I hate customs....

robzilla · #1 10-13-2006, 03:22 AM

do you collect old watches too? ive got an old watch made by rolex for eatons, that i was looking for some info.
can you help? or advise me of someone?

thanks

AndyL · #2 10-13-2006, 04:38 AM

Poor edmontonians - so much bad luck with customs

Should I mention I just got my mp3 player, from hongkong - bought monday night... Gotta Love HK Post!

dirtyreefer · #3 10-13-2006, 05:13 AM

What kind of watch is it?

fortheloveofcrabs · #4 10-13-2006, 05:09 PM

Argh... Still not here....

It's a Breguet 5817. Does the Rolex made for Eatons have an 'expansion braclet'? IE When the clasp is closed, can you 'strech' the bracelt? If it does, I think I may be very familiar with that time peice. What is it made of? (Steel, gold or is it two-toned)? Do you have a pic? I can probably tell you a bit aobut it, if not, goto timezone.com. They have a form for vintage Rolexes and there will be someone there who can tell you more than you would want to know about it... HTH.

Dirtyreefer, you into watches too?

dirtyreefer · #5 10-13-2006, 05:15 PM

I love watches but can't afford to have a collection like it sounds like you have. Breguet is a pretty fancy and obscure brand, I've seen it before but I have more of "beginner's taste" with the likes of Tag, Omega, Rolex, Baume, Breitling etc. I only own an Omega Seamaster, but would love to own more.

If I were loaded, watches would definitely be on the top of my list as items to collect.

So did you have to pay crazy duty to get that watch up here? Any other charges besides shipping that you incurred?

fortheloveofcrabs · #6 10-13-2006, 05:34 PM

I dunno what duty will be yet, as I haven't received it yet (ARGH!! again). But I bet it won't be cheap...

An Omega is not a 'beginner's taste' watch at all. They have one of the richest histories in the watch world. And the Seamaster is one of their most important watches. (interesting, the first Seamaster wasn't water proof - who though that one out, hunh?).

And Rolex is probably the most important watch brand out there - Wilsdorf (founder) is basically the father of mens wrist watches....

Breitling is pretty much un-paralleled when it come to function (who else makes a watch that can been read wearing night-vision goggles?!?). I don't think you have 'beginner's taste' at all.

Besides, it's all prioritizing. Your tank is probably nicer than mine. Plus, I bet you have a car. It takes a life time to create a great collection - one watch at a time so you are on the right track.

Quagmire · #7 10-14-2006, 12:14 AM

Hmm thats a long time,even for customs.Have you called yet to find out what the hold up is? Your broker should have all the details for you.

G1GY · #8 10-29-2006, 10:44 PM

I bought some old watches in a box of stuff at an estate sale a few years back. I'm not sure if any of them even work. I'm planning on maybe gluing them inside a picture frame or something and hanging them on the wall.

Here's the front of them.

The backs of them.

And if I could ever track down "Doug" or his family, I'd give them this one that Maybelle gave him in 1939.

Imagine the stories these old watches could tell you if they could talk.

robzilla · #9 10-14-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortheloveofcrabs

Argh... Still not here....

It's a Breguet 5817. Does the Rolex made for Eatons have an 'expansion braclet'? IE When the clasp is closed, can you 'strech' the bracelt? If it does, I think I may be very familiar with that time peice. What is it made of? (Steel, gold or is it two-toned)? Do you have a pic? I can probably tell you a bit aobut it, if not, goto timezone.com. They have a form for vintage Rolexes and there will be someone there who can tell you more than you would want to know about it... HTH.

Dirtyreefer, you into watches too?

i did have any expansion braclet, but it didnt look like the orginal, so i pitched it. it's made from steel. it's has the solar aqua brand on it, from my research it was made by rolex for the canadian market.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...1/IMG_0015.jpg

fortheloveofcrabs · #10 10-14-2006, 07:59 PM

Hey,

Yeah, it's a Rolex Solar. Well, might be. The 'Solar' line of watches was indeed made for Eaton's in the 1950's. I'd bet your's in the later fifties guessing for the diameter of the bezel in relation to the dial. The watch has a 'faux' oyster case, or what is known as a 'Canadien Oyster Case'. It's is based on the famous Rolex Oyster case, but is slightly different. I believe this is because it was done strictly for Canada, hence it was out sourced. Rolex, at the time, did not make all their own parts and out sourcing was common.

As far the actual watch goes, I'd have to see the inside. It seems that there were two, maybe three types of movements used in this watch. Only one of the types being stamped ROLEX or TUDOR - being the most sought after kind. The other two types are not stamped and are of ETA type calibers (not terribly valuable). That said, it does not have a Rolex movement in it (out sourced again), even if it says Rolex on it. It was however, finished by Rolex.

Your watch appears to be in pretty good shape. Are all part original? Or has it been serviced by someone other than Rolex who may have used third party parts?

All in all, a pertty rare watch. There is a bit of a nich for these watches out there. Because it was only in little 'ol Canada, it is not a well-known time peice, but a very exclusive one.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you can FIND a buyer, they will pay a premium.

Having said all that, you have unique, quality time peice there. Do you wear it? It's a shame to have something like that sitting in a drawer.

HTH, is there anything specific you wanted to know about it?