A 28mm Borgel-cased (still has serial number) 1930s Vertex Allproof. Needs new acrylic as there are two cracks, but it is very legible still. The Allproof text has lost its lustre a little, but I quite like how this one has that “used” look. These can be quite pricey, I have seen them anywhere up to £300 with some stories as to how they were issued to grandparents in the military (hard to prove), or how it is a referenced model in certain publications (this watch and model, in the Borgel, is what one would call a standard), but I nabbed it for £75, probably because it is a little more battle-hardened than most.
I was after one of these for a long time, but more as a trifle rather than a necessity, so happy to get one for a relatively reasonable price (I could get 2-3 decent vintage for that following my brief). Doesn’t drop much time, and I have not needed to check the movement, which is a ball-ache to access, and I believe is a 15J Revue calibre. They don’t make them like this anymore.
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Chris
You have woken me from a particularly good dream…
London
Member since
Last active: 33 min ago
7.50” / 19.05 cm
This is a stunning watch. Great job finding it!
Borgel cases were the gold standard for being tough and waterproof until the modern dive watch. That case looks modern on an obviously pre-war watch.
Borgel cases were the gold standard for being tough and waterproof until the modern dive watch. That case looks modern on an obviously pre-war watch.
I often think that because Vertex were making these throughout the 1930s, that is one of the reasons why they weren’t part of the ATP lineup. Speculative, but I would throw that into the ring, because on paper this is quite a meaty option. Why make a more durable field watch when we have the Borgel-cased Allproof? The WWW would have been a whole new challenge.
The Allproof is an adventuring watch, but 1930s style.
Borgel serial numbers are found on the base of the case above the fixed lug, just in case anyone was interested in what to look for.
I often think that because Vertex were making these throughout the 1930s, that is one of the reasons why they weren’t part of the ATP lineup. Speculative, but I would throw that into the ring, because on paper this is quite a meaty option. Why make a more durable field watch when we have the Borgel-cased Allproof? The WWW would have been a whole new challenge.
The Allproof is an adventuring watch, but 1930s style.
Borgel serial numbers are found on the base of the case above the fixed lug, just in case anyone was interested in what to look for.
My guess is because Taubert could not make enough of them (after 1924 it is technically a Taubert case).
I have those case numbers on an old Mido and every West End that I own. To my knowledge, no case number database exists that is large enough to tell us what exactly those numbers mean.
My guess is because Taubert could not make enough of them (after 1924 it is technically a Taubert case).
I have those case numbers on an old Mido and every West End that I own. To my knowledge, no case number database exists that is large enough to tell us what exactly those numbers mean.
There is that; if they don’t need the additional stress.
True re: numbers, but this shape, and those numbers = Borgel (Taubert)
Definitely it’s a keeper!