Lucien Picard - good value for the money or no respect at all?
dr. ive
i am excited to join the horology group. i'd like to hear the general
consensus on lucien picard watches. good value for the money or no
respect? looking forward to hearing your opinions.
Alan Dye
I hadn't heard of them. Checked a few catalogs (2007 Wristwatch Annual,
etc...) and they weren't covered. Found their web site at
http://lucienpiccardusa.com/index.cfm
Appears to be another older swiss name that was sold and
"reinvigorated." Like most of these they try very hard to imply that
they've been in business continuously since they were founded in 1923,
but quite likely have not been.
Mostly advertise in b-grade magazines like Maxim and "Poker Life"...
Prices in the sub-$1,000 range, fairly gaudy, not much in the way of
classic styling. Imply that they are a swiss watch company, the quartz
watches have "swiss" on the dial, but the automatics curiously do not,
which might indicate Asian movements.
All in all, my impression would be serious caution. One could buy more
watch for less in this class of cheap mass produced timepieces by
watching for a sale on something like Skagen, Fossil, or any of the
branded designer label watches at Macy's or another department store.
I would probably put this in the same class as the current offerings
from formerly august lineages like Elgin, Waltham, and Bulova that are
now not even a shadow of the former company.
This of course represents my view based on a cursory examination, your
mileage may vary...
Alan
dr. ive
> dr. ive wrote:
> > hi folks:
> > i am excited to join the horology group. i'd like to hear the general
> > consensus on lucien picard watches. good value for the money or no
> > respect? looking forward to hearing your opinions.
>
> I hadn't heard of them. Checked a few catalogs (2007 Wristwatch Annual,
>
> Appears to be another older swiss name that was sold and
> "reinvigorated." Like most of these they try very hard to imply that
> they've been in business continuously since they were founded in 1923,
> but quite likely have not been.
>
> Mostly advertise in b-grade magazines like Maxim and "Poker Life"...
>
> Prices in the sub-$1,000 range, fairly gaudy, not much in the way of
> classic styling. Imply that they are a swiss watch company, the quartz
> watches have "swiss" on the dial, but the automatics curiously do not,
> which might indicate Asian movements.
>
> All in all, my impression would be serious caution. One could buy more
> watch for less in this class of cheap mass produced timepieces by
> watching for a sale on something like Skagen, Fossil, or any of the
> branded designer label watches at Macy's or another department store.
>
> I would probably put this in the same class as the current offerings
> from formerly august lineages like Elgin, Waltham, and Bulova that are
> now not even a shadow of the former company.
>
> This of course represents my view based on a cursory examination, your
> mileage may vary...
>
> Alan
Thanks Alan. Your post was insightful and I had a feeling about the
LP and other watches I have seen. I think it may be more of a
marketing gimmick than a semi serious watch. While flipping through
the TV channels I happened to come across LP, Invicta and Chase Drurer
(sp?) being sold on Home Shopping Network. To be honest, the watches
they were selling looked like great deals because they claimed they
were heavily discounted (an automatic watch that sells for $1,000
retail for $200 - sapphire crystal, carbon fiber dial, automatic
movement) due to the purchasing power (volume) HSN has at its
disposal. The red flag for me is always: "You get what you pay for"
and I think you get a good looking watch that is mechanically
inferior, way inferior.
Alan Dye
>
> Thanks Alan. Your post was insightful and I had a feeling about the
> LP and other watches I have seen. I think it may be more of a
> marketing gimmick than a semi serious watch. While flipping through
> the TV channels I happened to come across LP, Invicta and Chase Drurer
> (sp?) being sold on Home Shopping Network. To be honest, the watches
> they were selling looked like great deals because they claimed they
> were heavily discounted (an automatic watch that sells for $1,000
> retail for $200 - sapphire crystal, carbon fiber dial, automatic
> movement) due to the purchasing power (volume) HSN has at its
> disposal. The red flag for me is always: "You get what you pay for"
> and I think you get a good looking watch that is mechanically
> inferior, way inferior.
>
If you are looking for a nice mechanical in the sub $500 range, there
are number of good quality ones. Start with Tissot and Hamilton, both
owned by the same conglomerate that owns Breguet and Omega. The parent
company (Swatch Group) produces probably close to 90% of all the swiss
watch movements through their ETA division which are sold to other
manufacturers for use in their watches. Both Hamilton and Tissot have
sporty lines and dressy lines and both provide good value for the dollar
spent.
http://www.tissot.ch/
and
http://www.hamiltonwatch.com/index_flash.html
The Invictas with swiss movements are actually fine watches as well.
The Invicta 'sub' (built in the style of the Rolex Submariner) routinely
sells on e-bay in the $300 range and is a fine watch, I own one. They
sell two versions, one with the japanese movement and one with the swiss
movement. While both are serviceable and the prices are significantly
different, the swiss movement one is better in my opinion.
I can't comment on Chase Durer as I have never purchased one.
Welcome to the forum by the way, we look forward to your posts. If you
have follow up questions (next class up ($500-$1500) or even higher)
feel free to post them here and we'll try to help.
All the best,
Alan
dr. ive
> dr. ive wrote:
>
> > Thanks Alan. Your post was insightful and I had a feeling about the
> > LP and other watches I have seen. I think it may be more of a
> > marketing gimmick than a semi serious watch. While flipping through
> > the TV channels I happened to come across LP, Invicta and Chase Drurer
> > (sp?) being sold on Home Shopping Network. To be honest, the watches
> > they were selling looked like great deals because they claimed they
> > were heavily discounted (an automatic watch that sells for $1,000
> > retail for $200 - sapphire crystal, carbon fiber dial, automatic
> > movement) due to the purchasing power (volume) HSN has at its
> > disposal. The red flag for me is always: "You get what you pay for"
> > and I think you get a good looking watch that is mechanically
> > inferior, way inferior.
>
> If you are looking for a nice mechanical in the sub $500 range, there
> are number of good quality ones. Start with Tissot and Hamilton, both
> owned by the same conglomerate that owns Breguet and Omega. The parent
> company (Swatch Group) produces probably close to 90% of all the swiss
> watch movements through their ETA division which are sold to other
> manufacturers for use in their watches. Both Hamilton and Tissot have
> sporty lines and dressy lines and both provide good value for the dollar
> spent.
>
> http://www.tissot.ch/
>
> The Invictas with swiss movements are actually fine watches as well.
> The Invicta 'sub' (built in the style of the Rolex Submariner) routinely
> sells on e-bay in the $300 range and is a fine watch, I own one. They
> sell two versions, one with the japanese movement and one with the swiss
> movement. While both are serviceable and the prices are significantly
> different, the swiss movement one is better in my opinion.
>
> I can't comment on Chase Durer as I have never purchased one.
>
> Welcome to the forum by the way, we look forward to your posts. If you
> have follow up questions (next class up ($500-$1500) or even higher)
> feel free to post them here and we'll try to help.
>
> All the best,
>
> Alan
Thanks again. I am actually a vintage watch collector. I am a novice
and have about 68 watches in my collection. I collect the following:
Omega, Tissot, Wittenauer, Heuer, and Orvin. Most of the watches I
buy are art deco period. I do have a number of Orvins which I think
are terrific watches. This was a Sears and Roebucks watch that is no
longer available. I have put many of my Orvins against my Omega
Constellation Chronometer Certified and they do quite well as far as
keeping time. For me, the Orvin is a symbol of the old glory days of
Sears.
Sears was an American retail icon where service and quality was the
rule not the exception!
Anyway, I have a website and I have some pictures of my watches. If
you go to www.ivorweiner.com and click on my Gallery page, you will
see a few photographs. I'd like to get your feedback on some of my
watches.
With Peace and Light,
Ivor
SWG
> dr. ive wrote:
> > hi folks:
> > i am excited to join the horology group. i'd like to hear the general
> > consensus on lucien picard watches. good value for the money or no
> > respect? looking forward to hearing your opinions.
>
> I hadn't heard of them. Checked a few catalogs (2007 Wristwatch Annual,
>
> Appears to be another older swiss name that was sold and
> "reinvigorated." Like most of these they try very hard to imply that
> they've been in business continuously since they were founded in 1923,
> but quite likely have not been.
>
> Mostly advertise in b-grade magazines like Maxim and "Poker Life"...
>
> Prices in the sub-$1,000 range, fairly gaudy, not much in the way of
> classic styling. Imply that they are a swiss watch company, the quartz
> watches have "swiss" on the dial, but the automatics curiously do not,
> which might indicate Asian movements.
>
> All in all, my impression would be serious caution. One could buy more
> watch for less in this class of cheap mass produced timepieces by
> watching for a sale on something like Skagen, Fossil, or any of the
> branded designer label watches at Macy's or another department store.
>
> I would probably put this in the same class as the current offerings
> from formerly august lineages like Elgin, Waltham, and Bulova that are
> now not even a shadow of the former company.
>
> This of course represents my view based on a cursory examination, your
> mileage may vary...
>
> Alan
Please do not compare Elgin, Waltham & Bulova with Lucien Piccard.
Elgin & Gruen belong worldwide to MZB Inc, as well Waltham for U.S.A.
& Canada. MZB is a professional watch brands "downgrader" making an
excellent profit for himself and paying his bills. Bulova belongs
since ages to the Tisch family, and IMHO is neither doing a bad
business with the brand. Their operations are very legitimate clearly
described with the just the zist of exaggeration tolerated in priding
publizising oneself and openly indicating their location and business
scope.
Lucien Piccard has been launched by some Manhattan guys and registered
in Switzerland in 1994. They have a very hazy past and future business
practice. Don't look for their precising their location (sic).
This brand and the people behind stink.
Richard Sexton
>you go to www.ivorweiner.com and click on my Gallery page, you will
>see a few photographs. I'd like to get your feedback on some of my
>watches.
The pics are a bit small aren't they?
(and not clickable)
--
Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net
John S.
I'm sure it is not a bad brand of watch. I see Lucien's watches as
yet another modestly priced brand to be sold in racks alongside so
many other watches on ShopNBC, on Ebay, on Overstock, at Filene's
Basement, Nordstrom Rack, Target or numerous outlet mall stores.
Outlet mall watches are usually notable for their inherent similarity
and use of inflated MSRP's more than anything else.
Moka Java
> Thanks again. I am actually a vintage watch collector.
Vintage LP watches are no great shakes either. Generally light weight
dress watches ranging from classic to gaudy. Many in solid gold cases,
with generic Swiss movements of no great provenance. The cases are very
thin and light so have not held up well under constant wear like a solid
gold Omega, Longines or Mido. LPs are often found in near mint
condition because they were purchased as gifts or "special occasion"
watches and rarely worn.
R "I have more respect for Benrus" TF
SWG
> see a few photographs. I'd like to get your feedback on some of my
> watches.
>
> With Peace and Light,
> Ivor
Orvin is a municipality located just above Biel/Bienne, in a higher
valley in between the first and the second Jura mountain range.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orvin
In the "good old days", Sears Roebuck used to have a buying office in
Biel/Bienne, at the heart of the Swiss Watch Industry. For (some of?)
their private label watches, they selected "Orvin".
An Orvin Watch Co was mentioned in "Quick Fit Swiss Material Systems"
by E. James Renz, New York, 1952. The company was first listed in 1923
as well as 1940-1946. It must have had a close relationship with
Cortebert Watch, as it was using its US import code (quoted from Swiss
Timepiece Makers by Kathleen H. Pritchard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biel
dr. ive
> > see a few photographs. I'd like to get your feedback on some of my
> > watches.
>
> > With Peace and Light,
> > Ivor
>
> Orvin is a municipality located just above Biel/Bienne, in a higher
> valley in between the first and the second Jura mountain range.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orvin
>
> In the "good old days", Sears Roebuck used to have a buying office in
> Biel/Bienne, at the heart of the Swiss Watch Industry. For (some of?)
> their private label watches, they selected "Orvin".
>
> An Orvin Watch Co was mentioned in "Quick Fit Swiss Material Systems"
> by E. James Renz, New York, 1952. The company was first listed in 1923
> as well as 1940-1946. It must have had a close relationship with
> Cortebert Watch, as it was using its US import code (quoted from Swiss
> Timepiece Makers by Kathleen H. Pritchard.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
SWG
thanks for the great information! What do you think of Orvin watches?
SWG
> > > see a few photographs. I'd like to get your feedback on some of my
> > > watches.
>
> > > With Peace and Light,
> > > Ivor
>
> > Orvin is a municipality located just above Biel/Bienne, in a higher
> > valley in between the first and the second Jura mountain range.
>
> >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orvin
>
> > In the "good old days", Sears Roebuck used to have a buying office in
> > Biel/Bienne, at the heart of the Swiss Watch Industry. For (some of?)
> > their private label watches, they selected "Orvin".
>
> > An Orvin Watch Co was mentioned in "Quick Fit Swiss Material Systems"
> > by E. James Renz, New York, 1952. The company was first listed in 1923
> > as well as 1940-1946. It must have had a close relationship with
> > Cortebert Watch, as it was using its US import code (quoted from Swiss
> > Timepiece Makers by Kathleen H. Pritchard.
>
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> SWG
> thanks for the great information! What do you think of Orvin watches?
No experience at all. They must be of good quality, as I remember that
in those days Sears' buyer was an able and serious guy. In any case,
the name evoques a lot of memories, as I used to go a lot to "Les Près
d'Orvin" as a kid with my parents, for skiing in Winter and wandering
in Summer. My wife's parents had bought a chalet there, by the time we
met, which is ours now. It's a beautiful neat Jura mountain setting,
very quiet and relaxing, 15-20 minutes by car from where we live now.
http://www.orvin.ch/images/region.jpg
dr. ive
> >Anyway, I have a website and I have some pictures of my watches. If
> >see a few photographs. I'd like to get your feedback on some of my
> >watches.
>
> The pics are a bit small aren't they?
> (and not clickable)
>
> --
> Need Mercedes parts? http://parts.mbz.org
> Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff:http://mbz.org
> 1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home pages:http://rs79.vrx.net
> 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD |http://aquaria.nethttp://killi.net
yep, sorry about the small pics. my website is pretty low tech and
really for my students and the courses i teach. the students have
zero interest in watches, they all use their cell phones. i encourage
them to do so. one day, watches will be obsolete. have you tried
finding vinyl records lately? once watches become scarce the watch
collectors of the world will cash in or maybe not - someone has to buy
the watches, right? i am speaking tongue-in-cheek!
thanks for looking at my website, richard!
with peace and light,
ivor
dAz
>
> yep, sorry about the small pics. my website is pretty low tech and
> really for my students and the courses i teach. the students have
> zero interest in watches, they all use their cell phones. i encourage
> them to do so. one day, watches will be obsolete.
hmmm, I don't think so, phones will get smaller, watches are here to
stay, why the hell would I want to reach into my pocket and flip open a
phone just to see the time when I can just look at my watch, and get
more info in the process.
> have you tried
> finding vinyl records lately?
quite easy to buy, and they are cutting new records, just check any DJ
suppliers.
SWG
> yep, sorry about the small pics. my website is pretty low tech and
> really for my students and the courses i teach. the students have
> zero interest in watches, they all use their cell phones. i encourage
> them to do so. one day, watches will be obsolete. have you tried
> finding vinyl records lately? once watches become scarce the watch
> collectors of the world will cash in or maybe not - someone has to buy
> the watches, right? i am speaking tongue-in-cheek!
> thanks for looking at my website, richard!
You and your watch wisdom, cell phones and many other electronic
gadgets shall have long become obsolete as mechanical watches shall
still be high in trend. Even with your as yet watch uninterested
students, as soon as they shall have become successful and have the
good money to spend for a good "real" watch.
The modern technicised the world shall become, the more good old
instincts and emotions shall regain attractivity.
Moka Java
the students have
> zero interest in watches, they all use their cell phones. i encourage
> them to do so. one day, watches will be obsolete. have you tried
> finding vinyl records lately? once watches become scarce the watch
> collectors of the world will cash in or maybe not - someone has to buy
> the watches, right?
I recall Economics 101 discussion about supply, demand and scarcity.
The teacher used better and eggs as one example and corsets and buggy
whips as another. I pointed out that corsets and buggy whips are very
popular in some circles.
R "don't knock it 'til you try it" TF
jf...@my-deja.com
for Lucien Piccard watches. "Combining old world craftsmanship with
new world styling, these are classic timepieces of the highest quality
& standards" "Choose from chronograph and 3-eye styles - each is
water-resistant, automatic, and has a stainless steel case" "Your
choice $59 after sale $295.00"
SWG
Considering that China has a 5-7000 years history to look back at, the
definition of "old world" can be accepted at face value (sic), leaving
to their imagination to select whether "new world" means Rumfield's
"old" Europe or the U.S.A. :-)
"Picard, Lucien, Industries Inc., New York:
Brand and model names: Da Vinci, Da Vinci Sea Shark, Luccard, Sea
Shade, Sonictron
History: Lucien Picard was a US importer using Swiss movements in
their wtches. New models were listed from 1961-1974. HT said that in
1975 that Lucien Picard was out of business but that Lucien Picard
Industries Inc., was still providing service.
abbridged quote from K.H. Pritschard's
Now their suppliers are all in the "Empire of the Middle".
Jack Denver
2. I doubt that they really are automatics.
The people who they get to write ad copy can't know every product line and
sometimes they are amazingly ignorant.
<jf...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:1178201281....@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
dr. ive
> dr. ive wrote:
>
> > yep, sorry about the small pics. my website is pretty low tech and
> > really for my students and the courses i teach. the students have
> > zero interest in watches, they all use their cell phones. i encourage
> > them to do so. one day, watches will be obsolete.
>
> hmmm, I don't think so, phones will get smaller, watches are here to
> stay, why the hell would I want to reach into my pocket and flip open a
> phone just to see the time when I can just look at my watch, and get
> more info in the process.
>
has been a downward trend in the sales of watches. Check out the
stats for yourself. The reason given is that the younger generation
is using their cell phones for time. They are on it all the time and
busy texting as well. It makes sense they would just use their phones
to tell time. Now, I think there will always be collectors,
especially the high end stuff, but it is not inconceivable that in 50
years, mechanical watches will become more a piece of art than used
for the practical side of telling time. Yes, you can find vinyl but
at speciality shops. Have you seen vinyl at Best Buy or Circuit City
lately? There was a time that vinyl was every where from the corner
five and dime to the department stores. Right now, you can find
watches almost anywhere from Target to the mall but it is probable
that in 30 years from now, only speciality stores might carry them and
carry the more expensive brands as opposed to the cheaper, more common
brands. It could be, right? This is not science fiction. If the
younger generation relies more heavily on their phones or some other
fancy equipment, watches in their supply could become quite scarce?
Does this make them a good investment and what type of watches will be
desirable? If you think I have lost my marbles, I won't be offended.
You all seem like a nice bunch of folks! Tell you what, if you think
I have lost my marbles, I'll make an appointment to see a good shrink
in town! By the way, I doubt any of us will be around in 50 years!
Frank Adam
>Watch sales declined 17% last year and over the past five years there
>has been a downward trend in the sales of watches. Check out the
>stats for yourself. The reason given is that the younger generation
>is using their cell phones for time. They are on it all the time and
>busy texting as well. It makes sense they would just use their phones
>to tell time. Now, I think there will always be collectors,
>especially the high end stuff, but it is not inconceivable that in 50
>years, mechanical watches will become more a piece of art than used
>for the practical side of telling time. Yes, you can find vinyl but
>at speciality shops. Have you seen vinyl at Best Buy or Circuit City
>lately? There was a time that vinyl was every where from the corner
>five and dime to the department stores. Right now, you can find
>watches almost anywhere from Target to the mall but it is probable
>that in 30 years from now, only speciality stores might carry them and
>carry the more expensive brands as opposed to the cheaper, more common
>brands. It could be, right? This is not science fiction. If the
>younger generation relies more heavily on their phones or some other
>fancy equipment, watches in their supply could become quite scarce?
>
You are right, times go on and change. I remember LPs were still all
over the place going for 1 to 5 bucks only about 10 years ago. Just as
the good old Beta tapes and VHS recorders came and went in a blaze of
glory. Now we have Sony out with this new blue whateveritscalled, that
could make your DVDs go the way of the Beta tapes.
However, while watch sales will probably continue to be on a decline,
jewellery will be with us for a long time yet.
If you were to buy a power drill, you wouldn't be looking at it's
aesthetics. Rather it's wattage, features, bearing type, overall
quality, etc.. but when most people buy watches, they look at the
colour, shape and face and only then may they ask questions about what
it does, if at all. Hence, it is simply jewellery, even if bought for
the purpose of telling the time.
I've never heard anyone say "i hate the looks of my new watch, that's
why i bought it". :)
>Does this make them a good investment and what type of watches will be
>desirable? If you think I have lost my marbles, I won't be offended.
>You all seem like a nice bunch of folks! Tell you what, if you think
>I have lost my marbles, I'll make an appointment to see a good shrink
>in town! By the way, I doubt any of us will be around in 50 years!
>
You have 68 watches ! I think it's way past the time any shrink could
have recovered a single marble. ;-)
--
Regards, Frank
SWG
You are perfectly right talking about "watches" loosing ground: all
those you mean were just made to tell time. Nobody needs a watch to
tell time, respectively those who need them are quite stupid fellows
and/or already living robots, you do not want to have anything
relationship with.
But we are referring to real watches that make tic-tac, with a beating
heart and other built-in attributes giving it a sex appeal, a
personality, an aura, making them a symbol, a testimonial of
personality, love and all and any of the other timeless attributes
needed by individuals, in order not to feel left alone in the modern
automated & dishumanized world. A piece of jewelry!
A good mechanical Swiss or German made watch of a reputed brand is not
any more a luxury, it has now become increasingly a Must, and the
trend is going to endure as long as there shall be "human" humans.
J.B. Wood
> Orvin is a municipality located just above Biel/Bienne, in a higher
> valley in between the first and the second Jura mountain range.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orvin
>
> In the "good old days", Sears Roebuck used to have a buying office in
> Biel/Bienne, at the heart of the Swiss Watch Industry. For (some of?)
> their private label watches, they selected "Orvin".
>
> An Orvin Watch Co was mentioned in "Quick Fit Swiss Material Systems"
> by E. James Renz, New York, 1952. The company was first listed in 1923
> as well as 1940-1946. It must have had a close relationship with
> Cortebert Watch, as it was using its US import code (quoted from Swiss
> Timepiece Makers by Kathleen H. Pritchard.
>
Hello, and that's informative. I have a Sears Orvin brand calendar
watch with a big red-tipped sweep second arrow that I wore regularly
when I was an undergrad (1968-1972). The only thing I didn't like about
it was the watch face was held against the crystal by a thin metal ring
with tabs that contacted the press fit back on the case. The tabs would
lose their tension after a while and the watch would then become loose
and rattle inside the case. I was regularly prying the back off and
re-bending those tabs. A really lousy way of holding the watch works
inside the case IMHO. Other than that, the watch still runs fine after
all these years. Sincerely,
dr. ive
Your point is well made and I think you are right. There will always
be individuals who appreciate fine mechanical things, one of them
being fine watches! Your other point about individuals needing time
pieces to make them feel sane in a dehumanized and automated world is
very interesting; something worth exploring!
Thanks for your insightfulness!
> But we are referring to real watches that make tic-tac, with a beating
> heart and other built-in attributes giving it a sex appeal, a
> personality, an aura, making them a symbol, a testimonial of
> personality, love and all and any of the other timeless attributes
> needed by individuals, in order not to feel left alone in the modern
> automated & dishumanized world. A piece of jewelry!
>
> A good mechanical Swiss or German made watch of a reputed brand is not
> any more a luxury, it has now become increasingly a Must, and the
> trend is going to endure as long as there shall be "human" humans.- Hide quoted text -
dr. ive
>
> - Show quoted text -
Nice to hear that the watch still works! thanks for sharing!
dAz
> Hello, and that's informative. I have a Sears Orvin brand calendar
> watch with a big red-tipped sweep second arrow that I wore regularly
> when I was an undergrad (1968-1972). The only thing I didn't like about
> it was the watch face was held against the crystal by a thin metal ring
> with tabs that contacted the press fit back on the case. The tabs would
> lose their tension after a while and the watch would then become loose
> and rattle inside the case. I was regularly prying the back off and
> re-bending those tabs. A really lousy way of holding the watch works
> inside the case IMHO. Other than that, the watch still runs fine after
> all these years. Sincerely,
yes that was a cheap way to fit a movement ring to hold the movement,
quite common on cheap to medium priced watches from the late 50s to the
70s then plastic rings started showing up.
yes the metal tabs do lose tension over time and the only solution is to
open the case and bend the tabs back up, but after a while the tabs will
break off.