ubiquitous

201/A today...

Flik Flak?

16520 today

Big change for 2013!

Best of luck, Ken!

Vintage PPCo:

Monday's our last Day in Disney...

On the left for Home time:

On the right for Local time:

PPCo...

Plus a 5514 for a little extra flavor...

Vintage Patek

Today:

Tonight:

One more 5514...

Beautiful Sub, chief! And for such a great cause as well. A total win/win all around!

I may have a set of gen 15xx screws. I'll need to look...

I am sure with the migration to the new server, there will be issues that need to be ironed out.

There are often times when I'll have a watch on each wrist.

I rec’d my ref 570 back from Zigmeister a week ago today; the watch went in for an overhaul along with some fresh new parts including:

A new mainspring:

New balance staff:

And three of these:

The balance in the original movement was out of poise and the collet for the hairspring was crimped shut, thus not allowing for adjustment or disassembly; the watch was stable in all horizontal positions, but was +2min/-2min per day in the crown down/crown up vertical positions respectively. Granted, the errors may have cancelled out while worn on the wrist, but the rate was not exactly optimal. I picked up a new balance to remedy the situation but it was the wrong size (.5mm too large). So, I resorted to another balance that I had which needed a new staff. Zig took that balance apart, pressed in the new staff, poised the balance, pressed the roller and it was good to go.

Over the course of a week, the watch has gained about 30 seconds or rather approximately +4 sec/day. Not bad for a 70 year old movement     And certainly a major improvement over the performance that the old balance was delivering.

Since having the watch back in my hands with a clean bill of health, I have to admit that all of the other pieces in my collection have quietly faded into the background. There’s really only one watch I reach for in the morning and this one is it, no matter how casual my attire may be for that day.

The overall mix of ingredients is as follows:

-Genuine PP dial with hard enameled fonts/chapters (period correct for the movement)

-Genuine PP hands for 12 ligne caliber

-Genuine PP 12 ligne movement (serial dates to ca. late 1942/early 1943)

-Genuine PP steel crown (unsigned)

-Custom fabricated case (36mm)

-Genuine PP crocodile strap

-Genuine PP 1940’s steel buckle

A couple of pics…

With the fabrication of the case I also had a second bezel made. The original bezel is the flat bezel which is correct for the 570. The second bezel has an angled/concave profile (a la 530) which gives the watch a very subtle elegant touch (and is the bezel I have fitted for everyday use).

The case measures 36mm, but the lugs are long (I’ve not measured them yet); the large dial and long case give this watch the appearance and feel of a much larger watch. Despite this observation, the case sits comfortably on my 6.75" wrist and has just enough presence without being ostentatious. It’s simple design and aesthetics allow it to fly under the radar, allowing me to enjoy the simplicity of my timepiece privately.

For me, it's hard not to be enamored with this watch. I steal a glance at it every chance I can 

Thanks for looking!

//ubi

Running with this pair today...

ca. 1940s

ca. 1960s

.

Stunning build and a very faithful rendition of the 2915. You've put a lot of thought and effort into this one M, and your efforts are clearly apparent. Excellent execution and combination of parts! Very well done!

How much amplitude are you getting?

I used to love the over-aged and super patina look, but over time my perspective and thoughts began to change. These days, I like my vintage watches to look age appropriate, but well cared for. They don't have to be mint, per se... But I don't want them looking like they've been crushed by Nanuq's Land Rover tire either...

Been a long time, my friend. Great to see you posting more these days 

Hi friends,

Yes, I know it's still Thursday night... And still early for that matter. However, Friday can't get here fast enough, so maybe posting an early wrist check will help me in that regard    (I know... Humor me...)

My watch of choice for Friday has been on my wrist all week. And it's helped me through a week that's felt as though it's been uphill the entire way. Just when I felt like choking someone at the office, I'd just just look down at my wrist and all would be calm again. I recently got the watch back from a full overhaul and service; one that was also full of plenty of obstacles of it's own. In the end... It was all worth the effort (special thanks to Zigmeister for all his time on overhauling the movement).

Cheers and best,

//ubi

The only rehaut 'modification' performed was polishing of the surface. No change at all in height/depth of rehaut or bezel.

Franken-Daytona for Thurs...