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Jun 20, 2018 · While not a chronometer per se, these are simple watches with simple movements that can be tuned to keep time within fairly tight tolerances. Look for versions with a bit of extra flair thanks to the use of fancy lugs. Approximately $3,000 in gold (less in stainless steel).
- HODINKEE
- When Is A Watch Considered Vintage?
- Should You Buy A Vintage Watch?
- Vintage Watch Buying Guide
- Best Vintage Watches Under $1000
- Best Vintage Watches Under $5000
- Best Vintage Watches Under $10,000
- Best Vintage Watches Over $10,000
- Conclusion
It is true that even modern watches can pick up a history of their own, some faster than others depending on the clumsiness of the wearer. As scratched as they may be, these modern watches don’t carry the same level of charm as ones that we would consider vintage. For a watch to be considered vintage, I use the guideline of 40-70 years. For some pr...
With all the great modern options available to consumers, should you really purchase a vintage watch? Absolutely yes! There are 2 main reasons everyone should own at least one vintage watch throughout their collecting journey. The first reason is financial. The world of vintage watches is some of the most fun you can have in this hobby for a relati...
Despite the unmatched coolness of a vintage watch, there are several reasons you should pump the brakes before immediately pulling the trigger. The world of vintage watches is filled with far more landmines than diamonds in the rough. If you’re new to vintage watches, take a look at a previous articleI wrote that references my 3 guidelines for purc...
Kicking off our list is one of two classic American watch companies on this list. From the early 1800s through the 1970s, Hamilton was one of the most prolific watchmakers producing timepieces on American soil. The 1960s would see them make several timeless designs, none more timeless than the Thin-O-Matic. The Thin-O-Matic earned its name with its thin case design and automatic winding capability, both made possible by their adoption of the Micro-Rotor developed by Buren. These watches come...
Ball Trainmaster
The second watchmaker on this list from the United States is none other than the Ball Watch Company. Founded by Webb C. Ball in 1891 after the famous Kipton railroad disaster, Ball initially specialized in very accurate pocket watches and later transitioned into wristwatches. The most classic example of this transition comes in the form of the Ball Trainmaster. A white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and red second hand became the distinct look of a Ball Official Railroad Trainmaster....
Before their acquisition by the now SWATCH group, Longines was a luxury watch brand often compared to the likes of Rolex and Omega. Despite their recent increase in popularity, they now comfortably occupy a position beneath both of these prestigious brands in the luxury hierarchy. Thankfully for us collectors, nobody told their vintage models that they are no longer the prestigious pieces they once were. Their vintage timepieces are every bit the luxury watch of a Rolex or Omega from the equi...
Omega Constellation 168.005
Stepping up to the under $5000 price mark, you start to see an increase in brand equity. In terms of mainstream luxury watch brands, few carry as much cache as Omega. They have a history of producing some of the most iconic timepieces and have great vintage pieces that could fall under any of the price categories available on this list. At the crossroads of quality and price is the Omega Constellation, specifically with the “pie pan” dial and “dog leg” lugs (you’ve got to love the ways us wat...
Another luxury brand that has managed to transcend the watch market into pop culture is Breitling. Their celebrity brand ambassadors, such as John Travolta and Brad Pitt, have ensured that their timepieces have remained at the forefront of the general public’s mind when it comes to luxury timepieces. There are several iconic models they have to their credit, but there is no doubt that the Navitimer is the show pony of the brand. The 7806 Breitling Navitimer is a vintage example from the 1970s...
International Watch Company (IWC) Caliber 89
Many of the watches on this list are here because of the design or function they provide their end user. Although several models from the International Watch Company could fall into that category, it is their mastery of the simple 3 handed time-only movement in the 1950s that provides the best value for those hunting for a vintage watch from the brand. The Caliber 89 was originally developed in 1946 and was utilized through the 1960s. These watches are simple dress watches in design, featurin...
Seiko Hi-Beat Diver 6159-7000
Whether vintage or modern, Seiko is a brand known best for its hits on the more affordable side of the spectrum. They have beautiful examples from their Seiko 5, Lord Matic, and King Seiko lines that could build a beautiful collection by themselves. In the 1960s, Seiko became a fundamentally different brand from what it was during the 1950s. The main reason for that transformation was the introduction of their iconic dive watches. There is a lot of fanfare, deservedly so, for the 62 MAS, and...
Enicar Sherpa Graph
One of the most exciting parts of exploring vintage watches is discovering brands no longer in production. One of the best examples of this discovery for me has been with Enicar. Despite being widely unknown outside select watch enthusiast circles, they designed some of the most beautiful tool watches of the golden era. Unlike most of the now-defunct brands, however, Enicar has an impressive collector community, and their timepieces have become highly sought after. If I am looking for the wat...
Jaeger LeCoultre E2644 Chronograph
You don’t get the moniker of “the watchmaker’s watchmaker” by accident. Jaeger Lecoultre is a prestigious brand with several mechanical innovations under its belt. Despite having designed movements for the most luxurious Swiss watchmakers, some of their namesake watches, especially those not named Reverso, can fall into the category of under-appreciated. I hesitate to call the brand under-appreciated overall, but with a historical archive as impressive as Jaeger LeCoultre, it is almost imposs...
Zenith El Primero A386
Here is the point in this list where things get a little crazy! To kick us off for our over $10,000 budget is a brand that is used to being first (just don’t ask Seiko), and that is Zenith. The brand most famous for its automatic chronograph known as the El Primero, Zenith is a premium luxury brand. The El Primero line of chronograph watches is still the brand’s staple today, so let’s look at the model that has inspired many of the watches available today. The Zenith El Primero A386 is a 38mm...
Rolex Explorer 1016
It was only a matter of time before Rolex made the list. The watch I went with is not the most expensive or the rarest vintage Rolex I could have put on this list, but simply the one with which I connect the most. Based on its surge in popularity over the last 10 years, it’s safe to say that I am not the only one that feels this way. The Rolex Explorer 1016 is a simple field watch housed in a 36mm case and powered by an automatic Rolex in-house movement. This watch saw the largest production...
Vacheron Constantin 222
The 1970s were a pivotal time of transformation for the watch industry. The increased pressure from Japan and their quartz technology began to filter out any brand pausing long enough to take a breath. In contrast, the most prestigious watchmakers of the time began to dabble in a completely new market, the stainless-steel luxury sports watch. It’s hard to believe that luxury and stainless steel had not really crossed paths prior to this period. Although several of these models are available,...
There it is, 20 of the best vintage watches you can purchase from entry-level to “who actually has that kind of money?”. Some of these options were layups, but I struggled a lot more than I expected putting this list together. The under $1000 and over $10,000 were a breeze, but those in between budgets can actually be pretty tricky. No matter what ...
- Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona. Rolex is ovbiously King when it comes to Vintage (Crown included). We could easily fill up a list with just the best vintage Rolex watches, but we’ve kept it short to provide some other options.
- Rolex Submariner Big Crown (ref. 6538) A second iconic Rolex is the Submariner Big Crown. The Submariner has gone through a heck of a lot of iterations, and has largely remained fairly standard black on black for most base models.
- Rolex Explorer II 1655 “Steve McQueen” When the Rolex Explorer reference 1655 was first released, it was not such a desired timepiece because many found the dial cluttered and difficult to read.
- Rolex Date 1503. On a bit more attainable end, we have the Rolex Date 1503 - The quintessential dress watch back in the 70’s. The all gold date is simply a really clean watch to look at, and considering that even on the secondary market the watch is both attainable, and not terribly expensived gives the watch a leg up in out book of vintage Rolex.
Aug 25, 2022 · Here, three vintage watch specialists — Eric Wind of Wind Vintage, Nick Pardo, previously of Analog/Shift and Hamilton Powell of Crown & Caliber — opine on the best timepieces that can be realistically acquired for less than a grand. Vulcain Cricket. eBay. Vulcain Cricket. Shop Now. Both Wind and Powell recommend Vulcain Crickets.
Apr 18, 2022 · Updated August 26, 2022. Prices on some of the most popular vintage models — think Rolex Submariners, Omega Speedmasters and the like — have absolutely exploded over the past ten years or so. What could once be had for $500 now costs $1,000; what once cost $1,000 now costs $3,000, and what once cost $5,000 now requires you to sell a kidney ...
May 25, 2017 · ’60s and ’70s Seiko Sport Watches. Atom_Moore. See more of the Seiko 62MAS above at Analog/Shift. These are some of the most affordable ways to get into old-school tool watches and complications, and as Pardo notes, there are tons of colorful and unique references to choose from, like the “Pogue,” “Bullhead” and “UFO” to name a few.
Oct 21, 2023 · In this article, we've rounded up the 10 best places to buy vintage watches online, showcasing popular websites such as Vintage Radar, eBay, Chrono24, Bob's Watches, Hodinkee & more. Wondering where to buy vintage watches online safely? Check out these stores!
