Marriage watches?

[jpgreenwood]

I like vintage pocket watches and always wanted one. Then i discovered some have been made into wrist watches and called Marriage watches.
I understand that most have the original movement, and sometimes the dial and hands also, then put into a new case and strap. A lot, however look like they have a new case, new dial, hands and only the movement is original.
There are some high end names from the likes of IWC, Omega and Zenith at bargain prices. Around £500, most out of the Ukraine.

So, is this a con? What are you actually buying? Some dials look very nice. Movements look very generic across all brands.
Whats your thoughts?

[RTG]

https://www.rpaigewatch.com/store/

RPaige repurposes a lot of old pocket watches. Sometimes with new dials, sometime with antique dials. Mine have antique dials and movements, with new hands, case, crystals. I enjoy this one as much as any watch I have ever owned. The sound of the antique movement is fantastic to hear throughout the day. The old American movement is as accurate as any Rolex. Have to wind it every morning, if you do that it keeps perfect time.

[jpgreenwood]

Ive been admiring this one but the seller has said only movement and hands are genuine.
How can i be sure movements are genuine?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395353933849

[RTG]

Originally Posted by jpgreenwood

Ive been admiring this one but the seller has said only movement and hands are genuine.
How can i be sure movements are genuine?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395353933849

What a cool looking watch! I want to say it looks great, but I'm not used to seeing 'Swiss Made' on old zenith pocket watch movements. I am no expert so hopefully someone more insightful will come along.

[jpgreenwood]

Thats a very good spot. Hopefully someone else will comment.

[jpgreenwood]

Can anyone else advise please?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RTG

https://www.rpaigewatch.com/store/

RPaige repurposes a lot of old pocket watches. Sometimes with new dials, sometime with antique dials. Mine have antique dials and movements, with new hands, case, crystals. I enjoy this one as much as any watch I have ever owned. The sound of the antique movement is fantastic to hear throughout the day. The old American movement is as accurate as any Rolex. Have to wind it every morning, if you do that it keeps perfect time.

Thank you for posting the link to their web site. An interesting read as to how they got started. Nice looking watches too

[Nathan_]

I've seen a handful of VC's on ebay lately

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by jpgreenwood

Ive been admiring this one but the seller has said only movement and hands are genuine.
How can i be sure movements are genuine?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395353933849

Wow, that one looks really good, I think even the movements aren’t original, it still worth more than that cheap price.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by jpgreenwood

Can anyone else advise please?

No one is going to go to the trouble to fake a Zenith movement.
If they have to engrave a name, they would put Rolex, Patek, etc....
To make more money. They are not getting a premium for it saying Zenith.

So I would say yes it's original except dial and case.

[MILGAUSS88]

The Zenith pocket watch has the same plates and same regulator as the wristwatch. Yes, they are both Zenith.

The movement sells for around $25. The case costs $50. A nice dial was made for the watch. This is a pin set watch and that had to be added to the case. I assume they cleaned and oiled it, and they had to install it in the case.

This is a low jewel movement. Notice no jewel in the center like the pocket watch.
It is pin set. Meaning you don't pull the stem out to set, you press down on the pin and then rotate the crown to set time. Finally IT IS NOT SHOCK RESISTANT. If you drop this watch it will not run. If you bang it hard it may not run either. Shock resistance started in use after WWII.

If you understand those shortcomings and can live with that, then by all means get the watch. They do some amazing work on these pocket watch movements in Eastern Europe.