Military Watch Experts, I Need Your Help

[hayday]

Bargain or bust?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-197...19.m1438.l2649

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Hamilt...19.m1438.l2649


Yeah, I know, the prices will change, but I'm just wondering if they are worth tracking or if I should just ignore them completely.

[is that my watch]

Bargain or bust?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-197...19.m1438.l2649

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Hamilt...19.m1438.l2649


Yeah, I know, the prices will change, but I'm just wondering if they are worth tracking or if I should just ignore them completely.

not so up on these as I am on the English ones ..but what I notice is they are suppose to be four years apart but the one back plate is different from the other is this the norm or not would not know I like these models but never went for one as never been sure on one that was sub $300 plus/

so hmm just on gut well first just not sure just feels off but ant got a clue why... now the second one thats the 72 hmmm like it a tad more but still again like the first is the crown wrong ? thought it was bigger and chunkier so hmm not sure but they could both be ok as I say not up on these think maybe if the price stays low enough could be worth a look as ..depend on price to what you get if you want to be certain go some where with a good history and the price to match ..

and depends how much you want it to be all original if not so bother it's more the look you want them stay low and take a chance or if really want the whole thing then price them and wait for the right one to come along ..

does happen take the cwc they go for about £80 plus on average some more some times slightly less I snag a good one for £30 as I knew what I was looking for and got lucky with a sale from a surplus store on mine got two for what one would have cost and that was on the cheap side of what they cost

[hayday]

I knew you'd be the first to respond, ismy! I also know you know your stuff so I naturally turn to you.

I'm not really after a collector's piece as much as I like the look of the watch; the history is pretty cool, though. I just don't want to be lied to or ripped off by being sold a fake. Sounds like you're saying I should take a pass.

I'd take any leads you have on more reliable places I should look, either for a US or Smiths version.

[is that my watch]

well alan for one would know a LOT more then I would on this as just a passing interest for me the american side any way, so have looked but not up on them as I say so tend to go with my gut if it feels right I tend to chance it .. and only gone wrong a few times but at prices I was happy to take a chance at

as for smiths if you are meaning the w10 then hmmm saw one do over a grand not sure what the average prices are it was near mint and felt so right ...

hoping a few might come in and give you more help think there was several threads on here where it get's touched on in passing about the hammy did see some in the usa not long back from a army surplus bay site boxed and everything and I thought at the time the prices was really really reasonable ..killer post to the u.k thou some ridiculous amount .. just trying to find the seller now

[tribe125]

I wouldn't call myself an expert but they look OK to me. The ageing and condition look correct and the case engraving looks original. There might be more than one crown type for these watches, although a replacement can't be ruled out. Neither show the movement but the owners may not have the ability to remove the case back.

Nothing is ringing alarm bells, but I haven't spent much time looking at American military watches. If I were buying, I'd double-check photos from the MWR forum. I might also Google the serial numbers to see if they appear on fakes.

At this stage I'm reasonably confident that they're legitimate.

[is that my watch]

I wouldn't call myself an expert but they look OK to me. The ageing and condition look correct and the case engraving looks original. There might be more than one crown type for these watches, although a replacement can't be ruled out. Neither show the movement but the owners may not have the ability to remove the case back.

Nothing is ringing alarm bells, but I haven't spent much time looking at American military watches. If I were buying, I'd double-check photos from the MWR forum. I might also Google the serial numbers to see if they appear on fakes.

At this stage I'm reasonably confident that they're legitimate.

well I was at first ..only thing was the back are different and the one looks a bit too good but that me and my suspicious nature maybe.. but as I said for the right price could be worth a shot like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/U-S-Militar...75.c100623.m-1 whats your take of it ? but same thing so I might be thinking of the bulova mil having the fat crown maybe if so then yeah just the two different backs make me feel maybe one yes and one no ?

[tribe125]

well I was at first ..only thing was the back are different

With a bit of Googling I can find both case backs on legitimate watches.

Here’s a couple of links on these watches. The second shows a watch with the ‘less usual’ case back. One of the links cautions against buying without seeing the movement, which would be comforting, but may not always be possible.

http://timefraud.com/read-before-buy...ilitary-watch/

http://www.hamiltonchronicles.com/20...6374b.html?m=1

[is that my watch]

cool good to know then yeah if the right price might be worth a punt

[hayday]

Fantastic! Thanks for the help, Alan. I'bb be sure to check out the links you provided.

[is that my watch]

saw this and I may like it more then the hammy it has a certain something I find (it was the bulova with the fat crowns it seem's )