closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 50 of 68

Thread: "Issued" watches - weird

  1. #1
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382

    "Issued" watches - weird

    Really don't understand why many folk will pay a lot more for a military watch which was issued to someone they don't know.
    "This was issued to a Royal Navy diver!"
    "Are you a Royal Navy diver? Was it a sentimental purchase to remind you of your service?"
    "No, I'm a management consultant from Epsom, but I have quite a deep bath."

  2. #2
    Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    South Yorkshire at the moment
    Posts
    3,582
    I agree but each to their own and all that.

  3. #3
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    28,934
    There's nowt so queer as folk.

    I even know people who own several watches...
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  4. #4
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382

    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    There's nowt so queer as folk.

    I even know people who own several watches...
    :-)

  5. #5
    Master Ruggertech's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Deepest darkest South Wales.
    Posts
    7,060
    I suppose its no different than paying more for a Comex sub, apart from a lot less zeros at the end of course.

  6. #6
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Hampshire
    Posts
    14,535
    I don't get it either (or the COMEX thing), but they're not harming anyone, are they?

    If it's an interest, enjoy, if not...

    Although, if anyone collects 'issued watches' (of any type, military or otherwise) and then moans about Speedmaster owners being 'wannabe Astronauts', they lose some respect in my eyes.

    M
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  7. #7
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    London
    Posts
    10,943
    It’s like any area of collecting people get interested in particular areas, for me it’s not the person that owned a watch, or if it was on the balcony, it’s the idea that they are designed with a particular use (rough use) in mind. You also have the research and hunt that adds enjoyment.
    To my mind, the manipulation, adulation and veneration required order to obtain a mass produced watch is a hell of a lot weirder. But that has been done to death and takes the thread off topic :-)
    Each to their own.
    Last edited by Sinnlover; 7th January 2022 at 10:41.

  8. #8
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    UP North.
    Posts
    12,632
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Really don't understand why many folk will pay a lot more for a military watch which was issued to someone they don't know.
    "This was issued to a Royal Navy diver!"
    "Are you a Royal Navy diver? Was it a sentimental purchase to remind you of your service?"
    "No, I'm a management consultant from Epsom, but I have quite a deep bath."
    Have you got an issued one you want to sell,if so ill give you the non issued price hey.....Its just how it is!.


  9. #9
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by P9CLY View Post
    Have you got an issued one you want to sell,if so ill give you the non issued price hey.....Its just how it is!.
    No, but I’ve got an Omega which will make people think you’re in MI6. Promise.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Craftsman levkov's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Bracknell, UK
    Posts
    324
    "They're worth twice as much if they killed somebody"


  11. #11
    Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    N/A
    Posts
    7,769
    Quote Originally Posted by Saint-Just View Post
    There's nowt so queer as folk.

    I even know people who own several watches...
    I even know people who argue like hell over them on a certain forum.

  12. #12
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    UP North.
    Posts
    12,632
    Im soon getting a GShock G350 off a chap at work,told me about some of the "Military" exercises it had been on!.

    And so its a "Genuine" as far as used in the military watch,but not issued by them,He thought theirs weren't cool.

    And because he aint into watches as we might be, all of the above meant nothing,he simply bought another G Shock and letting me have his old un.
    Last edited by P9CLY; 7th January 2022 at 11:19.


  13. #13
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Wirral - North West England
    Posts
    15,264
    It’s an area of collecting with interesting watches. In the main most military watches were never sold to the public, so the numbers generally in circulation 40, 50, 60 or even 100 years later are extremely limited.

    I think the ‘issued’ thing does confuse. For the vast majority of military watches out there we have no history. The watch could have been issued to an Army or Navy or RAF stores, sat there for 40 years and been sold off in a military surplus sale. Any watch with a history behind it is clearly far more interesting to collectors, not unlike medals etc. However, even a simple issued watch with no history will be something that was never intended to be used by the general public as such.

  14. #14
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    I think as was said above “each to their own” and all that - I just don’t get it personally. Your mention of medals expands the point - who on Earth wants to own somebody else’s medals?!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  15. #15
    Master Papa Hotel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Not Edinburgh
    Posts
    7,487
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    I think as was said above “each to their own” and all that - I just don’t get it personally. Your mention of medals expands the point - who on Earth wants to own somebody else’s medals?!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    People with a respect for the men who earned them?

    Collecting issued watches is no odder than someone collecting dive watches. In fact, as Ken alludes to, the fact that these can often be hard to come by is a draw, rarity makes them desirable alongside the provenance (real or imagined).

  16. #16
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    How does buying medals of someone you never met, who may even be dead, show them “respect”? If you want to show those people respect, and tangibly help, donate the money to Blesma or similar.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  17. #17
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    London
    Posts
    10,943
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    How does buying medals of someone you never met, who may even be dead, show them “respect”? If you want to show those people respect, and tangibly help, donate the money to Blesma or similar.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    The medal thing is something I have never really understood other than keeping their story ‘alive’.
    I would not want to own the medals of a person I never knew, however family members is different.
    I personally don’t see watches and medals in the same light, with a watch, as as has been said, it’s the research, the hunt and until recently the uniqueness of them, anyone can go and buy the latest watch from a shop if they have enough cash, with a military watch you need to put in leg work the majority of the time. You also end up with something you are not likely to see on another person.

    If you take Ken as an example he has had to do some serious work in an effort to get the 10 early G10s and Navigators together. If you wanted 10 different 5513s you only have to walk down Burlington Arcade - hell you could buy virtually every version from one shop.
    Last edited by Sinnlover; 7th January 2022 at 11:54.

  18. #18
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chester and Merseyside, UK
    Posts
    4,328
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Really don't understand why many folk will pay a lot more for a military watch which was issued to someone they don't know.
    "This was issued to a Royal Navy diver!"
    "Are you a Royal Navy diver? Was it a sentimental purchase to remind you of your service?"
    "No, I'm a management consultant from Epsom, but I have quite a deep bath."
    Provenance ?
    Rarity ?
    Unique, visible features that distinguish them from the civilian equivalent?
    Appearance that some may personally find attractive ?
    Great rewards for high level and exhaustive research ?
    Meeting some outstanding men whose lives put most of ours in perspective ?

    Many of these watches represent not just a time in both diving and diving-watch history, but individuals' great achievements. Meeting the original owners can be immensely gratifying and at the same time humbling.

    Here is just one man's tale (settle in with tea and HobNobs) : https://www.miltonaires.com/6309/a-m...raordinary-man

    I admire him immensely and we remain friends to this day. That does not mean I imagine myself in his wetsuit.

    Oh, and people on watch fora take you seriously if you have a few dozen like this :







    Can't move in the Mersey area for handsome watch collectors with such pieces.

    There is also the "acquisitive bug" which afflicts collectors in all fields. Consider the military Rolex alone :

    Have a Mil Sub 5513 ? Want a 5517.

    Have a 5517 0052? Want a 5517 W10.

    Have a 5517 W10 ? Want a 5513/5517

    Have a 5513/5517 ? Want an A/6538

    Have an A/6538 ? Want a 5512.

    Have a 5512 ? Want a SPAG 16600.

    Have a SPAG 16600 ? Want a Hydrographic Survey 6150.

    It's even worse with the Comex watches.

    We're all on our own journeys :-)

    H
    Last edited by Haywood_Milton; 7th January 2022 at 12:28.

  19. #19
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by Sinnlover View Post
    The medal thing is something I have never really understood other than keeping their story ‘alive’.
    I would not want to own the medals of a person I never knew, however family members is different.
    I personally don’t see watches and medals in the same light, with a watch, as as has been said, it’s the research, the hunt and until recently the uniqueness of them, anyone can go and buy the latest watch from a shop if they have enough cash, with a military watch you need to put in leg work the majority of the time. You also end up with something you are not likely to see on another person.

    If you take Ken as an example he has had to do some serious work in an effort to get the 10 early G10s and Navigators together. If you wanted 10 different 5513s you only have to walk down Burlington Arcade - hell you could buy virtually every version from one shop.
    Yeah, I think that's a good summary of the thing.

  20. #20
    For me the attraction is the history, to have something that has a history. I know it might be weird…same for me with vintage. I have a 43 year old watch and like to think about the life it’s had, where it’s been and who’s worn it. We all have our reasons for collecting a range of watches. Nobody else needs to ‘get’ those reasons, it’s an individual choice.

  21. #21
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,412
    I've no particular interest military watches, issued or otherwise, but it can be interesting to speculate on the history of a vintage piece you have. If you could download it somehow, I certainly would - some would have had interesting lives. You could say it makes no difference, but I doubt there's anyone here who'd think that, for instance, a speedy that actually went to the moon wasn't a bit special in some way.

  22. #22
    Craftsman levkov's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Bracknell, UK
    Posts
    324
    Quote Originally Posted by dougair View Post
    For me the attraction is the history, to have something that has a history. I know it might be weird…same for me with vintage. I have a 43 year old watch and like to think about the life it’s had, where it’s been and who’s worn it. We all have our reasons for collecting a range of watches. Nobody else needs to ‘get’ those reasons, it’s an individual choice.
    Couldn't agree more. Vintage watches that have a history make you wonder what they might have witnessed during their lives, every time you look at them. Military watches that have seen active service, that might actually have seen history in the making from the first row, hence their exponential popularity with collectors. Same with toolwatches - these days they're collector's subjects, once upon a time people's lives may have depended on them, they were the most personal subjects/tools of men who formed civilisation as we know today.

    These thoughts provoke feelings a shiny new Rolex never will (well, it will in like 50 years).

    Also, this may not be a popular opinion, but I like to think that people wearing historically important vintage watches have a refined taste, they put diligence and research into choosing a specific watch, one that resonates with their reasons and interests the most, and then start an often years-long quest into hunting them down.

    As opposed to people with money who walk into a dealer's shop and buy an expensive watch that's good for showing off that's it. Apologies, do not mean to offend anyone, but that's why I believe Rolex has become unobtainable, not because the number of people with such sudden deep interest in horology have multiplied in the past year or two exponentially.

  23. #23
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chester and Merseyside, UK
    Posts
    4,328
    Quote Originally Posted by Itsguy View Post
    I've no particular interest military watches, issued or otherwise, but it can be interesting to speculate on the history of a vintage piece you have. If you could download it somehow, I certainly would - some would have had interesting lives. You could say it makes no difference, but I doubt there's anyone here who'd think that, for instance, a speedy that actually went to the moon wasn't a bit special in some way.
    Quite so.

    This looks just like any old gilt text double SWISS / underline Submariner...



    but when you know that it was presented by Rolex to the owner of one of our 1960s America's Cup entrants, it's just that little bit more.

    H

  24. #24
    Master sweets's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Bristol - UK
    Posts
    6,031
    I don't get it, although I do have some issued watches.
    Mostly because I like the particular watches that I like, and some of those are only to be found in issued form.
    I have a Lemania HS9 for instance. There is no civilian alternative. None whatsoever, so I have an issued one.
    Same with a Tutima ZUZ. although I could have asked Tutima to build me the same watch, it cost me less than half the price to buy a used issued one, so that is what I have.
    I also have an Auricoste pocket chronograph issued by the Ministre de la Guerre. The issuing was immaterial to me, I just wanted to include a Lemania-powered pocket chrono in my collection, and this one popped up.
    Same with my BBC issued stuff, although I freely admit that, because I have been generating a database of their issued timers, it made sense to have a couple.

    And although I have had at least 5 Porsche Design chronos, I have never owned an issued Bund one, as they usually cost more, and many are a lot more beaten up.

    Any form of collecting seeks out the rare and interesting, and ascribes a value to that rarity. For many, a lot of the interest and value is in that rarity.

    Take the Dirty Dozen, a classic collector's set. I really doubt that anyone (and there are a couple of these sets on TZ-UK) thinks that those 12 are all must have watches, per se, but a full set seems like a good collecting target to aim for. And they are all issued. And I admit, I think they make a lovely set.

    Some people are interested in the "issued" nature, some are not, And some in both those groups have issued watches.

    D

  25. #25
    Master 50kopek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    The Hague, Netherlands
    Posts
    1,285
    Would you pay more for a Speedmaster that had actually been to the moon than for a regular one?
    Would you pay more for Paul Newman's Daytona than any other Newman Daytona?
    I think issued watches are similar (though on a more modest scale). There's a story attached to the watch that makes it a little more special than others like it. And some of us consider that added value. I don't collect issued watches myself, but as a mostly vintage collector I can see the logic of finding value in the history of one particular watch.

  26. #26
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Hampshire
    Posts
    14,535
    Quote Originally Posted by 50kopek View Post
    Would you pay more for a Speedmaster that had actually been to the moon than for a regular one?
    Would you pay more for Paul Newman's Daytona than any other Newman Daytona?
    I think issued watches are similar (though on a more modest scale). There's a story attached to the watch that makes it a little more special than others like it. And some of us consider that added value. I don't collect issued watches myself, but as a mostly vintage collector I can see the logic of finding value in the history of one particular watch.
    I get your point, but I think you're stretching it a lot comparing 'issued watches' to these.

    Many will have sat in a store once and never have been on anyone's wrist. Likewise a lot of 'Comex' watches were on manager's wrists in an office somewhere in a town, not 100M down in the North Sea or off the African coast.

    The 'history' in most cases is little different to any other vintage watch, imo.

    A unique watch with an exceptional history is one thing, 'issued watches' are something else.

    But, as I said earlier, an interest in them is no bad thing if it makes you happy, it's no odder than having a collection of blue dialed watches or all chronographs or anything else.

    M
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  27. #27
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Oddly, no, I wouldn’t pay more for a real moon watch or Newman’s watch. I wasn’t an Apollo astronaut and I’m not Paul Newman. I would pay more for a watch I had something to do with (if I could find the Seamaster I wore on my first Afghan tour in 2002 for example I’d snap it back up at a premium), or if I found my dad’s long-sold Submariner. But otherwise these are just other people’s stories, other people’s lives. They have nothing to do with me and wearing their watch doesn’t change that. However, I’m prepared to admit that I may be odd having this view.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  28. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by snowman View Post
    I get your point, but I think you're stretching it a lot comparing 'issued watches' to these.

    Many will have sat in a store once and never have been on anyone's wrist. Likewise a lot of 'Comex' watches were on manager's wrists in an office somewhere in a town, not 100M down in the North Sea or off the African coast.

    The 'history' in most cases is little different to any other vintage watch, imo.

    A unique watch with an exceptional history is one thing, 'issued watches' are something else.

    But, as I said earlier, an interest in them is no bad thing if it makes you happy, it's no odder than having a collection of blue dialed watches or all chronographs or anything else.

    M
    Comex watches are an obvious one for collectors were but it seems to me and my limited knowledge that the really coveted and expensive ones are those that come with a dive log and related paraphernalia?

  29. #29
    Master Papa Hotel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Not Edinburgh
    Posts
    7,487
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    How does buying medals of someone you never met, who may even be dead, show them “respect”? If you want to show those people respect, and tangibly help, donate the money to Blesma or similar.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I must be wrong then.

  30. #30
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Maidstone
    Posts
    1,384
    Do/did the BBC supply CWC watches to news crews overseas in "interesting" locations?

  31. #31
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by Speedy2254 View Post
    Do/did the BBC supply CWC watches to news crews overseas in "interesting" locations?
    “This very watch was worn by Kate Adie when she gave a Royal Marine major a swift one off the wrist on Op Ptarmigan!”


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  32. #32
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Wirral - North West England
    Posts
    15,264
    On the medals thing, my brother in law started collecting medals about 40 years ago, but over time it grew into something much bigger. He has gone on to write books on the subject and regularly gives presentations at conventions and dinners etc so to him it has become a large part of his life. His wife is also involved in helping veterans apply for medals that they think they are entitled to or even to claim replacements for long lost original medals that were awarded.

    I don’t think you can dismiss such collectors as nerds wearing other peoples medals in their bedroom like some sort of Cpl. Jones wannabe.

    Also, is it any different to when the big boys on here get together and fill a table with milsubs and Comex divers and other rarities and when those watches are safely tucked back up in their safes or bank vaults they share photos of the watches with the rest us mortals to drool over.

  33. #33
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    North
    Posts
    18,930
    Blog Entries
    2
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Really don't understand why many folk will pay a lot more for a military watch which was issued to someone they don't know.
    "This was issued to a Royal Navy diver!"
    "Are you a Royal Navy diver? Was it a sentimental purchase to remind you of your service?"
    "No, I'm a management consultant from Epsom, but I have quite a deep bath."

  34. #34
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Wakefield, West Yorkshire
    Posts
    22,498
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Oddly, no, I wouldn’t pay more for a real moon watch or Newman’s watch. I wasn’t an Apollo astronaut and I’m not Paul Newman. I would pay more for a watch I had something to do with (if I could find the Seamaster I wore on my first Afghan tour in 2002 for example I’d snap it back up at a premium), or if I found my dad’s long-sold Submariner. But otherwise these are just other people’s stories, other people’s lives. They have nothing to do with me and wearing their watch doesn’t change that. However, I’m prepared to admit that I may be odd having this view.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Pretty much in line with my own thoughts! I find the fascination with James Bond - associated watches even stranger because he’s not real.

    I blame my indifference partly on becoming older and more cynical coupled with 10 years of taking watches to pieces, when they’re stripped down to a pile of parts it's surprising how any mystique disappears!

    As a younger man in the mid- late 90s buying 1950s/60s watches I was fascinated by the history and the stories these watches could tell, nowadays I don’t even think about such things.

  35. #35
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Wirral - North West England
    Posts
    15,264
    Since I’ve been into watches I’ve been a details type of person. I couldn’t just walk into a High Steet or City Centre watch shop, buy a watch because I like the look of it and then go home and wear it. Call me weird, but that’s just not enough for me.

    I have an urge to collect, always have had and not always watches and whatever I have collected I want to know as much about the subject as I possibly can. On the watches front when I first joined here learning about the differences between the various dials and bezel inserts and font types on the likes of Submariners and Sea Dwellers was really interesting. In fact I’m so sad that I can still remember the differences between the various Zenith Daytona dials without the need to refer to any reference documents.

    A progression to military watches was I suppose a natural step and there are some really fascinating watches out there, just as there are some really nice guys who’s knowledge is incredible and they are always willing to help and share information. Sure, if you are going to go after something a little different the more research the better, but for me owning as I do a watch that was only issued to Navigation officers on nuclear submarines over 40 years ago is preferable to something that is massed produced, regardless of maker or model.

    As stated several times on this thread, each to their own and long may it continue that way.
    Last edited by Wallasey Runner; 7th January 2022 at 15:33.

  36. #36
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner View Post
    Since I’ve been into watches I’ve been a details type of person. I couldn’t just walk into a High Steet or City Centre watch shop, buy a watch because I like the look of it and then go home and wear it. Call me weird, but that’s just not enough for me.

    I have an urge to collect, always have had and not always watches and whatever I have collected I want to know as much about the subject as I possibly can. On the watches front when I first joined here learning about the differences between the various dials and bezel inserts and font types on the likes of Submariners and Sea Dwellers was really interesting. In fact I’m so sad that I can still remember the differences between the various Zenith Daytona dials without the need to refer to any reference documents.

    A progression to military watches was I suppose a natural step and there are some really fascinating watches out there, just as there are some really nice guys who’s knowledge is incredible and they are always willing to help and share information. Sure, if you are going to go after something a little different the more research the better, but for me owning as I do a watch that was only issued to Navigation officers on nuclear submarines is preferable to something that is massed produced, regardless of maker or model.

    As stated several times on this thread, each to their own and long may it continue that way.
    I agree with all of this. I’m the same with watches, cars, everything really. Things which have stories and history are great, and military watches are part of that. It’s just the paying more for one that’s been issued that puzzles me. It’s the same watch, it just was part of someone else’s story.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  37. #37
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chester and Merseyside, UK
    Posts
    4,328
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    I agree with all of this. I’m the same with watches, cars, everything really. Things which have stories and history are great, and military watches are part of that. It’s just the paying more for one that’s been issued that puzzles me. It’s the same watch, it just was part of someone else’s story.
    Is it ?

    Rolex mil sub should have a unique type of hands, unique type of bezel insert, unique type of fixed bars, unique type of dial and uniquely marked case-back.

    H

  38. #38
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Wirral - North West England
    Posts
    15,264
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    I agree with all of this. I’m the same with watches, cars, everything really. Things which have stories and history are great, and military watches are part of that. It’s just the paying more for one that’s been issued that puzzles me. It’s the same watch, it just was part of someone else’s story.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Okay, you are splitting the debate a little here. For the vast majority of issued watches there is no commercial equivalent, think Dirty Dozen, all CWC up to 1990 etc - all these watches were made exclusively to fulfil military orders.

    Fast forward to modern times and yes, your issue becomes more real. Do you buy a CWC diver from Silvermans or pay twice as much for an identical watch because it has an issue number engraved on the back - I get your concern here and agree totally with it.

  39. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Really don't understand why many folk will pay a lot more for a military watch which was issued to someone they don't know.
    "This was issued to a Royal Navy diver!"
    "Are you a Royal Navy diver? Was it a sentimental purchase to remind you of your service?"
    "No, I'm a management consultant from Epsom, but I have quite a deep bath."
    The world is a crazy crazy place.
    I have heard that some people wear Speedmasters and have never been in space, divers watches and that can’t even swim.
    Incredible.
    Maybe you should get out a wee bit more.

  40. #40
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton View Post
    Is it ?

    Rolex mil sub should have a unique type of hands, unique type of bezel insert, unique type of fixed bars, unique type of dial and uniquely marked case-back.

    H
    You misunderstand. Issue isn’t with military watches, it’s with people paying a premium for the ones that were issued.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  41. #41
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner View Post
    Okay, you are splitting the debate a little here. For the vast majority of issued watches there is no commercial equivalent, think Dirty Dozen, all CWC up to 1990 etc - all these watches were made exclusively to fulfil military orders.

    Fast forward to modern times and yes, your issue becomes more real. Do you buy a CWC diver from Silvermans or pay twice as much for an identical watch because it has an issue number engraved on the back - I get your concern here and agree totally with it.
    Sure. But adding “issued” to a description for an ad is all about people wanting evidence it was worn by someone else. I find it weird.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  42. #42
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by watchlovr View Post
    The world is a crazy crazy place.
    I have heard that some people wear Speedmasters and have never been in space, divers watches and that can’t even swim.
    Incredible.
    Maybe you should get out a wee bit more.
    Man. It’s like Oscar Wilde was actually in the room.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  43. #43
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    UP North.
    Posts
    12,632
    Just watched "Repair Shop",an old chap had an old clocking in machine restored.He used it in his 1st job at 16 and for whatever reason became the owner(missed the start,walking the dog).
    So for the similar reason people like issued watches because of the history,I imagine the many people who clocked in and out over the lifetime of this machine,that is something to think about.


  44. #44
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by P9CLY View Post
    Just watched "Repair Shop",an old chap had an old clocking in machine restored.He used it in his 1st job at 16 and for whatever reason became the owner(missed the start,walking the dog).
    So for the similar reason people like issued watches because of the history,I imagine the many people who clocked in and out over the lifetime of this machine,that is something to think about.
    Yep. Ace. Because it was part of his story. Not part of someone else’s.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  45. #45
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Maidstone
    Posts
    1,384
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    “This very watch was worn by Kate Adie when she gave a Royal Marine major a swift one off the wrist on Op Ptarmigan!”


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    That's one way to keep it wound!

  46. #46
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Wirral - North West England
    Posts
    15,264
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Sure. But adding “issued” to a description for an ad is all about people wanting evidence it was worn by someone else. I find it weird.
    As already stated, the vast majority of issued watches have no history of who wore them, if indeed anyone at all. That’s what makes watches with a back story so desirable. A rare watch issued in low numbers 40 or more years ago and never made available to the general public is always going to be desirable amongst collectors, weird or not.

  47. #47
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    UP North.
    Posts
    12,632
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Yep. Ace. Because it was part of his story. Not part of someone else’s.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yes,but it also brings to my mind all the other hands that clocked in and out in its lifetime were I to be interested in buying an item like that.

    Thats a human feeling some have in owning something others used.


  48. #48
    Grand Master Saint-Just's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    28,934
    Quote Originally Posted by P9CLY View Post
    Yes,but it also brings to my mind all the other hands that clocked in and out in its lifetime were I to be interested in buying an item like that.

    Thats a human feeling some have in owning something others used.
    It doesn't need to have been issued to have been used by others.
    'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.

  49. #49
    Master FrontierGibberish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Wantage, UK
    Posts
    1,382
    Quote Originally Posted by P9CLY View Post
    Yes,but it also brings to my mind all the other hands that clocked in and out in its lifetime were I to be interested in buying an item like that.

    Thats a human feeling some have in owning something others used.
    Put like that it makes more sense. I guess the specifically military connection just feels a bit Walty to me.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  50. #50
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Maidstone
    Posts
    1,384
    Quote Originally Posted by FrontierGibberish View Post
    Put like that it makes more sense. I guess the specifically military connection just feels a bit Walty to me.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Sometimes people like the idea of military kit, that it's functional, rugged, built for a purpose etc, something that most people can't get, designed for a task most people couldn't do. Every so often they might look at their military watch & wonder what stories it could tell if it could talk (not realising that it may have spent its entire service career in the stores). That's fine.
    If they start cutting about & making out their exploits would (if they were allowed to talk about them) make Andy Mcnab look like the Milky Bar Kid, that's very different.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information