Horological Meandering

I know, I know. Perhaps I should be moderator of the OBSCURE Forum. But I was looking around on the Internet today for some reference photos, and came on a site that seemed to be representing, or at least highlighting or celebrating watches I'd never hear...  

...had some interesting divers during that 60s time period in which we saw the rise of so many classics from other brands such as Longines, JLC, etc. The Felca model I have seen and liked is a compressor cased "Seascoper" I think (I may have the model nam... 

And thanks for stopping by! Good to hear you are still "watching" Mike

...but I try to check in regularly. This is my "HoMe" on the interwebs! Saw some of our friends in person last weekend and was wishing you were there too. Cheers, Daos

Candino, Lotus, Jaguar and Calypso watch brands are populist brands in the Festina Group from the days when car logos were out licenced. Their more famous brand stablemates seen at Baselworld are Leroy and Perrelet. Regards MTF

Dorn...something. ;) Best, Nicolas

Yet another brilliant subject, Mike. I own two Tradition watches. They were made for and sold by Sears (as were another obscure brand, Baylor). They are of quite decent quality, with Schild movements. The diver (of which Art might have a picture) is very ... 

. . . I do. And now I know where Glashütte Original found inspiration for the hour and minute hands . . . . . . of their recently discontinued Sport Evo line. :-) ...  

My watchmaker dug them up because of some defect in the originals.

You can add Jardur to the list. Known only by aficionados. Best, Nicolas

Some totally ( or almost ) unkown treasures, from these brands. Best, Nicolas

Gruen is an 'oldie but goldie' in the vintage crowd - isn't it the Gruen 'Precision' which is a staple in many collections? Cheers, pplater.

Yes, there are some true treasures behind these " hidden " names. Best, pplater. Nicolas

...why the Gruen 'Precision' name was familiar: (Note to self: must check the vintage box more often!) It's a rough old piece, and possibly not completely genuine (from memory it was bought from a dealer in Vietnam), but it's a Gruen. :-) Cheers, pplater...  

Here in Sweden you see some very local vintage brands like Birka, Örnen, Svalan - all with Swiss movements, branded with Swedish names... One of my "unmentionable": Eweco Best Blomman ...  

and, I suppose, keeping an open mind. In other words, if one were to collect vintage watches long enough, and have eclectic taste and/or interests, many of those brands would become familiar. Here are some examples from your list that I have acquired over...  

Kind of a complement to your case. A nice design, I think: ...  

I didn't expect anything less from you! ;) The Nivada diver looks fantastic! Best Blomman

...to this one. The gardener who valiantly undertakes the Sisyphean task of taming the wild vegetation chez pplater is an immigrant from Poland. He was an engineer in his own country, but too old and too tired to re-train and qualify as an engineer in hi...  

You are such a good guy! :-) Daos

If you believe that , Daos, you probably still believe in the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy. It is said that some litigators (the older, better ones...) still eat their young... ;-) Cheers, pplater.

..."same dog: different leg action". :-) Cheers, pplater.

...in my Easter basket this year! :-) You can't fool me, PPlater! Besides, aren't you retired now? Even sharks stop swimming sometimes! :-) Daos

He is in his prime now ;) He found job just a month ago :)

....was to do whatever Mrs. PPlater says! :-) Hehehe! *evil grin* Daos

...others are very bad! :-) Cheers, pplater.

Marriage and retirement are not compatible. Marriage won (this time...). ;-) Cheers, pplater.

I knew it I'll say I know it ;) Yours D

..., especially the wonderful style of how it is told. Thank you kindly for the joy I had while reading it!! Marcus

wonderfully told. Personally I think you should keep the watch and offer another, new watch. In your living I think it is too obliging a gesture. But, yes, ultimately it would be wonderful if Stanley #1`s daughter got her father`s watch. On an aside note,... 

Isn't there a French brand Yema? and then there's JAPY. and Roamer YES, Sjoo Sandstrom Xemex and Laurier (or is this a redial with a customer's name?) ...  

Hi That Roamer really stands out - the clear plastic case really appeals - is it original? It looks fab. Its almost like a swatch precursor Cheers JML

I just wound it up and it still runs. Case/crystal (?) has a crack in it at 6 but otherwise is nice Cazalea ...  

Hi Thanks for the additional photos - looks great. Really nice and very different. Makes one think about the crystal Moser posted elsewhere - for me yours has more appeal. Cheers JML

Baylor: also a Sears brand. Bifora: everyone's favorite watch advertisement is one for Bifora, with a 1970s guy in poofy hair, showing a lot of bare chest under his shirt, and holding an owl. The real reason we all own watches is the hope of being that co... 

Here're the unmentionables in my collection.. All except "Enicar" are obscure brands with very little information of their history online. -- Enicar (Still running perfectly) Orator (Love the orange second hand) "GISA" "Record Super" "OCIO" another "ORATO...  

Until your post, these were mostly names to me - seeing the real watches is like spotting an extinct animal. The bracelets on most of them are very similar - or are they identical? Do you wear them? Thanks, Mike

The bracelets are generic. These watches are just random, spur of the moment buys from flea markets. They come in 33mm size, so i hardly wear them. Most of them still run perfectly, with zero servicing over (i'd imagine) 60 over years. So it calls into qu... 

Forgotten by most, but fully worthy of mention. I'm quite fond of this Baylor watch. I have read that Baylor was a house brand for an American jewelry store chain Zales. ...  

Hi Mark, You\'ve added a new twist. Now we have to research and find out if it\'s Sears or Zales behind that brand. Mike

Either way it was a store that could be found in malls all over America.

Hi Mark, There are a few people on the web sharing their opinion of the Baylor Watch Company 's history, including a few here on PuristS. Was it a Zales or Sears brand? I will present some evidence that I have found in researching the question: ZALES Bayl...  

It confirms what I had read earlier.