Trying to find a watch

[PrimaryP]

I remember seeing a watch somewhere that used little ball bearings to show the time. I believe its made by a german company. I was discussing wrist watches with a friend the other day and wanted to show him this watch but was unable to find the link any help is greatly appreciated

[PrimaryP]

I remember seeing a watch somewhere that used little ball bearings to show the time. I believe its made by a german company. I was discussing wrist watches with a friend the other day and wanted to show him this watch but was unable to find the link any help is greatly appreciated

[frankb]

P- For starters...use the FIND feature above to locate past discussions on this subject. Search for BALL BEARINGS or ETERNAMATIC or ETERNA.

The Eterna Watch Co. used ball bearings in the self-winding mechanisms of their automatic watches...called Eternamatics. Ownership of the company has changed hands a number of times over the past 20+ years, so it may have been German owned at some time.

Frank

[PrimaryP]

I tried the find feature and found nothing on the ball bearings. I was unaware of the eternamatic/eterna watches but after visiting their website its not what im looking. The watch i saw had ball bearings telling the time instead of a minute/hour hand. Thanks for the info on the eternamatic watch co. though i appreciate it.

[RON in PA]

There was a clock, electrically powered, that used ball bearings (marble sized) as time indicators.

[Cary Hurt]

PrimaryP,

I think you're looking for something called a mystery dial watch. They were popular in the '50s, and were made by many makers, ranging from high end (like LeCoultre and Longines) to mass-market store brands using pin-lever movements.

The "hands" of the watch are actually clear plastic discs with some sort of marker (often a jewel, but I've seen them with many other kinds of things, including what would appear to be ball bearings.)

Try an eBay search using the term "mystery dial" in quotes, and see if the results are more like what you're thinking of.

Regards,

Cary

[Jeff Hess]

Not much to go on here...

I have some watches made by Lacher or LAco, A german compnay wth floating ball bearings that stop magnetically on the time..

IS that it?

[Wayne D.]

Primary, I think I found your watch. Do a goggle search and look for Otium German watch. If it isn't the one you're looking for, it's still a pretty cool website!

[PrimaryP]

Wayne you found it! Thanks a ton.

[Wayne D.]

You're most welcome Primary! And thank you for bringing it up on the Forum. We all like seeing unusual watches like this.

[PrimaryP]

I checked out some of the other watches on that website and i really liked some of the Philippe Rosen watches. Any chance on helping me find an online retailer? Im curious about the prices of those watches. Google has failed me and the one on that site is down.

[xpatUSA]

Cary wrote:
"The "hands" of the watch are actually clear plastic discs with some sort of marker (often a jewel, but I've seen them with many other kinds of things, including what would appear to be ball bearings.)"

I just sold one of that type of watch on eBay, see here .

I was awfully tempted to keep it!



cheers,

[burnz]

The watch pictured by xpat is generally referred to as a "mystery dial" watch. They were offered by several makers. I have one in my collection but can't recall the brand at the moment.