with some wear and character, but I should be able to wear it without worry (or get it polished if I feel like it) and it has that brand name that should be more desirable in a trade up scenario in the future. Consider it the BMW 328i of the watch world.

Pics (Tag WK1113-0)

Nice pick-up! :thumbup:

[G.Irish]

Where do you usually shop used watches? And what watches have the best resale value? I'm assuming Rolex but do Omegas, Breitlings, etc hold their value?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[WRXtranceformed]

Where do you usually shop used watches? And what watches have the best resale value? I'm assuming Rolex but do Omegas, Breitlings, etc hold their value?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

The WUS forums is my go to. I believe it's actually one of the largest forums in the world.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/">http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/</a><!-- m -->

You do have to have at least 100 posts I think in order to post in it (ie. they want you to contribute elsewhere on the forum) and they do a pretty good job of moderating / trying to prevent scammers. There's also a "feedback" subforum where you can research peoples' transaction histories.

Chrono24 is another good one: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chrono24.com/">http://www.chrono24.com/</a><!-- m -->

From what I can tell from my time on the forums over the last few years (and only recently getting more serious about buy/sell values), Rolex is king as far as resale goes. And I think that has pretty much always been true. There's like a small depreciation curve for Rolex but then as they get older they actually get MORE desirable and expensive. Rolex styles rarely change much over the years and therefore stay really popular.

As far as the other marquee brands, the desireable Omegas (Planet Ocean, Speedmaster Moon) seem to reasonably hold their value as well as the higher end Breitlings (although the "lesser" autos and quartz Breitlings can be had for $1500-$2500). From what I can tell the REALLY high end watches (other than Rolex) don't really hold their value super well unless they're vintage or limited edition / desirable models. Those have to be tough to sell because there's already such a finite market of people that can afford those watches, and then most people unless they're a collector/connoisseur probably just want a Rolex for the name. One weird one to watch has been Panerai. Those have plummeted in value and there's a reason for it that I can't remember. I think I read that they have been lowering their MSRPs due to sluggish sales and it pretty softened the used market. If you want to get into Panerais and you like that style, that's a good thing I guess.

At the mid range of watches (like the one I just bought) the depreciation curve seems to be more significant. That's why if I buy new I try to buy "grey market with a warranty" vs. from a jewelry store or authorized dealer.

[Apoc]

So when does Lee offer a watch buying service? If my wife can get clothes she likes shipped her based on votes on a website, surely this can be done with watches... right?? I want someone to tell me about the history of the brand, how desirable a piece it is, and then find me a good deal on it. Make it happen Lee!

[WRXtranceformed]

So when does Lee offer a watch buying service? If my wife can get clothes she likes shipped her based on votes on a website, surely this can be done with watches... right?? I want someone to tell me about the history of the brand, how desirable a piece it is, and then find me a good deal on it. Make it happen Lee!

:lol: :lol:

Love the idea, like basically an educating middleman / broker service. But I got a lot of learning to do before I could really advise anybody!

[Apoc]

I bet the super rich already have these, but I gotta think there's mid-market for all tech-rich folks who want to play grown up. You know, like me.

[WRXtranceformed]

I bet the super rich already have these, but I gotta think there's mid-market for all tech-rich folks who want to play grown up. You know, like me.

I do like spending other people's money for them!

[Apoc]

Can this service also do AR15 builds? If so, I'm in.

[WRXtranceformed]

Wound and Loaded Consulting, LLC? :lol:

[SlimKlim]

Where do you usually shop used watches? And what watches have the best resale value? I'm assuming Rolex but do Omegas, Breitlings, etc hold their value?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

/r/watchexchange on reddit seems to be a pretty active little marketplace as well as the places Lee mentioned, a decent amount of vintage stuff comes across there too, which I'd imagine is what you'd want to get into for the best resale/possible appreciation.

[WRXtranceformed]

Where do you usually shop used watches? And what watches have the best resale value? I'm assuming Rolex but do Omegas, Breitlings, etc hold their value?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

/r/watchexchange on reddit seems to be a pretty active little marketplace as well as the places Lee mentioned, a decent amount of vintage stuff comes across there too, which I'd imagine is what you'd want to get into for the best resale/possible appreciation.

I have never been a Reddit person but I may sign up and see if I can move this citizen on it, no luck on WUS with a buyer I felt good about after a few weeks of bumps

[JustinG]

Not a real watch.... But Casey got me a clock work synergy NATO band with Martini colors. Threw together a matching face.




I will probably order a Gulf colored band as well.

You may now return to your real watch fapping

[WRXtranceformed]

Not a real watch.... But Casey got me a clock work synergy NATO band with Martini colors. Threw together a matching face.




I will probably order a Gulf colored band as well.

You may now return to your real watch fapping

Looks great, nice color coordination! Did you have any issue with the Clockwork NATO band's thread that holds it together being like almost a plasticky material? They have a few versions of their NATO bands...there is a normal and a "premium" version. I have a few of the normal versions and had a premium in the past. On a few of the normal bands they used that plsticky material in the stitching and it actually scratched my wrist at the knots...to the point where i had to hit it with a cigar torch and some fine grit sandpaper. I never had that issue with the premium Clockwork bands.

[JPolen01]

Oh wow Joey is going to lose his mind when he sees that

[JustinG]

Did you have any issue with the Clockwork NATO band's thread that holds it together being like almost a plasticky material?

Pretty sure this is a premium, and I have e a Heavy Duty or whatever black one. Neither have the issue, it was probably where they melted it to prevent fraying and they didnt hit it hard enough with the sander.