Vintage Suggestions Sought

[loafer123]

I am a watch fan with a Rolex Sea Dweller, JLC Reverso Duo, 1970s Omega Seamaster and an unusual Cuervo y Sobrinos pre-communist Cuban Swiss 17j movement watch, currently broken.

My nephew is shortly turning 18 and I thought a vintage watch might be a good alternative to a fountain pen, now no-one writes.

Budget around £200-250.

What suggestions do you have...?

[GC8]

£200 will easily get a 1960s-70s Omega. Occasionally people ask for overly-speculative prices, but there are plenty of decent watches for this price and under, and hopefully within budget even after a service (but not with Swatch/Omega, obviously!).

Unfortunately, size is usually not inversely proportional to cost. Larger = dearer, even if not necessarily better, because they are regarded as 'being more wearable' (and they carry far greater bragging rights, although few will admit this).

[marcosgt]

GC8 said:

£200 will easily get a 1960s-70s Omega. Occasionally people ask for overly-speculative prices, but there are plenty of decent watches for this price and under, and hopefully within budget even after a service (but not with Swatch/Omega, obviously!).

Unfortunately, size is usually not inversely proportional to cost. Larger = dearer, even if not necessarily better, because they are regarded as 'being more wearable' (and they carry far greater bragging rights, although few will admit this).

I think you'll be lucky to find a GOOD 1960s/1970s Omega for £200. For that, I think you'll need another £100.

If you do, snap it up, whether it's for someone else or yourself!

Longines and Tissot (amongst others) made good watches in that era and probably are obtainable for £200.

M.

[GC8]

Good is certainly a subjective term. Not that long ago I bought a superb Chronostop for £250. Excellent examples are available, but they may not be what the OP or you are looking for.

I like the cal.601/611, but others may dismiss a manual winding movement.

[andy_s]

For that money I'd be looking left field vintage, BWC, Yema, LIP or similar for example. Question is though whether he'd like / 'appreciate' it...

[marcosgt]

GC8 said:

Good is certainly a subjective term. Not that long ago I bought a superb Chronostop for £250. Excellent examples are available, but they may not be what the OP or you are looking for.

I like the cal.601/611, but others may dismiss a manual winding movement.

Indeed, but a quick trawl around the Web suggests you did very well there and it won't be easy to find another.

Hand wound Omegas are available under £300, though, in reasonable condition (keep away from Indian, Phillipines or Peruvian ones in the main, often bodged up "Frankenwatches", unless you really know your stuff).

I'm not sure an 18 year old would 'get' one though, to be honest, they're a bit plain and old manish, I suspect (I have a few, so I'm not commenting on the people who do buy them, although I'm sure most 18 year olds would think I am an old man! )

M

Edited by marcosgt on Monday 1st December 17:13

[loafer123]

Thanks, all.

I shall have a think...!

[Jayho]

Hi,

Sorry to Hijack this thread a little. I'm currently in the same situation. I've got quite a few "designer" watches etc, but would really like to upmarket my watch collection a little. Spending thousands just now is just being silly for me. So I'm looking to go into more vintage offerings. Can anyone recommend a good place to start looking for genuine vintage watches at a decent enough price? And any certain ones which I should look out for? I quite like the more classic/timeless designs. I'd probably quite like a leather strap (But completely open to suggestions) as my current daily watch is a metal Cyma.

Cheers

[ADP68]

lots on here:
http://www.vintage-watches-collection.com/

[Jayho]

ADP68 said:

lots on here:
http://www.vintage-watches-collection.com/

Thank you very much, found a few on there which I like. Found a nice Omega Seamaster on the year of my birth which is rather unique. I'll have a good look tonight and hopefully find something I want

[loafer123]

As a follow up, I just bought him a Bulova - nice looking watch with a nice patina.

[GC8]

marcosgt said:

GC8 said:

Good is certainly a subjective term. Not that long ago I bought a superb Chronostop for £250. Excellent examples are available, but they may not be what the OP or you are looking for.

I like the cal.601/611, but others may dismiss a manual winding movement.

Indeed, but a quick trawl around the Web suggests you did very well there and it won't be easy to find another.

Hand wound Omegas are available under £300, though, in reasonable condition (keep away from Indian, Phillipines or Peruvian ones in the main, often bodged up "Frankenwatches", unless you really know your stuff).

Thanks. but I have a safe full of the watches described, all bought at the prices mentioned. I see that you feel that you know more than me, but I believe that you do not.

[mikeveal]

Jayho said:

Hi,

Sorry to Hijack this thread a little. I'm currently in the same situation. I've got quite a few "designer" watches etc, but would really like to upmarket my watch collection a little. Spending thousands just now is just being silly for me. So I'm looking to go into more vintage offerings. Can anyone recommend a good place to start looking for genuine vintage watches at a decent enough price? And any certain ones which I should look out for? I quite like the more classic/timeless designs. I'd probably quite like a leather strap (But completely open to suggestions) as my current daily watch is a metal Cyma.

Cheers

Ebay.

But...
Don't buy the first watch you see.
Never buy from India / Phillipines the watches are usually badly refurbished Frankenwatches.
As a general rule, avoid watches from a humid climate. Never buy a watch without a movement picture.

Decide what you want to collect. Will you be happy with refurbished vintage? Or is it original only? How about condition? Patina or perfect?

Research what you're buying. Look at lots of the same model to get an idea of how the watch should look. If you're after all original, you should avoid Omega until you have some experience, there are too many Franken watches out there.
Good quality brands to start with are Hamilton, Bulova, Gruen, Wittnaeur. Basically the really big names attract big money and that attracts the fraudsters / tarter-uppers.

Find a good watch repairer and always factor the cost of a service into your purchase. It is likely that your purchase will need to go away for a clean up soon after you receive it.

Lastly, if you're not sure about a watch - ask. If we can offer a useful opinion we will.

[Jayho]

mikeveal said:

Ebay.

But...
Don't buy the first watch you see.
Never buy from India / Phillipines the watches are usually badly refurbished Frankenwatches.
As a general rule, avoid watches from a humid climate. Never buy a watch without a movement picture.

Decide what you want to collect. Will you be happy with refurbished vintage? Or is it original only? How about condition? Patina or perfect?

Research what you're buying. Look at lots of the same model to get an idea of how the watch should look. If you're after all original, you should avoid Omega until you have some experience, there are too many Franken watches out there.
Good quality brands to start with are Hamilton, Bulova, Gruen, Wittnaeur. Basically the really big names attract big money and that attracts the fraudsters / tarter-uppers.

Find a good watch repairer and always factor the cost of a service into your purchase. It is likely that your purchase will need to go away for a clean up soon after you receive it.

Lastly, if you're not sure about a watch - ask. If we can offer a useful opinion we will.

Thanks for the Reply Mike. I've decided against a vintage/luxury watch for the time being. Sensible head has taken over and decided to not take anything more out of my flat deposit fund, so what I've got just now will do. Probably will be saving on the side specifically for a watch now though, and will be keeping my eyes peeled for anything which tickles my fancy.

[marcosgt]

GC8 said:

marcosgt said:

GC8 said:

Good is certainly a subjective term. Not that long ago I bought a superb Chronostop for £250. Excellent examples are available, but they may not be what the OP or you are looking for.

I like the cal.601/611, but others may dismiss a manual winding movement.

Indeed, but a quick trawl around the Web suggests you did very well there and it won't be easy to find another.

Hand wound Omegas are available under £300, though, in reasonable condition (keep away from Indian, Phillipines or Peruvian ones in the main, often bodged up "Frankenwatches", unless you really know your stuff).

Thanks. but I have a safe full of the watches described, all bought at the prices mentioned. I see that you feel that you know more than me, but I believe that you do not.

I'm very happy for you.

Where do you find all these bargains?

M.

[mikeveal]

What???
You can't be sensible here. We won't allow it.

I'll just leave these images to help you off the straight and narrow:
Currently about £60 including postage and import tax on ebay:



£127 + postage + 20% import tax. Or best offer (here)...



Here's a 1971 Bulova. Currently £120 + £20 postage + 20% import. Here.




Wittnauer £52 Currently. £8 postage 20% import duty.





Finally, here's a Rado Diastar from the mid 1960's with a faceted saphire crystal and a tungsten case. Utterly scratch proofed stylish bling for £191.