Eterna-Matic gift by Saddam.

[MYK]

Found this at a friend's watch shop, he is offering it to me at a reasonable price. Everything on it seems to be original except for the end link on the 6 oclock.

It was a gift by the regime of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain.



It is still working, any information about it would be highly appreciated. I don't think I would wear it considering the logo but still, I find it very interesting.

[John MS]

How does the seller establish provenance from the gifter to him? A logo on a watch does not show how the watch was given. The market for counterfeit political items is unfortunately quite large so do research before buying. Artifacts from former despotic regimes like those headed by Hussein, Mussolini and Adolph H. fascinate some collectors so there are lots of fakes being made complete with supporting docementation to satisfy that demand.

[john87300]

I've seen a couple of this type of face over the last few months, none gave a brand name, all were sold as "gifts of Saddam Hussein". From memory the others looked like "re-worked" unbranded watches.

[Janne]

What does it say above the picture?

[mike184]

Hi!

In Arabic countries exists a use in nobel houses and state run institutions to give a watch as present to special guests. Therefore there was and is a large variety of watches with specially customised dials.
This one shows the Iraqi Coat of Arms being used 1962 - 1991.
The threadstarter claims it is "a gift by the regime of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain", not that the watch was gifted by Hussain personally, which is surely true - except the word "late", because 1991 - 2002, another version was used as you can see in the link above.

[Janne]

When somebody is dead, like Mr Hussein, it is said " late Mr Hussein".
It does not reflect the age of the item.

[Mark020]

I have a very similar one (and recognise the poor quality of the endlinks) and a friend has another one. Does 'yours' have an inscription on the back? First picture is mine. Second is friends'.

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[mike184]

When somebody is dead, like Mr Hussein, it is said " late Mr Hussein".
It does not reflect the age of the item.

Thanx for the English lesson!
In German it´s completely different, the addition of "spät"(late) would characterise a late period of his life.

[Janne]

Thanx for the English lesson!
In German it´s completely different, the addition of "spät"(late) would characterise a late period of his life.

Always happy to help!

The English language is sometimes a mystery to me too.....

[MYK]

yes, it says ministry of defense .. in arabic
وزارة الدفاع