vintage watch -$1000

[Grayland]

This guy seems to offer up some nice watches and appears pretty honest. His nice stuff sells quick.

http://www.watchcat.com/

 

[AB01]

Originally Posted by Jay Gatsby

I have a nice looking Seamaster from the 60s. I paid less than $400. Make sure the auction specifies when the watch was last serviced. Make sure the seller has good and several ratings. You can get a nice Omega for less than $500.

Or so I thought. "Recently serviced" on ebay is often untrue. The watch will work, mostly, but you'll need to pay more to get it actually serviced.

 

[venessian]

Originally Posted by AB01

Or so I thought. "Recently serviced" on ebay is often untrue. The watch will work, mostly, but you'll need to pay more to get it actually serviced.

+ 1.

 

[imatlas]

Originally Posted by venessian

+ 1.

It couldn't hurt to request a copy of the service receipt.

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by Jay Gatsby

Wow thanks for the advice guy who joined the forum two months ago after reading about it in a newspaper. Your advice is terrible. Practice.
Actually, his advice is better than yours. If you are a first time vintage watch buyer, do NOT go to eBay. There are so many things you need to know first about vintage watches, and how to spot frankenwatches, bad refinishes, early corrosion, poor restorations/servicing, and outright fakes. Yes it is true the occasional prize comes up on eBay, but they are as rare as hen's teeth and quickly swamped by the well-informed watch hunters and end high, albeit not as high as the 'mint' 'serviced' 'like NOS' Omega Seamaster out of Singapore with mismatched hands, a poorly refinished dial, and a poor polish job that has removed all the fine case detail.

 

[robinsongreen68]

if you're in the UK, look at tz-uk. a vintage rolex air king or oysterdate can be had around £700-£800, which is one of the great bargains of the watch world iMO.

 

[Superfluous]

Any solid gold vintage watch recommendations for under $1500?

 

[pendragon]

It depends on your taste. If you want a vintage gold dress watch, LeCoultre make some nice ones that sell for that price on eBay.

On the other hand, if you like the pilot / marine watches that are currently fashionable, you might as well buy new. Stowa, Precista and a host of others are making homages in those vintage styles with modern movements that will require less maintenance. (Movements in general have improved considerably, so modern Chinese movements like Seagull are probably better than any vintage Swiss marque.)

Personally, I just sold my vintage Omega, because the brand was becoming too popular for my taste and prices are high. I'm looking for a modern replacement now, and I am leaning towards Dornbluth or Nomos Glaschutte.

 

[Superfluous]

So I ended up buying one. I'll post pics once I receive it and have it checked out by a watch man.

 

[imatlas]

Originally Posted by Tony Romo

So I ended up buying one. I'll post pics once I receive it and have it checked out by a watch man.

"One" what?

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Originally Posted by Jay Gatsby

Also http://www.coolvintagewatches.com/

Very good site....thanks.

 

[Superfluous]

So this wasn't quite under $1k, but here's the watch I finally ended up with. Just thought I'd share.

Early 1960s, Solid 18k Rose Gold, IWC Cal.89

 

[poorsod]

Originally Posted by Tony Romo

So this wasn't quite under $1k, but here's the watch I finally ended up with. Just thought I'd share.

Early 1960s, Solid 18k Rose Gold, IWC Cal.89

Where did you find it?

 

[TheTukker]

Very nice!