My grandfather was a #watchmaker in Iraq in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. He had a factory with 25 watchmakers who made his watches and movements in house from Swiss parts. One of his brands was “Aladdin”.
The watch I’m wearing is one of his #diver designs from the early 70s. It is #manualwind, has a friction #divewatch bezel, a date complication, and a separate seconds register. The crystal is scratched up and the watch needs servicing, but I love it!
I wore this through high school and thought it was the coolest watch around! 🤣
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Omar
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Austin, TX, USA
Member since
Last active: 10 hrs ago
20.96 cm
Magnificent watch! It’s funny the things we don’t treasure until the person connected with them is gone.
Magnificent watch! It’s funny the things we don’t treasure until the person connected with them is gone.
Thank you!
Yes, you’re absolutely right. Because my grandfather was a watchmaker, I knew that every birthday I was going to get a watch. I’m embarrassed to say now, but as a kid I was annoyed with getting another watch!
I now have seven of them (each different) and I can’t find the other watches he gave me. The are my most prized possessions, and I’ll be passing them on to my kids after I’m gone.
It’s pretty cool having something like a watch that a grandparent made. Maybe one day his great, great grandchildren will be wearing them!
Thank you!
Yes, you’re absolutely right. Because my grandfather was a watchmaker, I knew that every birthday I was going to get a watch. I’m embarrassed to say now, but as a kid I was annoyed with getting another watch!
I now have seven of them (each different) and I can’t find the other watches he gave me. The are my most prized possessions, and I’ll be passing them on to my kids after I’m gone.
It’s pretty cool having something like a watch that a grandparent made. Maybe one day his great, great grandchildren will be wearing them!
You’re comment just choked me up. There are so many things I didn’t appreciate while my grandpa was alive. So many. What I wouldn’t give for 5 minutes with him now.
Thank you my friend.
Very interesting story and watch. Iraq was heaven at that period of time. I hope it comes back soon.
Thank you for sharing.
Very interesting story and watch. Iraq was heaven at that period of time. I hope it comes back soon.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. Yes, the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s were Iraq’s golden years. The dinar was strong, the country was wealthy, universities and healthcare were nearly free, literacy was very high, and the daily life of the average citizen was as good as anywhere in Europe.
Over time, everything crumbles. It’s entropy.
Great story Omar and what a connection! Fantastic vintage watch! Thanks for sharing your family's story.
This is awesome!!
This is awesome!!
Thank you, James!