New incoming - HEUER Bundeswehr Chrono and Arrived!

[sn8k]

I have a Heuer Bund in transit and I'm quite excited. Anybody had one or fancied one? If you have some pics, it would be rude not to post them... ;)

Cheers, Tamas

[JasonM]

Never had one but always fancied one, nice one. They look so good with aged lume, they look great anyway but for me they look best with original old aged tritium. Got any pics of yours?

[sn8k]

I only have some rubbish photos, but will take some when it arrives (bought from a dealer whom I trust). I hoping for tomorrow but I'm might be too optimistic. My example is all original with tritium hands/dial. I've seen numerous watches with mismatched original and replacement luminova hands...

Never had one but always fancied one, nice one. They look so good with aged lume, they look great anyway but for me they look best with original old aged tritium. Got any pics of yours?

[seikopath]

Always wanted one but never had one. One of the few watches I havnt managed to tick off the list.

[ed335d]

Good choice Sir

[Gordon76]

I am lucky enough to have one, not sure why but don't wear it that often, but always enjoy it when I do. Looks great on a nato as well.
All the best when yours arrives and look forward to seeing some pics



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[JFW]

They are great tool watches and I miss mine. Currently away at the Spa awaiting its turn.

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[deepo]

Congrats!
What a stunning watch. It's on top of my very short want-list.
Are you aware of this page?

/Mogens

[sn8k]

Thanks for the pictures so far, to be honest I too don't know how I've avoided one as I've always loved them. They are getting rare (and more expensive) and I honestly don't understand how aren't they even more expensive given the current Heuer prices plus being a military timepiece...

[sn8k]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'm aware of that excellent article. Mine is/will be a "T only" version (so I'm a bit 3H envious :D).

Congrats!
What a stunning watch. It's on top of my very short want-list.
Are you aware of this page?

/Mogens

[gary1064]

I'm not generally a fan of chrono's but I'd make an exception for that, it's gorgeous! More pics when it arrives please.. :)

[Bootsy]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'm aware of that excellent article. Mine is/will be a "T only" version (so I'm a bit 3H envious :D).

A good non 3H is more likely to be an original dial rather than a service one fitted at the Sinn factory when so many of these went back for refurbishment following military service

Many (many many many) 3H versions are service dials

[sn8k]

Yes, many have been serviced during and after the military service with little to no concern about retaining originality. I've learnt that dials with "cutout" numbers and big logos are more likely replacement dials and sinn even produced 3H dials with luminova (3H=tritium)...

A good non 3H is more likely to be an original dial rather than a service one fitted at the Sinn factory when so many of these went back for refurbishment following military service

Many (many many many) 3H versions are service dials

[sweets]

They are great watches, but have become a bit of a minefield of (lack of) originality.
I believe their value I think has been held back from the meteoric rise of many vintage pieces, largely due to various dealers making free with NOS or re-manufactured parts.
Good ones are truly lovely.
Dave

[sn8k]

Thanks for the link Dave, very informative. Here's a pic of my incoming:


It seems like an "honest" example for me, with consistently aged lume, slightly worn bezel edges and correct step on the lugs.

They are great watches, but have become a bit of a minefield of (lack of) originality.
I believe their value I think has been held back from the meteoric rise of many vintage pieces, largely due to various dealers making free with NOS or re-manufactured parts.
Good ones are truly lovely.
Dave

[sweets]

Thanks for the link Dave, very informative. Here's a pic of my incoming:

It seems like an "honest" example for me, with consistently aged lume, slightly worn bezel edges and correct step on the lugs.

From what I see there, I would agree
Dave

[lambros]

Fantastic watch! Wear it in good health!!!

[Dr Wolff]

Love them, but if I can't find the right one, then I would rather settle for the Sinn 103 st acrylic. Had a look at the WUS project, which looked nice enough, but unfortunately the committee have got the bezel wrong! The O&W replica doesn't look bad, but unfortunately the newness of any re-make is simply wrong. Bashed is better!

[clockwatcher]

Good choice indeed. I love mine, though not worn it for about 6 months

[RAJEN]

Great watch. Enjoy it.

[sn8k]

The Bund Chrono has arrived earlier today. First observation is that it feels bigger that I thought, probably because of the relative slim profile. No glamour pics yet, but I would like to post a few Q&D for authentication.



Overall I'm quite pleased. The chrono second hand seem to have been relumed in the past and probably will be looking at replacing the plexy (is it something special or just an off the shelf item?). The thing that bugs me is that the bezel has been clearly bent and it hasn't happened in transit for sure. I've notified the seller and looking forward to hear his opinion about it.

Cheers, Tamas

[sweets]

You should be pleased, it looks very good.
They are large, aren't they?
The plexi is indeed a specialist item, the caseback screws press the whole case centre section onto the crystal to effect the seal. This is almost unique in terms of case a construction technique. So no "standard" crystals will suffice.
It all looks straight and true (except the wobbly bezel, and it should be perfectly possible to straighten that up again). Don't buy a new-looking one, this one looks much nicer.
The chrono-seconds hand relume you have spotted can be re-done.
The case has wear, the pusher tubes look a bit used, all good.
the more used it looks, the more likely it is to be orignal.
It may have had a light re-blast on the case, as I see very few polished areas that occur in contact with items of clothing. Not sure.
But it looks very honest.
Dave

[sn8k]

Thank you Dave, I appreciate that you've taken the time to respond! As soon as I have the time will post a few more pix.
I suspected that a plexi won't be that simple, where should I look?

You should be pleased, it looks very good.
They are large, aren't they?
The plexi is indeed a specialist item, the caseback screws press the whole case centre section onto the crystal to effect the seal. This is almost unique in terms of case a construction technique. So no "standard" crystals will suffice.
It all looks straight and true (except the wobbly bezel, and it should be perfectly possible to straighten that up again). Don't buy a new-looking one, this one looks much nicer.
The chrono-seconds hand relume you have spotted can be re-done.
The case has wear, the pusher tubes look a bit used, all good.
the more used it looks, the more likely it is to be orignal.
It may have had a light re-blast on the case, as I see very few polished areas that occur in contact with items of clothing. Not sure.
But it looks very honest.
Dave

[JasonM]

Looks great, well done, can I ask why you want to replace the plexi? Try giving it a good polish ( mask off the bezel or take it off first, it might make all the difference.

[sweets]

Agreed, I think it is fine.
If you genuinely think it does need a gouge or two removing -

Pop the bezel off and smooth the crystal off gently, starting with about 300 grit and getting all the way down to about 2500. Then, toothpaste to polish it off.

Job done

D

[sn8k]

I'm not too bothered by small scuffs, etc. and I have a tube of polywatch at home. My main gripe is that the plexi has an overpolished, slightly concave area (actually two, one smaller and one bigger). It doesn't show up well on the pics, only when the light catches it. I don't think there's too much "meat" left there and if it's possible to find a replacement I would surely change it and keep the current one a a spare.

Looks great, well done, can I ask why you want to replace the plexi? Try giving it a good polish ( mask off the bezel or take it off first, it might make all the difference.

Agreed, I think it is fine.
If you genuinely think it does need a gouge or two removing -

Pop the bezel off and smooth the crystal off gently, starting with about 300 grit and getting all the way down to about 2500. Then, toothpaste to polish it off.

Job done

D

[sn8k]

I also possess a secret superpower and they call me the masking man... LOL

[Mainspring]

Tried the toothpaste trick on an old watch yesterday, and it came back like new.

Good luck with yours.

[AidanG]

lovely watch! Congrats on purchase

[Roy_Drage]

I also possess a secret superpower and they call me the masking man... LOL

Is that the new Daisy that's getting talked about?

[Wibbs]

Nice catch Sir! Looks like an "honest" one too. Non (3H), small T dial, original looking bezel, aged hand lume(it seems these can go green or tan depending on which way the wind blows, often on the same watch :)) nice low serial number so likely late 60's and not overly "refreshed" for sale, like the majority seem to be(mostly in the Sinn sell off and then in the noughties ebay market, when it gets murky indeed). Pity about the bezel and I would certainly be quizzing the seller on that score. Original aged bezels seem to go for around the 150-200 quid mark, so partial refund maybe? I can't see any way to tease that back to straight, what with it being aluminium alloy of some nature. Would likely break? If it is actually warped of course, might not be seated correctly?

[sn8k]

Thank you for the kind words, I'm really happy with the watch! I just need to sort out the plexi and maybe the bezel... Any pointer is appreciated. Unfortunately the bezel is bent, looks like as someone tried to pry it off and made a mess in the process. I'm still waiting for the response from the seller, hopefully he will sort it out/contribute to the issue.

Nice catch Sir! Looks like an "honest" one too. Non (3H), small T dial, original looking bezel, aged hand lume(it seems these can go green or tan depending on which way the wind blows, often on the same watch :)) nice low serial number so likely late 60's and not overly "refreshed" for sale, like the majority seem to be(mostly in the Sinn sell off and then in the noughties ebay market, when it gets murky indeed). Pity about the bezel and I would certainly be quizzing the seller on that score. Original aged bezels seem to go for around the 150-200 quid mark, so partial refund maybe? I can't see any way to tease that back to straight, what with it being aluminium alloy of some nature. Would likely break? If it is actually warped of course, might not be seated correctly?

[Bigrich]

Looks lovely, hence why I'm after one myself. With the history, the military use, the size, I think they are great looking watches and I look forward to posting in a similar way myself :)

Enjoy!

[sn8k]

Thank you and good luck with the hunt!

Looks lovely, hence why I'm after one myself. With the history, the military use, the size, I think they are great looking watches and I look forward to posting in a similar way myself :)

Enjoy!

[seikopath]

Me likey. Me wanty.

[sn8k]

Just a pic to show it on the favourite strap so far...

[sn8k]

This isn't half bad either, IMO, of course.

[sweets]

Just a pic to show it on the favourite strap so far...

Looks Like Ripstop, cotton??
Interesting strap, and looks good.

[seikopath]

Just a pic to show it on the favourite strap so far...

Great strap choice! What, pray tell, is it?

[sn8k]

It is indeed Ripstop, it's made by GLC Straps from recycled old military canvas. One of my favourite vintage style straps (20>16).