The cost.

[Tengu]

They are grand watches.

I would like a Cosmonauts watch.

I cannot afford one.

My watch is a Casio F-91W A simple watch but it does me good service. I have gotten through several similar since I was a teen.

Maybe one day I can trade for a nice watch?

 

[Janne]

Cosmonauts - I think they used various Soviet brands, all extensively tested.
Some people say they used the same as NASA, an Omega.

Russian have also used Fortis. The East German whatever-his-namewas used a Ruhla.

So you have a lot to choose from, but all genuine models are expensive!

 

[GuestD]

Great how this thread has spread its wings. For quality of precision time keeping, Soviet era "chronometer" grade watches can still be had at low cost compared to their Swiss counterparts. My favourite is the Volna Precision, you have to be careful, but a really clean unmolested example can be had sub £200.

I would like a Cosmonauts watch.

You could get a fairly cheap (but naff) Gagarin "re-issue",

Or a Chinese space project "FIYTA"

 

[santaman2000]

I like that Gagarin!

 

[Tiley]

Does this not contain a modified ETA 2836-2 movement ?

According to their website, it contains a "modified calibre 11 1/2" BE-36AE chronometer movement". If I'm honest, I don't really know what that means. It tells the time, is accurate and I like its clarity, simplicity and quality.

I have to admit that I also like the Bremont Argonaut. It's a bit different from the Supermarine but does a similar job. Maybe when I win the lottery or am left a wodge of cash...

 

[GuestD]

According to their website, it contains a "modified calibre 11 1/2" BE-36AE chronometer movement". If I'm honest, I don't really know what that means. It tells the time, is accurate and I like its clarity, simplicity and quality.

I have to admit that I also like the Bremont Argonaut. It's a bit different from the Supermarine but does a similar job. Maybe when I win the lottery or am left a wodge of cash...

here's a link,
https://watchbase.com/bremont/caliber/be-36ae

Referencing this bit ;
Base: ETA 2836-2

Means that your "British" watch has quite a bit of "Swiss" in it. Not a bad thing by any means.

https://www.eta.ch/en/our-products/mechanical-movements/mecaline/eta-mecaline-2836-2

Many companies do this, including Tudor, who are part of the same group as Rolex. Some are a bit more upfront about the origins of what's inside than others.

 

[Broch]

OK, this is the movement and case of the silver, older, watch. It's Swiss made but the rest of the markings don't mean anything to me (except the 925).

 

[Tiley]

here's a link,
https://watchbase.com/bremont/caliber/be-36ae

Referencing this bit ;
Base: ETA 2836-2

Means that your "British" watch has quite a bit of "Swiss" in it. Not a bad thing by any means.

Well, I suppose that most machinery relies on components sourced from other companies in other countries. As you say, there's no harm in the Swiss involvement - they've been making movements for long enough to know how! I wonder how it's been modified to justify a different 'BE' number? I am led to believe that the watch was assembled in the U.K., so perhaps I'll have to hang on to that thought!

 

[GuestD]

I am led to believe that the watch was assembled in the U.K., so perhaps I'll have to hang on to that thought!

it will have been.

 

[GuestD]

OK, this is the movement and case of the silver, older, watch. It's Swiss made but the rest of the markings don't mean anything to me (except the 925).

View attachment 54007

View attachment 54008

Here's something to go on for a start,and
http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/borgel.php

 

[Broch]

Here's something to go on for a start,and
http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/borgel.php

Wow; thanks

 

[Broch]

Thanks Deekin; what a great site.

So, my watch is a Borgel Trench Watch imported by Robert Pringle and Sons in 1915/16 (sponsored by their employee Arthur George Rendell), and assayed in the London assay office.

The luminous paint almost certainly means it was produced as a military watch and the paint, although no longer luminous, is still radioactive

I think I'll get it cleaned and make my own strap for it and wear it occasionally

 

[Janne]

Please be aware of that it is completely 'not water protected' and the movement is quite sensitive for knocks as it does not have any anti shock protection.

Back in those days, specially the military, they bought leather outer cases that offered some extra protection.

The Radium is still active, but the dose is negligible, do not worry about that.

 

[Broch]

My understanding is (and remember, I am now an expert (not)) that the Borgel case was the first 'water resistant' case designed and that Rolex based their Oyster case on the design

However, you are absolutely right, it's about as waterproof as a colander now . It did survive me using it as a kid; I think it will survive me occasionally wearing it with care. I may well either make a clip-down cover for it or make a belt pouch - the type you flip open to read the watch on your belt. Watch this space (but don't hold your breath; I have far too many projects on the go!).

 

[Janne]

I would just get ( or make) a nice strap, probably make out of leather, and wear it occasionally.
Just take 'normal' care, same you would do with a vintage car.

It is a nice piece.

Extremely occasionally, I wear one of the B-uhrs.
At 55mm diameter, 'interesting' !

 

[GuestD]

Some of the first pictures of wrist watches were taken of soldiers wearing them in the Boer war. Troops also wore them in WW 1, some converted pocket watches.

Some of the later Soviet watches had decent shock protection.

 

[santaman2000]

Some of the first pictures of wrist watches were taken of soldiers wearing them in the Boer war. Troops also wore them in WW 1, some converted pocket watches.

Some of the later Soviet watches had decent shock protection.

If I remember correctly, I read somewhere that before that era wristwatches were considered effeminate (thought of as a bracelet) with the onset of WWI the need for something more convenient than a pocket watch changed that worldwide (from your post it happened slightly earlier in the British Empire due to the Boer War)

WWII and the proliferation of aircraft (and a need for pilots to preserve their night vision) in warfare saw a similar upsurge in sunglasses as well as ball point pens (which don’t spurt out their contents as the unpressurized aircraft climbed to altitude)

 

[Janne]

Cartier made one of the first decent pilots watches for his friend Santos-Dumont.

 

[Janne]

One item I would never, ever look on the price tag is for boots.
Imo the most important piece of equipment, specially if you venture into wilderness.

The biggest no-no is a ’glued only’ sole.

 

[GuestD]

Interesting comment about ball point pens. Apparently a lot of money and research was spent on developing pens that would operate without problems in space. The Russians used pencils.