Possibly the oldest watch on here! (Edit: Nope. Still pretty old though!)

Last Christmas, @coaxial_katie surprised me with this.  An original issue Pobeda from 1946, commissioned by Stalin to commemorate the end of World War 2!  It's the second vintage Soviet watch in my collection, the first being an East German Corsar that very clearly saw day to day use in a factory.  This baby isn't just a historical relic, it's a movie star!  I was a huge fan of the 2015 reboot of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. where Armie Hammer's character wears an identical piece that later becoming a key plot device.  Not often that a movie watch is actually important to the movie.  Of course after the whole "Armie Hammer wants to eat people" thing (if you don't know, I envy you) some of the film luster has tarnished, but this Pobeda is still one of the most beautiful examples in my collection, and one I'll keep running forever.  It needs a bit of a clean and could probably use a fresh mainspring, and despite not having done a full service before I feel more than comfortable attempting one on this dead simple movement.  If you can find one of these on eBay, get one.  Don't look back.

Reply
·

The title of your post is going to make people run to their watch boxes for Harwoods and trench watches.  However, it might be the oldest Soviet watch on here.

It is a beauty!

·
Aurelian

The title of your post is going to make people run to their watch boxes for Harwoods and trench watches.  However, it might be the oldest Soviet watch on here.

It is a beauty!

Well of course, that's the plan!  It's one thing to ask people to show me their vintage pieces, but it's even better if they think it's their own idea! MUAHAHAHA!! 😜

·
coaxial_thamuel

Well of course, that's the plan!  It's one thing to ask people to show me their vintage pieces, but it's even better if they think it's their own idea! MUAHAHAHA!! 😜

If that's the plan....1945 Benrus (not my oldest).  Needs some TLC.  Playing by Milton Berle rules.

aQTqDrgxAFsQxmz0iZGezNHsJ9w7fg1bFecASVWB.jpg?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=767178344519e183d45296dd07cb739f
·

YEAAAAHHH there we go!  Outstanding and beautiful watch.  I can't imagine what a faff it must be to source a crystal for it.  Does it get a lot of wrist time?

·
coaxial_thamuel

YEAAAAHHH there we go!  Outstanding and beautiful watch.  I can't imagine what a faff it must be to source a crystal for it.  Does it get a lot of wrist time?

No wrist time until I get that crystal replaced.

·

This watch isn't quite as old but its close! 1949 Hamilton Darrel. (I know I fell for the title.)

Image
·

Paging MK

@MrBloke 

·

These are from the same era.

Image
Image
·

My oldest piece 🙌🏼 1950s ref 6480.... I think 😅

Image
·

Oh man oh man, I love this thread 💙😀! Long live Art-Deco 🕰️🙌! Dust of those watches guys!

Harwood, the first comercially available Automatic Wristwatch. This particular oblong shaped version was cased by Blancpain. As you can see from the alongated HARWOOD letters on the hammer or bumper it is an indication of a very early production model.

Here are some pics 📸👀!

The bumper is outlined in green. To the observant eye, you will by now have noticed that there is NO CROWN on this watch. The wheel to set the time though the rotating caseback which funtions like a crown or bezel is outlined in red. The Swiss 🇨🇭 PATENT number 106583 is outlined in orange.

Wg6WOWOSuEPZJpjTpUHYaIUCVV6ueWb21alo1u4M.jpg?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=30e72486db30b32257ee87441192ca62
Oh6u06263BZZuoHQOqyaiXGlhpoUhynSnyyeCX9z.png?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=0ddade3bf4e34579f90789d04ca6280a

I made a seperate post on this watch, but a little double post never hurt anyone 😂😉.

·
CalZal

This watch isn't quite as old but its close! 1949 Hamilton Darrel. (I know I fell for the title.)

Image

10/10 God Tier lug design

·
SimplyVintageWatches

Oh man oh man, I love this thread 💙😀! Long live Art-Deco 🕰️🙌! Dust of those watches guys!

Harwood, the first comercially available Automatic Wristwatch. This particular oblong shaped version was cased by Blancpain. As you can see from the alongated HARWOOD letters on the hammer or bumper it is an indication of a very early production model.

Here are some pics 📸👀!

The bumper is outlined in green. To the observant eye, you will by now have noticed that there is NO CROWN on this watch. The wheel to set the time though the rotating caseback which funtions like a crown or bezel is outlined in red. The Swiss 🇨🇭 PATENT number 106583 is outlined in orange.

Wg6WOWOSuEPZJpjTpUHYaIUCVV6ueWb21alo1u4M.jpg?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=30e72486db30b32257ee87441192ca62
Oh6u06263BZZuoHQOqyaiXGlhpoUhynSnyyeCX9z.png?h=320&ixlib=php-3.3.1&s=0ddade3bf4e34579f90789d04ca6280a

I made a seperate post on this watch, but a little double post never hurt anyone 😂😉.

Oh my dear god that feature needs to make a comeback starting yesterday!  How old is she?

·
NeatlydoneZ

My oldest piece 🙌🏼 1950s ref 6480.... I think 😅

Image

Probably one of the only watchmakers that doesn't need the word "vintage" as a qualifier.  In the words of Me, "Eine Rolex ist eine Rolex"

coaxial_thamuel

Oh my dear god that feature needs to make a comeback starting yesterday!  How old is she?

Circa 1926-1927 😃💪🧡⌚.