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Thread: State of the collection 2014

  1. #1
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    State of the collection 2014

    Time for a quick state of the collection post, at least as it currently stands in the closing days of 2014. Click the image for a bigger version:



    The focus of my collection is exclusively British military pieces. Of course I prefer issued watches, but for the models that are hard to find or beyond my budget, I'm happy to accept a similar civilian example or a quality reissued piece as long as it sufficiently evokes the spirit of the original. So at the moment the collection includes the following:

    CWC Royal Navy Diver - 1995 issue

    CWC W10 - 1979 issue

    CWC G10 - 1989 issue (this is my gym / yardwork watch)

    Hamilton 7733 chrono - 1972 RAF issued, although I think it may also have a connection to another service branch; the original number has been machined off and overstamped with 6BB.

    Hamilton Geneve 6bb - 1974 issue

    Hamilton GS Tropicalized - unknown year, but in fabulous shape

    Omega Seamaster 300 - Watchco date version (not a military piece, but it's related to one and also I love it)

    Omega WWW - MOD dial, pencil hands, on a Rios clip strap that I thought looked similar to the original

    Smiths W10 - 1968 issue

    Smiths PRS-29a - Timefactors reissue

    Precista G10s - Both years, the 1982 fat case and the 1984 thin case

    Precista PRS-82 - Timefactors reissue (one of 200)

    I can't really call my collection complete yet, but I'm off to a good start. I would eventually like to add a 6B/159, a Hamilton 6B or IWC Mark 11 (hah!), and a '53 Omega. The search continues...

    The box these watches are sitting in is sort of interesting all on its own. It's one of three identical ones I picked up from an English surplus equipment dealer. These were originally used to store electronic test equipment for Ferranti, so there's the MOD connection. Specifically I believe these would probably have been used in conjunction with the manufacture or maintenance of military sonar gear. These boxes are really well-made and must have cost H.M. Government more than a few quid when new. Not pictured is the nicely-constructed set of wooden interior dividers that removed because they're not the right size for wristwatches.







    Thanks for looking, and here's wishing a happy new year to all.

    - Matt

  2. #2
    Craftsman
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    Excellent collection Mate.
    I especially like the Hamilton chrono and Seamaster 300.

  3. #3
    Craftsman fotopetar's Avatar
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    Very nice,box is my favorite piece!

  4. #4
    Master
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    What a superb collection, the divers and chrono for me.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by fotopetar View Post
    Very nice,box is my favorite piece!
    Someone else with good taste in boxes!

    Cheers,

    Myron

  6. #6
    Master Rocket Man's Avatar
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    A great collection, unusually presented.

    Is that Seamaster 300 the one built by Paul of this parish?

  7. #7
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rocket Man View Post
    Is that Seamaster 300 the one built by Paul of this parish?
    It is not - actually it used to be Myron's until I snaffled it...

  8. #8
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    Love the Hamiltons !

  9. #9
    Great collection. My wife would say they are all the same watch but what does she know!!
    She thinks my Omega 2254 looks like the Everest.

  10. #10
    Apprentice
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    Very nice box!
    The watches are quite nice too.

  11. #11
    Journeyman
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    Superb collection. Like a few others, love the Seamaster 300.

  12. #12
    Apprentice
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    State of the collection 2014

    Clever use of the box i like it. Great collection too.

  13. #13
    great collection, really like the Omega WWW and the PRS-82, and in both cases the straps complements the watch perfectly. Speaking of the straps - which brand is the one on the PRS-82?

    /L

  14. #14
    Grand Master
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    I've just bought (yesterday) an Omega WWW,it has me wondering who wore it all those years ago and what the guy got up to during the war.

    I'd like to wear it on a strap typically used back then too.......so what do I need to buy?.

    Thanks

  15. #15
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by longbear View Post
    great collection, really like the Omega WWW and the PRS-82, and in both cases the straps complements the watch perfectly. Speaking of the straps - which brand is the one on the PRS-82?
    Thank you kind sir... the strap on the PRS-82 is a custom distressed lambskin number, done up for me by K. Wong of K-Straps.

  16. #16
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by P9CLY View Post
    I've just bought (yesterday) an Omega WWW,it has me wondering who wore it all those years ago and what the guy got up to during the war.

    I'd like to wear it on a strap typically used back then too.......so what do I need to buy?.
    Congratulations and welcome to the WWW club! I saw a window full of them in Clerkenwell this past week and would have been tempted had I not just acquired the Omega.

    Here's a couple useful threads with references to WWW straps:

    http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showt...strap-question
    http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showt...-period-straps

    It seemed to me that a two-piece brown leather strap would be suitable, as well as suiting my personal tastes. Given the fixed bars, the options are rather limited. I chose a Rios "Arizona" and it works a treat. The Rios "Diplomat" also works; the only real difference is the presence of stitching on the Arizona strap.

  17. #17
    Journeyman
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    I found this post really inspiring!

  18. #18
    Master
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    Ah, but 13 watches? You need another one. Just sayin'

  19. #19
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Well, there are still at least three that I'd like to add...!

  20. #20
    Master Strnglwhank's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by workahol View Post
    ...I saw a window full of them in Clerkenwell this past week...
    Which shop was that please I REALLY want one of those Omega WWW?

  21. #21
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Strnglwhank View Post
    Which shop was that please I REALLY want one of those Omega WWW?
    This one: (link)

    I must say I quite like the one I've got...


  22. #22
    Master Strnglwhank's Avatar
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    Cheers 😊 if I'd have known about them last week on one of my trips to London I would have popped in. Something to look forward to next time.

  23. #23
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Strnglwhank View Post
    Cheers  if I'd have known about them last week on one of my trips to London I would have popped in. Something to look forward to next time.
    There's another place right across the road that looked promising as well, but sadly when I was in the area they were shut for their winter holiday.

  24. #24
    Master Strnglwhank's Avatar
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    So I went shopping today but the shops you highlighted did not have any Omega WWW unfortunately 😢. They had lots of other lovely watches Omega Lemania etc but not what I was looking for. I saw a couple of beaten up examples in Spitalfields Market but they were pricey & needed a lot of work. The dealer also had a couple of Lemania mono pushers & CWC/Hamilton Chrono but they again were expensive & needed work. Hey-ho the search continues...no bad thing as that's part of the fun...I did pick up a CWC Chrono reissue from Silvermans who knocked almost Ģ100 off for me & I'm quite happy with that. Now for a decent strap 😊

  25. #25
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Drat, sorry you missed out! I have heard of the lady who sells mil watches at Spitalfields Market but I've never been. Too bad she doesn't have a website.

    I've just acquired one of the CWC chronos myself - the modern remake, not an original issued piece - and I like it very much. Here it is on a Rover Haven shell strap:


  26. #26
    Master Strnglwhank's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by workahol View Post
    Drat, sorry you missed out! I have heard of the lady who sells mil watches at Spitalfields Market but I've never been. Too bad she doesn't have a website.

    I've just acquired one of the CWC chronos myself - the modern remake, not an original issued piece - and I like it very much. Here it is on a Rover Haven shell strap:

    That's nice - the strap is kinda what I'm after - I have to enough Regular NATO to last a lifetime. how does the leather sit/fit?
    Last edited by Strnglwhank; 12th February 2015 at 21:21.

  27. #27
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Strnglwhank View Post
    That's nice - the strap is kinda what I'm after - I have to enough Regular NATO to last a lifetime. how does the leather sit/fit?
    As with all my other Rover Haven straps, the leather is really nice, and the fit is perfect since Myron works with you to custom fit it to your wrist. So in this case I was able to specify exactly 193 mm between the middle hole and the inside edge of the buckle, based on measurements taken with a NATO strap. Works like a charm!

  28. #28
    Master DimGR's Avatar
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    CWC Royal Navy Diver - 1995 issue


    got good pictures ? :)

  29. #29
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DimGR View Post
    CWC Royal Navy Diver - 1995 issue


    got good pictures ? :)
    Nothing besides the group shot at the top of this thread (click to enlarge) but I'll try to remember to take some closeups next time I've got the camera out...

  30. #30
    Craftsman
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    A really nice collection and very focused to one kind of watches. I admire that because IMHO, being a watch-fan, It's a sign of selfcontrol.

  31. #31
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    Hamilton chrono strap envy

    Nice collection there! Can you please tell me what strap you have on the Hamilton chrono - I'm looking for one like that to put on my CWC 70s chrono.

    Thanks!

  32. #32
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by moleboy View Post
    Nice collection there! Can you please tell me what strap you have on the Hamilton chrono - I'm looking for one like that to put on my CWC 70s chrono.
    That's a two-piece shell cordovan pilot strap produced by my mate Myron of Rover Haven Straps fame.

  33. #33
    Master Geronimo's Avatar
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    No it's not, it's a one piece leather nato strap!
    Looks very much like this ;-)

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3107401111...159%26_rdc%3D1
    Last edited by Geronimo; 1st October 2015 at 21:36.

  34. #34
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by moleboy View Post
    Can you please tell me what strap you have on the Hamilton chrono
    Quote Originally Posted by workahol View Post
    That's a two-piece shell cordovan pilot strap produced by my mate Myron of Rover Haven Straps fame.
    Quote Originally Posted by Geronimo View Post
    No it's not, it's a one piece leather nato strap! not from your mate Myron!
    Well, in fact I've got the Hamilton chronograph sitting right here, and it certainly seems to have the same two-piece Rover Haven strap on it today that it had when the photo at the top of this thread was taken. But perhaps you know better than I.

  35. #35
    Master Geronimo's Avatar
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    Maybe we are talking of different photo's, this one you show isn't a two piece ;-)



    Here's mine from 75...

  36. #36
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Yes, the strap on the CWC chronograph is a one-piece shell strap (not a NATO, but also from Rover Haven). However, the strap on the Hamilton chronograph is a two-piece pilot strap.

    Anyway, Rover Haven straps: They're great, whatever planet you're from.

  37. #37
    Master Geronimo's Avatar
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    Sorry, my mistake, should have read and looked with more care before opening my mouth ;-)

    Anyway here's my 72 Hamilton ;-)



  38. #38
    Master Geronimo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by workahol View Post

    I would eventually like to add a 6B/159, a Hamilton 6B or IWC Mark 11 (hah!), and a '53 Omega. The search continues...


    - Matt
    Omega 6b/159



    2 Hamilton 6B's




    IWC Mk 11



    '53 Omega
    Fat Arrow

    Thin Arrow


    Any more I can help out with? :-)

  39. #39
    Master
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    Wow lovely collection there.

  40. #40

    The sterile Hamilton is a killer!

  41. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by workahol View Post
    That's a two-piece shell cordovan pilot strap produced by my mate Myron of Rover Haven Straps fame.
    Thanks for letting me know.

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