Antique-Mods

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Code Six Custom Watches

Custom built watches and pocket watch conversions

Code Six Customs "Antique-Mods" Pocket Watch Conversions

Introduction

The rising price of precious metals has people selling inherited pocket watches for the scrap value of the cases, leaving the beautiful, unique dials and movements behind. These pieces are incredible works of art and engineering from a time where quality workmanship was highly valued. The phrase "they don't make 'em like they used to" has never been more true. The fact that these 100+ year-old movements still function is testament to that.

Code Six Customs gives you the opportunity to wear a piece of horological history on your wrist with the "Antique Mod" line. I source antique pocket watch movements & dials from local jewelers and other reputable dealers, and mount them in modern stainless steel cases to create the perfect "marriage" of old and new (this is where the term "marriage watch" originated).

As 100+ year old antiques, the porcelain dials sometimes show superficial chips, cracks, and crazing making each Antique-Mod 100% unique. Each movement bears the original manufacturer's serial number, which is used to determine the year of manufacture and original production numbers from archival sources.

"Antique-Mods" Cases

Antique Mods are available in 36mm, 40mm, and 44mm sizes with the crown at the 3 o'clock position, and 44mm with the crown at the 12 o'clock position.

My stainless-steel cases are custom designed and manufactured in Ukraine specifically to house pocket watch movements. They are "exact-fit" for standard American pocket watch sizes, assuring a perfect fit & finish. Modifications can be made to accommodate non-standard sizes, special movements, and some Swiss movements. My manufacturer can even produce "one-off" cases for virtually any pocket watch movement.

The standard 36mm case is a simple classic oyster design in a silver satin finish with 20mm lugs.

The 40mm case is inspired by the classic "Breguet" style, with a ribbed case and fixed 22mm lugs.

The 44mm cases are also inspired by the classic "Breguet" ribbed case style. They are available as a "crown at 3" with fixed 22mm lugs or a "crown at 12" with articulating 22 mm lugs to allow manipulation of the crown for winding and setting.

The 40mm and 44mm cases are available in the standard polished silver-tone finish, with optional finishes including gold-tone, rose-tone, or black PVD coating.

"Antique-Mod" Movements

I source and prepare a wide range of movements, and have many on hand at any given time that are ready for builds. I am constantly sourcing the best movements, dials and hands. While others believe that the movement parts should all be re-finished, highly polished, blued, and re-enameled, I choose to leave mine basically "as-found", leaving the beautiful, natural patina that shows the true history and age of the watch. I view my builds as preservations rather than restorations.

Antique-Mods Considerations

Antique or vintage watches are not as reliable, accurate, durable, or resilient as modern watches. These watches are collectors pieces, and not meant to be daily-wear watches. In pocketwatch form, the watch stayed in a pocket with a short chain attached in case it was dropped. In wristwatch form its exposed to much more danger of breaking. They have no shock protection or water resistance and will definitely become non-functional if dropped or banged into something.

It is important for the buyer to be mindful that these are in fact antiques, and may or may not keep time as accurately as a modern watch. It is common for antique pocket watch movements to run up to 5-10 minutes slow or fast per day. At times, you may need to gently shake, tap, or move the hands on the watch to make it start running if it stops.

Because of the nature of antique watches, I can only guarantee that they arrive to you running. I cannot offer any guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy of timekeeping, or longevity of running condition. If for some reason it is not functional upon receipt, you must contact me within 24 hours to arrange the return process. I will send you money or a shipping label to return the watch.