Anyone heard of this watch???

Bobby B

Bobby B

No more Mr. Knife-guy
Joined
May 18, 2001
Messages
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I got a watch from my Dad yesterday that I know nothing about. It says Christian Pierre on it, and quartz super diver. It has a smallish case (about ~45mm), black faced, with a rotating bezel, and a magnifying date window at position 3. It also has a screw-down crown with protective shoulders. It really looks like a small scale Rolex Submariner. Once I can post pictures again, I'll post a scan. I can't find anything about it on the net.:confused:
My Dad says it was originally supposed to be produced for the Swiss military (aren't they all???) but I want to find out about it.
If anyone knows, or has any ideas/info please let me know.:)
Thanks,
Rob
 
I couldn't imagine the Swiss not using an automatic. Quartz would seem very "anti-COSC" IMO.

What kind of metal is it constructed of and is the finish plated?What kind of clasp does the watch have, how are the links connected, what kind of backing does it have and is the crown a screw down or a pull up? Is there anything stating depth resistance and/or any numbers which might signify model and/or serial number? These are all pretty relevant towards identification and can be indicative of quality.

Dayuhan
 
Ok... well, I am not certain that the swiss wouldn't use automatics, but I am neither Swiss, nor sure.;) Though I do have Swiss cousins...
IIRC many military watches ARE quartz, look at Luminox for example. The movements (on the whole) are more accurate and cheaper, without getting really expensive. :eek:

It is a stainless steel case with a brushed finish very similar to my Rolex. The bezel and dial, as I said look like a 4/5 scale Submariner. The Rolex style band lugs are small at only 17 mm.

The Bezel is black and has an inverted white (luminescent) triangle at the 0, then marked in silver at 10,20,30,40 and 50, with lines at the 5's and smaller ones from 1 to 15.

The face is black also with an inverted white (luminescent) triangle at the 12 and lum dots at 1,2,4,5,7,8,10,11 and lines at 6 and 9 - the magnified date window is at 3. Individual minutes are small hash marks.

Under the 12 it has white fine script "Christian Pierre", and over the 6 it has fine block letters "QUARTZ" and under it in bold "SUPER DIVER". In tiny letters on either side of the 6 (1 word per side) it says "SWISS MADE".

The crown is a screw down protected by 2 shoulders on the case.

The back is steel, flat center somewhat raised, with 6 indents to undo it (I assume). It says Acier Inoxydable (French for Stainless steel), 200 metres (European spelling), swiss made, and has a 5 digit serial number engraved on it.

Unfortunately the band is not original, but an aftermarket Oyster style bracelet my dad had put on. He got it with a leather strap, that was also not original.

I hope that helps. Once I can get pictures to my PC again, I'll post a scan. Thanks.
Rob
 
It looks exactly! like this markings, hands, crown, date window and all, except for the different text. This one is smaller, compare 17 mm lugs to 21-22 (IIRC) for the Rolex. Also, where the Rolex has a dot within the triangle on the bezel, mine does not.
 
Originally posted by CarlHK
You might want to try asking this question on www.timezone.com
Click to expand...
Thanks! I had thought of that, but am not a member there.
Besides, if it is a cheap knock-off, I'd hate to be laughed off the boards... :o :footinmou
 
Bobby, it doesn't take that much to register on timezone and they are USUALLY very forgiving of newbies. One of the most civilized boards I have ever been to. Either that or some sort of google search (presuming you haven't done so already).
 
Carl,
I think I tried every Google search I could come up with before asking. I'm funny that way: I'll check first then ask...;)
I guess I'll swallow my pride and try TimeZone.
Thanks,
Rob
 
Bobby,

I paid $150 for a Japanese Grade 1 Sub replica to match my genuine, that I wore when I travelled overseas. Took it into the water, wore it on the beach, beat the hell out of it, and basically treated it like it was a fake. It kept great time regardless of what I did to it and from a distance, it looked real enough. A year ago, I cracked the crystal while changing a toilet and retired it to the nightstand. It still had my real Sub but was it really worth $3K for a "paperweight" I had stashed in my gunsafe? I've owned the damned Rolex for 5 years and wear it twice a month. Most of the time I've got a Luminox on that keeps better time, doesn't need resetting if it's sat for a day, and readable in the dark. Bottom line, if you like the watch, who cares if it's a knock off. It sound fairly well made and in good condition. It'll cause you a lot less stress than a Rolex will and your dad will probably get a kick out of seeing you wear it.

If your dad ever comes across another one, let me know. I'll take it off of your hands. I've never seen or heard of anybody producing a mid-sized submariner-type watch, although I always wished Rolex or somebody else did. I'm real interested in seeing what it looks like beside a full sized sub. Good Luck with the research!

Dayuhan
 
Tudor made a mid-sized Sub for years. They show up on ebay somewhat regularly. Besides its size, the main difference between it and a Rolex Sub is the mechanism is IIRC, an ETA rather than a Rolex in-house mechanism. The case was made by Rolex and was so stamped on the back. They run between $600 and $1500. There are also some copies of a mid-sized Sub but offhand I can't recall who makes them.
 
It is basically a generic Sub-clone. There are literally hundreds of brands that pay homage or out-and-out replicate the Rolex Sub. Many brands come and go, with a few Swiss watch manufacturers putting designer labels on any watch you or your company are willing to pay for.

Some brands are so obscure that their total production may consist of one run that some individual has commissioned. There are dozens of Swiss companies that will badge your logo or brand.
 
TimeZone is a great resource, but here's a friendly dive watch specific forum:

http://watchuseek.com/diveforum.htm

And I'd also consider the Military Watch Forum, www.broadarrow.net . Bob, the owner, posts here on Bforums, and like this forum you'd be amazed at the depth of knowledge on the subject (of watches, in this case) you can find---I'd bet that if TWO of those watches were made between TZ, MWR, and WatchUseek you'll get an answer!
 
Thanks for all the help!:D
I've also got my Dad going back where he got it to find out more...
I'll try those sites and see what I come up with.
Thanks again,
Rob:cool:
 
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