r/VintageWatches

I saw this Wakmann 1940ish military watch and loved the look so I bought it. The only thing is that it's 25mm. I knew this when I bought it. This was the size of mens watches back then so it didn't really bother me. I was like who cares I'll wear it. I put it on and now I am having second thoughts. Maybe it is too small to wear on a 7.25 inch wrist. I go back and forth from too small? to who cares mentality. Opions appreciated. Also any info on this watch would also be appreciated as well.

Just got this as a pick up. First Chronograph. Great history with Breitling as well. Thoughts, comments, any advice?

Found this in a box of my dad’s old stuff that had been sitting in a hot/freezing attic for at least a decade. Old battery was left in it and a little corroded. Pulled them out and replaced them and it’s still working. It just needs a band. If you know a specific model number or have any other info to share about this watch I’d love to hear it!

Here are two watches from one of my favourite forgotten chapters of Japanese watchmaking: Takano Chateau Superior 23 Jewels.

My two examples have completely different personalities. The first has a clean cream dial with gold indices and hands. The second, much more dramatic – a black sunburst dial variant.

Both use Takano's hand-wound Calibre 541, a 23-jewel movement only 3.5mm thick. In 1960s, movement thinness was serious watchmaking prowess. The caliber 541 was, at the time, the world's thinnest centre-seconds movement using its particular coaxial construction.This lead to an innovation race and caused Seiko to answer with the Goldfeather Calibre 60 which was only 2.95mm thick, taking the world record for a three-hand movement.

The Chateau was Takano's attempt at serious ultra-thin watchmaking, and the movement family came in 19, 21 and 23-jewel versions. The 541 was the 23-jewel version, making these Superiors particularly interesting examples to collect.

Chateau means castle in French and was chosen with Nagoya Castle in mind as this was near to Takano's home.

Takano began producing wristwatches in 1957. Then the devastating 1959 Ise-wan Typhoon badly damaged its factory. With the company struggling financially, even a tie-up with Seiko was reportedly rumoured. Ultimately Ricoh took over.

Takano's original life as a watch brand lasted just 4 years and 11 months. And that's where the story should have ended.

However, in 2024, Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, the man behind watches such as Kurono Tokyo, revived Takano under licence from Ricoh. His first watch was named the Chateau Nouvel Chronometer. The new Chateau became the first Japanese-made wristwatch to receive chronometer certification from France's Besançon Observatory.

That makes owning these two vintage Superiors fun.They're survivors from a Japanese watchmaker that lasted less than five years, disappeared for 62 years…and somehow re-emerged again.

There's also a ton of other watches in this large tub I have next to me as well.

Sorry this is the only photo I have right now. If I can get more, i'll share them. But this is what my dad sent me.

I picked this up from a client a while ago, it's quickly become one of my favorites.

Hey folks,

I’m a Hamilton guy so I rarely post to sections like this but looking over parts lots for improperly listed movements I managed to find this guy. This is my only photo till it arrives anyone know what it is?

Total cost was 112 USD. I’m going to try to get it fully functional but it likely will go to one of my omega specialist colleagues (barring some absurd value)

Thanks guys, from an American wristwatch guy to Swiss wristwatch guys 👍

-J

Here is one of the earliest Seikos in my collection: a late-1940s Seiko Extra Flat.

The Extra Flat appeared around 1948, when Seiko was rebuilding its civilian watch production after the war. It was powered by the hand-wound 10B movement from Daini Seikosha’s Kameido factory, with the traditional small-seconds layout that Seiko used before introducing its first centre-seconds watch, the Super, in 1950. (Seiko Watch Corporation⁠)

The history is interesting, but the dial is what really attracted me. The bold sector-style chapter ring, raised gold numerals and markers, small seconds and little applied “Snake S” give it much more personality than I expected from such a compact dress watch. There is plenty of ageing, but I think the patina suits the design rather than detracting from it.

“Extra Flat” is also a wonderfully literal name. The watch is small and slim by modern standards, but the long curved lugs give it surprising presence on the wrist.

Nearly eighty years later, it still looks remarkably stylish—and very different from the Seiko designs most people know today.

Good evening.

When I received an email from Blancpain and without reading the content, spotted a picture of a watch and I thought, wait it minute, I have something similar. It turns out it was the new vintage inspired Bathyscape, 70th Anniversary.

Both are 37mm. The vintage Bathyscape, from the 60s (or 1968 based on Blancpain announcement) uses an R337 caliber (signed Rayville SA, based on AS 1902), while the anniversary one (ref. 2849-11-SC), limited to 300 pieces, uses an in-house 1150 caliber with a gold rotor.

Just picked up this groovy 70's Caravelle and wore it to the office for the frist time. Needs a new bracelet and a crystal polish eventually, just enjoying it for now. Any 20mm bracelet or strap recommendations for this one?

I was given this as my grandfather's watch during ww2. Told he wore it for ages afterwards. Says Hamilton. Back says 14k gold filled. And a s&w in a rectangle it's missing the 1 on 10. Not sure if it's in there or not. So what do I have?Is it worth trying to get it fixed?. The hands still move when turned but I don't wanna test how far.

Might be coded commie propaganda.

I just finished the service on this beautiful vintage Caravelle Cal. 1282.60!

Still sharp ;)

It has a price tag of 300 and its non working considering that and the condition is it worth it to have it fixed?

I got this yesterday for 5 pounds at a vintage shop yesterday and I’m so impressed with it, 40s - 50s era watch, with a sub dial seconds hand. It’s a mechanical winder, and it is still very accurate on time, keeps up with quartz watches I have, I’m wondering if it’s ever had a service considering how well it’s still running.