the sub register - November 2017
Welcome back to the sub register : an interactive roundup of interesting watches for sale. This week I've got two vintage three-register chronographs and two modern divers in the mix, with price ranges under $500 and over $5000. Let's dive in with perhaps the most risky of the options, though it could clean up very well.
1940's or 1950's Wittnauer 3-Register Chronograph
I love these early chronographs that don't have lume and are just very legible and clean. The blued steel hands and drop tail seconds should look really good once cleaned up. Photo courtesy of eBay listing, click through for more info.
Kicking things off with a real wild card, I suspect this one could clean up really well. The incorrect description as a triple calendar watch and bad photos will hopefully help aid in keeping the price down, which will need to happen to factor in a full disassembly, cleaning, and regulation. However, with a good cleaning and new crystal, I think this one might look really nice. The dial is well faded, but appears still legible, keeping with a very clean 3-register layout characteristic of pilot's watches in the 1950's. The drilled lugs support this theory, and the case looks decent overall. The hands appear corroded, but I suspect the sexy blued steel will really make the dial sing once cleaned. It has what appears to be a Venus 178 column wheel movement, a great chronograph caliber most notably used in many mid century Breitling's. You'll want to factor in $500 to $750 for service, but if this stays below $750 or so, I think you've got yourself a deal. It's currently sitting at $482 on eBay, ending Thursday.
Clearly very vintage "inspired" but well executed and very accessible. Photo courtesy of WatchUseek FS post, click through for more info.
There are a number of small, independent brands doing some really cool things these days, Helson being one of them. The Skin Diver would make the list of new watches I would gladly own. It has a great, bead blasted case and really reigns home on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms theme with the chunky bezel and dial layout. These wear a bit on the big side, but very appropriate for a diver at 41 mm in diameter. This one has some case damage on the side, but if I were to buy the watch, I would want to wear it and beat it up, so that dent just makes this all the more accessible, by keeping the price low at $475 asking. It comes with two rubber straps and a mesh bracelet, so you should be all set for whatever comes your way. In terms of a great everyday wearer, an entry into vintage inspired mechanicals, or a beater to round out your collection of safe queens, this fits the bill. Snatch it up on WatchUseek forums here.
The hour, minute, and chrono seconds hands on this watch are the right kind of funky, and just look at how crisp that case is! Click through for full eBay listing.
I don't think anyone would be surprised to learn I love three register chronographs, but the problem with loving three register chronograph is that they're not cheap. Enter the Tissot Seastar. These vintage beauties feature the same cam actuated Lemania caliber 1281 movement as the Omega Speedmaster and can typically be had for less than $800. This one has a case that appears to be in very good condition with very sharp brushing intact on the main surface. The applied hour indices, logo, and funky hands really add some depth, character, and class to the watch, and the minute counter sub register keeps your yacht racing on time with a nice pop of color. Watch is said to be in good working order, and in terms of getting a solid movement in a cool watch at an accessible price, this one is tough to beat. Currently sitting at $616 Canadian or about $480 on eBay here.
These pictures really don't do this watch justice, and I can personally attest to this one's condition. Click through for more info.
I also don't think anyone would be surprised to learn that I'm not really a Panerai guy. However, I've had this very watch on wrist, and I do understand it. The Panerai's with in-house movements in the non-offensively large case sizes are extremely well finished and do have a very unique appeal to them on wrist. I can personally attest to the quality of the watch and the seller on this one since it belongs to past meticulist.net contributor Nat. This one comes with boxes, papers, spring bar tool, and sits at a nice 42mm containing the in-house 3-day P.9000 movement. The Luminor strap changing system is genius, and sure to keep your watch clean of strap change tool marks, and the depth of the sandwich dial under the domed crystal is really tough to give justice to if you've never had one on wrist. Nat is looking for $5150, with the full listing here.
Thanks for reading, and as always, if you see anything interesting out in the wild, please reach out at meticulist.net(at) gmail.com, tag me on instagram or Twitter or leave a comment below.