In our recent searches for a nice Art Deco style wristwatch, we came across the following offering from The Vintage Wrist Watch Company, a Longines cushion-cased wristwatch for J.W. Benson dating from 1933. Although not the typical rectangular-curvex Art Deco design we were looking for, the battered dial has appeal, much like a well-loved childhood…Read more
Wyler Watch Company
This is another obscure company, the Wyler Watch Company, that I came across whilst researching a post on vintage watch shock protection systems. The company was real, there are plenty of Wyler vintage watches available on the market, but there is no official history of their time from inception in the 1920s to their ultimate…Read more
Omega Seamaster 501 automatic, 1956
This vintage Omega Seamaster wristwatch has a calibre 501 20-jewel automatic movement that works well and keeps time accurately. The movement is fully signed by Omega, and the serial number 15,832,615 dates back to 1956. The Seamaster is one of those iconic brands that every true watch connoisseur wants to have in their collection. I…Read more
Watch shock protection systems
Watch shock protection systems are designed to protect the delicate components of a watch movement, in particular the balance wheel, from damage due to physical shocks or impacts. These systems are critical for maintaining the accuracy, reliability and longevity of a watch, as even minor shocks can cause damage to the movement’s intricate parts. How…Read more
9ct gold Art Deco J.W. Benson wristwatch, 1947
The features of Art Deco design have recently caught our eyes, and we are keen to add a watch to our collection that captures the charm of the period. In this instance, during our initial research, we came across this Art Deco J.W. Benson wristwatch dating from 1947. It is in an Art Deco style…Read more
How to wind a vintage watch
A vintage mechanical watch is powered by the mainspring and will only run if the mainspring is wound to some degree. The mainspring is wound either by hand or by a self-winding mechanism, i.e. an automatic movement. Normally, a mechanical watch has a 40 to 48-hour power reserve after a full wind. This means to…Read more
Oris Super wrist watch, 1960s.
Oris has long been a favourite Swiss brand of mine. I own a modern Oris 65 Divers watch with a bronze bezel and leather strap. It looks amazing, keeps great time and flies under the radar, only a watch aficionado would appreciate it for the respected Swiss made brand that it is. The bronze and…Read more
The Swiss made brand: a timeless legacy
The name “Swiss made” is one of the most iconic and revered brands in the world. The term “Swiss Made” is synonymous with high-quality luxury watches. The Swiss have jealously protected this venerated brand name for over a century. However, despite a long history of watchmaking the Swiss were not always known for their high-end…Read more
Eterna KonTiki 10, c1968
The Kontiki models of the 1950s and 60s are arguably some of Eterna’s most iconic models. Solidly constructed, inside and out in every respect, they were favoured by Divers and Military personnel at the time. This particular vintage watch is an Eterna KonTiki 10 dating from 1958. It is in stunning condition for its age….Read more
The peculiar history of MuDu watches
MuDu watches are a vintage watch brand that comes up online occasionally, and the brand has a peculiar history. According to Mikrolisk, the “Bible” for horological trade marks, Brevinex SA/Kurt Dubach of Geneva, Switzerland, registered the MuDu brand in 1957. There is a separate, undated trademark list on Mikrolisk for MuDu. In this instance, Adolf…Read more