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A Vintage Watch from eBay

takashi

Legendary Member
4/4/06
11,500
7
0
Gotten this piece on eBay for about 270USD inclusive shipping. There are many more going for even less...

You can expect a gen from big name... Such as this Girard Perregaux (with motto Watches for the Few). Just FYI, GP is one of the very old "manufacture" that still exists till today.

I can suggest looking for vintage Omega Seamaster 600 too (this one going for about 300USD ballpark or less).

Popped the caseback and you will see a very beautiful Gyromatic movement (36000bph, 17 jewels, hacking function, quickset date, day). Signed, decorated, clean.

Called up GP today to ask for full service fee + refinishing, less than 600USD. Which makes a total of less than 1k USD (GUG RULEZ!).

By the way, GP is the first watch manufacturer to make the first high frequency/high beat mechanical movement of 36000bph (not Zenith).

Pictures don't do justice to this watch. You have got to see it in person.

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seanf

Mythical Poster
Advisor
29/11/06
6,011
18
38
Taka is right. There are some awesome deals to be had on the Bay if you're looking for a vintage named brand. I saw a 1930s Vacheron Constantin go for about $300 a few weeks back. Very few Omeeegas from the 30s to the 70s go for more than $800 (the Moonwatch and Ploplof are notable exceptions).
 

takashi

Legendary Member
4/4/06
11,500
7
0
Perhaps the drawback for many of you is the size... You have to get used to wearing a Datejust... A DJ on the 60s is considered a big watch :p and Submariner is a giant (think about 42mm, 45mm of today's term). This watch is only 37mm inclusive crown.

Bonus for me and seanf with small wrist.
 

seanf

Mythical Poster
Advisor
29/11/06
6,011
18
38
True dat. Two exceptions to the small watch thing, however. If you do a search for "valjoux" or "vintage chronograph" on the Bay, you'll find some really good watches of a decent size (38mm to 41mm). In the late 60s to early 70s, a lot of companies put out watches based on a "cushion case" design. The Heuer Camero and Autiva are the best examples. Take a look at that GUG writeup on Chronodeco to see what the watches look like.

Other exception is for what are sometimes referred to as "transitional" watches. If you want vintage, and you want HUGE, then this is where you should look. Transitional watches--usually from 1910 to about 1930 or thereabouts, were pocketwatches that were converted to wrist watches. Average size of these monsters is around 47mm. I just bought a 1930 Junghans that was 47mm. Thing is just massive. Here's what it looks like:

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=44460&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=junghans
 

takashi

Legendary Member
4/4/06
11,500
7
0
Good observation Seanf...

And it seems that there's a big competition in the 60s. Omega has Seamaster 600, Rolex has its Oyster case Sub/SD and many other brands... It seems that the Rolex emerged as the winner (see Rolex at Antiquorum)... I mean these watches are of the same calibre:

GP with high frequency movement, water resistant, screw down caseback, antimagnetic and so are others.
 

takashi

Legendary Member
4/4/06
11,500
7
0
What puts me off is the cost of full service/restoration. Sometimes it can exceed modern genuine watch.

Yes, I have even seen with full gold 14k/18k cases going for still less than 1 grand.