Is anybody collecting antique wrist watches? I think I am intersted in this hobby. I am looking for any tips, advise on how to get started. Thanks in advance.
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Is anybody collecting antique wrist watches? I think I am intersted in this hobby. I am looking for any tips, advise on how to get started. Thanks in advance.
Join the NAWCC,go to the local and regeonal marts,Never pay retail prices.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hacker7
Learn about watch movements and how they work. Learn how to examine one and spot obvious issues. Also plan on doing your own routine service work unless you have a lot of money to burn.
Unless you buy really top end and highly collectible watches you won't make money collecting watches. Personally, I think if you are interested in collecting antique watches pocketwatches are the better way to go. Of course I'm biased because I collect them.
I used to be into classic wrist watches. I've had Seikos, Omegas etc. until I found my one and only wrist watch and was cured.
If you like old wrist watches, read a lot, and buy a few top of the line watches, rather than a bunch of decent ones. And remember: if the price is too good to be true, it's probably a copy.
Thats a great watch. I have been reading a bit. Watches are very expensive. I agree with buying quality. Beside Rolex what other watches would you look at. Don't think I will be able to afford a case of WAD. I bought a few lower end pieces. A 67 Bulova Caravelle it was a watch I remember my father had. I remember wearing it as a kid although it was way to big on me. Lol. Thanks for the advise.Quote:
Originally Posted by Otto
There are probably as many watch brands as vintage razor brands. Once you go over 2 grand or so watches are luxury items and it's strictly what the market will bear. There is no magic in a watch, just a bunch of mass produced gears and other parts. For less than a grand you can get a quality piece that will last the rest of your life.
Want the top names? Be prepared to spend big.
Tell us what you want to spend and the types of watches you like (sport, dress,casual, case material, size) and we'll give you recommendations.
Well i'm trying to feel my way around. I've always been drawn to the mechanics of watches. When I was a kid I would take a part watches or anything that was broken to see what was inside. I have never owned a watch as an adult until last week. When I saw a Bulova Caravelle it brought back memories of watches my father had. My father inlaw worked for Bulova some time ago. Well I know I can't afford the top end. I think I would like to learn to take apart clean and oil a wrist watch or a pocket watch. Thanks bigspender and otto. I still have a bunch of razors to finish. So much fun to be had so little time.
Breitling!
Yes I was reading an old thread otto referenced in his reply. Good reading in that thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scareface
You should google Seiko and read their history. They have hundreds of watch patents. They make their own mechanical and quartz movements. It takes a high tech company with lots of dollars to patent their own watch movements.
In years past watch manufactures would outsource their movements from a few Swiss companies. (Swiss Eta, Valjoux, Japanese made Miyota, Grand Seiko, Chinese Sea Gull, just to name a few. The Swiss have stopped this outsourcing practice and forced watch companies to patent their own internal movements. Do some reading and your head will begin to spin. Collecting watches is an expensive and fascinating hobby.
As I said above,Join the NAWCC.go to a national meet or even the small local marts,you will see thousands of watchs all at wholesale prices because the general public is not allowed to attend.
Thanks I plan on doing just that. Found their forum good reading.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Thanks. Yes, I love the Sea-Dweller. it is still my only watch. I've even shark dived with it. :) I haven't really looked at other watches since I bought it, but there are a lot of other good brands out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hacker7
The ones I like especially well are: Tudor Pelagos, Panerai, Blancpain "Fifty Fathoms", Omega Seamaster, and Patek Philippe Nautilus.
The Panerai watch I have been looking at is the Luminor Submersible 1950 Left-Handed. It is a nice watch, but not the one for me, as I would replace the nice leather band with something I could SCUBA with.
I also like to have a watch that I can use for every occasion, from a morning at the gun range to an evening at a formal dinner.
I think I'll rather keep the Sea-Dweller. :)
Can't go wrong with your Sea-dweller. I have bought a few watches. A formula 1 Tag Huer a Seiko 5 dive watch and a few vintage pieces, Gruen, Waltham and Citizen. Also a 1958 Bulova in real nice condition. I am looking for a vintage Omega Seamaster. I enjoy wearing the vintage watches.Quote:
Originally Posted by Otto
I've never been a fan of Panerai. A lot of money for a pretty basic movement even with their "modifications".
Keep the Rolex.
I've been looking at Omega's lately - pixelfixed I believe mentioned he's had a few, think he was mentioning the Worldmaster...automatic movement is very fascinating for me in watches.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hacker7
Never had a worldmaster,Actually traded my moon watch to a member in spain,I found it to large as the crown dug into my wrist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
My dress watch today is a speedo mid size auto,great watch.
That's the one you mentioned, I remember the crown part...was that an Omega?Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Yep, Full size Mooney,way to big, way to heavy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrank
You don't mean the classic one do you? I had one and even on my 6.75 inch wrist it fit great. As I recall is was around 40 or 42mm.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
By modern standards not a big or heavy piece at all.
To Big For me,The SRP member I traded it to just sold it,said it was to big for him,My mid size speedo is 41mm crown to bezel.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
I had the pleasure of dropping by a watchmaker in Oslo this weekend. It was a pleasure because even if they had lots of the watches I have been looking at, I still walked out the door with my old Sea-Dweller on my arm, without wanting another watch.
There are lots of nice watches out there, but I’ve found the one that fits me. At one point I might end up buying an old Rolex Cellini as a dress watch, but I’ll keep the Sea-Dweller.
It is amazing how much watches have increased in size the last few years, when I bought it the Sea-Dweller was a big wrist watch.
It's not just the sizes that have increased. The prices have too.
And for no good reason,The once great makers do not even make their own watches anymore,Breitling and Omega comes to mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
ETA is just caprtalizing on the company names.
I will let you into a little secret ;)
I have just finished servicing a rather ordinary vintage watch...
http://s14.postimg.org/tj2vfn21d/IMG_2393.jpg
What I found inside though was a absolute peach of a movement, the Felsa 1560 (Bidynator) Here it is with the rotor removed.
http://s30.postimg.org/by6fd0de9/IMG_2279.jpg
This is a later version of the Felsa 690 movement which was the first Bi-Directional automatic movement, meaning that it wound whatever way the rotor on the back of the movement turned.
It is fully jewelled including cap jewels on the escapement.
It is very well made movement that keeps excellent time with a power reserve in excess of 48 hrs.
It was a joy to service and I had this watch running within 5 seconds per day in 6 positions. Not bad for a ~50 year old watch.
The good thing about these is they are reasonably cheap to buy. Either the Felsa 690 or the 1560 calibre movement.
No secret to me. I've been collecting vintage pocket watches for many years.
I have really been enjoying this watch. Any Bulova fans out there?Attachment 205114
Probably Citizen taking them over was the best thing to happen to them. This way they can innovate new things.
Fantastic watches, The Precisionist quartz movement is top-notch for incredible accuracy. I agree with "the big spender", Citizen acquiring Bulova was a nice corporate acquisition for Bulova.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Go to Ebay or Amazon and search for Bulova Precisionist, UHF, Lobster, or Accutron ll.
These new models also use the Precisionist three prong Crystals oscillating at 262KH.
http://www.bulova.com/en-US/cat/uhfBulova Accutron II Alpha Watch Hands-On Review |
http://www.ablogtowatch.com/bulova-a...-watch-review/
aBlogtoWatchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTpg34K1m0I
I have a citizen ecodrive. I like it! I might change out the grey band with orange stiching to something more solid black.
My Father inlaw worked for Bulova many years ago when they were in Queens NY. He met my mother inlaw there. Always heard Bulova stories from him. So i guess I have a soft spot for the brand.
Cell phones have darn near destroyed the market for watches. It is getting harder to see someone wearing a wrist watch.
i have a few wrist watches one being my Father 1964 Rolex. It needs cleaning, but that cost way too much to pay.
I usually carry pocket watches from each of my Grandfathers. One is a Hamilton Railway and a Illinois. They both worked for the railroad.
I have actually been asked what my pocket watch is. Cell phones are turning the young into brainless idiots! Asked them what Military time is
The ironic thing is using a cell phone as a watch is the 21st century equivalent of a pocketwatch. You need to get it and maneuver it to tell the time. That's the exact reason for the wristwatch-convenience.
Maybe so, but I have never seen a cell phone as pretty as my watches. You might apply the same to using a mach 3 instead of a beautiful vintage razor;)
Here is a favorite Bulova of mine. 96B135. A bit on the minimalist side, but with a 44mm diameter case it fits my wrist nicely. Anything smaller looks like I'm wearing a chick watch.. (6'4" and 260lbs.)
Attachment 206178
My eyes appreciate the large numbers too. :chapeau
After seeing Lynn's Bulova Precisionist I wanted one too. My Accutron ll Snorkel
http://rgray.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v35/p1335073099-4.jpg
Not for me, but gave this 1994 swatch to my son on his 21st birthday this week.
Attachment 208165
Was well received. He likes the simple lines of it. So do I actually.
Forgot how skinny these were.
Cheers
I came across this one on the bay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swiss-Army-...gAAOSwUrlbX1zi
Incredibly cheap, I am tempted to buy. As it is so cheap I wonder whether this is legit. He has a 100% positive review record. Any thoughts on this vendor?
Can't vouch for the vendor but has 100% positive feedback with over 5000 transactions. With the ebay and Paypal guarantee I would not worry. Watch is legit and will last a longtime. Good luck.
