Vintage Everite Watch

Got this vintage Swiss made quartz watch at a bargain on Ebay (where else). Stainless steel with gold coloured plating, it still runs perfectly without any loss of time. Estimated to be from between late 1960s to early 1970s.

Found out that 'Everite' was the store brand of H. Samuel of Manchester. Many of them are either solid gold or gold plated but you can get them between £30-£100 on the net.

UPDATE: I am now selling this watch on ebay UK http://r.ebay.com/FWw76k SOLD

Favre Leuba Sea King

I love vintage watches and while ebaying, noticed this nice looking Favre Leuba Sea King manually wound watch. I have heard of the brand before but it was ridiculously cheap.

This Swiss watch brand was really popular in India and I remember hearing that Indian company Titan bought the company in 2011. Not sure how old this watch is, the seller only mentions "vintage (1920-1970)" but I have seen another similar one on a website from 1959. Plus the fact that the seller was from India made me quite suspicious but I decided to take a punt and buy it.

It took several days to reach and was getting a little worried when I finally received it. It was nice and shiny with a brand new leather strap.

I do not really like the huge heavy watches so popular now but I think that it is a bit too small (Case is 34mm including the crown). See the comparison to my old Tissot PR50.


The face is repainted and looks ok but if you examine it in detail, you will realise that some of the dots (for the minutes) are far from professional. They are all over the place. It also does not have the words "Swiss Made" which I see on other original and unpainted Favre Leuba watches.




As for the movement, it has the Favre-Leuba 101 shock protected, antimagnetic movement.

Wound up the watch and it was ticking. However, a few hours later it was dead. I really felt cheated and complained to the seller and he was willing to refund the money but I would have to send it back. It was not worth the effort and I took it to a small watch shop in Coventry city centre. The seller refunded £5 pounds.

The watch shop took it's time but I finally got it back this week. They replaced a spring and have serviced it - all for just £30.

I first thought of selling it on for around £100 and making a small profit but after wearing it couple of times, it has grown on me.

My first vintage manually wound watch.

Where to find recycled Cycles in Coventry

Updated : 21 May 2013

So far I know of 3 places where you can recycle your old bike or buy a recycled bike in Coventry:

Coventry recycled cycles

Bike Workshop

The Re-Cycle project - Coventry Jesus Centre

I have also seen nice looking bikes on the back of the scrap metal trucks several times. They might be willing to sell it to you for a couple of quid if you are into restoring.

Look at the Freecycle Coventry site. I have noticed people giving away old bikes a couple of times. You will need to sign up. I once got a really nice mountain bike through the site, while I was studying at Warwick Univ.

54 Cox street demolished

One of the old Coventry University buildings has been demolished. Pictures were taken on my way back home from the #13 bus.

On the 12th of September

Completely gone on the 17th of September.

On 16th of October.

What's going to come up in it's place?


Today was also my blog's anniversary. I have been blogging for 9 years today.

Boos for George Osborne

Chancellor George Osborne was greeted with loud boos during the medal distribution ceremony. Is that an uncomfortable smile from the Marketing Director of BMW UK?

Lake District August 2012 - Day 3

On the 3rd and Final day at the Lake District

Took the Red cruise this time and got down at Brockhole.










Amberside Pier




World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness





Knock Knock


Was a bit disappointing. I thought the ticket prices were a bit too steep and children were not allowed to touch the exhibits even though I guess their main target audience are young children. My wife found it a bit claustrophobic as well.

However, my daughter was quite happy as she was able to add two more badges to her collection.

That was the last venue on our visit to the Lake District and we then set off for home .

We will definitely be back again.

Lake District August 2012

We recently visited the Lake district, a well deserved vacation and the first in the last 2 years. The last real vacation we had was our visit to Edinburgh in 2009.

Here are some pics from our trip:

The trip from our house to the hotel near Kendal took nearly 4 hours. After we had checked into the hotel we rested for a while and then drove down to Windmere, England's largest lake which is ten and a half miles long and 219 feet at the deepest part. We took the Blue cruise (also called the Island cruise).




It was a bit cloudy with light rain with intermittent dry spells but we enjoyed it all the same.















Day 2: at the Maize Maze farm

At Fell Feet National park







Rowing after more than 10 years - not easy but finally got the hang of it.


In Kendal