Sentimental interest only . . . . . .
Christmas present when I was ten years old (that would be 1958 then).
Case plating was obviously inadequate (even allowing for wear by a schoolboy).
Knowing the financial status of my family at that time, it will not have been expensive -- but also knowing my father's taste, it will probably not have been the cheapest available.
If any one has any historical insight, I'd be interested. I thought Le Cheminant was British (masquerading as Swiss), but it has "Swiss" on the case back. And, it claims Incabloc.
Last edited by Yokel; 14th August 2017 at 12:02.
Excellent! Given the current trend for alternative metals for watches, it might be an idea to take all the plating off and polish the brass. Does it still work? I still have my wafer thin Accurist quartz watch that was my 18th birthday present but it is not worth repairing.
No (and hasn't for almost fifty years). Probably not worth giving it to a repairer :(Originally Posted by jmarchitect
What a treasure!
If it was mine, I would certainly check if it could be repaired.
Very nice to see and I would definitely see if it could be repaired. Then again, I have a history of spending more than a watch is worth for sentimental reasons.
Out of interest I looked up Le Cheminant on Mikrolisk and there is an English connection, as apparently the company was registered in the U.K. in 1960, although the watches were made in Switzerland. There is a bit of a write up in this blog and they sound quite interesting. I have no personal knowledge of the make though. Might be worth researching some more.
http://thewatchspotblog.com/?p=3858
Excellent. Is it just me or does the case look like you have coated it with Airfix paint at some stage?
For a budget vintage repair like this I would use this family firm:
https://www.michaelswift.co.uk/services
They were recommended by a mod on the WUS Vintage Forum. Very cheap - and very slow!
Thanks
I think this is just the effect of eroding plating -- probably the only thing in my youth I failed to "adorn" with Airfix paint though!
My first watch is long gone. I have memories of my brother caressing it with a house brick on our patio about 35 years ago. However, the exact model appeared on SC a couple of years ago and I quickly snared it. I'll put a picture up later if I get chance, here's the SC listing.;
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...ght=boys+timex
Last edited by stefaulkner; 14th August 2017 at 14:22.
Interesting (at least for me).
The movement seems to be moving around in the case a little (how does that come to pass?). The crown is stuck in the "out" (time changing) position, and I can't push it in because of the "movement movement". However, even after all this time, when I adjust the hands forward the second hand ticks three or four seconds forward on its own.
Maybe there is value in having Michael Swift (who is not at all swift) have a look at it.
Sent from my iPad using TZ-UK mobile app
My first proper watch was a Timex, which I received as a present for my First Communion in 1975. It had a blue dial and a date and I still had it lying around some 10 or 15 years ago, but unfortunately it got lost during a subsequent house move.
Wish I still had it, lovely little watch. Similar to the one below, just with a blue dial and a leather (?) strap:
Unfortunately, I am not yet privileged enough to view the link
Here's a taster 😊Unfortunately, I am not yet privileged enough to view the link
Thanks -- like it!
OP, I am sure you have seen this.
If not, worth a read
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Cheminant
I would definitely try and see if you can get it cleaned up and working again.
Thanks
I'm sending it off to Michael Swift for an assessment to try to do exactly that. He apologises that he currently has a 6-7 week backlog -- but as the watch hasn't been on my wrist in fifty years, I'm not sure that's a problem :)
Reply from Michael says: "your watch is fitted with a very nice fully jewelled movement, normally fitted to a much better quality case!" So, he is renovating it (except the case).
Does anyone know of a company able to clean up a case?
Thanks
You could do it yourself.
Otherwise perhaps Adam Phillips at at Watch Case Works.
https://www.watchcaseworks.co.uk/
God, that would be brave!
Thanks for the contact.
Just a thought about logistics; ideally you want Michael Swift to hang onto the movement and get him to send the case off for refurbishment and then put everything back together. I haven't used him but I would doubt if he would stand by a repair warranty if somebody else has subsequently uncased the movement etc.
Good thought. I'll try to make that happen.
I've managed to hang on to my first watch - about 50yrs old now. The strap's too small to wear!
And very battered, but still works! Just.
Sent from TZ-UK app
Resurrecting this post, as I recently discovered this little gem, and had it cleaned up and serviced.
Le Cheminant Master Mariner, with a Valjoux 92 movement. Lat sixties, I think.
Very nice, and I think very similar to the one shown in the blog referenced previously.Resurrecting this post, as I recently discovered this little gem, and had it cleaned up and serviced.
Le Cheminant Master Mariner, with a Valjoux 92 movement. Lat sixties, I think.
If I understood the blog correctly, I think your watch was actually put together in England.
Thanks, it is a bit of a find.
However, I think these were actually assembled in Switzerland, as they were a made to order watch. Like brands such as DiFor, and others, they simply selected from a catalogue of cases, movements, dials and bracelets/straps and then had their brand applied.
Mine does bear the "Swiss Made" legend - though I know that can be variable :)
Thanks for the explanation. Rereading that blog, I am sure you are right.
Mr and Mrs Betts must have been quite a couple.
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