GSTP

[Micheal Doyne]

So I have bought a Grana GSTP, it is running but the crystal face is a trifle yellowed, it wasn’t a considered purchase, and I know nothing of these. What can I/should I do to reduce the yellowing, is this correct for my no4t CES?

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[Micheal Doyne]

Attachment 103008

And the photo I should have included originally..!

[Terrylee]

Personally, I wouldn't touch it. The yellowed face is the hallmark of its originality.

[Peter Laidler]

As for originality, I would say that by the time the No4T's came on stream the issue wristwatches were the old mechanical W10-VB 100-- series from the usual 12 manufacturers - including Buren at the lower end of the scale. They had WWW on the rear for Watches, Wristlet, Waterproof. Let me know if you ever find a waterproof one!!!!! These ranged from Omega at the top end, Longines (both superb quality with a similar 30T2 movement that could and still do, hold ther own for reliability and quality), Jaeger le Coutre, Vertex, Record, Eterna, Buren and a few more. Later, in the late 50's early 60's or so the expensive Swiss watches were replaced by Smiths and Hamiltons and then the cheapo quartz, Precista, Pulsar and CWC. Where were we.........? Oh yes, wristwatches.

It was always said that after your basic training, everyone should have been given £20 or so and told to go and buy a wristwatch. That'd save the army buying and maintaining them - and the crunchies losing them

[bigduke6]

I think I posted something similar below regarding the "Dirty Dozen"

In Depth: The story of “The Dirty Dozen” - The First Wristwatches Specially Commissioned for the British Army

[gsimmons]

To answer Michaels question, the Crystal is made of celluloid and they yellow over time. When they decompose they cause the hands and other steel parts directly exposed to rust. Have it replaced by your watchmaker/jeweller on the high street.

[Micheal Doyne]

Sadly one (or more) of the dirty dozen would be outside my budget today. In the 1951 sniping training pamphlet figure 10 shows the sniper equipment with item nine being what appears to be a pocket watch but which is labelled Watch, G.S.
I am assuming the figure is a hangover from an older iteration. Would the pocket watch have been GSTP like my impulse buy or am I clutching at straws?

[Peter Laidler]

I'm glad that you came on board Gary. Good advice. Any comments about Buren. The most common WWW's we used to see and rebuild were the Vertex.

Just read Geoffs article. I'd forgotten about some of the watches without a makers name on the dial. We had replacement dials fopr OMEGA with the Omega and sign omitted but simply marked 10033. These seem to be the dials used when the radium loaded dials were replaced. Oh yes, we took the old dials off - with our fingers of course - and simply bunged them into the bin next to your work bench. Along with the radium filled illuminated tank sights and dials...........

Interesting

[Micheal Doyne]

Attachment 103019
Photo if item 9

[gsimmons]

Sadly one (or more) of the dirty dozen would be outside my budget today. In the 1951 sniping training pamphlet figure 10 shows the sniper equipment with item nine being what appears to be a pocket watch but which is labelled Watch, G.S.
I am assuming the figure is a hangover from an older iteration. Would the pocket watch have been GSTP like my impulse buy or am I clutching at straws?

Yes, the watch you purchased is a Watch, G.S. GSTP, from what I’ve found means general service temporary pattern, because were trying to gather as many watches as they could for service. Peter may be able to add more to this.