Watches from each decade, 2023 edition - Share your watches Part 5: The 50s
(*illustration photo by Etienne Malec*)
I think it is fair to say that the 50s is about travelling. With steadily raised incomes the car was within reach for more and more people. Further more the gas prices where low so the car could be used longer distances.
With cheap fuel people could afford longer rides between their home and their work. You where actually able to move out from city centers. New living areas rose a bit away and we saw the suburbs growing.
Another possibility was to take the family in the car on vacation. Maybe go camping.
Another type of travel was the battle of the space. Which of course in the cold war area was a struggle for military superiority. The battle was between The Soviet Union and USA. Political events, like Fidel Castros revolution on Cuba, effected the power balance. Soviet, with their Sputnik, took the lead and it was not until the late 60s it was clear that USA would win the race.
To me personally the 50s represent the start of the peak time of watch design. Classic watches for everyday wear. Today we probably consider them dress watches. But not only those. Many classic sport watches was introduced during the 50s.
https://youtu.be/1KVj5BSSeBE?si=8vsrCRtwEbm_eORS
If you have watches from the 50s don’t hesitate to share with the rest of us.
I collect new as well as vintage. I have a weak spot for 50s and 60s Omegas. Besides from those I consider myself allround.
Thanks very nice post 👏👏👏
I do not have any 1950's pieces... Yet. My family didn't really consider watches as heirloom items.
I will have one at some point though, as I want one my grandfathers might have worn.
Thanks very nice post 👏👏👏
Thank you🙏
I do not have any 1950's pieces... Yet. My family didn't really consider watches as heirloom items.
I will have one at some point though, as I want one my grandfathers might have worn.
I didn’t inherited any either. My folks wasn’t really watch people. I compensation for that later👍 You are most welcome when the time has arrived!
Great post. Thanks.
I’ve had a couple! The two Omegas below are from 1952 and the one in the last photo is from 1958:
I’ve had a couple! The two Omegas below are from 1952 and the one in the last photo is from 1958:
Thank you for sharing🙏 We seems to share a love for vintage Omegas. Very nice samples from the era👌
Per thank you for sharing Brother. It's Thanksgiving in the US. I'm grateful to have you as a WC Friend! I always learn a lot from your posts. I once owned an Omega from the 50s. Of course being young and dumb I sold it! Sigh... I love this erra
Great post!
One of my all time favourite watches snuck into the 1950's ... just: The Certina DS.
Here's my 'patent pending' from '59. ☻
As you know, watches from the 1950's are exceedingly rare on the second hand market. They are very hard to find. 😉 Here are a few:
A few 50’s watches in my collection, including one rare pocket watch in aluminium.
Here are a couple of mine, Longines and Gruen Precision. I know that they are from the 50s. I don't remember the exact years though. I didn't write them down in my journal when I looked them up. That will give me something to do later on after I eat. Happy Thanksgiving!
This is a Doxa “Oversized” at 36mm from the 50s. Exactly the model my grandpa used to wear on a leather bund strap. One of my favorites in the collection.
They are all soo classic lol, nice time pieces
First thanks for another great post, keep on with great work. Finally I can chip in with 50's, here is 1953 IWC with cal. 89
Some sublime watches on here, well at last I can contribute
A 50s accurist, its a friends actually I had a new crystal put in it for him, and then he overwound it so back it came. I sorted that problem,simple fix just reverse wound it. Sort of glad I've contributed, sort of, I've just snapped the crown stem trying to put the back on 😪(only got one arm/hand at the moment) oh well another job for my watchmaker. This is a great series of posts, so thanks for setting it up (though I now wish I'd left the back on).
Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for sharing your friends nice watch🙏 My wish for your quick recovery and my condolences for your loss.
Two of my birth year watches -- 1950
Two of my birth year watches -- 1950
Two beautiful samples👌 Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely wonderful watch CLASSY ……!!! Enjoy it your very lucky 🍀
And that Doxa is superb…!!!!
So very cool …!!!
What a fantastic piece of art your very lucky 🍀 enjoy it and keep on ticking …!!!!
I have three from the 50s:
Zenith Stellina "Jumbo" -- one of my favorite watches that I own. Got it in Rome in March of this year and still deeply in love with it.
Doxa military watch -- a gift. There's a crack on the crystal at the 7'oclock marker. I'm having the crystral replaced next week.
Wittnauer, which is the newest and thinnest of the bunch. Problematic short lugs. Finding curved straps is a pain. Nonetheless, I love it.
I have three from the 50s:
Zenith Stellina "Jumbo" -- one of my favorite watches that I own. Got it in Rome in March of this year and still deeply in love with it.
Doxa military watch -- a gift. There's a crack on the crystal at the 7'oclock marker. I'm having the crystral replaced next week.
Wittnauer, which is the newest and thinnest of the bunch. Problematic short lugs. Finding curved straps is a pain. Nonetheless, I love it.
Dress(ier)pieces from the 50s are so elegant. 3 beautiful samples you got there. Thank you for sharing.
How did I miss this? Stupid algorithm.
1957 Rolex 6590 Oyster Perpetual "Bombay":
How did I miss this? Stupid algorithm.
1957 Rolex 6590 Oyster Perpetual "Bombay":
It’s never too late. Great patina and perfect matched strap👌 Thank you for sharing!
I don't have 1950s watches but I do have watches that were inspired by the design language of the 50s!!! First, I have the VAER C3 Tradition, which takes inspiration of the Rolex Explorer 1016
Second, I have the Lorier Neptune, which takes inspiration of the 1957 OMEGA Seamaster 300 and the Tudor Submariner Big Crown from the 50s
I don't have 1950s watches but I do have watches that were inspired by the design language of the 50s!!! First, I have the VAER C3 Tradition, which takes inspiration of the Rolex Explorer 1016
Second, I have the Lorier Neptune, which takes inspiration of the 1957 OMEGA Seamaster 300 and the Tudor Submariner Big Crown from the 50s
Beautiful watches. Even if I like vintage watches I do appreciate a modern reissue with modern spec just to feel more comfortable wearing them. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful watches. Even if I like vintage watches I do appreciate a modern reissue with modern spec just to feel more comfortable wearing them. Thank you for sharing!
I agree!!! As much as I love vintage watches, there's a lot of risks buying and wearing them. Having a vintage reissue gives me the look without having to worry about babying the watch
So nice👌 Do you know the ref? I have a 2782-3 that looks similar. Thank you for sharing and congratulation to your marriage!
This one is 2852 2853 SC, sorry for the delayed response!