My Dads old watch
Rediscovered my dads old watch in a draw whilst looking for something else, it doesnt work and probably hasnt for 40 odd years or more, there is no name on the dial or case back which is marked 9ct gold.
The movement is marked 15 jewels Swiss made and has Pioneer stamped on it.
Two questions
1. Has anyone any info on this watch and
2. Is it worth having it serviced as Id love to see it running for sentimental reasons.
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Oh and Happy New year to all
It is a very cool cushion style case and many brands are trying to replicate the look. I have no insight to the brand, but if you can find a watch maker to clean it up and get it running, that would be a cool connection to your father on your wrist.
I can’t help with q1. But for q2 of course it’s worth it! The sentimental side of it is priceless.
Mikrolisk has it as Weill & Cie. That watch looks to be late 20's or 30's.
It is a very cool cushion style case and many brands are trying to replicate the look. I have no insight to the brand, but if you can find a watch maker to clean it up and get it running, that would be a cool connection to your father on your wrist.
"if you can find a watch maker to clean it up and get it running, that would be a cool connection to your father on your wrist. "
Thats what I thought, thanks for the comment. Ive not seen the watch for quite a while in fact I had forgotten all about it till the other day when I re found it.
I can’t help with q1. But for q2 of course it’s worth it! The sentimental side of it is priceless.
Thanks for chipping in, you make it sound so obvious..
I guess your right too, its only money and Id love to see it running.
If it was my dads watch I would get it serviced and running. It's a great looking watch!
That might be an AS 603… where did he pick this up, as Pioneer has some interesting branches depending on location and date and I don’t want to get you too excited? Personally, I would get it fixed for sentimental reasons, prices in UK should range from £150-£200, plus it’s a nice 15J Swiss mechanical, it’ll run like a dream.
That might be an AS 603… where did he pick this up, as Pioneer has some interesting branches depending on location and date and I don’t want to get you too excited? Personally, I would get it fixed for sentimental reasons, prices in UK should range from £150-£200, plus it’s a nice 15J Swiss mechanical, it’ll run like a dream.
Thanks Porthole. Not sure where he bought it but I believe it was on his wrist through WW2, he served in the Royal Artillery.
Definitely have it looked at get it running,it's a lovely watch and your dad's as well,two of the best reasons to resurrect it.
Thanks Porthole. Not sure where he bought it but I believe it was on his wrist through WW2, he served in the Royal Artillery.
Ok. It’s probably an offshoot of @Aurelian‘s finding if it’s pre-‘38. It would be interesting to know who made the case, it might be on the inside of the back cover. Later would be interesting, as it could be a Technos offshoot. Pioneer was also a name used in Canada in the 40s for Rolex, but dates make that unlikely. It’s very nice.
I‘d get it serviced. My default, despite my age, is mid-40s to 50s military/field sub-seconds, 28-33mm. I’ve got large wrists but they sit nice on a leather and are incredibly versatile. I’m at the stage in my career where I flip between site, boardroom and professional functions, I haven’t got time to faff about with a watch roll in between carrying suit bags. I’d get a couple of clip on 16mm straps in black and dark brown for the fixed-lugs, and have it in a roll with a CWC G10 to act as a regulator, but that’s just me.
If at all you have the means for it I think you should have it serviced/restored. It’s a beautiful watch, and it is a connection to your father. I wouldn’t say it’s a no-brainer, but close. Good luck!
Happy New Year!
If you will wear that watch you should have it restored and get a nice strap for it. If you will never wear it, then it is kind of a waste to go through the process. Years ago I had 2 family pieces restored but I never wore them. I ended up passing one along and donating the other.
Happy New Year!
If you will wear that watch you should have it restored and get a nice strap for it. If you will never wear it, then it is kind of a waste to go through the process. Years ago I had 2 family pieces restored but I never wore them. I ended up passing one along and donating the other.
That is the question isnt it John? I feel like I would like to see it running and even wear it occasionally but its so small at 28mm wide 30.3 incl the crown and a whopping 34.4 lug to lug!!
Now Im not a fan of big watches, only having a 6 3/4" wrist but its small even for me, so I doubt I would wear it all that much.
I know a local jeweller who has a great watch guy work for him, so I plan to go and see him and get a guesstimate on a service/ repair job and take it from there.
That might be an AS 603… where did he pick this up, as Pioneer has some interesting branches depending on location and date and I don’t want to get you too excited? Personally, I would get it fixed for sentimental reasons, prices in UK should range from £150-£200, plus it’s a nice 15J Swiss mechanical, it’ll run like a dream.
Porthole said "That might be an AS 603" . Pothole this is exciting, I googled AS 603 and found a link to a thread on another watch forum where pioneer watch movements were being discussed and found a picture of an AS 603 movement which, to my eyes, look identical to my dads watch apart from different writing on it, thanks for the info, you must have a great memory for movements.
I went to see my jeweller friend and he said his 'watch guy' was away till February and in his opinion it may not be worth servicing it as there are no guarantees and it might stop working again a month later!
Anyway i said I wanted to see it running and will go back next month and talk to the 'watch guy' and see what he thinks. The cost to service it is from £75, so I still think its worth it.
The case back is marked with the case/bracelet maker which is Stokase - British Made - GAS which I am told is part of the 'Elite Bracelet Manufacturing Company'.
Thanks for all your comments
Found this here: https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/sponsorsmarks.php
GAS: George Arnold Stoll for Elite Bracelet Manufacturing Co.
G.A.S: George Arnold Stoll, Chester Assay Office 9 carat gold hallmarks for 1931/1932.
The sponsor's mark G.A.S incuse with no surrounding shield was first entered at the Chester Assay Office in 1928 by George Arnold Stoll, Managing Director of the Elite Bracelet Manufacturing Co. of 37, Portland Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, later moved to Regent Works, Regent Street, Birmingham (date not recorded). The company also had an office in Union Bank Building, 1 Hatton Garden, London...