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New arrival: West End Sowar Prima automatic (vintage)

Ricky Lee
October 16, 2010 03:47PM
Registered: April 2005
Posts: 12,214 (2011-05)

I've been looking at vintage West Ends for years, ever since I beheld Bro. Chris L's marvelous pre-war example. Sure, I've even got a Saved Search on eFlay. I've looked at dozens and dozens, and have actually bid on more than a few. But somehow, some way, something always comes up, and I've never owned one. I am confused It's almost like Fate has decreed that a West End is just not in the cards, for me. Eek!

So imagine my delight when Bro. MCV contacted me last week and offered me his ca. early-1970's example. Smile


I've long admired this piece (since seeing his mid-2009 IHD post, actually) so, when he told me that the watch now sported re-lumed hands and a fresh COA by Lew Brown.. well, let's say he didn't have to twist me arm. Laughing No need to dicker over the price, even, as Marc's a Stand-up Guy Thumbs up! and his first offer was fair dinkum.

More photos stolen from Marc...




Now, the observant among you will note that there's no IHD! icon. Oops! Good reason for that, because "Houston, we have a problem". Frowning

And when you see me own photos, you will understand why I "borrowed" Marc's.



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Yup, the bloody USPS apparently decided to cancel the package wi' a ball-peen hammer. I am angry!

Now, to be clear, this was in no wise Marc's fault! His packaging was fine, absolutely the best you could possibly do with a bubble-wrap envelope. I've mailed dozens and dozens of watches that way meself, and never a problem.

So maybe it ain't even the fault o' the USPS. {sigh} Mayhap it is The Work Of Fate. Eek!



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

But I'm not ready to give in! I am angry! No, I'll be stripping it down soon, with the plan being to install a fresh crystal.

The main worry, at this point, is the watch shows no signs of wanting to run. Oops! 'tis an auto, right? So what with being jostled around in shipping (an understatement if ever 'twas one Wink) and the fair bit of handling I've given it shooting photos and such, it's a bit surprising that it hasn't started running. Crazy! Loco! An ominous sign, even. For, sure, the big fear is that a wee shard of glass has separated from the crystal, and managed to penetrate the works of the movement, thus jamming it. Eek!

If the worst has happened, 'twould require another COA to fix it and, honestly, I'm not sure I'm willing to go that far. At least not right away. Five bucks for a new crystal is one thing, $80+ for a COA is another thing entirely.

Stay tuned, and cross your fingers, please.

Cheers!

-Ricky

Messages In This Thread

Subject Author Views Posted

New arrival: West End Sowar Prima automatic (vintage) Gif Attachments Jpeg Attachments URL

Ricky Lee 412 October 16, 2010 03:47PM

Frowning Hope you can get it fixed! (n/t)

Hans_NL 52 October 17, 2010 01:16AM

Re: New arrival: West End Sowar Prima automatic (vintage)

Poseidon-Jim 77 October 17, 2010 12:21AM

Sorry to hear! (n/t)

Reto 48 October 16, 2010 11:01PM

Aw, geez. Tough luck, RL. I hope I do better, as I>>

Dave Murphy 57 October 16, 2010 09:46PM

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, Dave! Eek! (n/t)

MCV 49 October 17, 2010 01:05AM

CRAP! Hope you're able to get it on its feet at a reasonable cost! Frowning (n/t)

JohnnyT 66 October 16, 2010 08:53PM

Looks like UPS ran out of pucks for their hockey team!I am angry! Sorry to hear of that Ricky!

Nuvolari 73 October 16, 2010 07:03PM

Eek!Bad OmenEek!Sell! Sell! Sell!

jeremd676 65 October 16, 2010 06:38PM

Cripes! Ball-peen hammer sounds about right. Hope it turns out the crystal replace is all it needs. (n/t)

DJM 70 October 16, 2010 05:37PM

I am crying about the crystal Ricky! My small shrivel heart goes out to you! Wink (n/t)

BobbyMike 64 October 16, 2010 05:24PM

That's a bummer, Ricky. Frowning Beautiful watch, very beautiful indeed!

Wycombe 56 October 16, 2010 05:15PM

yeah, those buble mailers are great, as long as they're not abused >

greg honeycutt 51 October 16, 2010 04:48PM

Really sorry to see that, Ricky! I am angry! That is a first for me with all the....

MCV 67 October 16, 2010 04:02PM

Re: It's always been a worry of mine in the back of my mind..

Ricky Lee 69 October 16, 2010 04:22PM

Yes, it hand winds and it is a sort of loud, clicking hand wind, so don't panic! (n/t)

MCV 52 October 16, 2010 04:46PM

I am crying Eek! Frowning (n/t)

Chris L 51 October 16, 2010 03:57PM

Bummed me out so bad I am crying, I'm self-medicating wi' a dram or five o' The Irish. Wink

Ricky Lee 64 October 16, 2010 04:07PM


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Apparently I did some watchmaking in me sleep last night. I am confused

Ricky Lee
October 17, 2010 11:20AM
Registered: April 2005
Posts: 12,214 (2011-05)

I know! Crazy! Loco! But I can think of no other logical explanation! Oops!

Slept kinda late this morning, you see, and woke up feeling rather tired for a' that. 'twas almost like I'd worked all night. I am confused Well, imagine my shock when I glanced at the time, and saw this on me wrist:



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

W.T.H.?! Eek! Did this watch not have a shattered crystal just yesterday? I am confused Well, I rolled out o' the rack right smart, and went to check the . Sure enough, there it was! Proving that it wasn't all just a bad dream.

{cues theme music from The Twilight Zone}

Ah weel. Sometimes it's best not to think about these things too much. Wink

Which is not to say that we can't examine the results more closely! Laughing



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

I had to poke it with a stick before I believed it, but sure 'nough, there is a fresh unblemished crystal there.

Fickle mistress that she is, I can only assume that Fate, after smashing the old crystal, also arranged that I would have an exact 29.5mm replacement in stock.



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

At least our Somnolent Watchmaker remembered to reinstall the caseback.

Gonna have to take it right back off, though I am angry!, 'cause me wakeful self is itchin' to know what's inside!



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

That's a handsome movement! Perhaps not 'pristine', but quite clean for all that.

Can't quite make out what it is, though..



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

You can almost see the maker's hallmark, under the balance there. Could it be? I am confused


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Yep! An calibre 2878! WIS Honeymoon

A quick check with the good Dr. Ranfft tells me this particular ETA is 11-1/2 ligne, was first manufactured in 1975, and runs at 28800 A/h.

Looks like a winner to me! WooHOO! Thumbs up!



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Mind you, 'tis probably a Good Thing that I don't regularly match straps to watches in me sleep...

Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Cheers!

-Ricky



Messages In This Thread

Subject Author Views Posted

Apparently I did some watchmaking in me sleep last night. I am confused Image Attachments URL

Ricky Lee 226 October 17, 2010 11:20AM

Nice! And no fuzz under the crystal?? Cheers! (n/t)

VoodooDance 56 October 18, 2010 01:39PM

Eek! 'twas on TOP o' the crystal! I am angry! Yes, I did check.Laughing

Ricky Lee 28 October 18, 2010 07:50PM

Given that it .....

VoodooDance 39 October 20, 2010 06:24PM

Good job Ricky Thumbs Up CLAP! (n/t)

Reto 47 October 18, 2010 12:51AM

Thumbs up! I could use some of those fairies.Laughing (n/t)

greg honeycutt 52 October 17, 2010 03:24PM

To encourage visits by your garden variety fairies, it is said..

Ricky Lee 60 October 17, 2010 03:31PM

well...all I got is crap whiskey here, and maybe some frozen deer.

greg honeycutt 53 October 17, 2010 03:57PM

Re: damn...I'm screwed.

Ricky Lee 60 October 17, 2010 04:18PM

you know, a few days before payday, things can get lean... Laughing (n/t)

greg honeycutt 55 October 17, 2010 04:26PM

Could you see if my caseback tool is there? I was by last night and now can't find it! I am confused Wink (n/t)

JohnnyT 62 October 17, 2010 03:21PM

Don't see it. I am confused But I'm missin' a chicken, and noticed..

Ricky Lee 63 October 17, 2010 03:50PM

Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off Your goat is hot!! and relieved to learn tis a nanny and not a billy! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off (n/t)

JohnnyT 49 October 17, 2010 10:32PM

Re: Apparently I did some watchmaking in me sleep last night. I am confused

AlbertaTime 56 October 17, 2010 02:06PM

Re: West End watches have a very unique charm, very cool look.

Ricky Lee 64 October 17, 2010 02:52PM

I think you faked the broken crystal with Photoshop I am confused

Hans_NL 71 October 17, 2010 12:52PM

I might have, if only I were that good with Photoshop. Envious Jpeg Attachments

Ricky Lee 68 October 17, 2010 02:40PM

LaughingRolling on the floor laughing my a.. offCheers! (n/t)

Hans_NL 43 October 17, 2010 03:08PM

All's well that ends well! Both parties are happy! Nice job, RL! Clapping! (n/t)

MCV 67 October 17, 2010 12:20PM

'deed they are! WIS Honeymoon BTW, you weren't kidding when you said..

Ricky Lee 62 October 17, 2010 12:38PM

Re: 'tis probably a Good Thing that I don't regularly match straps to watches in me sleep...

DJM 54 October 17, 2010 12:20PM

Re: Can I assume it's running OK?

Ricky Lee 58 October 17, 2010 12:31PM

That's even better news than the replaced crystal. Congrats! (n/t)

DJM 55 October 17, 2010 12:45PM

It's the Jameson Fairy, I tell 'ya! Eek!Laughing Great job, RLMcB!

Wycombe 52 October 17, 2010 12:08PM

aka known as "The Nac MacFeegle", or sometimes "The Wee Free Men". Jpeg Attachments URL

Ricky Lee 66 October 17, 2010 12:25PM

Clapping! Clapping! Clapping! You have Elves that do the work while you sleep! Thumbs Up Thumbs Up (n/t)

Dave Murphy 51 October 17, 2010 12:06PM

Ah! You know, I didn't think of that! Oops! Yeah, it could well be! Gif Attachments

Ricky Lee 55 October 17, 2010 12:13PM

Nice, I've always been intrigued by West End Watch Co. Especially their military models (n/t)

StefG 49 October 17, 2010 11:45AM

Thank you! Stef. This one might not be officially Military, but it's Been Through The Wars. Eek! Trust me.

Ricky Lee 62 October 17, 2010 12:33PM


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