Vintage watch - approx €500

Gally NuNu

Hi, I am fascinated by older second hand watches and the history that goes with them. Especially the watches from the 40s and 50s. Just wondering on cost accuracy and reliability ?

Wibbs

Big subject G.

Cost? Depends a lot on the individual watch and model. From 100 euro to 1,000000 euro. For 500 quid you could have some nice choices though.

Accuracy? Again it depends on the watch, it's quality of movement and the levels of wear and tear. EG a daily worn watch for the last 40-50 years will have less accuracy and be capable of less accuracy compared to one only taken out the odd time. A half decent movement/watch won't be quartz accurate, but close enough for normal use, from a few seconds out a day to a minute.

Reliability? Again depends on the movement/model. A 50's rolex would be pretty damned reliable. Ditto for Omega, Longines and a few others.

Upsides? They tend to hold their value and a good example will grow in value and there's the history as you mention and craftmanship can be higher too.

Downsides? They won't be waterproof, unless you get a vintage divers watch and get it fully overhauled with new seals etc. Watches back in the day were generally smaller than the fashion today, so if you have large wrists they can look odd in todays world. Still a number of vintage models can be had that are closer to todays sizes(40mm), but tend to be more expensive because of that.

Personal picks? I'd say look at dress watched as they're not so sought after at the mo. Names I'd look at would be Omega, Zenith and Longines. Longines in particular are very undervalued IMHO. Sometimes half the price of a similar Omega and often of much higher quality.

Menas

To add to what Wibbs has said....
I would target a watch for about 400 and then spend 120 on getting it serviced once you get it. A freshly serviced watch should be good for a number of years and the watchmaker will rate it to a good degree of accuracy.

If you want a vintage for the long term then go with one of the brand names mentioned above. Easier to source parts etc and their reliability is proven.

The final question will be where do you buy one? Buying from a dealer will give some peace of mind in the short term (if it fails in the first few months you should be able to bring it back to them) but peace of mind comes with a hell of a cost premium.
If you buy on line you will likely get a much bigger bang for your buck. But watch those postage costs and do your research on the model you are buying. Finally look closely at the seller. A good seller with a history of selling similar watchs is a good bet. A 'new' buyer or one with negative rating is a big risk.


Good luck!

blindsider

Lots of Longines on ebay:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/RARE-LONGINES-GRAND-PRIZE-AUTO-14-KARAT-GOLD-1956-VINTAGE-19AS-GENTS-FULL-SIZE-/331105690000?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item4d176fe190

or

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Vintage-LONGINES-Black-Dial-Manual-Wind-from-1962-BEAUTIFUL-/261367840107?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3cdabcbd6b

Good advice from the experts above!

Gally NuNu

Are there neat pilot's watches about? They always seem very big on the hand. Also were there RAF or RAAF issued as standard ??

Wibbs

Gally NuNu wrote: »

Are there neat pilot's watches about? They always seem very big on the hand. Also were there RAF or RAAF issued as standard ??

Oh yep there are but pricey. Military watches, especially issued watches would have much more value than the civilian versions. EG mid 50's IWC dress watch, maybe 2000? Same movement in a black dialed RAF piece, add maybe 4 grand to that. Even then they'd be a small enough watch. Larger ones? You're generally looking at 40/50/60/70's chronos and they'd start at 1500-2000 up to well 20,000 odd.

The only pilots watches that would be larger 40mm that you might get an example in your budget would be 1930's pilots watches.

They follow a particular pattern; large size, big winding crown, ribbon lugs, black dial and a moveable bezel pointer. They were made by big names like Zenith and Omega, but they're gonna be 2 grand up. They were also made by smaller makers and sometimes they do show up on ebay for under 500 quid.

PS on ebay, avoid like the very plague certain eastern European country sellers, particularly Poland, Ukraine and Russia. Nearly always fake. It's a game to try and find a real example. The Czech republic usually have some honest pieces though.

Gally NuNu

Wibbs wrote: »

Oh yep there are but pricey. Military watches, especially issued watches would have much more value than the civilian versions. EG mid 50's IWC dress watch, maybe 2000? Same movement in a black dialed RAF piece, add maybe 4 grand to that. Even then they'd be a small enough watch. Larger ones? You're generally looking at 40/50/60/70's chronos and they'd start at 1500-2000 up to well 20,000 odd.

The only pilots watches that would be larger 40mm that you might get an example in your budget would be 1930's pilots watches.

They follow a particular pattern; large size, big winding crown, ribbon lugs, black dial and a moveable bezel pointer. They were made by big names like Zenith and Omega, but they're gonna be 2 grand up. They were also made by smaller makers and sometimes they do show up on ebay for under 500 quid.

PS on ebay, avoid like the very plague certain eastern European country sellers, particularly Poland, Ukraine and Russia. Nearly always fake. It's a game to try and find a real example. The Czech republic usually have some honest pieces though.

Are those from your collection ?

Wibbs

I wish. Nah, though I do have a 1935 Zenith of that type, similar to the second from left bottom row.

Homer

Not as old as you are looking for but ticks a few of the boxes..

http://www.adverts.ie/mens-watches/hamilton-w10-military-issue-watch/4595365