Vintage. What's your first choice?

I haven't dipped a toe in these waters yet. I wondered those who have, what did you hunt for initially. Of course, I've seen a blue million vintage Omega and Rolex. I was looking for more obscure ones. I've been looking at Nivada Grenchen and Universal Geneve. Especially the latter, as I'm afraid , once Breitling pulls a My Fair Lady and brings the new belle to the ball, the old ones will disappear.

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I always worry about water damage, so vintage pieces stress me out. That said, I’ve got two. A Rolex and a Grand Seiko. Both from the late 60s.

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Waltham, Gruen and Hamilton. I have had my vintage Timex almost since it was new, an inherited piece from my grandfather.

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phillylawyer

I always worry about water damage, so vintage pieces stress me out. That said, I’ve got two. A Rolex and a Grand Seiko. Both from the late 60s.

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Those are lookers, for sure. Well done.

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ImNevix

Waltham, Gruen and Hamilton. I have had my vintage Timex almost since it was new, an inherited piece from my grandfather.

Still searching for my father's Timex. I won't give up hope.

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phillylawyer

I always worry about water damage, so vintage pieces stress me out. That said, I’ve got two. A Rolex and a Grand Seiko. Both from the late 60s.

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That Rolex looks fantastic. My former boss and mentor bought his, just before the quartz crisis. Paid $300 new for it. Still runs like a top.

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Depends on your taste and your budget.

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Vertex or any of the Dirty Dozen watches.

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Seiko is an easy place to start. Still (relatively) affordable, available, plenty of designs, and hold up well over time.

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hasenfeffer

Those are lookers, for sure. Well done.

Thank you!

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TIMEX. Tons of them still around and in good-great condition. Great start into the vintage world I think.

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I have heard Universal Geneve is a bit inflated in recent years. If I look at vintage, I look at BWC, Benrus, and Dugena. Have a Doxa from 1958 and an Omega De Ville from 1967. I am not spending more than 750usd currently... dipping my toe in little by little.

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This Rabbit Hole is rife with problems and even joys....costs of repair, frankenstein watches, lots of hands passing it along thru the years, I mean I love vintage for sure but I also hate it😁

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phillylawyer

I always worry about water damage, so vintage pieces stress me out. That said, I’ve got two. A Rolex and a Grand Seiko. Both from the late 60s.

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I feel you, I too worry about water damage and the general delicate nature of #vintage watches. I've only got one in my collection and it's a vintage Rolex Datejust ref. 1603 It's from 1964 and I am the third generation to own the watch.

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I entered the Vintage world looking for a Certina. They are well build, have a long history and are pretty affordable. Also the look of the vintage models, like the DS2, is just great.

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Seiko has some really nice vintage colorful watches automatic and quartz from around the 60-70s if you're looking to more affordable brands 😊. I have one in a nice green color combo from the 70s (pics in profile), also having my eye on a brown sunray dial on an auction site at the moment, from the 60-70s.

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Whatever you do avoid the vintage choices from India. The vintage game is a minefield where your wallets blows up when the ticking stops.

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My first vintage watch was a Bulova Academy Award from 1950 (from 1950 through the early mid 1960's Bulova's are easy to date, because the date code is stamped on the back of the case) I have been captivated by vintage American watches. There are some very interesting histories to companies like Timex, Elgin and Bulova and some truly beautiful designs. As well as some really solid and innovative technical designs. Plus they tend to be more affordable. Next stop the Illinois Watch Company and vintage Hamilton.

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Vintage Patek Philippe looks good.

I tried to bid one at $500, now the bid is at $3000. TRAGEDY

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Read @Porthole's Perils of vintage post (now moved).

Look at many watches. Read descriptions very closely. Try to see pictures of movements. Figure out what style you like. Rectangular gold watches won't mean anything if you are after vintage skin divers. Get used to smaller watches. Have a "watch guy" for the inevitable repairs.

Your tastes and tolerances will change.

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Late last year, I started to have an interested vintage watches: I got a King Seiko and there’s an Omega De Ville arriving next week, both manual wounds.

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I go with vintage quartz it's in my budget and lower risk.

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Nivada Grenchen, Universal Geneve, Girard Perregaux

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mannyb65

Nivada Grenchen, Universal Geneve, Girard Perregaux

All fantastic choices.

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I dipped into both and can tell you , really reaearch the model you on , and understand the different declinations . it makes all the difference in your obtaining what you envisioned . the right dial , indices , movement intricacy , or even price makes a big difference in the pleasure you get from it , and from what you expected and the image you will have built in your mind at this point . If this all seems overwhelming, and it should , vintage might be a risky endeavour. If it sounds appealing to you , than jump right in , it’s worth it . And rememember it’s the first , not the last one . or maybe it is ;) I fully encourage you to go for it .

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phillylawyer

I always worry about water damage, so vintage pieces stress me out. That said, I’ve got two. A Rolex and a Grand Seiko. Both from the late 60s.

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could this be A 1601 like mine ?? first time i come across another fellow boss ;) salute ! 🫡

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vintageDiver

could this be A 1601 like mine ?? first time i come across another fellow boss ;) salute ! 🫡

Haha well mine is a 1600, note the smooth bezel. But we both have wide boys, that’s for sure. Lookin good 👌