Since I have no experience with such a high grade watch, my opinion doesn't count for much, but I just had to mention that even as a new collector, I know an OUTSTANDING watch when I see one!

It is simply GORGEOUS!

A monogram makes no difference to me, actually it ADDS to a watch for me.

So in the end, it really IS in the eye of the beholder.
(And the PRISTINE condition yours is in)

When I see watches like the ones shown here, it's
more than I can stand. I am green with envy too, but am so thankful that they are in the hands of people that really care about them.

I can't grade a watch, or give it a name, but I sure do appreciate you sharing yours with us all.

Seeing Watches like this make me feel warm and fuzzy all day!

Lindell,
Thanks. If you would conduct a poll and ask this question, "How does this watch rank overall among all the 992B that you have seen", I would guess that very few collectors have seen one this nice!

I believe that establishing a "NAWCC" sponsored grading system should be near the top of our priority list.

Here we have a outstanding hobby with thousands of collectors but no standardized method of grading watches.

This would eliminate the coin grading phrase "Mint" that is so commonly used today to describe watches and watch components.

Robert

Hi Robert,
According to Shugart's Complete Price Guide to Watches, he devised a "Grading Watches" list. Scroll upwards to see the "Grading Watches" list I posted above.

David beautiful watch Call it mint because it is just that, mint condition...

My vote is that the jeweler polished the case after engraving it. After all, you would want the owner to say" WOW!"

Terry and others,

Sorry for the delay in posting addtional pictures but I am having a very difficult time getting a clean shot of the edge. Too much glare. The edge keeps trying to catch the light. I am posting the best I could come up with.

Incidentally, from looking the case over as we have discussed this watch, it is "POSSIBLE" that when tilted in the light just right and using a 10X loupe, I am seeing the faintest reminents of brush marks. Too hard to tell with certainty. It makes me wonder if possibly the jeweler that engraved the monogram buffed the case with the intention of polishing away the factory finish.?.?.?.?

The edge of the case and stamped "pie crust" design actually looks sharper in hand.

3

4

David,
thank you for the additional images..

it is as i suspected.. the little nuiances(sp) are best seen in hand...

But .. what a sharp crown! and the flat edge on the case where it meets the center ring shows no appreciable wear..

what is difficult to determine is just 'how much' buffing has been done.. i was hoping the intersection of the case back and the engraved ring before the pie crust would help to tell... but it is gonna have to be an in hand inspection...

Gee the more pictures I see, the more I'm leaning towards Mint!