The Vintage Watcher

Here’s a model of watch that I once owned. For many military watch collectors, this is a “grail” watch for them, a Zenith Special.  This is a WWII era watch, with a pocket watch movement, that is housed in a large 41mm case.  The version I had was in much better condition, both the dial and the case.  This one is a fair version, I think the wear on the case is okay and consistent with age.  Also the wear on the crystal is not bad, and I like that the inner bezel still turns.  The movement is possibly the best part of the watch and looks okay and consistent, with it’s snail cam and swan’s neck regulator.  There are only two things off about this watch.  There is supposed to be an inner glass dust cover with this model.  These get broken easily and is not readily replaceable, so I could see why it was missing.  The tube is missing.  The stem is supposed to stick way out of the case, almost 4mm, so that a pilot with gloves could grab the crown easily to wind the watch.  That is almost a requirement for this watch, one of the things most collectors look for, so that is why the hardcore collectors have left this one alone.  Not a bad price for $1,995 at WatchesToBuy.com.  I ended up selling my model of this watch because I was too afraid to wear it.  I thought I might damage it, and sometimes you have things for a collection you should not wear.  This was one of those watches.  But I always think it is a waste of money to buy a watch and never wear it, so I sold my Zenith Special for a watch I would actually wear.