Budget watch

[Gwarg]

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for a vintage automatic/winding watch for under £300/$500
I'm finding it hard to get an Omega Seamaster in good enough condition at this price point.
I'm looking for this kind of thing:
http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-con...mega-watch.jpg
I also like the look of some vintage Longines watches, such as this:
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/7017/dsc00663sd0.jpg

Does anyone have any alternatives or good vintage watch sites?

Thanks.

 

[computerpro3]

I will be watching this carefully. I love those vintage Omega's but don't know enough in regard to reconditioning to know if the ones on ebay are well restored or shoddily put together, which will kill the watches value.

 

[Coal_Mining_Polak]

A great sleeper is a 1950's-60's automatic Lord Elgin. Keep an eye out on eBay for a reputable seller. They made a wide variety of dials and cases but all the movements are superb.

 

[Gwarg]

Thanks, I'll keep checking.
Is Wittnauer any good?

 

[Coal_Mining_Polak]

Wittnauers were made by Longines back in the day and if well-preserved would also be a good option. Gruen, Bulova, and Benrus all made great watches too - there are a lot of great deals out there if you're patient and well-versed in brands.

 

[in stitches]

Originally Posted by Gwarg

Thanks, I'll keep checking.
Is Wittnauer any good?

the older ones are ok the newer ones not so much, look into vintage omega as well try ebay

 

[Gwarg]

What about Hamilton or Girard-Perregaux? Some of them seem quite good.

 

[phailing101]

What is the reputation of the vintage (1940s-60s) International Watch Company watches? They are gorgeous and come up quite often on ebay.....they seem to get a lot of action on there too.

 

[blahman]

300 quid watch is a budget wath here? God I feel so underpaid.

 

[Mr. Lee]

You must be careful about vintage watches unless they have been recently completely worked over. I bought one that was represented as keeping good time and it took me $250 to get it to do so. Watches are finicky and don't age well. I recommend a good value automatic such as a Louis Erard which have a nice price point at about $650 (US). Also, if you want a quality used watch (not vintage but gently worn, usually), I recommend a website: www.watchuseek.com I have bought and sold about 6-8 watches there and the fellows on the site are great about disclosing condition and asking fair prices.

 

[Gwarg]

Thanks everyone, just ordered a seamaster from Timezone for $420, it should come soon

 

[SirGrotius]

Originally Posted by Gwarg

Thanks everyone, just ordered a seamaster from Timezone for $420, it should come soon

Good choice. I have the black SMP and it never leaves my wrist.