What are your best antique/thrift shop finds?
I was walking around an antique shop today and my eyes caught a glimpse of what looked like a vintage watch tucked in the back of a glass display box. Upon closer inspection, it was a Waltham Automatic (Swiss made) watch with the original instructions for $20. Additionally, the seller was offering a 15% discount for anything $20 or over. I could hardly contain my excitement, so I asked an employee to open the display and sure enough it started running even before I wound it up! It’s been on my wrist for 4-5 hours now and it seems to be running great and keeping time. I can’t wait to put it on another strap, though.
What is your best antique/thrift shop find? I know people have found Rolex/Omegas, but I doubt that’s common anymore.
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Got this one for 5 dollars in a local Thrift store with a dead battery. Took a chance replaced its been working well. Its a Nautica don't know what year. WR 200M, 9 o'clock crown and the only Orange face in my collection.
Very cool find! I have never looked around antique stores or thrift shops but the one and only time I went to an estate sale I found a Bernhuf manual wind annual calendar with a pointer date for 5 dollars. It was originally on one of those elastic metal straps but I put it on a red leather. It’s a brand that is long extinct now but from what research I was able to find this was a watch from the 1930s. Dial is very clean for the age with a light patina that I think enhances the look. Works perfectly if I keep it wound but under 50% power reserve it loses time. Will probably get it serviced eventually to make sure it lasts. For 5 bucks it’s super cool to find this complication and a watch of this age but I wish it said patek on that dial instead 😂
Your Waltham is pretty cool I have always wanted one because I grew up in Massachusetts where they were based out of.