Thinking of vintage but need knowledge.
Hey guys. Okay so i have never dove into the vintage market. I keep seeing brands that i have no knowledge of. Can you guys give me like 20+ brands to look at? Of course Tudor/Omega/Rolex etc. But their are so many old brands that im like 🤔🤔🤔. Hit me with as many ideas as you can!!! Thanks so much to all. Im a watch novice but im learning!
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Jim
Taco connoisseur. Born in Alaska. Lived all over the USA. Some guy that works with me said he thinks im 20% wolf haha!!! Love them Casios vintage designs and many other brands. Learning from everyone...
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Last active: 3 months ago
Lot's of vintage questions tonight. Most of the vintage folk are several hours ahead or behind us in North America, so you are stuck with me.
American brands: Bulova, Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Wittnauer, Benrus, Gruen, Helbros, Welsbro, Jaro, Timex (with reservations), Ball, Illinois, Hamden, and many other small brands like Empire and Robot.
Swiss brands, there were more than 1000 of them, the ones that are still around or have been resuscitated made good watches: Zenith, Zodiac, Cyma, Mido, Longines, Tissot, Rado, Eterna, Heuer, Universal Geneve, Certina, Wyler, Rodania, Bucherer, etc... I own generic Swiss like Voumard, Britix, and Altair.
German brands are tricky, at the affordable end there is Junghans. Czechoslovakia had Prim. India had HMT. The Soviet Union had Raketa, Vostoc, Slava, Chaika, Pobeda (ZIM), Luch and many others. Belgium had Pontiac. Poland had Blonie. The UK folks can fill you in on Smiths, Accurist, Vertex and the like.
Basic guideline: no pin pallet escapements (so few Timex, Endura, Ruhla, Mortima, Buler, Kienzle or Medana). Fully jeweled is 17. You can find value in 15 jewel movements (Westfield, Caravelle, Zim). Seven jewels can be iffy (I have a great Bulova and a not great Helbros). One jewel = run away. Look at the movements. You will begin to recognize better ones. Start small. I have several cool pieces that I bought for less than $30.00.
I don’t have anything to add to @aurelian ’s comment regarding brands. He knows this stuff. But I would like to give you a link for inspiration. Many of the European lesser known brands are represented.
https://watches83.com/en/
I don’t have anything to add to @aurelian ’s comment regarding brands. He knows this stuff. But I would like to give you a link for inspiration. Many of the European lesser known brands are represented.
https://watches83.com/en/
I've used this site many a time and drool over their watches 🤤
I've used this site many a time and drool over their watches 🤤
Not only the watches but the photo is amazing. What you see is what you get. The colors is presented 100% authentic.
Lot's of vintage questions tonight. Most of the vintage folk are several hours ahead or behind us in North America, so you are stuck with me.
American brands: Bulova, Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Wittnauer, Benrus, Gruen, Helbros, Welsbro, Jaro, Timex (with reservations), Ball, Illinois, Hamden, and many other small brands like Empire and Robot.
Swiss brands, there were more than 1000 of them, the ones that are still around or have been resuscitated made good watches: Zenith, Zodiac, Cyma, Mido, Longines, Tissot, Rado, Eterna, Heuer, Universal Geneve, Certina, Wyler, Rodania, Bucherer, etc... I own generic Swiss like Voumard, Britix, and Altair.
German brands are tricky, at the affordable end there is Junghans. Czechoslovakia had Prim. India had HMT. The Soviet Union had Raketa, Vostoc, Slava, Chaika, Pobeda (ZIM), Luch and many others. Belgium had Pontiac. Poland had Blonie. The UK folks can fill you in on Smiths, Accurist, Vertex and the like.
Basic guideline: no pin pallet escapements (so few Timex, Endura, Ruhla, Mortima, Buler, Kienzle or Medana). Fully jeweled is 17. You can find value in 15 jewel movements (Westfield, Caravelle, Zim). Seven jewels can be iffy (I have a great Bulova and a not great Helbros). One jewel = run away. Look at the movements. You will begin to recognize better ones. Start small. I have several cool pieces that I bought for less than $30.00.
Wow. Thank you. And thanks to all!
Wow. Thank you. And thanks to all!
There’s so many vintage watches out there, from $1 to thousands of dollars, just pick your style and your budget, then start looking. Good luck my friend 🙏🏻
Lot's of vintage questions tonight. Most of the vintage folk are several hours ahead or behind us in North America, so you are stuck with me.
American brands: Bulova, Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Wittnauer, Benrus, Gruen, Helbros, Welsbro, Jaro, Timex (with reservations), Ball, Illinois, Hamden, and many other small brands like Empire and Robot.
Swiss brands, there were more than 1000 of them, the ones that are still around or have been resuscitated made good watches: Zenith, Zodiac, Cyma, Mido, Longines, Tissot, Rado, Eterna, Heuer, Universal Geneve, Certina, Wyler, Rodania, Bucherer, etc... I own generic Swiss like Voumard, Britix, and Altair.
German brands are tricky, at the affordable end there is Junghans. Czechoslovakia had Prim. India had HMT. The Soviet Union had Raketa, Vostoc, Slava, Chaika, Pobeda (ZIM), Luch and many others. Belgium had Pontiac. Poland had Blonie. The UK folks can fill you in on Smiths, Accurist, Vertex and the like.
Basic guideline: no pin pallet escapements (so few Timex, Endura, Ruhla, Mortima, Buler, Kienzle or Medana). Fully jeweled is 17. You can find value in 15 jewel movements (Westfield, Caravelle, Zim). Seven jewels can be iffy (I have a great Bulova and a not great Helbros). One jewel = run away. Look at the movements. You will begin to recognize better ones. Start small. I have several cool pieces that I bought for less than $30.00.
While 17 jewels is fully jeweled, there were some fine 15 jewel watches made; especially pre-1950. Rolex, Tudor, Eterna, Omega, Certina, Zenith etc. all used or made 15 jewel movements at one point or another in their history. The two extra jewels on a 17 jewel watch were typically added to the center wheel pinion.
While 17 jewels is fully jeweled, there were some fine 15 jewel watches made; especially pre-1950. Rolex, Tudor, Eterna, Omega, Certina, Zenith etc. all used or made 15 jewel movements at one point or another in their history. The two extra jewels on a 17 jewel watch were typically added to the center wheel pinion.
I recently saw a 7 jewel Eterna from about 1970 for sale. I was surprised to find one so late. I passed on it. The whole point of Eterna is to acquire an automatic with ball bearings, their signature contribution.
I recently saw a 7 jewel Eterna from about 1970 for sale. I was surprised to find one so late. I passed on it. The whole point of Eterna is to acquire an automatic with ball bearings, their signature contribution.
I think that was a good decision lol. Even when I collected pocket watches, I would pass on 7 jewel movements. The metal bushings where the jewels would be wear out over time. The watches might run well, but not accurately.
Certina and Eterna vintage is a great space to explore. Brilliant watches that at the time, were regarded as top quality.
Vintage is a whole new world to discover. Start by digging deep into innovation regarding cases, bezels, movements, complications and design. That way, you're gonna find TREASURES my friend, not brands but unique pieces that represent watchmaking history 🙌⌚💯💪🧡!
I don’t have anything to add to @aurelian ’s comment regarding brands. He knows this stuff. But I would like to give you a link for inspiration. Many of the European lesser known brands are represented.
https://watches83.com/en/
@WatchYourIntruder +1 👍😃!
I have bought many eclectic and profound Vintage pieces from Sigfrid and Silvia.
Amazing out of the box Vintage Watch dealers with a great reputation 👌.
Thanks so much guys!
Lot's of vintage questions tonight. Most of the vintage folk are several hours ahead or behind us in North America, so you are stuck with me.
American brands: Bulova, Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Wittnauer, Benrus, Gruen, Helbros, Welsbro, Jaro, Timex (with reservations), Ball, Illinois, Hamden, and many other small brands like Empire and Robot.
Swiss brands, there were more than 1000 of them, the ones that are still around or have been resuscitated made good watches: Zenith, Zodiac, Cyma, Mido, Longines, Tissot, Rado, Eterna, Heuer, Universal Geneve, Certina, Wyler, Rodania, Bucherer, etc... I own generic Swiss like Voumard, Britix, and Altair.
German brands are tricky, at the affordable end there is Junghans. Czechoslovakia had Prim. India had HMT. The Soviet Union had Raketa, Vostoc, Slava, Chaika, Pobeda (ZIM), Luch and many others. Belgium had Pontiac. Poland had Blonie. The UK folks can fill you in on Smiths, Accurist, Vertex and the like.
Basic guideline: no pin pallet escapements (so few Timex, Endura, Ruhla, Mortima, Buler, Kienzle or Medana). Fully jeweled is 17. You can find value in 15 jewel movements (Westfield, Caravelle, Zim). Seven jewels can be iffy (I have a great Bulova and a not great Helbros). One jewel = run away. Look at the movements. You will begin to recognize better ones. Start small. I have several cool pieces that I bought for less than $30.00.
I have no doubt I will be using your advice as a point of reference in time to come!