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Old 18 April 2019, 09:10 PM   #1
mackychase
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Icon3 A piece of Libyan history: a watch from Muammar Gaddafi

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DISCLAIMER: this post does not intend to ignite any sort of political discussion whatsoever. I have read and understood the rules of this forum and I am posting this merely for the purposes of appreciating a vintage timepiece and a piece of history, sans political views. Thank you. :)
In 1976, my father was the first Asian journalist to interview the then reclusive and controversial Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi. Apart from the priceless opportunity of interviewing a prominent and sought-after political figure during the period, he was also given a watch that came from Gaddafi's own wrist:







It's a Zurex with Pola Spot filter (which is probably where the "floating second hand" is printed on).


Here's the movement and the appearing/disappearing face of Gaddafi:
https://youtu.be/PLNat5L4Tks

The story was, during the course of the interview, my dad pointed out if it was the late Libyan leader's face on the watch to which Gaddafi replied, "yes, that is me." He then took it off his wrist and gave it to my dad. My dad initially refused but Gaddafi insisted he take an additional souvenir (aside from the photos).

My dad has never worn the watch since that day and has kept it along with his other personal effects. It's still running to this day despite not receiving any form of service.

Did a bit of a research as to the pedigree of the actual watch. I don't really know much about Zurex brand watches other than they were produced until the late 70s and seems like a Swiss version of Seiko (but if anybody here does know better, please do correct me :) ). So I believe the watch per se is not really that valuable other than the piece of history attached to it.
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Old 18 April 2019, 09:15 PM   #2
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Funny that.

Just finished a book by Anick Cojean's Gadaffi's Harem.

Interesting.

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Old 18 April 2019, 10:02 PM   #3
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He probably had a box of them, narcissistic Gaddafi is narcissistic
:)
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Old 18 April 2019, 10:24 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mackychase View Post
So I believe the watch per se is not really that valuable other than the piece of history attached to it.


Prolly true - the last one sold on eBay went for $15 US with a €13 ship fee.

The plastic polarizing disk was used to mask/unmask some interesting dial prints.

Getting it serviced could be a challenge.


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Old 18 April 2019, 10:28 PM   #5
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Prolly true - the last one sold on eBay went for $15 US with a €13 ship fee.

The plastic polarizing disk was used to mask/unmask some interesting dial prints.

Getting it serviced could be a challenge.


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Oh then it’s the same principle as that of a polarizing filter in a camera.


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Old 18 April 2019, 10:29 PM   #6
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He probably had a box of them, narcissistic Gaddafi is narcissistic
:)


Probably a truckload


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Old 18 April 2019, 10:37 PM   #7
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A piece of Libyan history: a watch from Muammar Gaddafi

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Originally Posted by mackychase View Post
Oh then it’s the same principle as that of a polarizing filter in a camera.


Yes in a way.

As you know a polarizing camera lens filter screws onto the front of the lens and has two panes of round glass. One is fixed and one rotating. As you rotate the outter pane/ring, the reflections in any surface in the subject matter will “magically” disappear.

In this Zurex case, the acrylic watch crystal is polarized in a 12-6 o’clock manner. The second polarized disc is a superthin plastic and has that “floating seconds” arrow printed on it. It is mounted just above the dial and beneath the hand-stack. That disk rotates because it is on an arbor connected to the gear train’s seconds gear. As the polarizing disk rotates it reveals, then obscures, the printed dial.


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Old 19 April 2019, 12:37 PM   #8
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Yes in a way.

As you know a polarizing camera lens filter screws onto the front of the lens and has two panes of round glass. One is fixed and one rotating. As you rotate the outter pane/ring, the reflections in any surface in the subject matter will “magically” disappear.

In this Zurex case, the acrylic watch crystal is polarized in a 12-6 o’clock manner. The second polarized disc is a superthin plastic and has that “floating seconds” arrow printed on it. It is mounted just above the dial and beneath the hand-stack. That disk rotates because it is on an arbor connected to the gear train’s seconds gear. As the polarizing disk rotates it reveals, then obscures, the printed dial.


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Wow, thank you for the enlightenment! I now have a clearer picture of how it actually works.


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