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Post by ianmedium on Jul 19, 2014 12:41:00 GMT -6
Just won a gorgeous piece of English Horology and am really looking forward to its arrival. It's an Ingersoll made in Great Britain I think looking at it back in the 50's. Though Ingersoll are an American Brand that were taken over by the US Time Corp (Timex) The London base Ingersoll Ltd were sold to its board of directors in 1930 making it a wholly owned British watch company. After the 2nd World War the Anglo-Celtic Company Ltd were formed which brought under one umbrella Ingersoll, Smiths and Vickers Armstrong. They built a factory just outside of Swansea in Wales and started to build watches there. Funny thing is that despite the different brand names a lot of the watches made were identical other than slightly different dials. This is where the thrifty watch collector can do good... And I did good! Firstly, the Ingersoll I won is a beauty. All the lume is in place and has lovely patina and apart from a few marks on the dial around the 1 O'clock mark it is in mint condition. Case is lovely as is the movement which is working and keeping excellent time according to the seller. Secondly, the movement in this one, the TY 5 Jewel pin lever movement is exactly the same on found in many Smiths watches only with the Smiths name on the dial the price goes up hugely! So, if you want a vintage British made watch from this era and like the idea of a Welsh made Smiths but baulk at the price then have a look at Ingersoll. Same quality just a different name on the dial! Looking around a Smiths branded version will cost you in the same condition anywhere from $80 and up. I won this for $20! Here is a photo from the seller. More when it gets here! My only worry with this watch is when wearing it am I going to have the urge to chase sheep!
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Post by vincent65 on Jul 19, 2014 13:48:21 GMT -6
very nice, I know that brand
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 19, 2014 13:54:19 GMT -6
Thanks Karl. I think many of us Brits of a certain age would have owned one or known something with one at one time. The factory closed in 1980. They were known as one of the few watch companies in the world to make pretty much everything in house. The only things they brought it were crystals and hairsprings. So now I have two English made watches, now if only the lotto would kick in I could get a third... RW Smith!
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CHIP
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Name: Chip
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Post by CHIP on Jul 19, 2014 15:40:51 GMT -6
Looks tiny but I like it.
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 19, 2014 15:48:00 GMT -6
I am getting used to that Chip. I think the majority of my watches now are 34m like this one. I actually strapped the Citizen 2100 on the other day (47mm) and could not wear it as it just seemed silly big after all my vintage watches. I actually felt quite self conscious having it strapped to my wrist!
This one is a pretty one though and I think has a slight Military look about it so it is going to get attached to one of Dave's NATO's once it gets here!
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,788
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Jul 19, 2014 16:44:55 GMT -6
I have a few of Dave's NATO straps and I would be glad to send them to you. They are 18mm and don't fit anything that I have sadly. If you want them, I will pop them in the mail on Monday.
Just PM me an address.
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 19, 2014 16:59:47 GMT -6
Thanks Chip. I have a spare one so I am good. Hopefully someone else can take you up on yours and Daves Kindness.
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Post by rigsby on Jul 20, 2014 1:25:08 GMT -6
I like the simple look of it, not too fussy.
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Post by carl on Jul 20, 2014 13:56:03 GMT -6
I like this one a lot, Ian. Actually looks like it will wear a bit bigger than 34mm. The NATO will look excellent on it as well. I love the way the lume is all intact, and the patina it has developed. Kind of an eggshell colour on the dial, looks great. Will be interesting to see the colour in real life. The watches around 34mm are really growing on me as well, although I have only the '63 Seamaster and the Air-King of that size. Then the Cartier, which is the same size as yours, is also a great size for me. I do love wearing the Mark II as well, although it's large, it just seems a very appropriate size for the watch. The case on the Igersoll reminds me a bit of my Seamaster. I say you did very well indeed. Great for chasing sheep indeed! An old toerag wearing an Ingersoll chasing sheep around the Welsh countryside! Cheers, Carl
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 20, 2014 15:55:23 GMT -6
cheers Carl. You know your MKII is the exception to so many rules as it simply does not feel big on the wrist, its one of the most perfect watches I have ever seen.
Your pictures of the AK made me miss it a great deal, such a gorgeous watch!
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Post by carl on Jul 20, 2014 16:07:03 GMT -6
cheers Carl. You know your MKII is the exception to so many rules as it simply does not feel big on the wrist, its one of the most perfect watches I have ever seen. Your pictures of the AK made me miss it a great deal, such a gorgeous watch! Yes, it's funny now that I have the AK back again, I think that I would have a very difficult time parting with it again. And I know that this is probably my last chance at having a Rolex, and my very favourite at that! Even the new Omega Tresor, which is undeniably gorgeous, does not truly live up to the Air-King in my eyes. And while I do really like the new Seamaster 300 as well, now that I have seen it, I feel much the same. The Air-King has a real uniqueness to it that is unmatched IMO by any other Rolex model, even the Explorer (especially the new, larger model). Just as it is great to see you getting such pleasure out of these vintage pieces. Each one has a personality all it's own. Cheers, Carl Speaking of Welsh countryside, way off topic: I remember vividly a series of books, the "Adventure" series by Enid Blyton. There was especially one, the Mountain of Adventure, which took place in the Welsh countryside, always gave me a desire to visit.
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 22, 2014 9:16:24 GMT -6
Thought I would show a shot of the inside of this one from the seller. Lovely clean movement, notice the blued click spring for the winding gear and the huge original rubber gasket on the case back!
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,788
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
Since: Oct 8, 2005 17:08:57 GMT -6
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Post by CHIP on Jul 22, 2014 14:29:33 GMT -6
That looks very nice!
Amazing how long a mechanical watch can last and how little you have to spend to get something like this.
It's way cool.
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 22, 2014 15:00:27 GMT -6
And the thing is Chip these English Ingersoll's were on the same level as Timex in terms of cost. Sort of puts pay to the thought that the reason to spend thousands on a watch is that one ensures longevity and that cheap watches just get thrown away.
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Post by ianmedium on Jul 28, 2014 15:35:49 GMT -6
The Ingersoll arrived today and what a beautiful watch it is! I popped the crystal off and found out the marks between 1-2 were able to be removed with a dry cloth so now it looks really lovely. Also gave the crystal a sand and buff. I don't think this watch was hardly used for the past 56 years as the photo's below show! First a before.. And this was after a gentle clean of the dial and buff of the crystal... Proudly made in Great Britain...
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