Paul K
12
DIY Unitas mods
the 6497/98 movements are great to modify, masters like Dornbluth or Ninchritz make beautiful 3/4 plate conversions, also the specials by Habring and the engraved skeleton watches by Benzinger are truly work of art.
These simple and reliable calibers were my obvious choice to base the design on, when I decided to try and make a movement with "classic" looks:
the nr.1, which is ticking away in my daily watch for several months now:
a few movements (unfinished) to try out different styles and details:
Some more recent watches based on 6498 (left) and 6497 (right), movements still completely rough, no decoration yet:
Probably I should get on with finishing and decorating the mov 'ts, get them plated, order the custom dials etc.......... but my attention span is very short and there are still a lot of other ideas I want to try: like this new project (also based on a 6498) in it's very first stage:
more later (perhaps).......................
Paul
More posts:
One movement, two distinct personalities
I am a big fan of the humble Unitas (now ETA) 6498. In my, admittedly, limited experience (I have two watches with the movement) I have found it to be a robust and reliable timekeeper. The two watches I own that contain 6498s perform well within COSC spec...
Outing of anther proletarian, Daos!
Thanks a lot for your nicely pictured presentation of your 2 watches. Somehow you feel a certain inclination towards reasonably priced, good qualitiy German watches, as you recently posted a photo of the Sinn U1. I also like Stowa watches and hold the Ant...
Hi, Anaesdoc!
Thanks for sharing your Stowa photo. The Antea certainly has a clean look, and the Bauhaus-inspired design gives the watch a stylish dial on which the time can easily be read. We don't often see Stowas here, but I think they are an affordable brand with s...
The one major disadvantage of placing such a large movement into a wristwatch case, imho..
is that it does not allow the edges of the case to be tapered down. The case winds up with a 'blocky' look with thick edges, even though it is not actually that thick overall. The watches look amazing in every other way, though. Congrats on both.
both the 6497 and 6498 are excellent movements IMO Daos
i have a couple of watches with these movements. i think they are great and would happily buy a watch with these movements in. to me they are the hand wind equivelant of the ETA 2824. some companies are even altering them to adopt a centre second. i think...
Thanks for sharing your photos and thoughts, Graham!
Like me, you appreciate the consistent performance and value that these movements bring. I would also happily buy another watch housing the 6498. The cotes de Geneve circulaire on your Maurice Lacroix is very pretty! I enjoyed that photo in particular. Ch...
Thanks, and I agree that the watches that house these movements...
...in both my ownership experience, and those that I've seen otherwise, do exhibit the chunkiness that you describe. Undoubtedly, there are certain design limitations owing to the movement size and shape that must be taken into account. Thanks so much for...
Great review, thanks,
two very nice looking watches too. I especially like the Archer. I think it is much nicer if contemporary big watches contain a similarly sized movement! Best Andreas
Thanks, Andreas!
I agree that it is nice to see the harmony between these larger cases and movements. Many of the watches housing these movements remain within reach of the average person (like me!) which I also appreciate. Cheers, Daos
Fine review, Daos, I like the...
...Stowa, particularly the screwed balance and the swan-neck. For some reason, I have never liked blued screws. They tend to overwhelm the relatively subdued colours of the balance, train and jewels - and instead draw attention to 'mundane' components.
I hear similar comments...
...from many others regarding blued screws. Some people say it takes away from the engineered or mechanical design aspect of a movement. I, myself, am very drawn to color and only wish the bluing on the screwheads of my watches extended into the slots, so...
As I started to become more acquainted with the world of horology,
Daos, I found myself in the position of wanting a "marriage watch" (Taking a pocket watch and casing it into a wristwatch) and the Unitas 6497 prove to be the best choice for this experiment, which in the end turned out to be more like a stroll to my AD r...
This photo is yummy, Alex!
Where can I find the restaurant that serves this dish? It's like a Panerai bruschetta! Although the menu says "sushi" at one point so perhaps no Italian food today. LOL! Your watch is amazing, of course, and I do agree that the 6497/6498 offer great value...
Thanks, MW!
I appreciate your note! They are humble movements, but I like them! Cheers, Daos
Thanks for the review Daos
The more and more I look at the Archer watch, the more I get the feeling that the watch lacks an identity. When pictures were first posted here on this site, it looked like very interesting watch but after closer inspection, the watch seems like it's "con...
Thanks for the thoughts, Anthony...
...they are much appreciated. I do think the Archer pulls from various references with the idea of creating its own identity, but perhaps some additional branding in terms of design is something to be considered. Cheers, Daos
Thanks a lot for this interesting point of view Daos.
You underline that the Unitas caliber can be efficient in very different situations. But in your case, I much prefer the Stowa. Fr.Xavier
The ETA movement may have distinct personalities, even in a same brand, Daos
An example? Panerai. The Pam 36, wirth its rugged finish: The Cali, with a sweeter finish: A very accurate and reliable movement, ideal for a tool watch! Best, and thanks for another great post, sister. Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2...
Very good point, Nicolas!
I can always count on you to bring up something interesting and salient to the discussion! It's fascinating how different this same movement looks in your two watches. Completely different vibes IMO! I agree that the 6498 is quite rugged, and lends itself...
DIY Unitas mods
the 6497/98 movements are great to modify, masters like Dornbluth or Ninchritz make beautiful 3/4 plate conversions, also the specials by Habring and the engraved skeleton watches by Benzinger are truly work of art. These simple and reliable calibers were...
Wow! Great photos!
Paul, I hope you continue to share these projects with us! Your ideas are so intriguing! I like the first photo so very much, as I don't recall seeing a movement covered in perlage to that extent. Also, your latest creation seems to be shaping up into som...
Check out the Dornbluths
Sorry, no pictures - no camera! But you can find some great images and reports by searching the forums using "Dornbluth" and "Dornblueth". I use my 99.2 mainly as a deskclock - actually on a shelf behind my computer, in its nice burlwood box. That way I c...
Stunning! Love it!
I never tire of seeing Dornblüth watches. Thanks for the photo, Glickman. How's that maple-bacon Krispy Kreme idea coming along? You've got a couple customers (and that's just the folks I know) waiting to buy some! Hope all is well! Daos
Dornblüth watches are some of my favorites!
I've been quite smitten with them since I handled some last year. They have such beautiful, clean dials, and the movement is so lovely. It practically oozes charm and that unique brand of Dornblüth "elfin magic" (I hear stories about their quaint wor...
Agreed with Paul and Amerix regarding their high esteem . . .
. . . of the transformation wrought by Dornblüth, but my favorite iteration of the 6498 is Omega's 2201 ensconced in the Railmaster XXL . . . . . . photo courtesy Keith Downing. Cordially, Art...
i didnt realise that the...
i didnt realise that the 2201 was Unitas based Art. it doesnt change the way i feel about it as its far to big to wear. lovely watch for those with huge wrists though. best Graham
Agreed, Graham . . .
. . . a great watch but totally unwearable for the average guy and absolutely ridiculous on my wrist; still, the architecture of the movement is reminiscent of vintage Omega pocket-watch movements . . . cordially, Art
Very sculpted iteration of the movement.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Art. I very much like what Omega has done with the 6498 in this model. Cheers, Daos
Another view of the Unitas 6497....
Enjoyed your review, Daos, and this is, to me, though perhaps not "haute cuisine" either, enjoyable. It is a Schaumburg Art Nouveau DQT, the movement is modified and anthracited (is that even a word?). In titanium even at 44mm, is light and actually works...
Thanks for the photo!
I've never seen this watch before. The color of the case and movement is very cool! Cheers, Daos
