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JimInOz
路路Melbourne AustraliaI managed to win an eBay listing on Christmas Day last year. (EDIT - Actually 4th of January this year, I was confusing it with my last purchase in 2016 馃榿).
The pictures were rather vague as was the description and even with the poor pics, I could see a wrecked crystal and possible dial damage. Well, fortune favours the brave as they say so I jumped on it. Not only did it come in under USD$500, I also scored another Speidel Flexi bracelet to boot.
Sellers best photo.
Today I managed to set some time aside to see what I had. After removing the bracelet I had a good look at the case.
Wear was consistent with a tool watch that had been well used, but I couldn't see any evidence of polishing.
Before I opened the case, I had a look at the back and the amount of crud prompted me to get some pegwood and a damp toothbrush to get rid of anything that could get into the case on opening.
After a good scrub, it was ready to start the serious work. The caseback is nicely worn and mostly scratch free.
So now to remove the caseback. A squishy ball and even the Kong toy had no effect so it was off to the proper tool. That at least would save the tips of my circlip pliers 馃槈.
With the movement exposed I found a nicely preserved Caliber 865 with a serial number dating the movement to about 1968. It's a shame the seller or previous "opener" had taken more care with cleanliness, there are a number of specks of crud inside the movement but luckily very little corrosion and most of the screws and parts are unmutilated.
The movement looks like a good clean and oiling will be all that's needed.
On the dial side, I can see the hands are in very good condition for their age with complete and nicely aged lume. The markers are slightly tarnished and the lume dots mostly intact. There are two major spots on the dial (sweat? sneeze?) that may clean off taking lots of care.
So now that I know what I have, it's back into the case (safest place for it) until I can start on it without interruption.
In the meantime, these:
are winging their way to me all the way from Seattle via Erlanger and apparently, Upper West Ghana 馃槻.
I don't know WTF is going on there so I'll just have to trust Pitney Bowes.
More to follow.
The pictures were rather vague as was the description and even with the poor pics, I could see a wrecked crystal and possible dial damage. Well, fortune favours the brave as they say so I jumped on it. Not only did it come in under USD$500, I also scored another Speidel Flexi bracelet to boot.
Sellers best photo.
Today I managed to set some time aside to see what I had. After removing the bracelet I had a good look at the case.
Wear was consistent with a tool watch that had been well used, but I couldn't see any evidence of polishing.
Before I opened the case, I had a look at the back and the amount of crud prompted me to get some pegwood and a damp toothbrush to get rid of anything that could get into the case on opening.
After a good scrub, it was ready to start the serious work. The caseback is nicely worn and mostly scratch free.
So now to remove the caseback. A squishy ball and even the Kong toy had no effect so it was off to the proper tool. That at least would save the tips of my circlip pliers 馃槈.
With the movement exposed I found a nicely preserved Caliber 865 with a serial number dating the movement to about 1968. It's a shame the seller or previous "opener" had taken more care with cleanliness, there are a number of specks of crud inside the movement but luckily very little corrosion and most of the screws and parts are unmutilated.
The movement looks like a good clean and oiling will be all that's needed.
On the dial side, I can see the hands are in very good condition for their age with complete and nicely aged lume. The markers are slightly tarnished and the lume dots mostly intact. There are two major spots on the dial (sweat? sneeze?) that may clean off taking lots of care.
So now that I know what I have, it's back into the case (safest place for it) until I can start on it without interruption.
In the meantime, these:
are winging their way to me all the way from Seattle via Erlanger and apparently, Upper West Ghana 馃槻.
I don't know WTF is going on there so I'll just have to trust Pitney Bowes.
More to follow.
Edited:
