WORLDWIDE Chapter 149 Message Board

Jon · Chapter President

POCKET WATCH case polishers, buffers, dippers--now that your well worn case is shin-ey BUT RUINED, you will now need used crystals, bows and crowns. After all, how much more silly do you want to make your watches? Rolling Eyes

StephanG · Friend of 149

Whether you are an experienced collector, new to the hobby or just looking for an unusual gift, xxxxx.com offers a wide variety of vintage time pieces. Specializing in pocket watches from great American factories like Hamilton, Illinois, the American Watch Company of Waltham and the National Watch Company of Elgin, this site frequently has items from Ball, Hampden, Howard, Rockford and others.

I just borrowed this from a vintage watch sales site.
Name altered to protect the innocent but the rest is a direct copy.

Tell me again the part about nobody would use a rare watch these days.

The fact that they are rare is the whole point !

KennyHabeeb · Chapter Member

Good grief. That means nothing. Talk is cheap. It's an advert!

StephanG · Friend of 149

I know several people using old MG's from the 50's as every day commuters.

In fact old cars are so popular several companies have build retro cars that are new but look old.

Some old watches get used as well.

I repeat I wouldn't do these things but I am aware that it does happen.

StephanG · Friend of 149

Is this preservation or desecration.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/classic-cars-race-in-peking-to-paris-rally-2013-6?op=1#on-may-28-the-cars-took-off-from-beijing-starting-the-7500-mile-journey-1

Jon · Chapter President

Stephan, if you owed a cherry and/or all original antique car, would you run in this event?

StephanG · Friend of 149

I would not but I accept the fact that others do and that does not make them cretins or destroyers or whatever.

They would argue that's what the things were built for.

It is also interesting to note that pre Civil war watches often attract a premium for no other reason than the date they were made.

Is this because they are nicer or more desirable or better looking

or

could it be that there are a whole bunch of people out there who like to dress up in old clothes and run around re enacting battles from the past with an appropriate watch in their pocket.

I would call that using them.

KennyHabeeb · Chapter Member

Actually, few of those people have a quality timepiece, much less one of real value. Probably half of the items they pick up for those re-enactments is a reproduction. I know this because I went to one and asked around. I also asked if anyone was interested in buying an American Civil War era pocket watch. I was going to make it a good deal. No interest. Not even to look at what I brought. Maybe it was an odd day for such a thing. But I know they will spend good money on a Zoave Company outfit.

darrah · Chapter Member

I have had and am having the opposite experience. I routinely clean and refurbish watches for a fellow that gives watches to his buddies so they will not have to use battery operated pocket watches during battle re-enactments. They like to be dressed as realistic as possible. He gives them as presents and, according to him, they use and appreciate them very much. Most are good quality well known American pocket watch brands. His friends are lucky in that he has the funds and is willing to share. I don't know if his friends would throw away their battery operations watches for original vintage ones if they were individually paying for them but , according to him,they have been having quite a gift exchange among them for a long time.

KennyHabeeb · Chapter Member

Free is free, Darrah. Who's going to argue?! Wink

For a lot of those guys, as soon as you get to three figures, their blink rate goes to zero, and the battery-op device will just have to do until happy sam passes out another real deal for free.

K

Jon · Chapter President

FEI, one of our dear departed members, Whit Joyner, was not only a CW buff but he lectured at hundreds of events in the South, even at some universities.

Talk of modern watches at any re-inactment? He is now rolling over in his grave.

StephanG · Friend of 149

Just found this magazine and while it is about cars and not watches I believe it is most relevant to this discussion.

https://www.survivorcaraustralia.com.au/about-survivor-car-australia.html

The key point to note is that these increasingly rare Gems continue to be used.

gemeyr4 · Chapter Member

The key point is "After all, they are only original once!"

StephanG · Friend of 149