Starting a collection
Discussion
I have always loved watches and now I would like to start a collection of vintage watches.
I will be starting with a limited watch fund and wondered if anyone had any advice on how to go about it.I know a lot of it is down to individual taste but I don't really want to trawl about on Ebay and just end up with a load of old tat.
I will be starting with a limited watch fund and wondered if anyone had any advice on how to go about it.I know a lot of it is down to individual taste but I don't really want to trawl about on Ebay and just end up with a load of old tat.
I suppose the first obvious answer is research research research.
Over on WUS (watch you seek) there are brand specific forums, as well as one for vintage watches. Find the ones you like and learn the tells so you can confirm you're not buying a franken watch or fake. Or buy from a reputable vintage dealer. Personally I'd start with something vintage Omega. They have lots of models for only a few hundred, some beautiful movements/designs and also interesting pieces like the f300 tuning fork models.
Over on WUS (watch you seek) there are brand specific forums, as well as one for vintage watches. Find the ones you like and learn the tells so you can confirm you're not buying a franken watch or fake. Or buy from a reputable vintage dealer. Personally I'd start with something vintage Omega. They have lots of models for only a few hundred, some beautiful movements/designs and also interesting pieces like the f300 tuning fork models.
It'll get you £200 worth of vintage watch, that's for sure.
What sort of collection - have you any preferences already - dressy watches, particular make or period, military, auto, chrono, auto-chrono, divers etc etc. A collection doesn't have to have a theme - they are what they are, but an idea of what sort of thing you're looking for helps.
The advantage of collecting older watches is that there is something interesting at pretty much every price point though, and it opens things up so much in terms of choice.
For a few hundred quid you've probably got Seiko divers, a few military watches, left field choices from LePhare or BWC or countless others, classics like the Omegas and oddballs like a Skylab Seiko digital.
You'll not lose money, (much, anyway), as values are fairly constant, but to avoid buying a dog you have to bone up on the subject and get as much detail as you can, but that should be part of the fun.
As Mr Lebowski said to Mr Lebowski 'only you sir can help your self'.
What sort of collection - have you any preferences already - dressy watches, particular make or period, military, auto, chrono, auto-chrono, divers etc etc. A collection doesn't have to have a theme - they are what they are, but an idea of what sort of thing you're looking for helps.
The advantage of collecting older watches is that there is something interesting at pretty much every price point though, and it opens things up so much in terms of choice.
For a few hundred quid you've probably got Seiko divers, a few military watches, left field choices from LePhare or BWC or countless others, classics like the Omegas and oddballs like a Skylab Seiko digital.
You'll not lose money, (much, anyway), as values are fairly constant, but to avoid buying a dog you have to bone up on the subject and get as much detail as you can, but that should be part of the fun.
As Mr Lebowski said to Mr Lebowski 'only you sir can help your self'.
andy_s said:
What sort of collection - have you any preferences already - dressy watches, particular make or period, military, auto, chrono, auto-chrono, divers etc etc. A collection doesn't have to have a theme - they are what they are, but an idea of what sort of thing you're looking for helps.
The advantage of collecting older watches is that there is something interesting at pretty much every price point though, and it opens things up so much in terms of choice.
Interested in auto, chrono and auto chrono.The advantage of collecting older watches is that there is something interesting at pretty much every price point though, and it opens things up so much in terms of choice.
I think the appeal of a vintage watch is the places that watch may have been.I realise I will never find out the history of most old watches but it adds to their appeal to me.My own GMT Master has crossed most of the worlds oceans which I think makes it more than just a watch.Something that is hard to explain.
Edited by P7ULG on Friday 16th September 14:29
P7ULG said:
Interested in auto, chrono and auto chrono.
I think the appeal of a vintage watch is the places that watch may have been.I realise I will never find out the history of most old watches but it adds to their appeal to me.My own GMT Master has crossed most of the worlds oceans which I think makes it more than just a watch.Something that is hard to explain.
None of the 12 WWII issue watches were automatic, nor are they chronos, but these along with some of the CWC current or recent issue ones fall around a few hundred - I think the appeal of a vintage watch is the places that watch may have been.I realise I will never find out the history of most old watches but it adds to their appeal to me.My own GMT Master has crossed most of the worlds oceans which I think makes it more than just a watch.Something that is hard to explain.
Buren 200-400
Cyma 200-400
Record 150-300
Timor 200-350
Vertex 250-350
Potentially loads of history but not automatic.
Here were the prices in 1996 out of interest -
Buren 60-70
Cyma 80-100
Record 50-60
Timor 50-60
Vertex 60-70
But as everyone says, you need to find out what floats your boat really. Go and have a look at watchspotblog, where Richard dissects and explains many of the more discrete brands, many of which are quite affordable.
andy_s said:
None of the 12 WWII issue watches were automatic, nor are they chronos, but these along with some of the CWC current or recent issue ones fall around a few hundred -
Buren 200-400
Cyma 200-400
Record 150-300
Timor 200-350
Vertex 250-350
Potentially loads of history but not automatic.
Here were the prices in 1996 out of interest -
Buren 60-70
Cyma 80-100
Record 50-60
Timor 50-60
Vertex 60-70
But as everyone says, you need to find out what floats your boat really. Go and have a look at watchspotblog, where Richard dissects and explains many of the more discrete brands, many of which are quite affordable.
Cheers Andy Buren 200-400
Cyma 200-400
Record 150-300
Timor 200-350
Vertex 250-350
Potentially loads of history but not automatic.
Here were the prices in 1996 out of interest -
Buren 60-70
Cyma 80-100
Record 50-60
Timor 50-60
Vertex 60-70
But as everyone says, you need to find out what floats your boat really. Go and have a look at watchspotblog, where Richard dissects and explains many of the more discrete brands, many of which are quite affordable.
It's difficult to get a good mechanical chronograph for under £200 and it costs about twice as much as a non-chronograph mechanical watch to get it serviced.
There are some lovely 70s made Citizen's and Seiko's in your budget, but a lot of them on ebay will have aftermarket dials and have been re-built a few times, not always by particularly competent people.
Fear not though! There are some good ones around. I have always wanted a Seiko bullhead. I think one of those would be a great start to your collection.
Have a read of this thread:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f281/how-buy-seiko-61...
There are some lovely 70s made Citizen's and Seiko's in your budget, but a lot of them on ebay will have aftermarket dials and have been re-built a few times, not always by particularly competent people.
Fear not though! There are some good ones around. I have always wanted a Seiko bullhead. I think one of those would be a great start to your collection.
Have a read of this thread:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f281/how-buy-seiko-61...
Two nice looking watches there, I'm particulary like the Seiko.
When I was eleven year old I got a mechanical chronograph as a reward for going to grammar school, probably what started me on the road to the present obsession. It was from a local jeweller and was sold with their name on it. How I wish I had taken better care of it
When I was eleven year old I got a mechanical chronograph as a reward for going to grammar school, probably what started me on the road to the present obsession. It was from a local jeweller and was sold with their name on it. How I wish I had taken better care of it
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