Watches

[TheSanDiegan]

From last night - whisky and cigars with a couple friends. How's this for a demonstration of horological egalitarianism? My friend's 5-figure Franck Muller and my 3-figure Orient - both manufacture d'horlogerie.

[Stealthlobo]

I don't know the odds, but 2 days in a row I've had 2 different patients wearing a Rolex Milgauss. I had never seen one in real life before. Also had a patient this am with a white dial Omega seamaster, love that watch.

[NMpackalum]

On 8/1/2022 at 11:53 AM, Stealthlobo said:

I don't know the odds, but 2 days in a row I've had 2 different patients wearing a Rolex Milgauss. I had never seen one in real life before. Also had a patient this am with a white dial Omega seamaster, love that watch.

Here you go:

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6385176

I would have assumed it would go for more than the estimate price.

[NMpackalum]

On 7/31/2022 at 10:29 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

From last night - whisky and cigars with a couple friends. How's this for a demonstration of horological egalitarianism? My friend's 5-figure Franck Muller and my 3-figure Orient - both manufacture d'horlogerie.

What kind of Whiskey do you drink with a Franck Muller?

[TheSanDiegan]

On 8/1/2022 at 3:11 PM, NMpackalum said:

What kind of Whiskey do you drink with a Franck Muller?

On this particular evening it was the Dalmore 15YO. Much better scotch out there at the same price point IMO.

[Stealthlobo]

On 8/1/2022 at 4:09 PM, NMpackalum said:

Here you go:

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6385176

I would have assumed it would go for more than the estimate price.

The 300 is just too big for me unfortunately. You have a rose gold one? or is it a planet ocean?

[Stealthlobo]

On 8/1/2022 at 4:09 PM, NMpackalum said:

Here you go:

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6385176

I would have assumed it would go for more than the estimate price.

Oh shit! I just realized that's the actual watch worn on set! Ya, I would imagine it would go for a lot more.

[NMpackalum]

On 8/1/2022 at 4:27 PM, Stealthlobo said:

The 300 is just too big for me unfortunately. You have a rose gold one? or is it a planet ocean?

I have the rose gold (Sedna) and black Diver 300. From a distance it looks similar to the 007. It’s a 42, lug to lug 49. It looks borderline big on my small wrists but it seems to wear smaller. I might log on when the auction ends just to check out the price. If it’s near it’s projected sale price, I might throw some mad money at it. I’d rather have it than some digital bored ape picture at 10x the price. Or half of a Daytona.

[smltwnrckr]

Y'all have done me well thus far on straps, so here goes again.

 

I am going to upgrade the strap on this guy that has been in my family now for a while. Was my grandfather's. I don't have all the specifics still, as the case back is worn, but looking at comparisons it seems to be almost certainly from the 60s. 

 

Enicar, the company, actually has some vintage divers and chronographs that are highly collectable and can get pretty pricey (google "Enicar Sherpa" and you'll see some examples). This one is not from the Sherpa line, and is most likely worth no more than a couple hundred bucks, so nothing special but still worth having a better strap than the cheapo I bought to try out. And, as it is a family watch (my grandfather's name is custom set on the dial, which I've straight never seen before), I want a somewhat nice strap that is appropriate for the value and style of the watch.

 

I like the black vintage style with the gold buckle. So a better quality version of that style is where I am leaning. I am not a fan of alligator grain for this, as those straps are generally more formal than I tend to wear. But feedback from the watch heads on here will be helpful. A couple questions I'd like feedback on.

 

The watch is pretty typical for a 60's minimalist watch - mid-30s mm case, domed crystal, 18 mm lugs to lug.

 

1. What are some good places to get interestingly designed straps for vintage watches? I've searched thus far Amazon, StrapsCo and also just googled some specs. A lot of OK options, but nothing that really grabs me.

 

2. Are there suggestions for a different style and/or color combo on this little guy? I'm not married to this style at all, though I do like it as it's simple and is neither too formal or too casual. 

 

3. I come across what appear to be individual strap makers (probably leather crafters) on Etsy, and there seems to be a deep well of options there. Has anyone ever gone that route, and if so, are there tips to making sure you don't get stuck with some garbage that looked good in a photo?

 

Any help would be... well, helpful.

 

Watch pics...

 

[TheSanDiegan]

On 8/5/2022 at 9:36 AM, smltwnrckr said:

Y'all have done me well thus far on straps, so here goes again.

 

I am going to upgrade the strap on this guy that has been in my family now for a while. Was my grandfather's. I don't have all the specifics still, as the case back is worn, but looking at comparisons it seems to be almost certainly from the 60s. 

 

Enicar, the company, actually has some vintage divers and chronographs that are highly collectable and can get pretty pricey (google "Enicar Sherpa" and you'll see some examples). This one is not from the Sherpa line, and is most likely worth no more than a couple hundred bucks, so nothing special but still worth having a better strap than the cheapo I bought to try out. And, as it is a family watch (my grandfather's name is custom set on the dial, which I've straight never seen before), I want a somewhat nice strap that is appropriate for the value and style of the watch.

 

I like the black vintage style with the gold buckle. So a better quality version of that style is where I am leaning. I am not a fan of alligator grain for this, as those straps are generally more formal than I tend to wear. But feedback from the watch heads on here will be helpful. A couple questions I'd like feedback on.

 

The watch is pretty typical for a 60's minimalist watch - mid-30s mm case, domed crystal, 18 mm lugs to lug.

 

1. What are some good places to get interestingly designed straps for vintage watches? I've searched thus far Amazon, StrapsCo and also just googled some specs. A lot of OK options, but nothing that really grabs me.

 

2. Are there suggestions for a different style and/or color combo on this little guy? I'm not married to this style at all, though I do like it as it's simple and is neither too formal or too casual. 

 

3. I come across what appear to be individual strap makers (probably leather crafters) on Etsy, and there seems to be a deep well of options there. Has anyone ever gone that route, and if so, are there tips to making sure you don't get stuck with some garbage that looked good in a photo?

 

Any help would be... well, helpful.

 

Watch pics...

 

Check out WatchGecko.com, B&R Bands (BandRBands.com), and comb Jomashop for straps - they usually have a hooj selection.

For me personally, that watch is screaming for a Eulit Person strap. You might have to buy two to get the gold-plated hardware to match, but IMO it would be worth it.

For leather, IMO it's screamin' for an ostrich band. 

My third choice (though it could easily be my second) would be exactly what you have on there - that looks good on that watch.

There are plenty of pricey vintage-style straps out there - how much are you looking to spend? I have bought vintage straps like that from a small maker in the midwest called Lake House Leathers. They work with Chromexcel leader out of the Chicago tannery. They were inexpensively priced, and given they were US-made from US-tanned leather, I couldn't resist. Might be worth checking out their catalog.

 

[smltwnrckr]

On 8/5/2022 at 10:11 AM, TheSanDiegan said:

Check out WatchGecko.com, B&R Bands (BandRBands.com), and comb Jomashop for straps - they usually have a hooj selection.

For me personally, that watch is screaming for a Eulit Person strap. You might have to buy two to get the gold-plated hardware to match, but IMO it would be worth it.

For leather, IMO it's screamin' for an ostrich band. 

My third choice (though it could easily be my second) would be exactly what you have on there - that looks good on that watch.

There are plenty of pricey vintage-style straps out there - how much are you looking to spend? I have bought vintage straps like that from a small maker in the midwest called Lake House Leathers. They work with Chromexcel leader out of the Chicago tannery. They were inexpensively priced, and given they were US-made from US-tanned leather, I couldn't resist. Might be worth checking out their catalog.

 

Thanks for these suggestions. I am slowly going through them and waiting to find something that jumps off the screen to me in the price range I want. Honestly, since I believe the watch is probably not particularly pricey (seemingly comparable watches seem like they're between $100 and $300 on the used market online), I probably will try and keep it not much more than $50 and definitely below $100, unless I find out somewhere that this model is special or something. Supposedly the "supertest" movement were their higher end movements, so who knows. But as of this moment, wearing a strap that is potentially worth more than the watch seems weird to me.

Also, since you're such a watch nerd I encourage you to look into Enicar... not necessarily to buy but just for the history. I hadn't even heard of the company at all until I came into this watch, and have had to do some deep dives to figure out exactly what it is I have. And even then, I'm still not exactly sure. But the company has some very very interesting history, and apparently has its own kind of vintage watch subculture. The company that sells watches under the brand now is unrelated historically, other than someone bought the name in the 80s when the whole Quartz crisis sunk them. But up through the 70s, they made all sorts of great watches in a huge variety of styles, from traditional mid-century like mine to some pretty space age looking stuff. 

[RebelAlliance]

On 8/5/2022 at 12:11 PM, TheSanDiegan said:

Check out WatchGecko.com, B&R Bands (BandRBands.com), and comb Jomashop for straps - they usually have a hooj selection.

For me personally, that watch is screaming for a Eulit Person strap. You might have to buy two to get the gold-plated hardware to match, but IMO it would be worth it.

For leather, IMO it's screamin' for an ostrich band. 

My third choice (though it could easily be my second) would be exactly what you have on there - that looks good on that watch.

There are plenty of pricey vintage-style straps out there - how much are you looking to spend? I have bought vintage straps like that from a small maker in the midwest called Lake House Leathers. They work with Chromexcel leader out of the Chicago tannery. They were inexpensively priced, and given they were US-made from US-tanned leather, I couldn't resist. Might be worth checking out their catalog.

 

Also try Ashland Leather.  It was started by a former Horween worker and is located right down the street.  I'm not sure if they still do it, but they will do bespoke straps (I had a 21mm black Horween shell cordovan done for my Omega).

 

https://ashlandleather.com/

[RebelAlliance]

I'm going to put this here because it seems like there'd be a lot of crossover with watch people.  This guy finds old 70s key fobs at flea markets around the UK, rehabs the badges and puts them on new hand stitched leather fobs.  I bought one that matched my first car.  It's really hand crafted artisan shit here.  Included a handwritten thank you note from the owner.

https://classicleatherfobs.co.uk/online-shop/

And no, my first car wasn't a Ferrari.

[TheSanDiegan]

The Bump and I went to see the San Diego Symphony Orchestra's John Williams 90th birthday celebration last night at the 1-year old Rady Shell, a waterfront work of art that is our own outdoor version of the Sydney Opera House. Had a Ball.

[Stealthlobo]

Oris just released the Oris cotton candy diver on new straps. Inquiring with my AD to see if he can get a strap separate for my gf's watch. I think they look pretty sick.

[NMpackalum]

Got this in today. Pretty bling and too big for my wrist but kinda cool.

[TheSanDiegan]

On 8/18/2022 at 6:26 PM, NMpackalum said:

Got this in today. Pretty bling and too big for my wrist but kinda cool.

The photo isn't showing up. 

[smltwnrckr]

On 8/18/2022 at 6:26 PM, NMpackalum said:

Got this in today. Pretty bling and too big for my wrist but kinda cool.

Im.gonna get one of the original plastic ones one of these days as my workout and sports watch. The metal ones are boss looking.

[Stealthlobo]

On 8/18/2022 at 7:26 PM, NMpackalum said:

Got this in today. Pretty bling and too big for my wrist but kinda cool.

Nice! I was looking at the rose gold one for a possible nice summer watch

https://api.watchville.co/v2/posts/73016/click

[TheSanDiegan]

On 8/18/2022 at 6:50 PM, smltwnrckr said:

Im.gonna get one of the original plastic ones one of these days as my workout and sports watch. The metal ones are boss looking.

Still my Can't-Kill-It-If-I-Tried watch. If cutting trees or clearing brush around the property, changing brake pads in the garage, or mountain biking, it's what on my wrist.