I have made a beautiful beginner's mistake
Recently I bought a longines conquest electronic at a Flea market for about 250 euro, I was stunned by the beauty of this dial that present green rust on it, I bought it because of this defect it was so nice to look at.
When I went home I realized that I made a really big mistake because the rust could compromise the movement and certanly the water sealing is not granted anymore (a really beginner's mistake).
The movement itslef is working perfectly but I am still worried for the future and the conditions of the general mechanism.
I would like to know what do think about the watch itslef and....
Did you ever make similar mistakes at the beginning of your watch journey?
Am I the only one that found its defects (the rust) beatiful?
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On any vintage watch, it's pretty much a given that the WR is non existent. In the case of a mechanical, you can have the watch serviced and the lubrication brought up to spec. In the case of a quartz movement, you're a bit more limited as the person working on it needs to understand the movement they're working on so you might be a bit limited on watchmakers you can go to. As far as dial patina goes though, it doesn't always speak to damage on the movement side as different coatings react differently over time to UV exposure, moisture (even in microscopic amounts) and chemical interaction with the underlying metal of the dial.
You like it and it's still working within spec. I'd keep an eye on any rapid changes with wear otherwise, just enjoy it.
That is an ETA 9150 movement. Have the same in my Rotary Electronic GT.
I wouldn't say you've made mistake as the watch is running & all vintage watches won't be water resistant unless the seal have been changed. Just to mention this has an electronic balance movement not a quartz movement. These were popular up to the early 1970s when quartz superseded the technology as it was more accurate, but they are interesting none the less
That is an ETA 9150 movement. Have the same in my Rotary Electronic GT.
Yes they are based on the same movement. In particular mine, if I am not wrong should be the ESA 9154, a later adjustement or improvement of the previuos version.
What mistake? If the movement is running fine, get the gaskets changed and enjoy. It's a beautiful watch!
Not a mistake, I started collecting some vintages and its hit and miss. I assume none f them will be WR. I also collect dials and movements and I think I have some real hidden gems among them. I have a few Brietling Dials, Hamilton, Bulova and several others. They are like works of art. You're watch is beautiful!
Electronic without a tuning fork, didn't know that existed. Thanks for giving me another one to hunt. As far as I'm concerned you made a fine catch. Congrats and enjoy that beauty.
The watch is stunning. This is what I would do if it were mine. Firstly I would put it on a timegrapher, that will give you an idea regarding the condition of the movement. If the accuracy and beat error are reasonable, and the amplitude is above about 225 I wouldn't bother getting it serviced, otherwise it's worth spending the money. You can clean up the case yourself using cape cod cloths, they are very good. Don't expect any sort of water resistance, but it's worth putting in a new seal just in case of an accident.
STOP PRESS, I just noticed it says electronic on the dial. Change the seal, and while you have the back off put in a new battery.
No mistake! Great vintage piece. Lots of input on service in this post. You will have it running and enjoy!
On any vintage watch, it's pretty much a given that the WR is non existent. In the case of a mechanical, you can have the watch serviced and the lubrication brought up to spec. In the case of a quartz movement, you're a bit more limited as the person working on it needs to understand the movement they're working on so you might be a bit limited on watchmakers you can go to. As far as dial patina goes though, it doesn't always speak to damage on the movement side as different coatings react differently over time to UV exposure, moisture (even in microscopic amounts) and chemical interaction with the underlying metal of the dial.
You like it and it's still working within spec. I'd keep an eye on any rapid changes with wear otherwise, just enjoy it.
This comment summed it up pretty well