Lets Talk Watches

[hednic]

Never heard of them.

Nor have I.

 

[Diddy]

I have recently purchased a few "marriage" watches, which are vintage pocket watches which have been made into wrist watches. They are almost all from the Ukraine, and include many Omega, IWC, Hamilton, and also some Pateks and Rolex. Many are truly one of a kind, as they are in amazing condition for 100 year old pocket watches that were not made in large quantities and were now converted into wrist watches. Many watch collectors consider them to be "abominations", but I love the ones I have. Do any of you have experience with them?

That could be due to the market having several iterations which are simply not well done. Also, purists may scoff at the history of them being messed with. When masterfully created, I find them to be very fun and unique. I've had my eye on the lookout for something done right. In the end, I may have a master jeweler create something for me for fun wear at parties etc.

 

[wood&leather]

I have recently purchased a few "marriage" watches, which are vintage pocket watches which have been made into wrist watches. They are almost all from the Ukraine, and include many Omega, IWC, Hamilton, and also some Pateks and Rolex. Many are truly one of a kind

uhhh I think you're referring to what watch folk call "Frankenwatches" as in "Frankenstein" as in a vintage watch without its original parts, replaced with either fake or completely different components all together.

"Marriage" is quite the optimistic word to use to describe fake vintage watch. It'd could probably be pushed as "one of a kind art" if these "art pieces" were produced anywhere other than Ukraine and India.

 

[Pallas Athena]

uhhh I think you're referring to what watch folk call "Frankenwatches" as in "Frankenstein" as in a vintage watch without its original parts, replaced with either fake or completely different components all together.

"Marriage" is quite the optimistic word to use to describe fake vintage watch. It'd could probably be pushed as "one of a kind art" if these "art pieces" were produced anywhere other than Ukraine and India.

No. That's something completely different.

 

[wood&leather]

My daily driver. Won't win a popularity contest, but I like it. particularly the red strip that replaces the traditional running seconds on the left

 

[hednic]

Rolex 1978 GMT Master
View attachment 88837

Very nice! Hard to tell from the photo - Is that 18K or Stainless?

 

[ChuckW]

I just ordered a Jack Mason Aviator with a steel bracelet. What I really want is an IWC Mark XVIII or a Tudor, but this watch will do me until I get some debts paid off.

 

[wood&leather]

I just ordered a Jack Mason Aviator with a steel bracelet. What I really want is an IWC Mark XVIII or a Tudor, but this watch will do me until I get some debts paid off.

Never heard of that brand but just checked it out. That's a nicely done pilot design. Hamilton has some nice pilots around that price point as well. I feel your pain about holding off on a purchase. I'm currently making myself hold off on a Glashutte Panomatic Lunar but I WILL have it. Gorgeous design.

 

[ChuckW]

Never heard of that brand but just checked it out. That's a nicely done pilot design. Hamilton has some nice pilots around that price point as well. I feel your pain about holding off on a purchase. I'm currently making myself hold off on a Glashutte Panomatic Lunar but I WILL have it. Gorgeous design.

Good luck! Glashutte makes some beautiful watches.

 

[bklow]

I just ordered a Jack Mason Aviator with a steel bracelet. What I really want is an IWC Mark XVIII or a Tudor, but this watch will do me until I get some debts paid off.

Le Petit Prince version or the black dial? I like the Le Petit Prince much better. Every time I tried on the black dial, it just looked so drab in person with all brushed surfaces that I never ended up buying one. I think IWC has one of the best blue dial colors on the market, but Breitling's new Navitimer 8 with it's bezel and date positioning has my interest.

 

[ChuckW]

Le Petit Prince version or the black dial? I like the Le Petit Prince much better. Every time I tried on the black dial, it just looked so drab in person with all brushed surfaces that I never ended up buying one. I think IWC has one of the best blue dial colors on the market, but Breitling's new Navitimer 8 with it's bezel and date positioning has my interest.

View attachment 89890

Tough decision. Does the 40 mm come in blue?

 

[bklow]

Tough decision. Does the 40 mm come in blue?

I was wondering if you wanted the blue or black dial IWC.

The Breitling's are 41mm, the IWC's are 40mm. Blue and black available in both sizes.

 

[ChuckW]

I was wondering if you wanted the blue or black dial IWC.

The Breitling's are 41mm, the IWC's are 40mm. Blue and black available in both sizes.

Thanks. I guess I’d have to see them both in person. I do like the IWC better.

 

[wood&leather]

Le Petit Prince version or the black dial? I like the Le Petit Prince much better. Every time I tried on the black dial, it just looked so drab in person

I hear that. Depends on the watch I think. I went in the Glashutte boutique in Paris to try on the Glashutte Panomatic Lunar varieties. I actually preferred the white dial as opposed to the blue because the blue seemed a little bit of a novelty look. Which is fine for me in the 1k to 3k segment, but 5k to 10k I prefer to look for more classic colors I guess. I'd definitely go with the petite prince in the use case you mentioned though.

 

[ChuckW]

I hear that. Depends on the watch I think. I went in the Glashutte boutique in Paris to try on the Glashutte Panomatic Lunar varieties. I actually preferred the white dial as opposed to the blue because the blue seemed a little bit of a novelty look. Which is fine for me in the 1k to 3k segment, but 5k to 10k I prefer to look for more classic colors I guess. I'd definitely go with the petite prince in the use case you mentioned though.

That’s really how I feel about blue. I have a blue Gucci, but in a high dollar watch, I really think I’d want black for versatility.

 

[stuigi]

I have been collecting watches for years, but just recently I have been buying "marriage" watches. These are primarily from the Ukraine and are vintage pocket watches that have been made into wrist watches. Purists often regard them as an "abomination", but many are one-of-a-kind. The number of any one high end pocket watches from the early 1900's that are still in excellent physical and running condition is small and the conversion pieces are indeed unique. I just bought a Patek and a Rolex and will try to post pictures when they arrive.

 

[bklow]

I have been collecting watches for years, but just recently I have been buying "marriage" watches. These are primarily from the Ukraine and are vintage pocket watches that have been made into wrist watches. Purists often regard them as an "abomination", but many are one-of-a-kind. The number of any one high end pocket watches from the early 1900's that are still in excellent physical and running condition is small and the conversion pieces are indeed unique. I just bought a Patek and a Rolex and will try to post pictures when they arrive.

I'm in the "abomination" crowd due to this statement "I just bought a Patek and a Rolex". You didn't buy a Patek or a Rolex. Likewise, putting some old Ferrari engine parts in a Pontiac Fiero and slapping a horse emblem on the hood doesn't mean you bought a Ferrari either.

If you like what you bought, that's great, but trying to pass them off as the real deal is just wrong.

 

[stuigi]

The Patek and Rolex pocket watches are all original parts. The only added parts are the wristwatch attachments.

 

[Pallas Athena]

I'm in the "abomination" crowd due to this statement "I just bought a Patek and a Rolex". You didn't buy a Patek or a Rolex. Likewise, putting some old Ferrari engine parts in a Pontiac Fiero and slapping a horse emblem on the hood doesn't mean you bought a Ferrari either.

If you like what you bought, that's great, but trying to pass them off as the real deal is just wrong.

I think you haven't read his post carefully enough.

 

[bklow]

I think you haven't read his post carefully enough.

I read and understand it. I am very familiar with the subject. Having collected watches for decades, I've watched (pun intended) the subject of these watches from the Ukraine come over and over on the watchuseek, rolex, and omega forums.