Ubik
1871
Small and heavy
Although a small no-name trench watch this one drew me because of the weight of it's story.
The trench watch was the birth of the modern wristwatch, born of a need on the battlefield to be able to tell the time without having
to draw a pocket watch from your waistcoat, the watch grew lugs and became the wristlet.
This watch is a marker of that moment both because it is an example of that early shift from pocket to wrist, but also
because this was one of a small batch of wristwatches that the British military bought around 1917 to evaluate the best watch for military use.
With the recent Centenary of the start of WW1 this seemed a fitting "heavy" watch to post.
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Alright, Alright, Alright....it's time to show us your "heavy" pieces
My intent is not to start this week's Wristscan with controversy or to offend anyone. However, whenever I hear the word "Heavy" it generates a bit of a melancholic / thoughtful mood. So immediately this story came to mind which is one of the most awkward ...
Oh, Mike, that is a very "heavy" story...
Anyway, happier "heavy" one from me.... Why "heavy" you ask? Well, the weight of the history is what counts here. The movement inside - Cal. 32A - is the actual movement which passed the rigorous Observatory Chronometer Test in 1960s. I feel very proud to...
Yes and yours is a great story
about horological history and customer service! That GP is definately a "heavyweight" contender. The heavy theme could be interpreted in so many ways... Thanks for sharing, Mike
I am leaning more and more....
... toward the watches which are historically important or "heavy" - we must keep it for the next generation..... :-) Thank you! Ken
Secretly...?
If you really want to go under cover - send me the watch.... Because as long as you have this one, there will be no secret! ;) Best Blomman
It doesn't get any heavier . . .
. . . than actual specimens from chronometry trials. A certified heavyweight . . .
Thanks, Art...
... there were only TWO brands which sold the ACTUAL specimen to the public (in Observatory Chronometry testing) - GP and SEIKO. Others tried with their own "F1 machine" which were designed and built to last just for the duration of the testing - not to b...
Not bad ...
but still not there :) What we need is that Number of the Beast cover from Iron Maiden ;) Yours D
Eddie!
What ever made you pair Eddie with the Blancpain? :-) My parents never understood why I liked Iron Maiden...my dad destroyed all the album covers but actually let me keep the LPs, my mom hated Eddie the Head. Thanks Nicolas HAGWE, Mike
These Vintage FFs are frigthening. A mine field. Hence the idea.
But when you find a correct one, you are a killer. Best, Nicolas ...
What a coincidence! Mom threw out . . .
. . . my National Lampoon collection. :-) ...
Not bad, either!
.. especially the background sheet :-) I LOVE the last Rolex..... Ken
The 5508 is a classic, such as the background ( Blue Oyster Cult ).
Thanks for looking, Ken. Best, Nicolas
Yes, but if you get . . .
[image and watch credit: Robin] . . . a blue Oyster . . . . . . you might end up with a cult. ...
That's a piercingly poignant story, Mike . . .
. . . one can barely imagine how uncomfortable that situation was. Fortunately, it seems the difficulty didn't carry over to the friendship with your classmate, seeing as how you've visited several times since. There's one story in particular laden with m...
She's only let out of her resting place . . .
. . . once or twice a year, but do I ever enjoy her company! :-)
Love that perpetual
and I fondly remember reading that amazing story. I'm lucky to have an understanding friend. Thanks for sharing Art, Stuck in Maine, Mike
With the long history.....
... there can be such things.... Lange made lots of watches for the military as well..... .. and you GO is certainly a heavy weight, whether by weight or not, one monumental piece from GO to me..... Ken
Ahhhh.. One of my favs of yours.. Another Karree & splendid sunset.. Always..
.. absolutely love that feature with the shallow "striped" horizon in those sunset pics.. Superb shot !! Best and HAGWE !
Good...
you wasn't wearing Panerai :) ;) Now seriously sometimes we do things that hurt or insult from pure ignorance or cultural, age, social or religion difference One can never be cautious or polite enough is what I learned As heavy metal is in question my fav...
I learned my lesson
You never know what people you will meet each day. Your advice is sound. What is the story behind the Zeno? Cheers, Mike
A thoughtful gift indeed...
I've seen the Zeno brand around but never one in the metal. Thanks for sharing, Mike
How's the sound on the alarm?
Is it similar to the master Memovox? Beautiful pics BTW Cheers, Mike
Similar to the current Master Memovox....
Sharing the same cal 956, but more "fuller" in sound due to the case shape. If you are referring to the MM from the 90's - then it's much better! More school bell like... :) Best Blomman
That's good, my older memovox were more of a loud buzz
Is there any archive source of Memovox alarm sound files that you know? Best, Mike
This ain't heavy= nor is it my brothers,,,,,,
Another war story After the war my dad bought 4 IWC , all the same. He had to sell 2 of them leaving one for me amd one for my brother. This one is mine My brother's IWC was unfortunetaly stolen from his home and this is the sole remaining IWC (or Shaffha...
That is certainly a "heavy" story as well....
... history is always standing behind you with ever increasing weight..... Keep it safe, keep it sound! Ken
Sorry to hear about your brother's watch
I had a similar experience and lost a special piece too! Lucky that you still possess your IWC, a true family heirloom. Thanks for sharing, Mike
Sounds . . .
. . . achingly familiar. :-) Uncle George acquired three nearly identical Longines Conquests in the summer of '56, gifting one to Dad and the other to Uncle Nate. Only Dad's . . . . . . remains; both George's and Nate's were lifted in home burglaries. The...
Here's my heavy...
46mm. 185 grams. Steel Case. Steel Bracelet. German Made. Nothing light about it... ...
Looks like you have and will enjoy it for a long time...
.. looks very useful watch - could be daily beater.... Nice! Thanks for sharing! Ken
My heaviest
this beastie is definitely heavy: Weighing in at a chunky 185g, this will save me going to the gym. Okay, got to figure something out to balance my right arm. HAGWE, CC ...
I like that color combo
but it looks like traffic sucks where ever you are :-) Have a good weekend, Mike
Eberhard & Co.
My biggest and heaviest watch is the Eberhard & Co. Huit Jours. It looks like an old pocket watch converted to a wristwatch. Compared to my other watches, it feels big and heavy. The movement was developed by former Eberhard & Co. owner Palmiro Mo...
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