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  1. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Jun 21, 2021

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    With a big thanks to @abrod520 I managed to secure this beauty. Needs a new strap and a good service/ clean, but given it's spent the last 50 years sitting in a box, that's not unexpected.

    1241706-1012a9026194cc575181072abcb2963c.jpeg IMG_5817 (1).jpeg
     
  2. Mr_Orange

    Mr_Orange Jun 21, 2021

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    Cool. I like the Champion logo. Was it a limited edition, so to speak?
     
    Calibre11 likes this.
  3. Mspeedster

    Mspeedster Jun 21, 2021

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    Congrats! It's a beauty! :thumbsup:
     
    Calibre11 likes this.
  4. Hubert

    Hubert TAG Heuer Forums Moderator Staff Member Jun 21, 2021

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    Brad approves.
    [​IMG]
     
    automobilia42, Snowy, Yago and 5 others like this.
  5. Mr_Orange

    Mr_Orange Jun 21, 2021

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    What is the story here? It's not NOS but why has it been boxed for 50+ years?
     
  6. Ara

    Ara Jun 21, 2021

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    abrod520 and Calibre11 like this.
  7. thingziliketoo

    thingziliketoo Jun 21, 2021

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    Congratulations, cobranded watches are too cool
     
    Calibre11 likes this.
  8. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Jun 21, 2021

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    Here's some more information from the seller:

    "I inherited the Camaro from my father. He died in 1972, so I believe it is a 1960's vintage. He was in the wholesale automotive parts business- so this would have been a gift to him from the spark plug manufacturer. It has never been worn and is in the original box."

    "I believe what you’re seeing as “scuffs” are just the lighting. I don’t think it’s been out of the box more than a dozen times since 1970.

    As far as the band – maybe Champion Spark Plug put the band on. I can’t imagine that my Mom or Dad would have changed it, since it was never worn.

    Back in the late 1960’s there were Indianapolis 500 drivers that came to town as guests of Champion to do safe driving programs for high schools. They were here for about a week going to all the schools. In the evenings, my parents hosted dinner parties for the men and their friends. I was the most popular girl in elementary school because I had all sorts of stickers and toy cars from all the automotive giants of the day!

    My father/grandfather’s automotive supply business sponsored their visits to Norfolk/Portsmouth/Virginia Beach/Chesapeake area and I’m 90% sure this was a gift from those race car drivers to him for being their host."


    I suspect that the owner wore the watch a few times in the late 1960s (hence a few marks), but that it has sat in the box since at least 1972.
     
  9. Mspeedster

    Mspeedster Jun 21, 2021

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    Wow, that's a really cool back story to go with a super cool watch! :cool:
     
  10. Mr_Orange

    Mr_Orange Jun 21, 2021

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    Absolutely :thumbsup:. Congrats @Calibre11.
     
  11. kappa_md

    kappa_md Jun 21, 2021

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    W:)W!

    CHAMPION! For the Win! ::psy::
     
  12. HoltzPlatz

    HoltzPlatz Jun 21, 2021

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    Congratulations on this rare Camaro find! I just love how the Champion logo sits in the third subdial position so perfectly. I hope you keep it in that "permanent" collection box of yours.:thumbsup:
     
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  13. Mr_Orange

    Mr_Orange Jun 21, 2021

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    The strap is an oddity as it is clearly about 2-3mm too narrow for the lug width so is surely after market/non-OEM.
     
  14. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Jun 21, 2021

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    Agreed.
     
  15. Jim Dollares

    Jim Dollares Jun 22, 2021

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    Very very cool, big congrats on this nice find.

    Well done Adam for helping out, great when the community supports each other
     
    abrod520, HoltzPlatz and Calibre11 like this.
  16. Yago

    Yago Jun 22, 2021

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    What a great find, well done :thumbsup:
    Would love to hear more on how you were able to track down such a watch in Virginia of all places all the way from Australia :rolleyes:
     
  17. Mr_Orange

    Mr_Orange Jun 22, 2021

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    Yes, that seems like a story in itself.
     
  18. Yago

    Yago Jun 22, 2021

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    A double grain GF would sure complement nicely :D
     
  19. imagwai

    imagwai Jun 22, 2021

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    Congrats David, a great find, and a really nice watch.
     
  20. Snowy

    Snowy Jun 22, 2021

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    Great find.
    Champion logo makes happy.

    One day I want to find out Ref.1614 with Campion logo.
     
    D75D1B58-17EC-466B-83CF-51EC93E986B6.jpeg