How to start a vintage watch collection for under $50
Hello dear watch friends,
I often see that some people have difficulty building a vintage watch collection. I'll give you a few tips on how anyone can get started with a few dollars, euros or whatever you use.
1. Flea market
I find most things at the flea market, many private people bring their old household goods to the flea market to get rid of them for a small sum. I made my best finds at the flea market, such as a 40s Junghans Cal. 97 in top condition for 10€. Ebel Classic Wave Steel/Gold in very good condition for €150 and many other watches.
2. Household clearance
Over the years I have made good connections with household clearance companies who also sometimes liquidate shops, watchmakers, private collectors etc. They often sell all the watches in a bundle, so you can often get very good deals there. Contact the companies in your cities and ask if they have watches and that you would be interested in the future. When you make your first deal, bring a small gift like wine or chocolates, it will be well received and you will be remembered.
3. Goodwill stores
Also look in Goodwill stores as people often bring beautiful treasures there. Of course there won't be any Omega, Rolex or other well-known watches there as the employees know these brands themselves and have checked them out beforehand. But for the layman, less well-known watches such as: Wittnauer, Alpina, Glashütte etc. are not familiar to everyone.
I paid less than €40 for these 2 vintage Junghans and the two vintage NOS (Ruhla and Adec) from the photo at the flea market. So you see, a vintage collection doesn't necessarily have to be expensive.
I hope I could help some of you, have a nice day everyone.
Have fun hunting for watches 👌
•📍𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢 • ⌚ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇᴄᴛᴏʀ I'm a relatively new watch collector, in 2020 I found my way into watches.
Planning to stop by a goodwill after work today! Thanks for the tips!
Unfortunately Google lens seems to have reduced the number of bargains I'm finding at boot sales and flea markets.
The fun of watch collecting for sure!
Good tips, I imagine some younger people don't care about "Dad's old watch" when they're helping to clean things up at their parent's house. Question though, what is a household clearance company. Sounds self explanatory but checking none the less.
A resourceful post! Thanks!
My local Goodwill stores have moved all of their watches and jewelry on to their online auction platform but my local flea market is still the sweetest of honey holes.
I recently picked up this fully functioning Seiko Bell-Matic there for $50 and it is so far my only watch purchase of 2024.
I hope to attempt my first crystal replacement on it and keep the final cost below $100. Also hoping I don't bone it up!
Planning to stop by a goodwill after work today! Thanks for the tips!
Let us know about any findings you may have 😎
Great post! Totally agree there are some really great vintage pieces out there that can be scooped up for less than $50. My good friends @Framper_22 and @blackbookalpha are next level experts at this! 💯 🎯
Good tips, I imagine some younger people don't care about "Dad's old watch" when they're helping to clean things up at their parent's house. Question though, what is a household clearance company. Sounds self explanatory but checking none the less.
Yes, absolutely, it's sometimes surprising that people don't even google their watches before selling them 🙄 A company that can be called if an apartment, company or something similar is to be liquidated. In Germany, these companies are called if, for example, someone has died and the family doesn't want to or can't clear out the house themselves. These companies get paid and they get to keep what is in the home. They may have different names in the USA 😜
A resourceful post! Thanks!
My local Goodwill stores have moved all of their watches and jewelry on to their online auction platform but my local flea market is still the sweetest of honey holes.
I recently picked up this fully functioning Seiko Bell-Matic there for $50 and it is so far my only watch purchase of 2024.
I hope to attempt my first crystal replacement on it and keep the final cost below $100. Also hoping I don't bone it up!
Very nice find, congratulations on this beautiful watch. Yes, quality is often better than quantity, so that's fine 💯
Yes, unfortunately this is becoming more and more common, so you can only hope that relatively unknown and rare watches still end up in the $2 box.
Slowly, step by step, it will work 💪
Feel free to post when the watch is finished
Nice tips 👌
I don’t collect vintage anymore but the Universal Geneve was in a bag at a thrift store that sold for $5cad a few years ago. The quartz Omega was being tossed by a client who was selling his mom’s condo, didn’t want to bother finding a battery, the watch was a painful reminder for him of his late mom and their excellent times after they emigrated to Canada. I promised to keep his mom’s watch safe.
I don’t collect vintage anymore but the Universal Geneve was in a bag at a thrift store that sold for $5cad a few years ago. The quartz Omega was being tossed by a client who was selling his mom’s condo, didn’t want to bother finding a battery, the watch was a painful reminder for him of his late mom and their excellent times after they emigrated to Canada. I promised to keep his mom’s watch safe.
The Universal Geneve was an absolute hit, congratulations on that. Why don't you collect vintage watches anymore?
The Universal Geneve was an absolute hit, congratulations on that. Why don't you collect vintage watches anymore?
Too much work getting watches repaired, I just dabble with a few new ones now. I prefer messing with old buildings, haha. I experience vintage vicariously now, seems like you know what you are doing. I suggested the manager of the store keep the UG for himself, not an enthusiast, the rest of the watches were junk. Have a great day!
Nice Junghans!
Great post! Totally agree there are some really great vintage pieces out there that can be scooped up for less than $50. My good friends @Framper_22 and @blackbookalpha are next level experts at this! 💯 🎯
Totally agree! There are some great vintage bargains out there to be had. Just need to do your homework first, temper expectations and enjoy the hunt!