Tony C.
1239
luminous...
Hi Tom,
Here’s my theory on Peter’s pair that you showed. The middle example is a pure dress watch (I doubt that the crown is original), and as such, relatively fine print was used on the dial. The one on the right is a more bold design, in that there are black inserts (onyx, perhaps) in three of the hour markers. A heavier font actually works well as a compliment to the inserts, and (this is the most speculative part), I have seen a similar dial design (albeit in a steel case) in which there was luminous material, rather than inserts placed in the hour markers. So, perhaps there was one basic dial used for both models, and the “T” was included to denote tritium on those models that actually included the material.
Sometimes we collectors need to remind ourselves that few, if any working for these manufacturers were thinking about how collectors might obsess over details 50 years hence. If there was no tritium on some of the models on which “T” appeared on the dial, so what?
Regards,
Tony
GP Observatory Chronometer - Back from overhaul at GP Swiss!
Proud to be an owner of this beauty...
Wow!
Gosh, I am really drooling.... One of my dream watches..... May I see the movement 32A? A huge congrats!!! Ken
More pics ( dial and backside ) please! A beauty, Calvong. [nt]
No message body This message has been edited by amanico on 2011-12-14 22:22:25
Definitely need more pictures of this beauty.
The first one you have posted is just to small to appreciate the watch fully. Best regards, George
Congrats!
More pictures please! You must be enjoying your new beauty after its overhaul at GP! Cheers, Daos
Wow, love at first sight. Thanks ( or because :) ) of you, my wish list has ...
One more piece! Best, Nicolas.
This is sooooo beautiful!
I am drooling..... Congrats! Such a nice legendary piece.... That IS the great GP indeed! Ken
Very nice, but I have a question...
the dial reads "T SWISS T" where is/was the tritium? Regards, Tony C.
T SWISS T
Tony, Not to speak for calvong, but I have a very similar GP Observatory Chronometer in an 18K gold US case, and mine too has a T SWISS T dial and a complete lack of luminous material on either the dial or the hands. I hope to have a write-up on this watc...
Hi Tom...
thanks for your thoughtful reply. I also tend to think along the lines that you suggest, in that I see no other indications of a possible re-dial. The fact that you have a similarly anomalous HF does lend further support to your theory. Having said that, ...
I still need to take a photo of mine, but...
...both of the photos below belong to PeterCDE and show watches in his collection. The original post is here on PuristsPro, but as I recall, all three are 18K gold monocoque cases, 34mm, sold in the USA. The left watch is a clear redial, and a poor one at...
luminous...
Hi Tom, Here’s my theory on Peter’s pair that you showed. The middle example is a pure dress watch (I doubt that the crown is original), and as such, relatively fine print was used on the dial. The one on the right is a more bold design, in that there are...
Observatory Chronometer Dials
For what it is worth, here are my two, both Swiss T....
A me il quandrante sembra una ristampa
A me pare che il quadrante sia una ristampa. Naturalmente potrei sbagliarmi a causa di un'errore di parallasse ma mi sembra abbastanza evidente che la grafica della secondiera sia ruotata rispetto agli indici in oro. La distanza tra l'indice grafico che p...
Reply
All of these Observatory Chronometers are making me jealous as I only have 2 "C" case and a square "civilian" models. If anyone is desperate for cash, PM me.. I'll provide a good home for any with original dial and in full working order. Never been afraid...
Cost of GP overhaul
Hi, I have recently picked up a GP Observatory Chronometer, cal 32A, its been abused, god knows why anyone would have a timepiece like this and look after it!! I was thinking of sending it to GP to get it overhauled (instead of giving it my normal watch g...
Welcome here, Tony!
And congratulation to a very fine and rare piece! :) As for the service cost, hard to tell since it all depends on what has to be done on your watch. The good thing with sending the watch to GP instead of a local watchmaker is that the chance of them havi...
Disappointing reply from GP
Hi Blomman Sent the movement to GP, it had a broken winding spindle and it was returned with the comment that they no longer have ANY spare parts for this movement! Very disappointing response! I have found a watch repairer who will make one, fortunately ...
Strange....
Hi Tony, Sorry to hear this and I find it very strange. Did you send the watch to GP Switzerland? Because I know they do vintage restorations there. Hope yours will come back in good shape. Best Blomman
GP repair!
Hi Blomman, I contacted GP through their website and they got me to send it to their agent in the UK who then told me they do not undertake vintage watch repair in the UK and that they had sent the watch movement to GP, it is a movement, dial, hands, crys...
Too bad
Not sure if this is the case here, but I know that many Manufactures only services complete watches, not movements separately. Hope you will find a donate watch. Best Blomman
this is why
I used to have and will buy another loose Calibre 42.1 Chronometer HF movement for spares. Parts are interchangeable in many instances at minimal cost!
Thanks for that info, I...
Thanks for that info, I had been told the same by Tim in Oz. But had missed out on the only one I had seen on ebay or anywhere else for that matter. I will keep searching! Regards Tony. Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2015 15:34:50 -0800
My GP's lees the Observatory Chronometer. Sorry for the quality of the pics.
My GP's, less the OBS Chrono. 'Poker' dial, Cal 21 ref 7317 early Giromatic, Cal 32A HF chrono. 18 ct Cal 42.4 HF chrono, Cal 490 late giro roller gold The cal. 21 has a lovely black silvered dial but it does not show well on the pics. ...
Very nice gathering of Gyromatics! :)
Congrats! :) The black looks really nice! Please show us more. Best Blomman