| Author | Message | ||
     Telawrence New member Username: Telawrence Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2008 Rating: N/A |
Hello, all. I'm new to the forum (glad to have found it). Am interested in learning a little more about the following watches. They belonged to a career military/GOV officer (OSS) who collected these during wartime. He stayed behind in Berlin (Western Europe) in the years immediately following the war. They've been cleaned and cared for somewhat over the years. You will note that the fist piece is a large DOXA. It works fine and was acquired sometime in the 70's. Belonged to a retired luftwaffe officer who had flown in the first world war (not during WWII). Name not available. The others are a MIMO, an ALPINA, and a REGALIS/ANDREW. The MIMO is working well and was cleaned up in the 80's (polished). It was a daily wearer. Unfortunately the polishing scrubbed a little of the character and history away. The number on the caseback isnt as legible now; I guess due to the cleaning, though it's there. Reads D0349H. The guts of each watch are signed and matching. The Regalis has a really nice dial. My friend tells me that for some reason he believes it had a naval affiliation. Though he can't remember why. There are a few other watches, but I haven't had a chance to photograph them and I need to set up some better lighting (obviously). Would greatly appreciate any input/expertise. Take care- Mike         (Message edited by admin on December 08, 2008) | ||
| Telawrence New member Username: Telawrence Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2008 Rating: N/A |
Couple pics were dropped from the above post. Please find below: Another shot of the Doxa (btw its about 52-55mm) The Regalis/Andrew (the backside is pictured above as the 5th and 6th images) And a another shot of the Alpina (movement) (movement)   | ||
| Telawrence New member Username: Telawrence Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2008 Rating: N/A |
The Regalis face which was also dropped from above posting.  | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 3658 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
Ok let me take a stab at these: 1. The Doxa is a pocket watch conversion. Someone kust added lugs on it to make it look like a wrist watch. These generally come from Russia (post WWII modification) and are not considered collectible. 2. The Alpina is real, it's a Luftwaffe service watch (or at least most people consider the "D" mark to mean that). 3. The Regalis, is most likely not real or at a minimum has issues, the DH specification calls for a screw back case and shock protection,. This watch has neither. 4. The Mimo, if it has a screw back and DH marks, looks real. Best, Zaf | ||
| Telawrence New member Username: Telawrence Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2008 Rating: N/A |
Zaf, Much thanks for your input/expertise. Do appreciate it. So the Doxa was altered at some point? I've looked at the lugs and the metal type matches very well the case. I know that it had belonged to a pilot (now deceased) who had flown for germany during ww1 and had befriended an aquaintence of mine sometime after ww2. The watch was given as a gift in the 60's/early 70's. Though that's all I know. I know that neither of the previous owners ever spent much time in Russia (if any). Again, much thanks. Glad to know more about the Mimo and Alpina. I'll continue to do a little more research and try and find more about the Regalis. I'll talk to the owner and ask him if he can recall anything more about the watches or where/how he got them. I know the doxa belonged to a retired german luftwaffe officer who collected (hoarded) many historical wwii german artifacts and gave the watch as a gift to my friend sometime in the late 60's. There are a few other non-watch items that were also given. Much thanks- | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 3665 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
The Doxa definitely started off life as a pocketwatch. I guess it is theoretically possible that someone during WWI made such a modification but it's unlikely. The Russian stuff could also be eastern European, like Poland, etc, that's where most of the so called pilots watches that started off like as pocket watches come from. |