A Lucky Find

[mike3d3]

I know I shouldn't brag but a casual visit to a charity shop in 2012 got me this IWC 8531 for $10.
The staff mustn't have known the value of the watch and I certainly didn't then but I did like the look of it and it started to work when I shook it but stopped shortly after.
A service from a seasoned Watchmaker in my area proved successful (crown and stem and crystal replaced, not IWC).
I wear it occasionally and enjoy it.

[Nucejoe]

Brag about having this IWC and wear it in good health. A beauty inside and out. 

[KarlvonKoln]

A most excellent find!  

[Neverenoughwatches]

20 hours ago, mike3d3 said:

I know I shouldn't brag but a casual visit to a charity shop in 2012 got me this IWC 8531 for $10.
The staff mustn't have known the value of the watch and I certainly didn't then but I did like the look of it and it started to work when I shook it but stopped shortly after.
A service from a seasoned Watchmaker in my area proved successful (crown and stem and crystal replaced, not IWC).
I wear it occasionally and enjoy it.

No reason not to boast about a good find, it gives everyone else another reason to always be on the lookout. Its like  treasure hunting, a great feeling when something good pops up. Lovely watch and that crown is a whopper.

[JohnR725]

20 hours ago, mike3d3 said:

I know I shouldn't brag but a casual visit to a charity shop in 2012 got me this IWC 8531 for $10.
The staff mustn't have known the value of the watch and I certainly didn't then but I did like the look of it and it started to work when I shook it but stopped shortly after

 

39 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

No reason not to boast about a good find, it gives everyone else another reason to always be on the lookout. Its like  treasure hunting, a great feeling when something good pops up.

I've heard the rumors over the years of people buying interesting watches in the thrift store. One of my friends who his wife was working for goodwill learning In other words the job training said that the procedure was supposed to be to rotate the people in that department so nobody would get light fingers basically. But where she was working the boss put her friend there to yes you know where that's going. But it's always nice to hear that this is not an urban legend that it's really true that interesting and valuable things really do show up where you least expect them and they show up at good prices. 

 

[Neverenoughwatches]

47 minutes ago, JohnR725 said:

 

I've heard the rumors over the years of people buying interesting watches in the thrift store. One of my friends who his wife was working for goodwill learning In other words the job training said that the procedure was supposed to be to rotate the people in that department so nobody would get light fingers basically. But where she was working the boss put her friend there to yes you know where that's going. But it's always nice to hear that this is not an urban legend that it's really true that interesting and valuable things really do show up where you least expect them and they show up at good prices. 

 

it is true john, I've been very lucky in my short time of starting this hobby. I'm still waiting to pluck up the courage to fix a Dirty dozen watch that i bought at a carboot sale earlier this year. As far as i know only a replacement balance staff which i have quite a few of. I want more practice changing staffs though before i attempt it. A replacement balance complete is pricing at around £250 at the moment, so i need to get it right first time.

Edited December 18, 2022 by Neverenoughwatches