What you think of these 5508?

[kooltzar]

Hi everybody,

Two 5508's on ebay where I am not 100% sure, if real or not.

1. From Germany:

http://www.ebay.ch/itm/321007653634?...#ht_542wt_1344

Hands are definitely newer, but that does not matter. What looks strange to me is the bezel and the shape of the case which in my opinion becomes too pointy towards the crown. Dial looks also too clean to me and as far as I know in 1961 it should have been SWISS T > 25 already. Your opinion?

2. From Australia:

http://www.ebay.ch/itm/121003912937?...t_15470wt_1344

Looks real to me, but case back says 66 (with the second six looking manipulated) and the 5508 was only produced until 1965. Moreover, it is a SWISS only dial not produced at the end of the series anymore. Your opinion?

For both watches I think they are rather Franken than fake, but maybe one of you knows better.

[crowncollection]

i believe the first watch from germany has the wrong hands and the bottom writing is to low on the dial compared to my references the spacing is also incorrect, it looks to be a relume in faded beige lume? and resprayed, he has not shown any lug references numbers or engravings and allowed us to see under the band, as the case looks to new to me, their looks to me no case wear from the endpieces, but he also does not remove the band so you can't really see, and no photo of the case back engraings. Everything you really want to see you cant. i would not buy it,

At work, i have not the time to check it out properly right now

[Goiguidoc]

Fully agree with David.
First watch: I don't like the bezel and bezel insert. Dial looks reprinted, but I would need a magnifier to look at it closer and confirm. I also need to have a pic of the profile of the case to verify the shape.

Second watch: dial looks good. Case is correct, but i have a problem with the case back. This model was produced until 1965

Unfortunately, the serial number is hard to verify on both watches.

To make it short, I second David and would stay away of both of them.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Goiguidoc

Fully agree with David.
First watch: I don't like the bezel and bezel insert.

Agree - bezels weren't brass AFAIK

[kooltzar]

Thanks folks, what you say is in line with what I think and said.

Just that you know: in Germany I see very often offers where there are no pictures showing engravings between the lugs, also the respected jewelers rarely post such pictures. On the other hand, I also have to say that on tons of pictures from respected American sellers some of the engravings between the lugs are very often re- or over-engraved. Is that a common thing American watchmakers do when original engravings are becoming harder to see?

[Goiguidoc]

IMHO, cases that are re-engraved lose a lot of value.
With vintage watches, It is always important to compare the engravings on both sides of the lugs. If they have a different font, then that is a very bad sign.
I agree with you, these 2 models look like Franken ones.
But this is why they are auctioned at a low price