Hanhart
From D-Day to the Watches Project
This Hanhart Military watch was commissioned by Joe Savage.
I asked him about the story of the watch and all he gave me was this link from the Daily Mail. Honestly I thought it was a bit lazy but as I began reading I was immediately intrigued.
The account told here is taken directly from the article in the Daily Mail written by Mark Duell.
The premise of the article was looking at four German Military watches that were being placed at auction.
‘My father was an RAF intelligence officer and his job was to interrogate German airmen who had been captured.
He spoke German and pressed the men for worthwhile information such as the equipment the Luftwaffe were using.
He had to search them and one prisoner had his watch wrapped around something that wasn’t his wrist because he was so desperate not to lose it.
My father ended up having it and kept it as a souvenir or as part of the spoils of war. When my father died over 20 years ago we had a clear out of his things and acquired his four watches.’
Auctioneer Richard Bromell said,
‘The vendor’s father, from Manchester, was of Dutch origin and spoke fluent French, German, Dutch, and towards the end of the Second World War Russian too.’
‘As an officer in the RAF, and as a linguist, he is believed to have worked in MI19, the division formed from MI9 as the enemy prisoner of war interrogation department.
‘He arrived in France 11 days after the D-Day landings and interviewed rounded up German prisoners, which is when it is believed he “acquired” these four Luftwaffe pilots’ watches.’
The vendor, who is from the Somerset area, said,
‘If you wind them up they do start to tick but they would need to be repaired as they haven’t been properly used for 70 years. These watches have been locked up in a drawer for many years.
You can’t go on hoarding things forever and I don’t have any romantic association with them, so I think it is best to pass them on.’
Mr Bromell, of auctioneers Charterhouse in Sherborne, Dorset, which is selling the watches, said,
‘They are four high quality wristwatches used by German pilots and navigators in the war.
They need some work doing to them to get them going again. However, with all the watches being quite similar the vendor isn’t sure which one was recovered from the PoW’s underpants.’
The owner’s father worked in Lloyds Bank before the war, and after it had ended he joined the family business which supplied animal feeds.
To read the original article and see photographs of the four German watches that were at auction then click HERE.
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Eterna Vintage
This Eterna watch commissioned by Cyrux.
When I asked Cyrux to tell me a story about his Eterna this is what he had to say,
'It is an Eterna that my Grandfather purchased during his first business trip abroad in the 60's. It has never been serviced and nothing has been replaced. It's all original and I love the fact that it's scratched and cracked.
My Grandfather gave it to my dad and my dad gave it to me when I moved to Australia in 2003.
It is not worth much but it's very sentimental to me. I thank you for doing the painting for me so that I can share it with others when they come and visit.'
The aging and wearing was important for Cyrux. It was made clear to me that the crack over 11 and the scratch over 3 be made apparent.
Cyrux and I share a love of story. Every watch has a story. Every watch has something to share with it's owner, whether it is newly manufactured or has been through a war, or is simply being passed from father to son.
I love watches like this Eterna. One where the price doesn't matter.
It could have been a $30,000 watch and with the same story and I would have loved it the same.
Watches passed down through the generations maintain a value that is simply priceless. It could be sold at auction but no amount would do history the justice it deserves.
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Tissot Seven Automatic
This Tissot Seven Automatic was submitted by Filippo Soddu. -instagram @filter
Bob's Watches' Gold Rolex
Bob's Watches is the site for pre-owned Rolex watches. I loved the look and character of their Gold Rolex Submariner 1680.
A Little About The Gold Rolex Submariner 1680
- The Model 1680 Gold Submariner is the first to have a reference date window and was manufactured by Rolex for Tiffany Co.
- The 1680 was also the first gold Rolex.
- A golden anchor was produced to go with the watch .
- Vintage submariners have a thicker crystal made of acrylic which is shatterproof. They do scratch easy though.
- Vintage 1680s are difficult to find, making them more valuable and to many, more interesting.
About Paul Altieri
Paul Altieri is the owner and CEO of Bob’s Watches. Paul is an avid Rolex expert and enthusiast. Over the years he has collected a myriad of rare, vintage Rolex watches, each one having its own unique and interesting story to tell.
About Bob’s Watches
Bob’s Watches was founded by Paul Altieri who is the mastermind behind the World’s First and only Pre-Owned Rolex Exchange. The Rolex Exchange allows consumers to buy, sell, and trade second hand Rolex timepieces at fair market prices. The website openly publishes current buy and sell values for each model of Rolex. Every watch on Bob’s Watches is in stock ready to be shipped to your front door via overnight shipping.
Watch 100! Meisturwerk Machinen
This Meisturwerk Machinen Man of War watch was submitted by Meisturwerk Machinen. (instagram user @meisturwerk_machinen)
Today marks the final painting in the 100 Watches in 100 Days for $100 each. The journey has been long and filled with hard work. You all who have participated and supported the project are to thank for making it possible.
What's next? The Book is next!
Along with other peripheral projects that are a direct result of the 100 Watches Project the book will be continuing the work we have embarked on to share our watches and the stories that surround them.
Today, Meisturwerk Machinen helps us to signal the end of one stage and the transition to the next. We will be reviewing how the project has grown and identifying significant aspects that have emerged with the project.
This is not the end...
Watch 99 Rolex
This Rolex Sporting Prince Travel Watch watch was submitted by Gene Stone. Author of 'The Watch', -the definitive book on the wristwatch.
'The Rolex Sporting Prince Travel Watch, is the holy grail of travel watches, the one that no collection can be complete without. It took me years to find it, and it’s beautiful. It’s the photo on my Facebook page as well. The Prince was introduced to the market in 1928, and was sold primarily as a wristwatch. Only a small number of these travel watches were ever made.'
Watch 98 Invicta
This Invicta Sub Aqua Noma III watch was submitted by Angel Jimenez. -(instagram user @mrsinista13).
Watch 96
ThisTudor watch was submitted by Rick Kenner (instagram user @omegawatchdaily).
'The watch is from 1968. I love watches that have an interesting provenance. Clearly this timepiece was given after 30 years of work. I always feel honored when I get to wear something that someone worked a lifetime to receive.'
Watch 95 Nomos
This Nomos GLasshutte Zurich Weltzeit watch was submitted by Sean Hunter. -instagram user @maurice2u
'From the now infamous origin of German watchmaking, Nomos takes its place among great in house movement watchmakers with a style and character all its own. Glashutte, the small village home of the great A. Lange & Söhne and Glashutte Original, now has a third pillar of finely engineered art. The Zurich Weltzeit is a unique take on a 'world timer' from Nomos and is a stand out piece for today, and years to come.'