Posted: 9/16/2025 2:11:37 PM EDT
A few years back I was gifted my grandfather’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Reference 1500, year of production is 1975, so 50 years old (I’m 54). I know it’s nothing too fancy but the history of having a family member’s watch (our company founder as well - I tie that into my company history pitch as appropriate) and wearing it is pretty cool. So let’s see your vintage timepieces and the associated stories!! Mine:
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This is my birth year Rolex I wore today from the early '60s.  This is my Dad's 1966 Seiko Single Button Chronograph. I wear it occasionally. 
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SAF Life Member-GOA Life Member-JPFO Charter Member-MSF Life Member
FPC Member-VCDL Member-BFA Member-NRA Benefactor Life Member
Sir RobertL, Charter Member of the Knights of Wonder
FPC Member-VCDL Member-BFA Member-NRA Benefactor Life Member
Sir RobertL, Charter Member of the Knights of Wonder
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Excellent! I'm too much of a coward to wear my vintage watches. Being a 24/7 365 shit magnet has its disadvantages. 
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A socialist may indeed be academically superior.
And yet, they are most certainly emotionally retarded.
Public education is the opiate of the masses.
And yet, they are most certainly emotionally retarded.
Public education is the opiate of the masses.
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This is mine: Attached File A pocket watch conversion of a Illinois Executive from 1925 by Frett and Company Clockworks. It is now wearing a black alligator band from ABP. Back in the day was sold as being accurate + or - 10 seconds a week. |
byte-me
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My vintage timex Ironman indiglo's. No personal connection to them. It's what I have wore since a teen in the 80's. I like them they are 60 bux NIB today and take a lick'n & keep on tick'n. I'll go be poor somewhere else. My rolex money is spent on transferable MG's. 
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Originally Posted By thejokker: This is mine: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/26383/1925Frett_jpg-3626095.JPG A pocket watch conversion of a Illinois Executive from 1925 by Frett and Company Clockworks. It is now wearing a black alligator band from ABP. Back in the day was sold as being accurate + or - 10 seconds a week. That is STUNNING!! A buddy has his great grandfather's (or great great?) functioning pocket watch supposedly from 1909, haven't seen it though... |
| Check out https://www.frettclockworks.com/shop. I have another interesting pocket watch conversion I will post tomorrow after a take some pictures. |
byte-me
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Originally Posted By thejokker: Check out https://www.frettclockworks.com/shop. I have another interesting pocket watch conversion I will post tomorrow after a take some pictures. Appreciate the info, have shared with my buddy. |
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Originally Posted By thejokker: This is mine: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/26383/1925Frett_jpg-3626095.JPG A pocket watch conversion of an Illinois Executive from 1925 by Frett and Company Clockworks. It is now wearing a black alligator band from ABP. Back in the day was sold as being accurate + or - 10 seconds a week. That is a beautiful piece. |
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Attached File I apologize for the lousy pictures. This isn't as nice as the Illinois watch but is still interesting. This is a pocket watch conversion of a 1950's Soviet Molnija. I've read these were prized by young european professionals in the 50's and 60's, despite the cold war, who could not afford Rolex and Omega's but wanted a nice watch. Attached File This shows the Cortébert movement licensed to Molnija by the Swiss company. Cortébert movements were also used in Rolex watches so these were very nice watches at a fraction of the price of a Rolex. This was made for me by Dimitri Shmayluk who is the older brother of Tatiana Shmayluk who is the vocalist for the Ukrainian progressive metal band Jinjer. This is not the original dial. It shows the logo of the band which is also the Coat-of-Arms for the city of Gorlovka, Ukraine which is currently in the Russian occupied territory. The outer ring represents a gear symbolizing it's industrial base and the inner ring represents a gear symbolizing coal mining. |
byte-me
1972 birthday year watch, no back story other than that.   
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The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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I inherited a few family watches. My father’s early 70’s. Heauer Autavia GMT I wear it on special occasions and sometimes just out and about.  My grandfathers Wakmann, before and after it was serviced by Matt at Lang Jewelers who is also a member here. It wasn’t functioning and possibly had never been serviced. It dont recall if it is late 60’s or early 70’s but he wore it for years probably to when it stopped and he got a Casio calculator watch. The flexaband while original always gave me old man vibes so I had Matt put a simple black leather strap on it. I do wear it on occasion but since it is a manual winding watch and there are 4 different complications to set every time it doesn’t get worn as much as it should.   This was my Great Great Grandfathers watch. Lots of questions that I will never get answered like whose initials are engraved and was it bought new or used? Was it a special purchase or a daily user? 
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Originally Posted By thejokker: If you ever need it repaired Frett Clockwork has lots of experience on vintage Hamiltons. Thanks for the tip! I need to get an old Hamilton cleaned up. It keeps decent time but needs some love. It's an old Hamilton Kirk that my great grandfather was given when he retired from GM in 1950. |
| Nice time pieces. I’ve got an old Hamilton that was my great grandfathers. I’ve never worn it. Too small for my taste and not a gold watch fan. Also was gifted a beautiful Rolex gmt from the 70’s. It was my father in laws grail watch. It’s beautiful, but again not my style. I wore it to my daughter’s wedding last month. |
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1969 Speedmaster Professional My dad received it as a gift from graduation from college before leaving for UPT. When I graduated, a long time ago he had it serviced and gave it to me. Attached File |
"If you go to jail for tax evasion, you're living off of taxes as a result of not paying your taxes." Joe Rogan
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1979 OP Date Attached File |
“It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men”
- Samuel Adams
- Samuel Adams
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Attached File 1976 Speedy. Grandma bought it for Grandpa, who gave it to me after wearing it almost daily for 40 years. Grandma paid $205.00 for it, I have the receipt. I had it serviced to get it back to mechanically functioning properly but didn’t have them touch the patina and wear. I have the original bracelet but it is too small for me and worn the fuk out, so I have a Forstner on it until I figure out an Omega solution. ETA: I don’t wear it every day but it is in the rotation. I wear it at least once a week. |
1972 Pogue JDM silver dial. Birth year.
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The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
 This is my first watch. It was given to me over 50 years ago by my maternal grandfather when I was 8 or 9. It was an older watch he didn’t wear anymore but he thought I should have a watch. It doesn’t keep very good time but I still wear it every now and then. |
SAF Life Member-GOA Life Member-JPFO Charter Member-MSF Life Member
FPC Member-VCDL Member-BFA Member-NRA Benefactor Life Member
Sir RobertL, Charter Member of the Knights of Wonder
FPC Member-VCDL Member-BFA Member-NRA Benefactor Life Member
Sir RobertL, Charter Member of the Knights of Wonder
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Wear this sometimes Kinda small, the wife actually likes it Attached File |
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
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My Dad's Gucci from the mid 80's. I know watches were smaller back then, but this is really way to small for me. My wife and daughter like to want to wear it. Attached File |
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Vintage is best! Three 1675’s. Attached File |
I'm too drunk to taste this chicken.
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Originally Posted By Proto3: Vintage is best! Three 1675’s. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/378839/IMG_8176_jpeg-3662907.JPG 3 Fuchsia bezel 1675's ??? That isn't a common sight |
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Originally Posted By Villafuego: 3 Fuchsia bezel 1675's ??? That isn't a common sight To be fair. None of the bezels are original to the watches. All bought separate. But still cool! My 1675 is my only watch I’ll never part with. I have a 126710BLRO but it has a sell date. Not sure when, but it’s not a forever watch. |
I'm too drunk to taste this chicken.