spinynorman

I don't know how you have the patience.

This AskAniA 17J AS 1220, which I'm trying on an old Excalibur expanding bracelet. I think because of the long straight 16mm lugs, it's hard to find a strap that suits it. AskAniA was a German engineering company that made optical instruments like theodolites, film cameras, industrial gas central heating systems beloved of Swiss hoteliers and aircraft instruments, but not, as far as I can see, watches. After WWII the company was split up amongst the allies, but in 1946 a Francis Hoffman turned up near Zurich trading as AskAniA Watch, using the old company's logo. He confused things by moving to Neuchatel, changing the name to 'Ascania' in 1959 and using the sub-brand 'Wehrmacht', which gives chancers on Ebay all sorts of opportunities for fantasy. Most of his trademarks were sold to Hebe Watch in the 1980s. The watch company currently trading as AskAniA in Berlin is something completely different. Hoffmann AscAniA advert that vintageads had for sale on Ebay.

Had this on the wrist for a few days now. Allaine generously embellished with 30 jewels in a Felsa 4000, probably mid 1960s.

@Always"watching" Do you know about Google's Ngram, where you can track the frequency of usage of words across time? It's limited to what Google can see in print, but these days that's quite a lot. For example, Calibre vs Caliber. That's all English. If you go for British English, calibre always wins, although the gap has closed a lot recently. In American English there's a crossover around 1890. And here's honour vs honor in proper English

I know you've posted that magazine cover before, but it still makes me smile. Bloke doing the gardening in a shirt and tie. No wonder he's sweating.

The bracelet must be really tight.

I had to change the cushions in one of my boxes.

You've been lucky with your Orient, the bracelet I had rattled like Steptoe's cart. Dreyfuss looks like real class and the Saint Honore is amazing for what you paid. Definitely not the regular price of their watches.

Maybe autocorrect tripped you up, but it's an Ansonia clock, made by the Ansonia Clock Company, originally of Ansonia, Connecticut. According to various books, Ansonia clocks were marked "New York" from 1878 on. The company had an office in London and often appears in "The Watchmaker & Jeweller, Silversmith and Optician" journal of the 1870s-1890s, either in reviews of interesting new models or as a creditor to British firms in liquidation. If you're interested in the history I suggest you sign up for a free account at The Internet Archive and take the option to "borrow" relevant volumes. American Clocks for the collector: E. J. Tyler https://archive.org/details/americanclocksfo00tyle/page/n5/mode/2up?q=ansonia Encyclopedia of antique American clocks: Swedburg, R. W. & H. https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofan00robe/page/18/mode/2up?q=ansonia Price Guide to Antique Clocks: Swedburg, R. W. & H. https://archive.org/details/priceguidetoanti00swed/page/26/mode/2up?q=ansonia

I'm afraid that is unlikely. The movement is signed Credos Watch Ltd and Tièche, Schluep et Cie of Nidau registered the name "Credos" in 1945. They became Montres Credos SA in 1946 and were acquired by Bucherer in 1967. The movement in that watch is a Felsa 302, which Ranfft dates to 1945-50. I'm sorry if that's disappointing, but even dealers often don't date their watches with much care. Bucherer is a jeweller and Credos made watches for them before they were acquired. It's entirely possible they also made your watch, using a different movement, but we'll probably never know for sure.

Did you find one by Bucherer? I missed that. A link would help. I think I've identified the movement as a Unitas 521, or derivative. Though the reference picture on the Ranfft database is slightly different, there are several for sale on Ebay that do match, for example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lot-Of-Vintage-UNITAS-Ladies-Watch-Movements-Calibre-521-Spares-Repair-/193385373730 The challenge that gives us is Ranfft dates these to mid 1950s. The one pictured there has shock protection, whereas yours doesn't, so it may be earlier. There's less interest in these small movements, so much harder to date, unless you can find one in a silver or gold case with hallmarks. Brief history of Unitas. They sold movements to a wide range of watch makers. For a watch with no branding or signature, it's possible to speculate who might have made it, but very difficult to prove.

The letters are for the regulator "Retard (Slow), Advance (Fast). Netonia Products was a watch bracelet maker, originally in Northampton Street, Birmingham in the 1930s. Graces Guide has Netonia based in Hatton Garden, London, around 1947-51.

If I were you I'd start with something a lot cheaper than £900. Whoever told you to weigh it was probably thinking you could estimate the value of the gold from the weight, but that really isn't helpful advice for appraising a watch. Look at auction sites, go to auctions and watch fairs when you can. Take note of the prices that pieces actually sell for. You want something that is in good condition and working, because these can be very expensive, or impossible to repair. The seller needs to be someone you know you can trust. Or, set your sights a lot, lot lower in price and be prepared to make mistakes.

Are there any other words/names on the face or on the back? Have you looked inside at the movement, or inside the caseback? "Foreign" probably just means it was imported from outside the UK for a retailer here, but doesn't qualify for "Swiss Made". Pictures would help us identify it. You can post links if you already have photos online, or use the free trial of the gallery here. https://thewatchforum.co.uk/index.php?/subscriptions/

Well, good luck. You'll get no competition from me.

Look at those sexy blued screws, though. Never heard of them either but german Wikipedia has. https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fde.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBruno_S%C3%B6hnle I'm inclined to agree, but this one looks a bit better. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274810158160 They're being sold from an outlet shop, so seconds, overstocks, discontinued, who knows? It's a fashion brand, but with respectable roots in France. https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/International-luxury-group-buys-french-watch-maker-saint-honore-paris,1028297.html https://www.sainthonore.com/en/our-history/ Another fashion brand. Get a matching shirt. https://www.cerruti.com/collections/all

Look locally for a watchmaker (not a jeweller or heel bar) and take it to them. They'll be able to tell you if fixing it is possible.

Not exactly hanging on the wall, but kind of hanging from the wall. I bought this from a local craft shop because it seemed like such a barmy thing to make. It's entirely carved out of wood, except the string.

Someone might be able to tell you something about it. @Karrusel?