Vintage wrist watches

I've collected old wrist and pocket watches for quite a few years now, generally I prefer pre 1950 items but do have a few classically styled post 1950 example but my interest wains with the introduction of the quartz watch.

I don't often buy watches now as I have one or more of each 'type' I have an interest in....however on occasion and when the price is right I will buy a watch...or two!

These two are such items, both bought for a couple of quid each....neither work but both are in stunningly good cosmetic condition which is everything!

You can buy a watch working and that is great however the vast majority will need a service and many, many 'overwound' watches need little more than a service to get them going again as the old oils gum up over the years and stop the watch from functioning correctly or at all.

These two however need a little more, the Apex needs a new mainspring which I will get put in with a service and the 'Ingersol' watch has a few mechanical faults but the 'pin lever' movements are fairly easy to find so replacement should be easy and cheap!

A couple of things to look for in a watch is does the second hand 'tick' when the watch is gently shaken if so the balance wheel is good, also worth seeing if the hands set ok too, it is also important that the dial is in good condition as it is very expensive and difficult to match the dial when getting it restored.

Here are the watches;

Both together, roughly 32mm across the dial including winder

The Deco inspired Apex with it's swivel lugs, blued steel hands and sub second dial at the bottom of the dial/face

The back view with it's stainless steel rear cover

and cover removed showing the very clean and again deco inspired movement

The Swiss 15 jewelled movement

The Ingersol 'BIJOU'

With front cover removed showing the excellent dial condition again with a sub dial and blued steel hands.

The chrome plated rear cover would more than likely date this to the 1930's

The beautiful dial in excellent condition.

The movement with cover removed more than likely made by Theil brothers of Thuringia.

Wilkinson Sword Empire Razor set

I acquired this Wilkinson Sword Empire Razor set recently for a song, in very good original and virtually unused( if ever) condition, here's a few photographs as it arrived; 

The oak box in very good condition but much in need of a clean and polish.

And it's contents, on pigskin strop in silver plated holder, silver plated 'Empire' razor, box of unopened unused blades, card lid insert and instructions for use and care of strop.

Removed from box, blue velvet lining is in excellent condition.

The 'unopened' blade box,

And it's contents.

The razor before cleaning.

Box after a clean, sand and polish

And it's contents

The internals showing blade holding arrangement

And it in blade release position

With blade released ready for removing

Makers marks to rear of head assembly

Blade packaging front and rear

And advertising insert for 'Zero shaving cream' 

Outer advert

And advert 'blurb'

Front of instructions

And rear

Strop after re-dressing in it's polished silver plated holder