| Author | Message | ||
     Phranz New member Username: Phranz Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2014 Rating: N/A |
Hi! Learned quite a bit in reading here and other net sources, being in search for a Memovox. Yesterday a local dealer showed me, after some previous warmup visits with lively discussions, something he says having been for at least 10 years in his bank safe. To me a mint looking, completely unaltered original. He was a little reluctant to open it, said that it had NEVER BEEN OPENED. Having learned my lesson, I insisted to have a look at the inside, otherwise no purchase. Well, what could he do? *g* Fotos are`nt really sharp, as it can happen probably to every unexperienced mobile - fotographer, being under pressure having in front of you a seemingly extraordinary piece + hard nosed dealer + behind you other people waiting impatienly + bad lighting. Sorry for that, but anyways, if everything falls into place and I buy it, I will post better ones. I tried several times to upload more than one pic (tried really small sizes like 40KB), but get always only one of them up here visible in the preview, the others being placeholders with question marks, so if you want to see the fresh opened movement also, pls tell me what I do wrong.  Under a magnifying glass there are micro scratches allover the glass, and one can see tiny traces of wear on the case and on the JL signed crowns. The movement completely untouched. To my amateurish eye the dial looks like new, with slight beautiful patina. Hands, lume, indices untouched, everything in perfect condition. The alarm sounds fresh and loud in comparison with 2 other in S/S, I had a chance to have on my wrist. Movement S/N 1639xxx. Caseback 93xxxx. Gold/Steel I have some questions, but of course any other comments, considerations, hints etc. are mostly appreciated! 1) This piece of my interest is in gold/steel and I`ve learned, that this combination exists in 14kt + steel backcase, beside the cases fully in gold 18kt. and 14kt. I would like to find out, what we have here. Online there are a lot of Memovoxes offered, that are described in the g/s combination with gold, gold plated or goldfilled, with, or without karat definitions. There is a hallmarking on the watch above at one lug, looks like a �W` but to small for me to identify. Are there certain hallmarks obligatory to the Memovox? And if yes, where on the case would they be applied? How important is actually the difference between these materials to collector value? 2) Never having been opened since �50 years, and in spite of having obviously not being worn very long, it probably has to be cleaned and oiled? Just asking to consider these additional costs to a purchase�� thx for your attention Phranz | ||
| Phranz New member Username: Phranz Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2014 Rating: N/A |
here the movement Phranz  | ||
| Phranz New member Username: Phranz Post Number: 6 Registered: 09-2014 Rating: N/A |
and the back  | ||
| Phranz New member Username: Phranz Post Number: 7 Registered: 09-2014 Rating: N/A |
nobody here? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 6167 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
1) The top is gold. Usually 14k. It's not hallmarked as such. It's is less collectible than all steel or all 18k. 2) If you plan on wearing it a lot, then yes, a service is probably in order as all the lubricants have long dried up, if the story is true. I'd look at all the screw heads, if it has in fact never been opened, every single screw head should present as new. No marks. | ||
| Phranz New member Username: Phranz Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2014 Rating: N/A |
Hello Zaf! Thx again for your expertise. Very valuable info! To me the screwheads looked indeed untouched, and I thought that this fact alone makes it more collectible than an ss in a similar good condition but with the traces of watchmakers. Do you have maybe a steel version for sale right now, that, so to say, can compete with this (at least in my eyes) near mint one for sale at the moment? regards from Austria | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 6168 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
I just sold the steel one I had, sorry. Maybe later in the year. | ||
| Phranz New member Username: Phranz Post Number: 9 Registered: 09-2014 Rating: N/A |
thx, I will stay in touch and watch the offers at your site. Franz |