May 4, 2024 Johnson City, TN East Tennessee State University has not seen the violent protests and encampments that have embroiled other American college campuses. There have been small demonstrations involving students who are protesting conditions in Gaza, but these have mostly diminished as the time for final exams has come to this small Appalachian… Continue reading Speaking Time to Power
Author: gkv
Strepmonsty
‘Twas goldem, and the greytoo titanu Did toks and tickle in the watbock: All purdee were the timpicos, And the datwel reed rondat. “Beware the Strepmonst, my son! The gears that grind, the hands that point! Beware the Gadar bird, and shun The quartious Chronoportch!” He took his firked tool in hand; Long time the… Continue reading Strepmonsty
Round Table No. 13: Through a Glass Darkly
Greg: Since I am a natural born leader (looking around in case I get struck by lightning) I will throw this one out. Most of us have more than a passing interest in vintage watches. What is the future of the vintage watch market? Are we at a point where it will be less of… Continue reading Round Table No. 13: Through a Glass Darkly
When rituals aren’t automatic.
I originally downloaded Instagram for the filters that would turn any picture that I took into one that resembled the washed-out Polaroids of my childhood. I never intended to give anyone an instant update into what brunch looked like or what trail I was hiking. Part of being “in the moment” is to be “in… Continue reading When rituals aren’t automatic.
Three Questions: Wittnauer
1. What vintage brand would make the best dress watch for the money? At various times I would have answered that question differently. Hamilton, Bulova, and Gruen all make perfectly serviceable “dress” watches. If you want to pay a little more, Le Coutre, Longines, and Omega were great options, but prices have jumped recently. To… Continue reading Three Questions: Wittnauer
The Stopper
I haven’t bought a new watch in nearly a year and haven’t bought a vintage watch in nearly three months. The new watch interval is normal. It takes me months to decide what I want and how much I will pay. Vintage is always a more impulse process: see something, research it, figure the costs… Continue reading The Stopper
Little Star: Typical Greg Content
Command economies work so well. One day the big boss decides that the perfect society needs a watch for women, and like Athena from the forehead of Zeus, a new watch is born. This is how we got the Zvezda ("Little Star"), the Cartier of the U.S.S.R. Aggressions in Europe have cooled my ardor for… Continue reading Little Star: Typical Greg Content
I swear I thought she was older…
I like the forgotten and the overlooked and today Wyler has those very qualities in excess. It was a major player once, from the 1930’s to the 1970’s. Wyler made watches that were tougher than the average Swiss brand, but were affordable, and maybe a little stylish. Wyler has had a couple of relaunches in… Continue reading I swear I thought she was older…
Missing the show
To: janjenson69@hotmail.com From: Ian.Farnworth@bwcm.uk Subject: British Watchmakers’ Day Dear Mr. Jenson: Thank you for your interest in participating in the scheduled British Watchmakers’ Day. I am sorry to inform you that your brand, TrollDeep, does not qualify as a British Watchmaker. Independent of where TrollDeep’s watches are manufactured, you have incorporated in the Faroe Islands… Continue reading Missing the show
Cheap watches, cheap history
This is how my mind operates. I casually troll auction sites and vintage online retailers. I am committed to not buying anything. I see a 1940’s military style watch from a brand that I don’t know. It is a 1940’s automatic so I assume a Felsa or an A. Schild lurks inside. I have been… Continue reading Cheap watches, cheap history