WW2 watches

[iron bender]

Guys, I've got these two watches, of which I'm into for a total of $10. The Waltham I used for a long time until I dropped it and the hand fell off, and the Elgin a11 I picked up today. I want to get both repaired, but is it even worth it? In other words, will the cost of getting both in operating order out weigh the value of the watches? Any advice is appreciated.

[199th MP]

here's my two bits worth--i like the mechanical, wind up type watches so much more than the electronic quartz models that are prevalent today, that i have 4 of them from different time periods and the only time i wear an electronic watch is when i put on a cheap one to go to work. one of the watches i treasure the most is my dad's swiss watch from when he was in WW2. it still works great and periodically gets cleaned and serviced.my main worry is the skills needed for this work are getting harder to find. these days when you see a sign that advertises for watch repair, what they mean is they will change the battery. not the same! if you fix these and take care of them they will last for many years. the newest one i own is a 1980 rolex.
i bet it will outlast me, and my son will get it. so treat yourself---fix the watch and enjoy it. you only live once. these things are true classics, just like our MV's. value isn't always counted in dollar signs, but also in functionality.

[F. R. Fox]

Depends on how much you like them. I bought a WW2 Repro watch made by Stauer for $280. It was movement wound. I dropped it one day and it stopped working. I took it into the only watch repair place in my town. They said it needed a new spring and a small gear. They gave me a quote for $350. Needless to say, the watch never was repaired. I can buy a new one for less!

Best thing to do is go to a repair shop and get a quote.

[iron bender]

That's exactly what's happened. I just returned from a local antique watch repair shop, and I'm waiting for a quote. The guy seemed very competent. Thanks for the input.

[johnseidts]

I operate a WWII aircraft parts business. I have a friend who repairs watches and aircraft clocks on the side for my customers. In 32 years of collecting I have found him and one other guy who were good enough to repair anything that came in the door. Those kinds of people are few and far between. The typical watch repair place can change batteries and do limited repairs. I'd be careful about who worked on it. If you have no luck with the guy you found, let me know. $200 is a typical repair cost for these types of watches but can get more expensive if it is a bucket of rust or corrosion inside.

[iron bender]

The guy took them both apart and said the Elgin needed only to be cleaned and oiled, and it should be in good order. Unfortunately my favorite watch that I wore for several years (waltham) has a broken something or another, so it may be a different story. It only has sentimental value so hopefully I won't get crushed on repair costs. It may be a few weeks, but I'll keep you informed either way. Hopefully I'll have 2 mint WW2 watches repaired for $10 each

[tfscobie]

I'm with 199th MP on this. I've collected watches all my life (quartz, mechanical & self-winding, pocket, wrist, whatever) and still think nothing beats the old school stuff. I won't say that it's NOT becoming more of a PITA (not to mention expensive) to find a qualified person to do the upkeep/repairs on them. All-in-all though, even my 14 y/o son says (& we don't agree on much, let me tell you)... the coolness factor for something that goes tic tic tic tic is way higher than that which goes zzzzzzzz, especially if it's an Elgin, Waltham, Bulova, Hamilton (or even Benrus) and it has a sweat-stained OD canvas band. Being a scrounger helps too... keep your an eye pealed for more 10 buck deals on the same type of watches you have. I've found that if you walk in with a bag of spare parts, your watch guy will often barter with you on repairs costs.

BTW, that 14 y/o can't wait for the day he gets Great-great Grandfather's Gruen Verithin pocket watch or dad's Oysterdate. I guess the lad might turn out ok after all.

[REG]

I'll forward this thread to our resident watch maker - EJB! Let's see what he can add to the discussion.

[ElwoodJayBlues]

As REG mentioned, I am a master watchmaker by profession and a teacher at the bavarian watchmaker's school and master watchmaker's school.

Well.... I can't speak for US watchmakers, as I don't know their shop wages, but disassembling and oiling a wind-up mechanical watch is not a cheap task.
If it's done the right way (and there only is ONE right way of doing this) it'll take about 4-5 hours to get the watch ready and re- assembled.
In my shop that would be about 150-180 Euros (spare parts not included).

Fixing bigger damages like a broken shaft or replacing a balance staff, wich often includes making a new staff on the lathe easily increases the repair costs up to 350- 400 Euros.

Of course there are a lot of "self-made" watchmakers out there who "fix" watches for about 50$.
I say let them do their magic... what they're REALLY doing is ruining watches that could have been fixed by a specialist.
And in fact they're "Producing" new customers for me.

So, if they're offering you a repair for about 10$, take your watches and run.

[iron bender]

I should have both watches back in about 2 weeks. As everyone has mentioned both of these watches will be worth retail to me now. I'll be $500 into cleaning and repairs for both. But, maybe my kids will enjoy them one day. I'll post pics as soon as they're back.

[tfscobie]

Don't get discouraged... We all spend $ on restoring HMVs, probably more than we'll ever get out of them. You're just doing the same thing with something a lot smaller, but no less historically (and probably personally) significant.

[iron bender]

Picked up my watches today. Now I've got 2 well oiled machines ready to go again. The guy did a great job. I'd take pictures but they look the same as in the first pictures but cleaner. Thanks all for the input.

[Raymond S. Meldrum]

Not to hijack the thread, but I have about 30, NOS-still in wrap, 1 and 2 piece watch bands available. These are made of service poplin with metal hardware and sewn in buckle tong holes. I also have a few of what I think are women’s watch bands (slightly narrower), one piece style, same material. I have some are OD #3 and some OD #7 in both men’s and women’s styles.

Women’s $20
Men’s $25

Special selection, add $5

Free shipping to Continental United States

PM me if interested.

Peace