The Watch is Wak
This isn't one of those deep "ponder the universe through a watch" kind of posts. This is a "look my my new watch" kind of post. I struggle sometimes to get the reflection of the numerals and indices on these old watches with my phone. Hence, the glare filled picture. But, it is part of their charm. I think that this is a 1950's piece. The flat metal indices only reflect at a certain angle. Seiko, and others, would take this to a new level in the 1960's.
Wakmann is an odd brand, mostly forgotten today, except for the vintage chronograph collectors (those lost souls). Icko Wakmann started in Russia, moved to Switzerland, then Portugal, and on to New York by 1946 or so. Here is what we know, summarized better than I could: https://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?/topic/129088-icko-wakmann-breitling-and-the-wakmann-watch-company/
His early connections to Gigandet and later associations with Breitling make collectors search for these watches, especially chronographs. I have yet to pop the back to see if I hit the lottery, but I doubt that there is a Breitling movement lurking behind the case back. I think that this was one of his "working man" lines with a more pedestrian Swiss movement.
Post your Wakmann watches if you have them.
Restitutor Orbis. Aristocrat of beauty. Autocrat of time. (Trying to perfect trolling over at theescapementroom.com)
nice watch if the lume is safe. It has vintage charm like a pie pan Omega
I've heard of Wakmann! I must be learning some things.
I've heard of it in relation to Alsta watches. I believe they used to be sold with Wakmann on the dial at some point
This isn't my watch sadly. Yours is beautiful.
Thanks for the history lesson, even if it wasn’t your original material. Great story.
Really like that dial. The vertical lined outher ring with golden indicies and numbers is pure art. Cant’t say that the strap is approriate for the era🧐 but it works perfect. And 50s you say…
Thanks for the history lesson, even if it wasn’t your original material. Great story.
Really like that dial. The vertical lined outher ring with golden indicies and numbers is pure art. Cant’t say that the strap is approriate for the era🧐 but it works perfect. And 50s you say…
I take back everything that I ever said about the 1950's.
Edit: It had a nasty old hair grabbing expando-band on it.
Now that's just lovely.
I was not familiar with Wakmann until this post. I ❤️ that dial with all the ❤️S on the Internet. Great find!
Very interesting and entirely new to me. Wakmann is a great name...once you've heard it you won't forget it!
NATO strap all the way ✅ I‘ve rocked most of my sports models on NATO
My only Wakmann
My only Wakmann
I remember your complaints about it.
I remember your complaints about it.
Yeah, I still like it, but would appreciate it much more if it had an original dial.
Very cool! Never heard of them, but that is a cool story.