Interested in vintage watches!?!?

Cell1010

Hi guys,

Is there a community that is interested in vintage watches of the likes of Heuer, Omega, Rolex etc?

I'm also interested to add some interesting watches to my own collection but haven't seen much around... I'm located in county Wicklow so not too far from Dublin.

Regards,

Wibbs

There's a few folks on here that are almost entirely focused on vintage watches, myself included. I've personally had all three of those brands at one time or another, but down to Heuer and Omega, one of each. The Rolex were years back and all early Oyster Bubblebacks from the 1930's. Very small so were "cheap" at one point.

As for sourcing locally, it depends on the era involved. So the period from say late 90's to mid noughties, more "secondhand" than "vintage" would throw up a few, because money was around. Earlier stuff less so. Small population, not a lot of cash around at times and not so into watches as a "thing". Omega would be the bigger share of what might be around. Generally speaking if someone is looking for the "big names" you tend to have to import. Plus often if you do find anything here, the prices are well above market value elsewhere.

Cell1010

Thanks for the information. From what I've seen so far there is not much out there. I'm not into these newer watches. 60s/70s chronographs and divers only.

I keep my eyes open...

So I assume that we have no watch fairs or events related to that topic?

Winterlong

Cell1010 wrote: »

Thanks for the information. From what I've seen so far there is not much out there. I'm not into these newer watches. 60s/70s chronographs and divers only.

I keep my eyes open...

So I assume that we have no watch fairs or events related to that topic?

A great starting point for vintaqe affordable chrono's from the 40s, 50s and 60s are ones with a Landeron movement. The 48 or derivative. I have two of them and love them. Search for 'Landeron' on ebay and you will get 50 or so hits. Parts are more or less interchangable and most servicers are familiar with them.

Buying vintage watches in bricks and mortar shops can bring peace of mind in terms of having comeback and a warranty. But that comes at a big price.
I buy the vast majority of my vintages in eBay.

You will see the odd vintage watch appearing in traditional auction here in ireland, but bargains are rare. I am not aware of any regular watch fairs though.

blue5000

Cell1010 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Is there a community that is interested in vintage watches of the likes of Heuer, Omega, Rolex etc?

I'm also interested to add some interesting watches to my own collection but haven't seen much around... I'm located in county Wicklow so not too far from Dublin.

Regards,

If you are just starting out in vintage watches, the best advice I got was stick to one brand and get to know them.

Ebay is the easiest place to find them, look for clear photos with a movement pic. Re-dials are best avoided. Ask questions and set an upper limit for yourself.

Wibbs

Cell1010 wrote: »

60s/70s chronographs and divers only.

That will be an expensive area, particularly with Heuer, Omega and Rolex. And that's fine, but because it's an extremely fashionable area at the moment, with both collectors and dealers thinking of "investment pieces" that brings in the chancers and you really have to keep your wits about you. Even experts can get caught out.

Cell1010

Thanks for your comments. I'm collecting since 2011 so before the real hype started. Yes, it is quite expensive at the moment but still great to find a piece in all original and unmolested condition.

Wibbs

Yeah it has changed quite a bit even since 2011 and very different to say 2001. The rise of Hodinkee and the like made certain sectors go a bit mad alright. Hell, even early quartz which used to be "ugh no" for most collectors, the supply has begun to dry up and what's left is nearly always expensive(I'd reckon that niche has quadrupled in price in the last 3 years). Dealer/aucutioneer hype really didn't help(and journos pushing same). Even such outlets have made mistakes. Hodinkees sales page has had a couple of uncertain pieces, never mind the inflated prices. But the market exists and some will pay such prices. I say some, as I have noticed a latter trend where Hodinkee level dealer priced items just don't sell on places like ebay and chrono24(even auctions with low enough opening bids often stagnate). I've also noted on eBay, far more of a shift to buy it now and far fewer auctions. As far as the popular, well known stuff goes anyway.

I'd reckon there are still some nice pieces out there in the 60's 70's Diver niche. Few bargains, but not so crazy either(unless we're talking about Rolex for example). I personally think Heuer chronos are "over valued" at the moment. Even models which were at the "cheap" end like the 1550 BUND have over doubled in price since 2011. A good time to buy, but not sell maybe? Then again if someone wants a "lifetime" example then that's not an issue. Longines 60's/70's divers and chronos while they have climbed quite a bit in the same period are still for my money under valued compared to others(and rarer). 13ZN's have tended to go nuts in price because of a few auction results, but still lower than many if not most currently collectible Heuer models. The 13CH even cheaper and both blow the doors of any vintage Heuer movement, or pretty much any other marque for that matter. Even Omega speedies which have ramped up, outside of particularly rare or early examples, one can still find pretty reasonable vintage examples out there.

Wibbs

Cell1010 wrote: »

Yes, it is quite expensive at the moment

Thinking more on this. I do feel lucky I got into the madness so long ago and hit that sweet spot where the early interwebs found "old watches" on sale and few enough well known collecting resources and few enough collectors with it. More watches, less competition, less hype. My modest collection, such as it is, was built up on the cheap* and I dread to think what it would cost to replace today(if I could even find some examples), or what I could hope to afford if I was starting out today. I'm sure I could find a niche, but I'd have to go fairly off piste to do so. Or go the one/two watch route. It's so much harder for new folks entering the hobby these days.





*I had always set a 200 quid limit. The most I ever paid was just over a grand for a Heuer 1550. Those days are gone.

Cell1010

That's a very good point. When you grow with the market, your collection grows as long as you have the right watches. And if you not desperately holding on to everything it's always possible to find nice watches for trade... I sold a few watches on the way such as a 1st Exec Autavia, a RLX Daytona and some other that I won't buy at the moment, just because I think the price is not reasonable for me anymore. But there are still loads of guys out there that are happy to pay today's prices. So I'm also buying brands and watches that currently have the price that the Autavia had a few years back...

It's still a hobby and as long as enjoy finding, wearing and talking watches I'll continue.

And the days that a Bund was at 1k are definitely over and I honestly think they won't come back again...

Cell1010

Wibbs

Cell1010 wrote: »

And the days that a Bund was at 1k are definitely over and I honestly think they won't come back again...

Maybe, maybe not C. Brand new collectors are having a much harder time of it unless they've deep pockets. The new wave of Hodinkee Hipsters has inflated what bubble existed. I personally think that the wave has crested, or is cresting. As far as the "big names" are concerned anyway and even among "lesser" marques where some have gone nuts. I can see the market contracting on a few levels.

Now prices will remain high for a time as people who have the higher priced items(whether for years or bought recently) will hang on to them and fewer will come to market. That's already happened in a fair few niches. Issued military watches for one. Regardless of changing values, there was simply many more around on offer even five years ago(and way more ten years ago). Those that do come up today are more fought over. Though I have noted that they often take longer to sell. Same has happened with the early quartz stuff. Two years ago you could have a couple of pages of some models, now one might see two or three and nearly always Buy it Now at dealer prices. Auctions are more reserved(no pun ) for the "in need of repair" examples. When I consider the "values" of my watches Hodinkee or dealer prices are not my judge though. Recent Bay auction results would be the best judge IMH.

Like you say, if you have some pieces that have market value, you can flip them to get another piece or pieces of similar market value. The cost of entry into say 70's Heuer, has definitely gone up.

Still if one goes off piste a bit and away from the marques such outlets like the Dink push, there are still extremely nice watches from quality marques to be had. You just have to dig a bit deeper, which is also part of the fun.

Lovely Autavia BTW C.

blue5000

Cell1010 wrote: »

Thanks for your comments. I'm collecting since 2011 so before the real hype started. Yes, it is quite expensive at the moment but still great to find a piece in all original and unmolested condition.

I owe you an apology, I thought from your OP that you were a newbie, you're at it longer than I am:o

Cell1010

blue5000 wrote: »

I owe you an apology, I thought from your OP that you were a newbie, you're at it longer than I am:o

No worries. I'm a newbie here in Ireland so you're half right

daraghmack

You might find a few pieces on Adverts.ie There is a guy by the username of Hexicon who is currently selling some vintage pieces, I'm very new to this but I have bought a few from him and I am very happy. I'll post some photos whenever I get a chance.

Cell1010

Hi,

Thanks for the information. I'll have a look. In the meanwhile this beauty arrived: