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It's a happy day, a new watch arrived Watch or Accessory Review - vintage One-Jewel Wonder: Bolivia Electra World-Time


Ricky Lee
December 10, 2011 11:07AM
 Registered: April 2005
Posts: 17,866 (2012-03)

First of all, I blame this one on you Bro. dano0! I am angry! Sure, if not for you posting your Bolivia Electra (see HERE also) I'd have never noticed this one, much less pulled the trigger. And, yes, I posted the seller's photos in your thread.. but here they are again for reference.

Bolivia Electra World-Time

The completed auction is HERE. Bit of a story there.. and you'll appreciate this, dano. Smile I sniped this one with 15 seconds left, and as the counter rolled over to 0:00 it showed I'd won with a bid of US $26. Yet when I received the eMail invoice it said $32. I am confused WTH?! Crazy! Loco! So I go back and refresh the auction page and, sure enough it changed to $32 as well. Apparently the other guy upped his bid with microseconds left, but the page didn't update on my end. Ah well.. at least he didn't top my (US $35) max bid. Laughing

The seller's photos aren't exactly world-class, so I didn't have extremely high expectations. But when the watch arrived I was pleased to find that it's very clean.. danged near NOS-condition! But the surprises weren't over, for when I took photos...

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..I found that it didn't look anywhere near as NOS as it did to the naked eye. Oops! I mean, I know "The camera is merciless" and all.. but Jeez Louise! Eek! The myriad "speckles" on the face.. not quite sure what to make of that. They're on the crystal, not the dial itself. I've seen this effect on a few other acrylic crystals though, again, I'm at a loss to explain the mechanics behind it. To the naked eye, even under the loupe, they are not visible whatsoever. Indeed, the crystal looks great. But as soon as you point a camera at it.. Crazy! Loco!

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

And notice how ragged the center crown looks! Oops! But, again, it looks fine to the naked eye.

The base metal case is 42mm w/o crown(s) x 47.5mm X 13.2mm thick, with 22mm lugs. The strap was a pleasant surprise.. while not OEM, according to the seller, it's of decent quality. And - wonder of wonders! - fits me with three holes to spare! It would easily accommodate a 9+ inch (23cm) wrist.

The watch has twin internal rotating bezels, ye'll note. The blue outer bezel is operated by the 2 o'clock crown, and the white inner bezel bezel is controlled by the 4 o'clock crown. Both turn with a surprisingly smooth and precise action, belying the bargain-basement nature of the construction.

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

From the side, the camera is again unkind. Some pretty sporty dings..

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..on both sides. Again, not bad to the naked eye - excepting that hum-dinger on the top right lug, they're barely visible at all. And hardly any brassing can be seen, nor is the underlying base metal evident even on the deep gouge. I am confused Not that I'm complaining...

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Likewise the back side is clean, with no significant corrosion or brassing. The caseback is a well-fitted screwdown and, despite having quite a robust O-ring, no water resistance is claimed. But it is DUSTPROOF! Laughing Marked on the inside..

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo

.."ASIA HONG KONG". I'd never have guessed! Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

The movement was a big part of why I bought this one, of course. Contrary to what the seller said, it is not an "EB 3800". No such movement exists, AFAICT. But the seller at least got the manufacture right, as it is indeed an . While it's marked "EB 8800", according to the good Dr. Ranfft..

Image from ranfft.de

..the sweep seconds, date, and 12 ligne size make it a caliber 8805. Par for the course, the camera is again unkind..

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

..though, again, it looks A-OK to the unassisted peepers. What's that? "How's it run?" you say? In short, like a champ! Thumbs up! I haven't ascertained the power reserve yet, as it's still running at ~ 35 hours on the first winding. The power reserve is a respectable 38 hours 34 minutes. Accuracy is pretty darned good, too, at +22 sec over the first 24 hours. Plenty Close Enough For Rock 'N' Roll, especially considering that it doesn't hack. The date is not a quick-set, despite what the seller said. Given his description, I expected it to operate like a vintage Rondamatic, where turning the crown CCW in setting mode advances the date. The forward-to-3-back-to-9 "Vostok Roll" works, mind you, so perhaps that's what the seller was trying to describe. There was still one pleasant surprise lurking within the date complication, as it's a true "instant date change" design. Clapping! You can see the date wheel begin to move ever so slightly at 23:57 as the mechanism is pre-loaded, and it snaps over smartly and precisely at midnight. Way cool! Cool

Also a bit of a surprise is that there's lume. And it's actually pretty decent, what there is of it. Yeah, it's one of those cases..

Bolivia Electra World-Time

..where, with no lume whatsoever on the hands, it makes you wonder why they bothered.Crazy! Loco!

So. To summarize, I'm most happy with this one! I know you Snob Pin-Pallet / One-Jewel Haters (Hi AdamNYC! Innocent) are shaking your heads, but it's hard to deny that this is a quite an exclusive watch, one you're not apt to encounter on the wrist of the average Man In The Street. Likewise, the performance is quite good by any reasonable standard. As to the longevity / long-term durability argument.. well, I won't go there. Mind you, the fact that this watch runs at all says something to me, given its vintage. Whistle And, remember, these One Jewel Wonders were never intended to be heirlooms. Wink Nevertheless, they have a certain historical significance, IMHO, as an artifact of the trench warfare that was The Quartz Revolution. In short, a watch worthy of a modicum of attention and respect.

Bolivia Electra World-Time
Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

Anyway, it wears Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8! WIS Honeymoon Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Thanks for readin', y'all...

Cheers!

-Ricky


"A man, like a watch, is to be valued for his manner of going." - William Penn

Messages In This Thread

It's a happy day, a new watch arrived Watch or Accessory Review - vintage One-Jewel Wonder: Bolivia Electra World-Time Image Attachments URL

 Ricky Lee 320 December 10, 2011 11:07AM

Cool little jewel Ricky! Nice informative review too. Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Timemiser 32 December 11, 2011 10:27AM

I have none of these in >

my collection,but remember the times people wore these "Hong Kong era" watches. They certainly are cool in all their varieties Thumbs Up And so is yours! smile Congrats Ricky! Thumbs Up smile
 Bock 31 December 11, 2011 05:39AM

Re: ..my collection,but remember the times people wore these "Hong Kong era" watches.

Well.. IMHO Hong Kong could still be legitimately considered a Hotbed Of Horology, comparatively speaking. Perhaps their products are not quite as prevalent in brick 'n' mortar establishments nowadays, but the advent of global Internet marketing would seem to have offset the difference quite handily. Wink
Quote
Bock
They certainly are cool in all their varieties Thumbs Up
Yes! And sadly under-appreciated by WIS In General, I think...
Quote
Bock
And so is yours! smile Congrats Ricky! Thumbs Up smile
Thank you!

Cheers!
 Ricky Lee 33 December 11, 2011 09:08AM

Re: "still be legitimately considered a Hotbed Of Horology">

Most definately, Ricky Thumbs Up And what it brings to my mind now is the Sandoz-HongKong brand, magnificent value for money watches! Thumbs Up smile
 Bock 28 December 11, 2011 10:52AM

Good looking watch, great review. Very nice for a bargain level watch.

Much more interesting and possibly more potentially durable than todays "bargain level watches" one sees in franchise type pharmacies and low price big box stores.
 Paul J Costa 32 December 10, 2011 01:53PM

Re: ..possibly more potentially durable than todays "bargain level watches" one sees in franchise type pharmacies and low price big box stores.

Oh, no doubt about it!

This watch is 30 years old at a minimum, I reckon. I've seen more than one quartz watch fail after less than 3 decades of service. Wink
Quote
Paul J Costa
Good looking watch, great review. Very nice for a bargain level watch..
Thanks mate!

Cheers!
 Ricky Lee 37 December 10, 2011 04:21PM

Now, Ricky, you can see what I call the '' Hong - Kong era''!!!LaughingCheers!

Although it is not a Rolex, it strangely surprises the wis of our days! In a very good way! They are great watches and really work great! Bravo for the choice!

Also , such models are not anymore an everyday encounter and very soon they will be ... non- encountered at all!WinkThumbs up!Cheers!
 IF 34 December 10, 2011 01:25PM

Yes. "Hong Kong Era" is a good way to describe it! Smile

Quote
IF
..such models are not anymore an everyday encounter and very soon they will be ... non- encountered at all!
Alas, I fear you are correct.
Quote
IF
Bravo for the choice! .. Cheers!
Thank you! my friend.

Cheers!
 Ricky Lee 39 December 10, 2011 04:09PM

SmileNeat piece, and a great tour of it!Clapping! (n/t)

 itschris 27 December 10, 2011 01:16PM

As long as your happy with it RL, that's all that matters.... (n/t)

 BobbyMike 29 December 10, 2011 12:44PM

Congrats Ricky. Thumbs up! My one-jewel wonder didn't work out. Frowning ... Jpeg Attachments

A collector friend gave it to me last week. This photo he sent me gave me the impression that the watch was not in very good cosmetic condition. It was running when he gave it to me and in great shape.

Unfortunately it would not wind for me and so I gave it back to my friend. Frowning

Congrats again Ricky and great review!
Photo by Jimmy50
 Jimmy50 54 December 10, 2011 12:43PM

A pity. Frowning

"Beroona"? That's a new one to me!
Quote
Jimmy50
It was running when he gave it to me and in great shape.
Did you I.D. the movement? Smile
Quote
Jimmy50
Congrats again Ricky and great review!
Thank you!
 Ricky Lee 34 December 10, 2011 01:03PM

It's a Bercona Sport...

I looked at a few like it for sale. One seller said it had a one-jewel manual-wind movement. I gave it back to my friend because IMO it's just not worth repairing such an inexpensive vintage watch.

I thought it would be cool to put a Quartz movement in it however, I doubt that I could use the original dial. Frowning Oh well... it was a nice gesture on my friends part. Thumbs up!
 Jimmy50 44 December 10, 2011 01:51PM

Doh! Oops! Need to get me eyes examined. Blushing Sure..

..I've seen Bercona a time or two.
Quote
Jimmy50
I thought it would be cool to put a Quartz movement in it..
Great minds think alike. Wink
Quote
Jimmy50
..however, I doubt that I could use the original dial. Frowning
Right. If it was time-only, no problem. But the calendar complication greatly complicates such a swap. Not impossible, mind you, just not as easy!

Cheers!
 Ricky Lee 41 December 10, 2011 04:05PM

I think it might be a Bercona!WinkThumbs up! (n/t)

 IF 40 December 10, 2011 01:26PM

Bingo! Thumbs up! (n/t)

 Jimmy50 29 December 10, 2011 01:54PM

You know...I had a slight feeling you may have your eye on that one...

I did too...but....no funding right now....I am crying...Nice catch there Bro Ricky! I think the speckles in the crystal may be the type of acrylic used. I didnt notice that with mine, but, I have seen other watches do that when exposed to light of a flash, or high natural light. Also, it is pretty old...so...Love the way it looks though....its amazing how these 1 jewel marvels have held up over the years!!! I have been looking for the chrono/not a chrono you mentioned as well....finding several examples, though, most with no working chrono/sub dials......cheers!!! Clapping!
 dano0 33 December 10, 2011 12:03PM

Re: I did too...but....no funding right now....I am crying

knew you'd seen it, so I was hoping it wasn't you I was bidding against. Laughing
Quote
dano0
I think the speckles in the crystal may be the type of acrylic used.
It's definitely an artifact related to the crystal itself...
Quote
dano0
Also, it is pretty old...so..
Right. I wish I knew exactly how old. The movement design goes back to at least 1960 according to Ranfft. But I don't believe the production was off-shored to Asia until much later.. sometime in the 1970's, I think. Also, the size and general style say late-1970's / early 1980's to me...
Quote
dano0
.its amazing how these 1 jewel marvels have held up over the years!!!
Yup!
Quote
dano0
I have been looking for the chrono/not a chrono you mentioned as well....finding several examples, though, most with no working chrono/sub dials..
Right. The almost-chronos don't seem to fare as well as the less-complicated 1-jewel movements. Which is to be expected, I suppose.

Still, there are some good ones out there!
Quote
dano0
Nice catch there Bro Ricky!
Thanks mate! Cool And thanks for steering me onto it...

Cheers!
 Ricky Lee 31 December 10, 2011 12:57PM

Or the dusts are inside..

Quote
dano0
I think the speckles in the crystal may be the type of acrylic used. I didnt notice that with mine, but, I have seen other watches do that when exposed to light of a flash, or high natural light.

of the crystal itself I am confused Ricky should take us a precise macro..
 wodo 38 December 10, 2011 12:24PM

I'm ~ 99.98% sure that's not the case.

If they were, I'd be able to see them with the loupe. I am confused
Quote
wodo
Ricky should take us a precise macro..
Unfortunately my camera doesn't do precise macros. Oops!

Cheers!
 Ricky Lee 22 December 10, 2011 12:59PM

Awesome review, you're making me want one now! I am angry!

LaughingThumbs up!

Cheers!
 Need_Omega 27 December 10, 2011 11:49AM

Well then, I've done my job well. Blushing
Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off Cheers!

 Ricky Lee 27 December 10, 2011 12:46PM

Look great, complete Watch or Accessory Review, congrats Bro Ricky Laughing (n/t)

 wodo 33 December 10, 2011 11:37AM


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