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Eric_navi
PostPosted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 7:41 pm 
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I recently welcomed my vintage grail - a Valjoux 72 AOPA Navitimer...

I had been waiting patiently for one to find me, and when I saw this one - I fell in love instantly and knew without a doubt it was the one I had been searching for. The patina really spoke to me - the whole piece has a really warm glow to it. I really love the creamy reddish undertone of the lume, hands, and slide rule.

The dial has retained its glossiness but has lightened slightly to a very interesting shade. There is some spotting but it is uniform.

The crystal is showing some moderate crazing - it may be original as it looks identical to the crystal of another very early Navitimer I recently acquired. It will go off to Mr. Bergsma to receive a spa treatment in the near future... I will have him replace the crystal but keep the rest exactly as it is.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the photos.

You can find more Navitimer related photography here:
http://www.radiumstash.com/#!navitimers/tclib

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WatchFred
PostPosted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 10:11 pm 
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what a wonderful piece, Eric, true grail - interesting to see how each of these early Navitimers ages to it's own, unique character.
:bow: :bow: :bow:


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buddman
PostPosted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 11:12 pm 
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Nice one Eric. Looking forward to the post-spa pics too.


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rick
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 2:40 am 
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buddman wrote:
Nice one Eric. Looking forward to the post-spa pics too.

Very Nice Congratulations!

_________________
"A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure."


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cisco
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 4:31 am 
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Wow fabulous watch Eric ! Big congrats for this rare and magnificent bird ! :bow:


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Kurt B
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 6:11 am 
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Eric_navi wrote:
I recently welcomed my vintage grail - a Valjoux 72 AOPA Navitimer...

I had been waiting patiently for one to find me, and when I saw this one - I fell in love instantly and knew without a doubt it was the one I had been searching for. The patina really spoke to me - the whole piece has a really warm glow to it. I really love the creamy reddish undertone of the lume, hands, and slide rule.

The dial has retained its glossiness but has lightened slightly to a very interesting shade. There is some spotting but it is uniform.

The crystal is showing some moderate crazing - it may be original as it looks identical to the crystal of another very early Navitimer I recently acquired. It will go off to Mr. Bergsma to receive a spa treatment in the near future... I will have him replace the crystal but keep the rest exactly as it is.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the photos.

You can find more Navitimer related photography here:



Absolutely stunning, they don't get any better.........!!!!!

/ Kurt B http://www.kurt-b.com


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dgercp
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:27 am 
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Congratulations again Eric.
A very special bird. This one I find just so interesting, reaking of character :lingsrock:


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Eric_navi
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 10:58 am 
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WatchFred wrote:
what a wonderful piece, Eric, true grail - interesting to see how each of these early Navitimers ages to it's own, unique character.
:bow: :bow: :bow:


Thanks Fred, and it's very true...

I think that's one thing which draws me to Navitimers... They seem to be extra sensitive to the aging process due to the way they are made (sliding bezel, sensitive slide rule, etc) which really creates a wide variety of patina. The early watches, especially the Val72.. seem to have an extra spice added.. Perhaps the radium dust mixed with the corrosion from the hands... Whatever it is, they are extra beautiful, and I'll never tire of looking at them.


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Eric_navi
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 11:16 am 
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buddman wrote:
Nice one Eric. Looking forward to the post-spa pics too.

rick wrote:
buddman wrote:
Nice one Eric. Looking forward to the post-spa pics too.

Very Nice Congratulations!

cisco wrote:
Wow fabulous watch Eric ! Big congrats for this rare and magnificent bird ! :bow:

Kurt B wrote:

Absolutely stunning, they don't get any better.........!!!!!

/ Kurt B http://www.kurt-b.com

dgercp wrote:
Congratulations again Eric.
A very special bird. This one I find just so interesting, reaking of character :lingsrock:


Thanks to all... The watch and I both appreciate the enthusiasm!


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cruvon
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 3:18 pm 
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That's beautiful, congrats!


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nicolas07
PostPosted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:12 pm 
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What a wonderfull watch!
Really a beautifull aging indeed :)
I will take mine out from the bank safe this saturday :)


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Eric_navi
PostPosted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:14 pm 
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cruvon wrote:
That's beautiful, congrats!

nicolas07 wrote:
What a wonderfull watch!
Really a beautifull aging indeed :)
I will take mine out from the bank safe this saturday :)


Thanks... You both own stunning val72's ... I've looked at the photos many times ;-)


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