Projects

Lemania HS9 monopusher

The Lemania HS9, (Series 1 monopusher) issued to the Royal Navy Hydrographic Survey unit during Second World War, is a striking watch that looks somehow bigger than its 38mm diameter. Like many others of the breed, the original HS9 designation was struck out when the watch was reissued post-war and re-engraved with the Royal Navy service code 0552. This example also has spring bars, which is quite common for these watches. The watch was acquired by us in working order, but was fully stripped, cleaned, serviced and regulated, with a new mainspring fitted, and the cal 15CHT movement came out very well, with excellent performance post-service. It is a lovely example and we were pleased to see this go to an appreciative collector and to see it regularly posted by the new owner on Instagram.

Fire-damaged Seiko Gen 1 restoration

In amongst a large lot of ex-MoD Seiko Gen 1s we found 2 fire-damaged watches and decided to restore them to full working order, while retaining their distressed appearance. Both watches were successfully returned to full working condition and acquired by collectors in the UK and the Far East. This video shows the restoration process and the final result of one of these watches.

Grana WWW 'Dirty Dozen'

We were lucky enough to have one of these sent to us for servicing and repair. The dial was damaged and was sent to the dial restorer Bill & Sons to be refinished, and an excellent job they did as well.

1980 CWC G10 'Fatboy' Navigator

CWC G10s are our bread and butter but some of them really stand out from the crowd. This 1980 non-lume Navigator, which subsequently sold for a very tidy sum at auction, for example, recently came through our workshop.

1990 Gallet Marathon Navigator

This 1990 Marathon Navigator came into stock and was subsequently cleaned and serviced for one of our favourite customers.

Seiko 7A28-7020 'James Bond'

A stunning and popular 7A28 variation, the stainless steel and white dial 7A28-7020 was for a long time thought to be the Seiko quartz chronograph worn by Roger Moore in the Bond movie 'View To A Kill'. Thanks to some diligent research by @Rexworthywatches it turns out that the REAL Bond watch is the day/date equivalent, the 7A38-7060. Nevertheless, the 7A28-7020 is a fantastic-looking watch - even if it not really the true 'James Bond'.

1974 Hamilton Geneve W10 '6BB'

A rare RAF issue 1974 Hamilton Geneve W10 with the '6BB' designation for aircrew equipment, one of only 700-800 issued.

2006 CWC G10 - with a history.....

The CWC G10s are quite collectible due to the characteristic caramel lume colour - and of course 2006 being the final year for issued G10s. This particular watch came to us in need of a bit of TLC, and held some sentimental significance to the owner, so getting back into wearable condition was a privilege. The watch was featured in a blog article on the cwcaddict.com website. To read the blog article click the 'see more' button and the article will open in a new tab.

1969 Omega Seamaster 300 165.024

This Seamaster SM300 was a personal project. The watch was purchased at auction and described as 'ticking', but on arrival it was very definitely not ticking.

1980 CWC G10 'Fatboy'

The first quartz watch issued by UK armed forces, the 'Fatboy' G10 replaced the mechanical W10 in 1980. A popular watch with collectors, the 1980 (and '81) issued watches retained the plain (no oval) CWC logo. The deep case - hence the 'Fatboy' nickname - was necessary to accommodate the ETA 536.121 quartz movement.

1989 Seiko 7A28-7120 'Gen 1'

The first quartz watch chronograph issued by UK armed forces, the 'Gen 1' utilises the 7A28 movement - the world's first analogue quartz chronograph. Issued from 1984 -1990, with a total of 11,307 units issued.

1965 Benrus DTU2-A/P

The Benrus DTU-2A/P was issued during the Vietnam war and has a high grade Benrus DR 2F2 17 jewel mechanical movement with hacking seconds, based on the ETA 2372.

1982 CWC G10 'Fatboy'

During the year of the Falklands conflict, 4 contracts were issues for G10s - one from Precista and 3 from CWC. The CWC watches saw the introduction of the new-style CWC logo, with the oval around the 'CWC', but were otherwise identical to the 1980 'Fatboy'.

1995 Seiko 7T27-7A20 'Gen 2'

The 'Gen 2' won the follow-on contract from it's predecessor, the Gen 1. The 7T27 movement is an altogether cheaper product than the 7A28, with more plastic parts. Nevertheless, the watch is an attractive piece and the movement can be serviced and maintained.

1985 CWC G10 'Medium Fatboy'

Between the 'Fatboy' G10s (1980-82) and the thin case G10s (1987-2006) were a number of different 'medium' case variations. The 1985 version has a deep case back, giving it some heft, the same thin midcase of the 1987 onwards watches, and an ETA 555.115 movement. The dial also has uniquely heavy minute track.

Seiko 7A28-7040 'Speedmaster'

Another of the many 7A28 variations, the 7040 has a diver-style rotating bezel, although with so many potential points of entry for water, not an ideal watch to use for diving. Nevertheless, a very handsome watch.

Omega 53 'Fat Arrow'

Produced for just one year (1953) the Omega 6B/542 has become known as the 'Fat Arrow' due to the particular design of pheon on the dial. The 'Fat Arrow' dials in fact replaced the earlier radium dials which have the 'Thin Arrow' pheon. The surviving thin arrow watches are very rare and more valuable than the Fat Arrow, but in all other respects they are the same, and share the excellent Omega cal 283 movement.

1990's CWC RN Diver - 'Rusty'

CWC divers are regular visitors to our workshop - we usually have at least one on the go. This one was in a truly terrible state, having suffered catastrophic water ingress. It was restored to working and usable condition, but retained the 'rusty' appearance for the maximum patina look.

1995 0555 'Royal Marines' CWC G10

Fewer than 5000 1995 G10s were issued, making them relatively rare. That was the only year that G10s were issued with the 0555 service code and these were the only G10s issued that year, giving them a bit of cachet and making them a popular choice for collectors.

This one arrived for repair 'running slow', and on inspection had extensive corrosion from water ingress, affecting the movement and causing damage to the dial and hands.

'I never tire of looking at @sumacwatches posts on Instagram. I thoroughly recommend Jos and Sumac Watches to anyone thinking of purchasing a watch or in need of a repair or service.'

RM