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Catalog shots part 3. I'm totally, completely, head-over-heels in love with this one! WIS Honeymoon Image Attachments

Ricky Lee

November 27, 2009 01:48PM
Registered: April 2005
Posts: 5,927 (2010-02)

I'm not sure of the vintage. Nor am I sure that the..


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

.."Railroad Approved" pedigree is genuine. (Mr. Clitheroe? Please chime in if you can shed any light on the question! :-)) But I love the styling, and it strikes me as quite a well-built piece of kit. The specs are modest, sure, with the case being a plated base-metal affair (with SS snap-in caseback), and non-screwdown crown. But 'tis quite finely finished indeed, and the movement, a 1-jewel Miyota, is certainly solid.


Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

I know that photo's a bit redundant, but I couldn't choose between #1 and #2, so you get both. Rolling on the floor laughing my a.. off

Maybe the best thing about this one is the condition.. it is mint, easily TZ 98%! It's a happy day, a new watch arrived Without the benefit of a loupe, you'd be hard-pressed to tell it from NOS. Clapping!



Click HERE for larger photo or HERE for supersized photo

I'm not sure about the combo, mind you. I am confused I mean, it's comfortable, and work OK I guess.. but I'm thinkin' a nice black leather strap with deployant is the way to go here? What say you fashionistas? :-) What combo would work best on this one? Please Your vote is required!

TIA!

-Ricky




Messages In This Thread

Catalog shots part 3. I'm totally, completely, head-over-heels in love with this one! WIS Honeymoon Image Attachments
Ricky Lee -- November 27, 2009 01:48PM (Views: 134)
"Railroad Approved" quartz watches.. Image Attachments
Harold Clitheroe -- November 29, 2009 09:00PM (Views: 36)
Nice one Ricky, similar to some of the Citizen and Seiko offerings.. As far as 'RR Approved", well, most Class I railroads stopped having an "approved" list back in the late 70's. The current spec nowadays usually calls for a "reliable watch" with "good legibility". Oddly enough the 24 hour chapter that most of teghse seem to sport, is a purely Canadian Class I requirement.. Current CROR (Canadian Railroad Operating Rules) state:

1. TIME
The twenty four (24) hour system will be used and will be expressed in four digits. The digits 2359 or 0001 will be used to express the time at midnight.
2. WATCHES
Every conductor, assistant conductor, locomotive engineer, pilot, foreman, snow plow foreman and such other employees as the company may direct, shall, when
on duty, use a reliable watch that indicates hours, minutes and seconds and shall;
(i) be responsible to ensure that it is kept in proper working condition so that itdoes not reflect a variation of more than thirty seconds in a twenty four (24)
hour period;
(ii) set it to reflect the correct time if it reflects a variation of more than thirty seconds;
(iii) before commencing work, compare the time on their watch with a railway approved time source. Where a railway approved time source is not
accessible, obtain the correct time from the RTC or by comparing with another employee who has obtained the correct time. Every crew member
assigned to train, transfer or yard service shall compare the time with one another as soon as possible after commencing work.


In addition, the Canadian Pacific version states:

In the application of Rule 2, a railway approved watch is a reliable watch that simultaneously displays hours, minutes, and seconds in the twenty-four hour system.
Every employee in possession of a valid certificate of rules qualification shall, when in service connected with the movement of trains or engines, use a reliable railway
approved watch or clock
.

That's where the 24 hour chapter comes into effect. Most Canadian Class I's have a 24 hour spec.

So technically, your watch meets current spec, but it was never "Approved" in the true sense of the old days, when a railroad had its own Chief Timekeeper, and tested and approved watches submitted by watch companies. In those days, most railroads also issued watches, or made them available by an employee purchase paln.

As an example, here is my late 1970;s Rodania, one of the last watches to be officially on the "approved" list". Note the classic spade hands, of of the "requriements" to be on the approved list. Despite having no lume, tis is still a very legible watch, even in poor light.
Photo courtesy Mr. Harold Clitheroe

When I was railroadin' (retired after 34 years "in service" with CPR, you saw a lot of nice vintage issue "approved" watches around the HQ offices, but most crews preferred something a bit more rugged when actually working, Timex Ironman and Casio's were pretty common..

Hope that helps..

Cheers
Harold
That's a beauty, Ricky. WIS Honeymoon (n/t)
Mark C. -- November 27, 2009 03:00PM (Views: 21)
Good looking watch! I'd follow your instinct with the black leather strap.
Dre -- November 27, 2009 02:23PM (Views: 24)
Though I find white dial watches are very versatile, it would probably look just as good on a brown / tan leather strap.


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