What brand is it or what is it (LED-LCD)?!

[laptop]

Hi guys,
I got this watch a while ago and I could never find out anything about it.

What.JPG

Is it a Frankstein?!
The module seems that came from a LonginesWittnauer G-II, but there is no name and/or logo/marks on the case neither on the band nor clasp.
I got it missing the back cover and I could not find one for it yet.
Any idea about what i'm dealing with
Thanks

[s_elias]

My vote is a Frankenstein

PM me if your interested in selling the module

[retroleds]

It's a Hughes DUal LED/LCD module, used in a few different Wittnauear/Longines products and a few others. That one is leaking in the display - bummer. Hard to tell but it looks like it has a blue overlay - I think those were intended for watches being sold to Hughes employees. I have a replacement module if you need one.

[bucko170]

My vote is a Frankenstein

PM me if your interested in selling the module

And PM me if you are interested in selling the case

[laptop]

My vote is a Frankenstein

PM me if your interested in selling the module

Hi Elias, I'm sorry, but I'm more interested in finding out about the watch and actually i'm looking for the back cover for it. If I come across a working module I will let you now (I do have a few to be checked).

And PM me if you are interested in selling the case

Hi Bucko, I'm sorry but as I said, actually I'm trying to complete it.

I have a replacement module if you need one.

Hi Retroleds, Thanks but I would like to know if you have a back cover with the screw-down ring for sale (for a Longiness G-II). It should work for this watch.

ard to tell but it looks like it has a blue overlay

And about the color, if I understood right, yes Retroleds, the color of the face is a mirror finish kind of bluish color (almost impossible to photograph it). The case and band are stainless steel with gold finish trim (see pic bellow).

What 2.JPG

I knew about the module, I have a few Gemini watches and I'm working in two modules that I got a while ago (trying to revive them, )
What really gets me is the case and band, or actually this whole thing, I've done some research about it and I could not find anything about it. Now I'm even more intrigued

Any more info about it?!
Thanks

[retroleds]

Well, not to be a total bummer, but the case looks to be fairly basic (some might thing fugly) and might have had no original connection to the dual module - any case made to hold a Hughes or Esonix 2 button module will work. I have a handful of those blue overlays and have made a number of Duals from odd cases. Last few I installed a round syn. Sapphire crystal to replace the plastic - $15-20 USD. Then you have something that will have a great looking face for a long time. I have some spare Wittnauer backs & rings but unless you have tried it with a G-II back and ring it could be a real waste. Screw rings the same size do not always have the same threads - try to screw a Longines/Witt ring onto a P4 or vis-a-vis. Fail

Ok, I just looked in my stock - I have a Benrus case that looks identical but it is solid stainless(no gold) and I have a Digitron case that look exactly like yours but both are press on backs with screw battery hatches. There is a case that "looks" identical to yours on ebay right now, but it might not be the same. If you run out of options you could send me the case and I will attempt to dig out the fitting parts - I have a tremendous stock of well organized back & rings.. Even when I throw away cases I will frequently keep the back, they are fairly small to store.

[laptop]

Well, not to be a total bummer, but the case looks to be fairly basic (some might thing fugly) and might have had no original connection to the dual module - any case made to hold a Hughes or Esonix 2 button module will work. I have a handful of those blue overlays and have made a number of Duals from odd cases. Last few I installed a round syn. Sapphire crystal to replace the plastic - $15-20 USD. Then you have something that will have a great looking face for a long time. I have some spare Wittnauer backs & rings but unless you have tried it with a G-II back and ring it could be a real waste. Screw rings the same size do not always have the same threads - try to screw a Longines/Witt ring onto a P4 or vis-a-vis. Fail

Ok, I just looked in my stock - I have a Benrus case that looks identical but it is solid stainless(no gold) and I have a Digitron case that look exactly like yours but both are press on backs with screw battery hatches. There is a case that "looks" identical to yours on ebay right now, but it might not be the same. If you run out of options you could send me the case and I will attempt to dig out the fitting parts - I have a tremendous stock of well organized back & rings.. Even when I throw away cases I will frequently keep the back, they are fairly small to store.

Oh well,
I decided to change batteries on my G-II and I "borrow" the back from it for one second, and guess what?! you were right, the back from a G-II is far too small It felt into the back with ring and everything (way too small). I tried to measure it and it seems to have the inside opening (threaded part) 32mm wide.
Trust me I've tried pretty much all the cases I have here and the ones that seems that is going to work is the ones from the bulova big block, but doesn't fit neither
As far as the face/overlay its seems to be under/with the crystal (no way to be removed. And it is not plastic, it is crystal. (see pictures).

Thing 03.jpg

My question is... is it a crazy project or was it at some point a watch (or at least intention to be from some company)? Or was it a crazy love night between a G-II and a cheap solar watch (the one with two windows on the front!!!!!)
This watch is hunting me for a long time, Im going to convert it to a fishing sinker
Any more ideas?!
Thanks

[retroleds]

You tried all of your backs - I suspect I have a few more . I have conservatively purchased between 15 and 20 thousand digital watches in last 10 years. I've repaired maybe 1500-2000 for others, probably somewhere around that for myself. I have lots of parts here which I keep very well organized - I feel if I can't find a part it is the same as not owning it. I would bet $8 I can find you your back and ring - but I want $38 if you loose. In other words - I'll ship it back for free if I can't find the parts, you pay $30 for the parts plus $8 for shipping. Or make an anchor out of it. All we know is that the module and the overlay fit together nicely - what the original intent was?

Regarding the overlay - are you sure it is not that the overlay is trapped tightly BEHIND the crystal? Or does it seem to have been printed/painted on the back? That would be neat, but suck from a refurbishing standpoint since you are stuck with the crystal and if it was every broken you would really be screwed. Although, more than one person has cut themselves an overlay from some cool material or an overlay from a stricktly LED watch like say a Bulova. I keep meaning on trying that myself, some of the Bulova overlays are so pretty. imo.

FYI: I don't personally collect watches and rarely wear one. I just don't like the feel of any type of jewelry jangling around on my body. I strictly buy,sell, repair and assist others occasionally to give something back. Verbal help is free, physical parts cost.

[laptop]

Hi Retroleds,
Im using my cellphone, and i hate to type in this little thing, so it is going to be quick :(
The face is printed thru the back as you suspected.
And yes, i will accept your offer. I will send the money over thru paypal tonight.
I will keep you posted later on when i get home.
Thank you for your help.

[retroleds]

Hi Retroleds,
Im using my cellphone, and i hate to type in this little thing, so it is going to be quick :(
The face is printed thru the back as you suspected.
And yes, i will accept your offer. I will send the money over thru paypal tonight.
I will keep you posted later on when i get home.
Thank you for your help.

No money needed upfront. Just email me at retroleds@aol.com and get my address so you can mail it. $8 won't change my day or life.

[laptop]

I have conservatively purchased between 15 and 20 thousand digital watches in last 10 years.

And I thought that I was losing control over my small collection (around 200-300ish watches)

I have lots of parts here which I keep very well organized.

Im working on it

Or does it seem to have been printed/painted on the back?

Once again you guessed right, it is printed on the back of the crystal.

FYI: I don't personally collect watches and rarely wear one. I just don't like the feel of any type of jewelry jangling around on my body. I strictly buy,sell, repair and assist others occasionally to give something back.

You are lucky , cause you got overcame this bad habit (collecting and the never ending hunt for the "lost arch")
And keeping a very strict professional approach buying, selling, repairing and helping others is as good as collecting them or even better (they will never become a liability for you). You are just like the engineer and mechanics for the high end cars (high performance), they don't have to carry the liability, but they do have gasoline on their veins (the passion never dies).

Verbal help is free, physical parts cost.

To tight a bold costs only $3 but to know what bolt to tight $3K

I will contact you thru email.
Thank you for your help on this project.

[retroleds]

FYI: I don't personally collect watches and rarely wear one. I just don't like the feel of any type of jewelry jangling around on my body. I strictly buy,sell, repair and assist others occasionally to give something back.

You are lucky , cause you got overcame this bad habit (collecting and the never ending hunt for the "lost arch")
And keeping a very strict professional approach buying, selling, repairing and helping others is as good as collecting them or even better (they will never become a liability for you). You are just like the engineer and mechanics for the high end cars (high performance), they don't have to carry the liability, but they do have gasoline on their veins (the passion never dies).

Probably the main problem I avoid, since I obviously don't avoid the neurotic purchasing, is that I rarely covet a customer's watch since I have no collection to upgrade. I get joy (and rep points) for helping other build THEIR collections. As many have found out, I will never sell you the best stuff I get if I realize you are just a reseller or you are hard on your pieces. I told one person here about a week ago(wanted to buy 3 fully refurbished P2s) - I have no interest in elevating your reputation off my work. And I believe in only putting really rare pieces into the hands of those who have genuine, lasting interest in preserving them further....Bruce Wegmann and Mick Buxtom(bucko170) are first-call customers for that very reason.

[laptop]

Hi Retroleds,
I collect because i enjoy seen the watches back to life, I like to see them working, learn the history behind each one, correlate them with a specific time period and the world history, political factors, economy, and things like that.
It is more than money, as I told you a while ago thru a personal email, based on my income and/or available funds I should be collecting beer caps if any or nothing at all. Actually to tell you the truth about the LED, LCD and vintage watches industry, at least for me, money is not the biggest issue (there is plenty of inexpensive watches that are very interesting and pretty much anybody could start a small collection and with time and some luck let it grow), the lack of information, clubs and camaraderie is the biggest barrier. I learned most of what I know (nothing compared to your vast knowledge) opening, checking, understanding (or at least trying) and/or sometime ruining old watches. But if you ask me if collecting watches seems profitable for me, I would say yes, but is just as much profitable as any other activity when you have enough knowledge in order to be able to understand your product, the market and its variants... such as the stock market, used cars sales, real estate, printing, etc etc etc.
Im a graphic design, activity that thanks God I've been doing for 25 years already and provide for me and my family; collecting watches is my hobby and a passion.
Would I sell some of my pieces, I believe I would, if you think that I have 4 Bulova Big Block almost brand new (gold version), 4 Bulova Big Block almost brand new (SS version) and on and on... (my collection is not too big, but it consists of 200-300ish pieces mostly LED and LCD, a few Accutrons, Heuer, and other exceptions) It takes space that i don't have and I would like to be able to use the money from my own collection in order to acquire better and rarer pieces. I have many, many other watches duplicated. But in other hand, will I ever be able to let them go?!, this is a hard one to answer.
As i mentioned in another thread I only sold two pieces of my collection, in order to preserve it. At the very beginning of my collection (and marriage) my wife doubt about the value and professionalism required by the watch collection. I took a few pieces with us to jewelry show. At the show I sold two pieces for another collector (one Pulsar P2 and one Bulova Big Block gold), she got the answer, and I proved my point. Heart broken (with the watches) and the remorse eating me alive still today
But I have a question for your (or anybody else that might have any info about it), is there any course, training and/or seminar about LED/LCD watches here in the US? Video, book, etc etc?! Please let me know.
Thank you.