Another Vintage Watch
Timex Automatic Viscount 1956/7
I'm pretty sure I said back in January “no more watches”. Ha! That didn't last long.
Here is my latest acquisition.. a 1956 or 57 Timex Viscount, as it came to me. A little grimy and a fake leather strap, but looked pretty good.
As far as I can see, Timex only made this particular model with this dial for two years (56 and 57). Unfortunately, the ink date stamp that Timex place on the inside of the case back has long faded to obscurity.
For those of you who know me, it will come as no surprise that this one was made in Great Britain.. or more specifically, Dundee, Scotland.
I'm obviously not in the same league as Stephen @TimexBadger but I have a few now, and didn't need another. But I liked the style of this (it reminded me of a vintage Smiths Everest), and I managed to pick it up for an absolute bargain price as a non-runner.
I thought at the very least.. I'll get my money back on a resell if I couldn't get it working. To be honest though, I've no idea what was supposed to be wrong with it. A quick cleaning of the works with my puffer and a dab of oil as instructed on the Heritage 1854 website (an absolute treasure chest of info for vintage Timex lovers), and it started running.
From the Heritage 1854 website
If anyone can tell me what USCL means on the pic above, I'd appreciate it.
With the hard work done. It was time to clean off the six decades of DNA and replace the dull faux leather brown strap with something more bold. I have no idea why Timex thought 17.5mm was a good idea for lug width, though.
All good then.. no, not quite. After 24 hours it, is running about six minutes fast but when I tried to remove the case back again to adjust it, I found it was stuck fast. The little lip that you use to pry it open had rounded off with my first attempt and now there is no leverage for the tool. Any ideas how to get it off?
Yonder.. the man who stares at watches. 🥸
I hope you can get the caseback off! Anyway, I’m really digging the red strap on this one 👍
I hope you can get the caseback off! Anyway, I’m really digging the red strap on this one 👍
Thank you, Eddie 🤓
Did you put an 18mm strap on there and squeeze it to fit? Or do you casually have 17.5mm straps lying around the house? 😂
Good job getting it running John. Love the history 👍
Did you put an 18mm strap on there and squeeze it to fit? Or do you casually have 17.5mm straps lying around the house? 😂
Lol.. I know if only one place I could have found a 17.5mm strap, but unfortunately, Ronnie's place shut down years ago. If you're not familiar with the Two Ronnie's check out the Four Candles sketch on YouTube, it's hilarious 😆 https://youtu.be/gi_6SaqVQSw?si=iS0uKESnmuHIKQqW
Good job getting it running John. Love the history 👍
Thanks Chris 🤓
I cut myself when removing the caseback from a ladies watch, similar problem. The caseback tool was too large, so I ended up using a pocket knife blade. Find a way of securing the watch other than between your fingers. 🙄
If / when you do remove it, file a bit off that area, so that the problem won't recurr.
I cut myself when removing the caseback from a ladies watch, similar problem. The caseback tool was too large, so I ended up using a pocket knife blade. Find a way of securing the watch other than between your fingers. 🙄
If / when you do remove it, file a bit off that area, so that the problem won't recurr.
Thanks for the tip 🤓
John you just have the coolest vintage watches. I’ve never seen this Timex before and it’s super cool, reminds me of a Tudor 1926. I hope you get the case back open to adjust the movement 🙏🏻
John that is a beauty and you did an amazing job cleaning it up. Was this the watch that was used for the Demonstrator models? When I think of Timex I think of the Marlin and all its variations. Lastly, I may have more Timex watches, but your expertise and knowledge surpasses mine by miles.
Good luck trying to get the case back off. This is what I use and it only failed me a couple of times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=y4fpAWSjLAg
Dude this is sick!!!
Good looking watch but a 17.5mm lug width is just mean
John that is a beauty and you did an amazing job cleaning it up. Was this the watch that was used for the Demonstrator models? When I think of Timex I think of the Marlin and all its variations. Lastly, I may have more Timex watches, but your expertise and knowledge surpasses mine by miles.
Good luck trying to get the case back off. This is what I use and it only failed me a couple of times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=y4fpAWSjLAg
I gotta get one of those, thanks! 🍻
John, what a great find! That Timex is superb! 🍻
Very nice watch, hope you get the accuracy sorted.
That is one beautiful Timex John. I really like the bold red strap. Hope you get that case back figured out.
Thanks Peter 🤓
Lol.. I know if only one place I could have found a 17.5mm strap, but unfortunately, Ronnie's place shut down years ago. If you're not familiar with the Two Ronnie's check out the Four Candles sketch on YouTube, it's hilarious 😆 https://youtu.be/gi_6SaqVQSw?si=iS0uKESnmuHIKQqW
you should be able to get an 18mm and carefully trim the edges/part between the lugs with an Xacto knife to work!
Just ordered one, thank you. 👍
You're Welcome. I'm sure your going to love it.
Works for me, thanks Stephen 👍🏻
Great thanks John. I sent Eliminator another link and he said he just ordered it. It was a game changer for me because I could never get the case backs off with the knife all the kits include and I almost stabbed a hole in my hand a few times. lol
Belter. Might be worth investing in a caseback removal tool, the kinds with 2, 3 or 4 levers similar to a bezel removal tool.
Model 21, 22, 23, 26, 29 PDF reference
“USCL” is probably the pre-Viscount reference number. In 1957 they started using 40141. Still looking for catalogs and materials from 56, but I can’t seem to locate where they got it from. It’s not on the website.
Here’s a couple later model Viscount references after they switched to numerals…
“USCL” is probably the pre-Viscount reference number. In 1957 they started using 40141. Still looking for catalogs and materials from 56, but I can’t seem to locate where they got it from. It’s not on the website.
Here’s a couple later model Viscount references after they switched to numerals…
Thanks Al. I really appreciate you taking the time to do some checking for me.
I already have the movement code PDF and it was from this I figured out where to oil. The other two images you have supplied are very interesting and I thank you for them.
I also found this piece of information which breaks down the 40141 code. I haven't found anything with USCL yet, but I think your probably right.
Thanks Al. I really appreciate you taking the time to do some checking for me.
I already have the movement code PDF and it was from this I figured out where to oil. The other two images you have supplied are very interesting and I thank you for them.
I also found this piece of information which breaks down the 40141 code. I haven't found anything with USCL yet, but I think your probably right.
Glad to poke around and learn a few things, John!
From the older pre-1957 materials it looks like they used some alphabet style soup configuration/model designator.
I’d wager “USCL” is something like
U = Automatic / Viscount series
S = sweep?
C = Chrome bezel
L = Leather
Maybe even a typo on the Heritage 1854 site if it’s actually supposed to be “UCSL” to stay in line with the series-metal color-dial/sweep-band pattern
1950:
1956:
you should be able to get an 18mm and carefully trim the edges/part between the lugs with an Xacto knife to work!
👍🏻 I bought two 18mm straps to go with it. The red one you see here is quite supple and squeezed right on. I also got a brown one which is thicker and not so flexible. I'll definitely have to shave a whisker off to make it fit 🤓
Glad to poke around and learn a few things, John!
From the older pre-1957 materials it looks like they used some alphabet style soup configuration/model designator.
I’d wager “USCL” is something like
U = Automatic / Viscount series
S = sweep?
C = Chrome bezel
L = Leather
Maybe even a typo on the Heritage 1854 site if it’s actually supposed to be “UCSL” to stay in line with the series-metal color-dial/sweep-band pattern
1950:
1956:
Al you're a genius. I don't know where you found that model code listing from 1950 but I'd bet you are correct on U standing for Auto or Viscount. They obviously couldn't use A as it had already been used.
Thanks again, my friend 🤓
👍🏻 I bought two 18mm straps to go with it. The red one you see here is quite supple and squeezed right on. I also got a brown one which is thicker and not so flexible. I'll definitely have to shave a whisker off to make it fit 🤓
I also meant to say.. I wonder if @TimexBadger has that Marlin stand in his Timex museum 🤔
I also meant to say.. I wonder if @TimexBadger has that Marlin stand in his Timex museum 🤔
Hey John, I do have one very close to that one and it lights up. ; )
Hey John, I do have one very close to that one and it lights up. ; )
Lol.. I thought you might 🤓
You're Welcome. I'm sure your going to love it.
I do, so easy to use, thanks again.