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Thread: Which watch confirms your`WIS` status?

  1. #101
    I could have written a list but it has to be My JLC perpetual calendar

  2. #102
    Master
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    Which watch confirms your`WIS` status?

    Quote Originally Posted by snowman View Post
    I never understood the interest in these.

    More of a Film nerds choice, surely?

    M

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    Maybe. The last watch meeting that I went to in Bristol a chap there had lots of different versions . I like them as a watch but didn’t want the vintage original and so went for the re-issue without the prospex on the dial which is another thing that only a follower would note.


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  3. #103
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    Gotta be the Sinn, especially with the acrylic crystal


  4. #104
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    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt View Post
    Oh, Ok then

    Love the Constellation. My two hummers are awaiting new batteries...

  5. #105
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    My largest 8 Day winder




    My Smallest 8 Day Winder



    Last edited by Dale Arnold; 24th April 2022 at 22:43.

  6. #106
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    8 day winder?



    Which also has a LeCoultre movement inside - I never knew that Panerai used one, every day's a school day!

  7. #107
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    Mine says hi

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  8. #108
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    Quote Originally Posted by snowman View Post
    I never understood the interest in these.

    More of a Film nerds choice, surely?

    M

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    I don't like the 'Willard' case at all - the crown guard is a definite 'no' for me. As to the WISness, it could be argued that art was simply imitating life because the watches were, apparently, a popular choice for soldiers in Vietnam - as suggested in this piece https://www.fratellowatches.com/seik...e-lineup/#gref It also suggests it might have been better labelled the Uemura after the Japanese explorer.

  9. #109


    It's not much to look at but it took me two years to try and get the seller to part with it.

    (It's a Smiths Mk X, made in WW2 for the RAF and one of only about a dozen known to exist. The seller was the widow of a former Smiths employee and almost all the other extant examples have also come from Cheltenham.)

  10. #110
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JonRA View Post
    I don't like the 'Willard' case at all - the crown guard is a definite 'no' for me. As to the WISness, it could be argued that art was simply imitating life because the watches were, apparently, a popular choice for soldiers in Vietnam - as suggested in this piece https://www.fratellowatches.com/seik...e-lineup/#gref It also suggests it might have been better labelled the Uemura after the Japanese explorer.
    I agree on the case, I've got a similar Seiko and I don't wear that much because I don't like the case shape. I tried a 6105 homage a while ago, too, and didn't like it on that either.

    Still not sure any watch nicknamed after a fictional character can really be a WIS watch, it's like an 'Arnie' or a 'Ripley', although I appreciate it was chosen for the film because it was supposedly popular with troops in 'Nam.

    That said, I'm sure there's a case for saying anyone wearing a vintage watch (unless they're old enough to have worn it from new) is showing an unusual interest in watches, even if it was (as someone suggested) inherited.

    I inherited my dad's roll film camera, but I still use a digital one for taking photos!

    M
    Last edited by snowman; 25th April 2022 at 10:00.
    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  11. #111
    In truth, all of my watches are fairly niche but more than any, all the straps, spring bars and parts I keep give me away more than the watches!

  12. #112
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    Probably my Smiths Commando from TF.


  13. #113
    Grand Master markrlondon's Avatar
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    ^^^ That's probably the best photo I've seen of one!

  14. #114
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    Oysterquartz and 60s Seikos. The average buyer would be confused by a quartz Rolex. And they'd just think 'cheap old Seiko', instead of seeing the charm of a vintage Omega and some of the cleanest, classic designs this side of a Patek Philippe, all for a few hundred quid. Not much chance of them importing it from Japan either.

  15. #115
    Don't own one and never have but surely the ultimate WIS watch is the MM300. I'm amazed it's not been mentioned yet.
    To me, to be an expert (or geek) on a topic is to understand why one person's bog-standard is worth the extra money it costs.
    The MM300 looks to most like any other Seiko diver and the brand itself suggests to those same people that that's a £~50-100 watch.
    Yet those who know, know. Everyone you speak to says it's as good as there is, bang for buck, and is worth the c. £3k it costs to get one new.

  16. #116
    Grand Master Griswold's Avatar
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    From a horological history point of view as to how the Waterbury Watch Co came to be, and the pure simplicity of the movement, it has to be this one. The fact that my Dad carried it with him throughout WW2 only adds to that....




    In terms of rarity, probably my Chronoswiss Kairos




    And as an out and out conversation piece....




    it does so many things

    Best Regards - Peter

    I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.

  17. #117
    Grand Master
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    Most of my collection is pretty generic bar these two, which I think are WIS watches.
    BP FF Barakuda and GO 70s panorama date.



  18. #118
    Master sweets's Avatar
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    Probably my Tutima ZUZ, one of 30 (roughly) in the world, bought by myself directly from the Zoll Disposal Auctions



    Or maybe this, the only Certina Ds Super I have ever seen like this, 1 of 1?



    Or maybe this BBC Nero Lemania. Not many of these around, not many know Lemania, but it is an epic watch



    Or maybe my Snowflake. Not because it is are, it isn't, but because it took a lot of effort to get it back to looking like it should.


  19. #119
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    Lot of sense here.

    As an analyst/ researcher, I would like to suggest some principles that might mark a WIS watch

    - not available on the High Street
    - not available from mass online sellers (ie Amazon)
    - From a perceived non- watchmaking country (ie Germany, France)
    - Not on the bracelet/ strap that it was purchased on, particularly a NATO or ZULU
    - Modified
    - Worth more than a month's salary (you can probably exclude those that receive a bonus that is multiples of this)
    - Obscure models from makers that would normally be unlikely to be WIS due to mass availability (ie Milgauss, Mk4.5 Speedy)
    - An Orient
    - Not available for sale in the resident country (ie JDM)
    - Eddie's
    - RLT

    Hope that makes sense...

    My most WIS watch would be my Gen 1 BM, which as a bezel from a different model, and is on a Super Engineer bracelet. Ticks a few boxes...


  20. #120
    Grand Master zelig's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post
    ...I would like to suggest some principles that might mark a WIS watch

    - not available on the High Street
    - not available from mass online sellers (ie Amazon)
    - From a perceived non- watchmaking country (ie Germany, France)
    - Not on the bracelet/ strap that it was purchased on, particularly a NATO or ZULU
    - Modified - or homemade / assembled
    - Worth more than a month's salary (you can probably exclude those that receive a bonus that is multiples of this)
    - Obscure models from makers that would normally be unlikely to be WIS due to mass availability (ie Milgauss, Mk4.5 Speedy)
    - An Orient
    - Not available for sale in the resident country (ie JDM)
    - Eddie's
    - RLT
    A couple of my homemade examples tick quite a few of those boxes...



    ... don't know why that didn't occur to me in my earlier post

    z

  21. #121
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    I'd like to think this qualifies as well - who else but a WIS would wear a 1000m saturation diver the size of a small hockey puck, with the day wheel in Japanese, on a family grocery shop at the local Sainsbury's?!


  22. #122
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    Quote Originally Posted by apm101 View Post

    My most WIS watch would be my Gen 1 BM, which as a bezel from a different model, and is on a Super Engineer bracelet. Ticks a few boxes...



    Mines almost there.

    Last edited by magpie215; 25th April 2022 at 20:44.

  23. #123
    Master
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    Any Lange pretty much

  24. #124
    I’ve a few I think qualify











    Last edited by andy tims; 25th April 2022 at 21:06.
    Andy

    Wanted - Damasko DC57

  25. #125
    Master blackal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ac11111 View Post
    Any Lange pretty much
    Cool story, dude................

  26. #126
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    A lot of my watches are from well known brands actually, having read through this thread.
    My closest to WIS status would be my Vostok Or my Bulova Accutron.

  27. #127
    Master Scrubnut's Avatar
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    There’s always a monster of some sort…


  28. #128
    Master Scrubnut's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pete-r View Post
    Probably my Smiths Commando from TF.

    That looks good on the wrist. If the shop ever seats open long enough I might get one

  29. #129
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    Which watch confirms your`WIS` status?

    Quote Originally Posted by blackal View Post
    Cool story, dude................
    Not sure how to respond, a strange reply

  30. #130
    Master blackal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ac11111 View Post
    Not sure how to respond, a strange reply

    “Which watch confirms your WIS status”

    How many Langes do you have?

  31. #131
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackal View Post
    “Which watch confirms your WIS status”

    How many Langes do you have?
    Lange 1 timezone

    But my point originally is that almost any Lange would be WIS status confirmed. Almost nobody goes in to Lange without a ton of thought and appreciation. 90% choose Patek, Patek makes 10x more watches

    If it weren’t Lange, I would choose FPJ or similar well known independent, but unfortunately that ship has sailed

  32. #132
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    SLA 017
    If you know you know

  33. #133
    Master pacifichrono's Avatar
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    There are SO many, but for today I'll submit this cherry example...





    Last edited by pacifichrono; 27th April 2022 at 21:41.

  34. #134
    Craftsman leo1790's Avatar
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    Some brilliant examples on here. I know mines not totally off the radar but still one that gets comments.

  35. #135
    Master OldHooky's Avatar
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    Last edited by OldHooky; 26th April 2022 at 10:44.

  36. #136
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by verv View Post
    That's very nice..
    Perhaps that's what attracted me to this?
    Last edited by number2; 26th April 2022 at 10:45.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  37. #137
    I think it was/is this one:

    Last edited by Stanford; 26th April 2022 at 11:23.

  38. #138
    Master 50kopek's Avatar
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    Probably this one:



    And if that isn't WIS enough, I also have a small vintage GS collection.

  39. #139
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    Pretty sure only watch nerds have a selection of Bubbles

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  40. #140
    Quote Originally Posted by Stanford View Post
    I think it was/is this one:

    Quote Originally Posted by Stanford View Post
    I think it was/is this one:

    This one wins for me.

  41. #141
    Great thread.

    Here's another WIS wonder:







    The only quartz watch ever made in the UK. 14 jewels, too.

  42. #142
    Craftsman Pupp's Avatar
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    Strangely, think I’m wearing my best shout today…


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  43. #143
    Craftsman Pupp's Avatar
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    Mebbe this however…
    Off with Seiko for a service currently


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  44. #144
    It does occur to me that unless you’re wearing an Apple Watch/Garmin etc, or some tatty quartz fashion watch then you’re probably in the minority already - probably 75% WIS!


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  45. #145
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    Zenith


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  46. #146
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Pupp View Post

    Strangely, think I’m wearing my best shout today…


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    100%.

    I was always going to try one of those, sadly not now... :(

    M

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    Breitling Cosmonaute 809 - What's not to like?

  47. #147
    Master gunner's Avatar
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    Probably this...

  48. #148
    Master BSB's Avatar
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    I think I could possibly bore to death most non-WIS about any of my remaining six watches but the one that possibly qualifies most (and I'd have most to say about) is the Damasko DC86. Love everything about this watch and the fact that non-WIS have never heard of Damasko.


  49. #149
    Master mycroft's Avatar
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    Which watch confirms your`WIS` status?

    Just like Pupp, my immediate response to this thread was my Offshore Professional Field Engineer.

    Here is no. 131 in all its glory

    https://i.imgur.com/nF1ms3K.jpg

    @Snowman: if another one ever comes up on SC my advice would be to grab it with both hands! They are stunning.

    Simon
    Last edited by mycroft; 27th April 2022 at 19:32.

  50. #150
    Master pacifichrono's Avatar
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    I would also place this 1675 into evidence...

    Last edited by pacifichrono; 28th April 2022 at 01:37.

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