Which Watch Have You Got Coming In The Mail ? Show Us !!!

[spectre6000]

I just bought the cheapest ST1901 watch on Ali-X. $80 delivered for a mechanical, hand wound, column wheel actuated chronograph with a soupcon of history. It's as stamped out of recycled chinesium as they get, obviously, but for $80 it's kinda hard to pass up... The entire watch delivered is cheaper than most of the bare movement listings. The specs are a bit wonky (I'm not 100% sure the case back is transparent for instance, but 99% of them are, so... fingers crossed!), and I may very well end up with some quartz trash and a dispute case, but... Could be a ton of fun! If it shows up missing half the features promised, I'll either return it having been able to lay hands on it and get a feel for whether it's worth paying for one of the more expensive listings, get a percentage refunded, or... Who knows. It's cheap, and seems worth rolling the dice.

[mbwatch]

1 hour ago, spectre6000 said:

$80 delivered

Wow! I hope this turns out to be real. I have heard of some turning up as quartz in the mail. I've wanted one for a long time but haven't actually bought a new watch in years.

[spectre6000]

There are a handful of confusing specs in the listing. I printed it as a PDF as insurance, because it does technically state all the things I'm after save one (transparent case back), and the alternative is vanishingly rare among the mechanical versions. If any of the options don't show up as expected, I have Ali-X's buyer protection, PayPal's buyer protection, and my CC buyer protection all stacked up. This will be the first truly new watch I've bought in nearly 20 years. I bought a new old stock watch when my daughter was born, and that may or may not count...

[AndyHull]

I'm looking forward to seeing it. Hopefully it is as described. I keep coming close to pulling the trigger on one of these myself, but the listings can be pretty ambiguous, so if you find a good, reliable supplier at that price, I may chance it myself.

From what I can gather, the "swan neck regulator" on some versions is merely cosmetic, and not functional, but I'm not really interested in that detail anyway. Simply finding one that turns up as specified in the advert would be a good start.

[VWatchie]

On 4/16/2024 at 6:46 PM, VWatchie said:

Casio MDV106G-1AV Gold DURO200

I'm going on a long family vacation to Southeast Asia this summer and wanted a cheap but reliable beater in case I lose it, break it, or get robbed.

So, here it is in action at the Mabua Pebble Beach in the Philippines. The Philippines has an extremely humid environment overall but it keeps ticking perfectly. I am happy with my choice of watch for this vacation.

[spectre6000]

19 hours ago, AndyHull said:

I'm looking forward to seeing it. Hopefully it is as described. I keep coming close to pulling the trigger on one of these myself, but the listings can be pretty ambiguous, so if you find a good, reliable supplier at that price, I may chance it myself.

From what I can gather, the "swan neck regulator" on some versions is merely cosmetic, and not functional, but I'm not really interested in that detail anyway. Simply finding one that turns up as specified in the advert would be a good start.

If I understand the tracking info, it just made it stateside.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807066408888.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.4c8bf19cNb9wmE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

The listing states that it is 40mm mostly, but also says 38mm (the other size they come in) in a place or two. I'd definitely prefer 38mm to hopefully not have a plastic spacer in there, but I guess 40mm is more popular to the point that you have to go up a ways in price past whatever arbitrary limit my subconscious has labeled "throw away money". It says it has a sapphire crystal, but also says mineral glass and acrylic in a place or two. It says it has a gooseneck regulator, and doesn't say anywhere that it DOESN'T have one... What it doesn't say that has me slightly concerned is whether or not it has a transparent case back. There's a(n undoubtedly stock) photo of the profile where you can see the back crystal slightly elevated over the case back, and that's about all there is on the subject. Additionally, it's vanishingly rare to find the mechanical version WITHOUT a transparent case back. Hopefully, that's enough in the event I need to file a dispute. I printed a PDF of the listing as I hit "buy" in the event it changes between now and then. Finally, I have Ali-X's buyer protection, PayPal's buyer protection, and my CC's buyer protection all stacked up. It's a gamble, but I think the odds are more or less in my favor. It'll probably be lacking SOMETHING (i.e., I'm pretty sure it won't have a gooseneck regulator at a minimum), but it will hopefully be substantially what I ordered.

Meanwhile, I've not seen where the "swan neck regulator" is cosmetic. How are they accomplishing that? It's hard to imagine something with the appearance of such a thing being somehow cheaper than the actual thing. It's not like that micro-amount of spring steel is very expensive, and I can't imagine there would be any labor savings installing one vs the other. Regulation would be EASIER, and thus likely cheaper with the swan neck, so that doesn't seem like the juice would be worth the squeeze...

In other news, I threw down on a passel of 1010s the other night. Snagged one so far. Two still have a day or so to go. The one I got is OK. Fully jeweled, all stainless, Swiss (AS movement, IIRC), etc. I'll post photos in the thread when it gets here. One of the still-pending 1010s is almost certainly not coming my way, but it'd be awesome if it did. The other is still in 404 territory, and it'll probably come my way.

[Xovius]

I'm waiting for this old Bulova to arrive. Love what I'm guessing is radiation burns on the dial. 

[AndyHull]

After many attempts, I finally nailed a "Timex 72" jewelled movement watch for the 404 club.

It ain't a stunner, and probably not to everyone's (anyone's?) taste but you have to admit it screams 1970s at you, and for four quid exactly its a complete bargain in my eyes. 

 

Edited July 13, 2024 by AndyHull

[mbwatch]

1 hour ago, AndyHull said:

It ain't a stunner

This is a weird one. No "21" on the dial? No chrome plating left anywhere except next to the crown? Still, a trophy.

[AndyHull]

16 minutes ago, mbwatch said:

This is a weird one. No "21" on the dial? No chrome plating left anywhere except next to the crown? Still, a trophy.

It also appears to be a front loader, so I'm going to have to deal with that too. I think it is actually meant to be gold coloured, and the silver patch you see is an artifact of the way it was photographed. I'll need to wait and see however.

Once I have it apart, we should be able to read the dial code, and tell what year it is. My guess is around 1974, but anywhere from 1967 to 1979 would be possible I suspect. If I could decode the ink stamp that might tell us the year too. @JerseyMo will no doubt be able to tell in an instant what it is.

Edited July 13, 2024 by AndyHull

[mbwatch]

32 minutes ago, AndyHull said:

Once I have it apart, we should be able to read the dial code,

Yeah please come back and update us on this one. I haven't seen a dial like this on a 21j before.

18 hours ago, VWatchie said:

So, here it is in action at the Mabua Pebble Beach in the Philippines.

I'm wearing my black one (not the two tone) today. It's picked up a lot of wear in the 5 years I've had it. I put it on a couple times a week and it is legitimately rugged and waterproof. Now that I have accumulated a few mineral crystal scratches, I'm thinking about fitting a sapphire from alix. I will eventually get the blue and red bezel model too.

[durant7]

Placed a lowball Best Offer and to my surprise it is heading my may.  Ok, not the 404 price.  But I thought practicing on a Swiss wind up without complications might be a useful and rewarding exercise for a newb.  I gather Belforte was a lower price point Benrus.  Screw on back so it is not one of "those" I read about.  More for practice, learning than for wearing.  

Edited July 13, 2024 by durant7

[ManSkirtBrew]

Once again testing my luck with a watch from Japan. Been on the lookout for a Lord Matic Special for quite some time now, and this 1972 5206-5060 square case just came across my feed at a decent price. Allegedly in running but unserviced condition. Fingers crossed!

[spectre6000]

On 7/13/2024 at 9:08 AM, spectre6000 said:

 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807066408888.html?=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.4.4c8bf19cNb9wmE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

The listing states ...

Seller just dropped the price another 10% on that ST1901 chrono... $73 delivered seems insane... No telling what I find when I open that... Bag? Box? Envelope? Could be just about anything.

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

Once again testing my luck with a watch from Japan. Been on the lookout for a Lord Matic Special for quite some time now, and this 1972 5206-5060 square case just came across my feed at a decent price. Allegedly in running but unserviced condition. Fingers crossed!

Bloody gorgeous looking watch MSB. Some of the Lord Matic styling has to be about the best around with funky case shapes and very unique dials. I need to get on board with these watches.

[Malocchio]

Seiko really made some interesting pieces in the 60s/70s. This one I recently acquired from Japan

Very Japanese case design. 7019 movement, not running. Usually vintage Seikos are runners so it's gonna be interesting to see the reason. This one is still on the way:

Very dirty and very cheap. Dial has some obvious damage but I like the rugged look. I hope the case and bezel will clean nicely.

[Nucejoe]

14 hours ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

Once again testing my luck with a watch from Japan. Been on the lookout for a Lord Matic Special for quite some time now, and this 1972 5206-5060 square case just came across my feed at a decent price. Allegedly in running but unserviced condition. Fingers crossed!

You,l  love  its TG   print out,  some escapement on these look as if a Grand Seiko. 

Wear it in good health.

 

Edited July 15, 2024 by Nucejoe
Grammer

[eccentric59]

8 hours ago, spectre6000 said:

Seller just dropped the price another 10% on that ST1901 chrono... $73 delivered seems insane... No telling what I find when I open that... Bag? Box? Envelope? Could be just about anything.

Based on the other pictures in the listing, where are they hiding the lume?  I have a couple of ST1901 based watches including an authentic 1963. I can tell you that not all of them are created equally. Hopefully you get a goodun'.

[spectre6000]

Lol! I don't care about the lume one way or the other, and hadn't noticed! One more box checked as far as all available options goes. I suspect it will be pretty much silent (no bells or whistles). I'll be pleasantly surprised if it's even mechanical, let alone sapphire crystal, and a gooseneck regulator. I guess even the stainless case may be in question at the price point. I'll push back on each of the advertised features that doesn't exist for a partial refund, unless it's quartz, in which case I'll get a full refund however that needs to happen. Cheapest ST1901 on any marketplace anywhere so far as I can tell. There was one panda dial that was a few dollars cheaper until right before I pulled the trigger on this one, but the listing went away. If it is actually what it claims to be, I'll buy a bunch of them, and resell stateside or something for a small profit!

[JerseyMo]

On 7/13/2024 at 4:47 PM, AndyHull said:

It also appears to be a front loader, so I'm going to have to deal with that too. I think it is actually meant to be gold coloured, and the silver patch you see is an artifact of the way it was photographed. I'll need to wait and see however.

Once I have it apart, we should be able to read the dial code, and tell what year it is. My guess is around 1974, but anywhere from 1967 to 1979 would be possible I suspect. If I could decode the ink stamp that might tell us the year too. @JerseyMo will no doubt be able to tell in an instant what it is.

that case style came out in 1971.  Based on the dial it indicates Marlin but it has a 21 j inside?  many a factory screw up. Or someone changed the m24 to m71 over the years.  Pretty sure that red dial was not sold in US.  Vey typical of Timex to market differently around the global.

[AndyHull]

Thanks @JerseyMo Interesting stuff. Maybe its a "Dundee Special" that sneaked out of the Harrison Road factory without visiting the packing department, if you get my meaning.

@JerseyMo I looked up the dial code (262642472) online and this is what I found.
Source -> https://www.vintagetimexwatches.com/marlin/26267-2472/
Note the difference mine is ...2472 vs the example ...2527

 

Year: 1972
Reference: 26267 2572
Model: Timex Marlin
Movement: m25
Case: Gold plated base metal
Complication: Manual wind movement. Calendar (Date)
Special Features: UFO style case with sunburst striations.
Red dial with large alternating Arabic and rectangular markers

Reading up on that site about the dial codes, it should be a 7272 since mine has an M72 movement, not a 2472 which would be an M24 movement.

Surely if mine was designed with an M72 movement the 24 should be a 74 i.e. 26267 7272

EDIT: On further reflection, my dial code should be 65267 7272

Edited July 18, 2024 by AndyHull

[JerseyMo]

37 minutes ago, AndyHull said:

Thanks @JerseyMo Interesting stuff. Maybe its a "Dundee Special" that sneaked out of the Harrison Road factory without visiting the packing department, if you get my meaning.

@JerseyMo I looked up the dial code (262642472) online and this is what I found.
Source -> https://www.vintagetimexwatches.com/marlin/26267-2472/
Note the difference mine is ...2472 vs the example ...2527

 

Year: 1972
Reference: 26267 2572
Model: Timex Marlin
Movement: m25
Case: Gold plated base metal
Complication: Manual wind movement. Calendar (Date)
Special Features: UFO style case with sunburst striations.
Red dial with large alternating Arabic and rectangular markers

Reading up on that site about the dial codes, it should be a 7272 since mine has an M72 movement, not a 2472 whch would be an M24 movement.

Surely if it was designed with an M72 movement the 24 should be a 74 i.e. 26267 7272

yes, I've come across a number of those Dundee Specials and many more from Waterbury.  BTW that's Mark's site you found in info on.  He is in Scotland.  We have worked with each other for years now.  I'll let him know about the typo  M24 an not M25.

[AndyHull]

2 minutes ago, JerseyMo said:

BTW that's Mark's site you found in info on.  He is in Scotland.  We have worked with each other for years now.  I'll let him know about the typo  M24 an not M25.

Good to know. I'll take a quick read through the rest of his site, it looks very interesting.

[spectre6000]

On 7/10/2024 at 9:19 AM, spectre6000 said:

I just bought the cheapest ST1901 watch on Ali-X. $80 delivered for a mechanical, hand wound, column wheel actuated chronograph with a soupcon of history. It's as stamped out of recycled chinesium as they get, obviously, but for $80 it's kinda hard to pass up... The entire watch delivered is cheaper than most of the bare movement listings. The specs are a bit wonky (I'm not 100% sure the case back is transparent for instance, but 99% of them are, so... fingers crossed!), and I may very well end up with some quartz trash and a dispute case, but... Could be a ton of fun! If it shows up missing half the features promised, I'll either return it having been able to lay hands on it and get a feel for whether it's worth paying for one of the more expensive listings, get a percentage refunded, or... Who knows. It's cheap, and seems worth rolling the dice.

Arrived today. Quartz trash. Seller's listing was just a pile of lies and fake reviews. Dispute process started.

[mbwatch]

36 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

Quartz trash

Aw that sucks. Sort of expected, but a hassle and disappointment nonetheless.