Heuer Vintagce watch - what is it worth?

autotrader

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350659022163?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Considering a bid on this as I like the look of it but don't know what it is worth?

any ideas?

Wibbs

OK Autotrader, a few points here to be well wary of.
1, it's from the Ukraine and it's easier to find needles in a haystack than find genuine pieces from there.

2 While Heuer did indeed make some pilots wristwatches in WW2 they didn't look like that and were a lot smaller. This is a modern pocketwatch conversion into a wristwatch case. Read through his blurb and he admits this, which to be fair is rare from that neck of the woods. The only thing "original" about this piece is the movement. The case, dial hands etc are all new (and the wrong style for a 40's watch)

3. These conversions vary a lot in quality so you may well get bitten there. Pocketwatch movements don't always sit so well at the end of your arm so delicacy is going to be a problem.

4. Collectors avoid them like the very plague so they won't go up in value, if anything may drop.

If it was me AT I'd not go for it. Yea if I got it for say 200 quid and knew it was what it was, then fine, but they usually end up way higher. You'll notice the auction bidders are private, never a good sign and usually a sign of shilling to drive up the price.

autotrader

thanks for the very good advice Wibbs.

Any nice Pilot syle watches you'd recommend looking at?

I've also been looking at vintage Omega Seamasters. they look classy:D

Wibbs

autotrader wrote: »

thanks for the very good advice Wibbs.

No worries AT, it's bloody rare anyone can pay me that compliment, so it's worth commenting upon.

Any nice Pilot syle watches you'd recommend looking at?

That's a biiiiig subject AT. 30/40's stuff? The various luftwaffe aviator style are one area. This thread from the watchuseek forum shows off the type. Prices can vary from a couple of hundred quid for a Helvetia etc to thousands for Omega and Zenith examples. The handy thing about that type is that they're "modern" in size, around the 40 mm. Most "Pilots" watches of the period are a lot smaller. If that's the period you're after anyway. "Pilots" watches from that time are, or can be a real minefield for the unwary and the good stuff generally needs a good eye, luck and/or deep pockets these days. Some of the Longines and IWC stuff can hit twenty plus grand pretty easily. Maybe have a look at this site for examples to watch out for?

I've also been looking at vintage Omega Seamasters. they look classy:D

yea they most certainly are. While there are a couple of fakes doing the rounds, the seamasters may be a better bet for you. Easier to get and easier to spot the spurious ones(generally). Plus they have the Omega name attached so will keep their value and because they're more modern in design are generally more robust.

Maybe your best bet might be to have an oul trawl of ebay and get a list together of what appeals then post it here. There are enough odd nutty don't get out much bastids experts hereabouts that should steer you right.