the sub register : vintage chronograph from eBay edition
the sub register aims to be an interactive roundup of interesting watches for sale and recently sold. If you see something out in the wild, feel free to tag me below or on instagram @meticulist or using the hashtag #thesubregister.
I've managed to turn up a smattering of the less than usual suspects all in two register chronograph form, all from eBay for this week's #thesubregister.
Titus 2-Register Chronograph
Photo courtesy of eBay listing, click through for more info.
Gold is making a comeback, if it hasn’t already, and although I cannot tell for certain if this one is gold or just gold plated, if it remains near its current price of $200, you’re safe either way considering how attractive this watch is overall. A great vintage size of 35 mm, excluding crown, clean two-register chronograph and white dial with tachymeter and telemeter scales on them make this a very attractive watch that appears to be in really nice condition. The hand wound, column wheel Valjoux 92 movement helps me not even care if it’s gold plated rather than solid gold. The bottom pusher is obviously not original, and you’re probably better off sourcing two replacements, but that shouldn’t stop you as the cost of a service should be factored into any vintage watch purchase anyways. Available on eBay here, currently at $200 plus shipping.
The dial and lume plots look really attractive under the scratched acrylic crystal. Photo from eBay listing, click through to bid.
Often called a "poor-man's Carrera" these panda dialed Elgin's represent a nice bargain for what is a pretty killer dial. This one is a bit of a risk because it is reportedly not running, but being that it needs a new crystal (approximately $20) and should be serviced anyways, my fingers are crossed that the routine service is all it needs. These are often chrome plated, and which typically detracts, and it's tough to confirm on this one since it doesn't have any writing on the case back, but the seller states it's stainless, and judging by the two crude photos alone, I think it might be. If this stays at or near its current $350 asking price, I think it will be a great pickup after some TLC by the watchmaker.
The hands, the open 6, the font on the numerals all do it for me here. Photo from eBay listing, click through to bid.
An oversized for the time at 36mm in diameter with these very long straight lugs, this watch has so much going for it. I love how clean and legible the dial is while still having a lot of cool details like the numeral font, the three minute hash marks in red to time phone calls, and those shapely blued steel hands. The Angelus column wheel chronograph movements are known for being great and a joy to use, and for it be presumably only seen by the watchmaker, it is very nicely finished. The plating on the pushers shows a bit of wear, but the overall patina and age on this watch works for me since I can imagine it on some pilot's wrist. I wouldn't want to see the price go too much higher than it is to keep a service in mind, but at its current price of $730 or a bit more, I think you'll have a really charming watch.
Great watch that is a bit tired, but still charming... just not at this asking price. Photo from eBay listing, click through to see what "values" bigvalueguy has for you.
One vintage chronograph that I would absolutely love to own one day is a Gallet with an Excelsior Park movement in it. Michael Stockton over at Fratello Watches even claims the EP 4/40 movements might be the best of all of the vintage hand wound column wheel movements due to smooth and supple the operation is. That is some high praise in my book. What you're looking at here, is one of my favorite dial variations of the numerous Gallet Chronographs that were available, with the "sterile" top part of the dial and the very yachting specific regatta timer countdown marks on the minute register in red. This watch is so very cool, but it is also clearly a bit dirty and in need of a service. One of the pusher tubes appears to be unseated and both appear quite worn, and the crown is clearly not original. Still, what makes this listing tragic is the laughably ambitious asking price given the condition of this watch. Maybe the seller is willing to take offers at less than half, but it will be a shame that this watch has to sit unsold and unloved while we pass its aspirational price tag by. Currently listed at $5,000 without offers from seller "bigvalueguy" on eBay here.
That's it for this week, thanks for reading, and if you see anything in the wild or have in questions, hit me up below or via the contact page. Happy hunting.