Instagram story viewer> @belgian_watch_watcher> Posts

Ilya

@belgian_watch_watcher

3K

followers

4830

following

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

I've had this wonderful Recta for a little over a month now, and its subtleness always draws me in. From the layout of the dial to the detailed sub-seconds with lovely concentric circles, as well as the way the lugs have a lovely step on them. And then there is the caseback, which drew me in at first. So far, I have not been able to find any other Recta "Jubilé" signed watches (even though they're undoubtedly out there, since the anniversary was clearly advertised in 1947). And to top it all off, the movement inside is quite pretty to behold as well, even though it's only to be admired by my watchmaker.

#recta #rectajubilé #vintagerecta by @belgian_watch_watcher

141

28

2 months ago

110

11

5 months ago

With the relaunch of universal I thought I would share one of my favourites. And what's not to love about this watch. Twisted lugs made by huguenin freres, an enamel dial from stern creations with a beautiful font (modern brands get this wrong a lot of the time in my opinion), big crown and a purpose built 1205 hacking chronometer grade movement which still keeps time like one too at -4 seconds a day. A classy tool watch. Some of these railrouters have the numbered and tested chronometer movement but in my experience these fat U versions don't have that, however they're always special especially when they're in great condition. Personally it doesn't get much better than this. And if that wasn't enough the crystal is also the original ug signed one.

What do you guys think?

#polerouter #railrouter #universalgeneve by @belgian_watch_watcher

78

8

5 months ago

80

2

9 months ago

Haven't posted this duo for a good while, however they do get a lot of wris time especially since I had the bracelets adjusted. It is an understatement to say I like these watches, historically significant, well built, interesting details, rare as hens teeth and in honest condition. What more could one wish for.

Which one is your favourite?

#marvinflyingdutchman by @belgian_watch_watcher

103

7

a year ago

I've been enjoying this one a lot lately.
The orange glow of the gilt text is probably the best detail on it. And speaking of details it also has an original cornu mido buckle now. I am not sure if the period is correct (it probably isn't) however it is still nice to have some mido branding on this otherwise very west end watch co branded piece.

#mido #midomulticenterchrono #westendwatch #vintagemido by @belgian_watch_watcher

90

3

a year ago

Well here is my last purchase of 2024. It´s hard to explain why this watch is so great. The rose gold just has an inherent quality to it that I have not whitnessed often. There are probably better examples out there but I like the fact that someone in 1956 decided to purchase one of the most expensive ug in the catalog and than wore it for the proceeding years. Oh and also a fun fact about this piece. I got it from the original owners family although I find it difficult to see why you would ever sell a watch like this. Anyways I think I will put a halt to my purchasing, I think I have enough for now.

I hope you enjoyed this quick post. by @belgian_watch_watcher

177

8

2 years ago

I promised in my previous post I would write a more in depth post on this watch, and well here it is.

Let´s start with the basics. At face value it´s just a tissot 6212 with a lemania ch 27 movement and a damaged dial. But that´s when it gets interesting, notice how each 5 minute denomination has a pip where lume used to be. Something peculiar for a non lume watch. One does not need to look a lot further for an explanation because when we turn the watch over we see the markings 6b/234, a number, in this case 34 and avi mb. Meaning this watch was bought by the aviation militaire Belge. The precursor of the Belgian air force. Avi mb was officially founded in 1946 and changed their name to Belgian Air force in 49. This watch has a serial number that dates it to 46'. So far I have been able to find two others. Number 13 with a black radium dial (which looks more mil spec) and number 43 which has the exact same lume pip modified dial. Both owners claim to have inherited the watch from air force veterans.

Perhaps we´ll never know the full originality but for me this watch tells a story of post war chaos, Belgian non-sensicalness and the hope that after 4-6 years of war, life without tirrany had finally arrived.

Thank you for reading.
And thank you to the person who helped me get this watch. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Ps: the background is a 1961 fatigue pant from the Belgian army. by @belgian_watch_watcher

142

22

2 years ago

I probably should have waited for good light before sharing my Rikketik finds, but I'm just too excited about what I discovered. The Tissot you see before you was delivered to the Aviation Militaire Belge in 1946 (the same year that marked the end of the Avi-m.b.'s existence, as it officially became the Force Aérienne). Some say this Tissot is incorrect, but I have some convincing reasons why it might actually be legitimate—albeit it does look a little strange for a pilot’s watch. I’ll make a more detailed post about it later.

I also bought a nice Certina Sportsman with a lovely crosshair tropical dial and a Huguenin Frères case. And last but not least, the beautiful Ebel "Cubitus" from the late 1930s, which is in excellent condition.

What do you guys think? Did I do well this time? by @belgian_watch_watcher

3

13

2 years ago

Finally got the chance to add a railrouter to my collection.

I´ve been eyeing this model for quite a while and when this particularily pristine example popped up I just had to have it. It´s a real time capsule when you consider that the case is unpolished and the crystal is original. These dials were also made by the stern freres company. The case is ofcourse huguenin freres and the movement was specially modified to comply with the railroad standards. Meaning it has a swan neck regulator and a hacking function. It was also adjusted to 5 positions and temperature. In my opinion universal geneve really mastered the art of designing toolwatches. Which coincidentally are considered dress watches now. And another added bonus which I really enjoy on this piece is the font. I just wish modern companies could do something like this. Let´s hope the relaunch of universal comes close.

I thank you for reading my post and I hope you enjoyed it. by @belgian_watch_watcher

198

24

2 years ago

You don´t always get the chance to get a 70 odd year old watch in a condition as this. But when you do, and you´re an addict like me you just can´t let it go.
So here´s my newest watch. Even though I didn´t plan on buying anything extra this year I just had to have her. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am doing right now.

Thank you @lester_neo for the confidence and the watch.

#eterna #vintageeterna by @belgian_watch_watcher

142

14

2 years ago

Black on black with some extra flare. I feel like this watch deserves to be on a black pigskin strap.

This is still my favourite and most rare watch. The combination of multicenterchrono, west end black dial and alpha hands is unique to my knowledge. Swipe to see the tasti tondi surprise. Could one wish for anything more in a chronograph?

#mido #multicenterchrono
#tastitondi
#borgel #vintagewatch #midomultifortchronograph
#pigskin by @belgian_watch_watcher

110

15

2 years ago