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2020 - What watch did you buy for under $500?

  1. OllieOnTheRocks Jun 11, 2020

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    That’s just perfect - I need one of these!
     
  2. Dr.Sascha Jun 11, 2020

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    A proper supercompressor for $300? That's a bloody steal right there! What's the movement, an ETA? Very similar to the Miramar I picked up this year for more than twice that, $650 (an A. Schild 1903 in that). Either way, they are brothers by another mother, to be certain.
    SC Dial.jpg
     
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  3. Aquariusmatic Jun 11, 2020

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    Ooooh they do seem like brothers! Seems even the lume quality has some kind of a family connection :D ... Movement unknown until tomorrow or Monday - I don't have the tool to open this one and it wont budge with the "8 ball/kong" method. Imagine that and I got it on an vintage tropic, took it off the moment it got here, will be waiting on an diver chrono to put it on.
    I've got another watch inbound for tomorrow. Will update this thread. I'm loving these!
     
  4. Dr.Sascha Jun 11, 2020

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    They must have come from the same shop, there's just too many similarities. If there's a difference, it's most likely in the movement, since that would have merited a different price-point and possible reflected a variance in distribution (given the odd tax situation with Swiss watches in the US during this period), so very curious to hear what's on the inside. It could well be an A. Schild 1903 as well, though. I'm sure the caseback is the same, since it's the same case. Do you have a year? Mine is 1966.

    BTW, I assume the lume variation between dial and hands is simply that it reacts differently in contact with metal. I'm sure one of our fellow OF members could confirm.
    SC Back.jpg
     
    Edited Jun 11, 2020
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  5. Aquariusmatic Jun 11, 2020

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    Same case, Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA) I think you might have misread the "Breguet" case it's actually "Brevet" which stands for "Patent" and the numbers sometimes on the back are usually the patent numbers.
    As said I have not been able to open it without my watchmaker, my dial says 21 Jewels, Plongeur so it was obviously aimed at either Swiss or French market.
    The hands I have observed on a Lanco similar to barracuda model but with no name so i'd guess both the dial and the hands were from a catalog and the shop just printed different names for different markets.
    I'll be opening it tomorrow, and let you know. This is too cool!
     
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  6. MtV Jun 12, 2020

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    Picked up this 168.046 Constellation from 1970, including an original 1155/146 bracelet. It’s used, so there are marks everywhere, but no deeper dents. I might have the watch maker give it a brush up. It has to go there anyway for a service, as I found out today what „Doesn’t run precise anymore“ meant: It gains 15 seconds. Not per day, not per hour (which would already be bad), nope - per minute. Never had a watch which was that much off, but hey - it was 120€ so there’s still room for all those repairs and the chance to end up with a nice watch for a reasonable price, even though the cal. 1001 isn’t exactly among the most loved ones.

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  7. Aquariusmatic Jun 13, 2020

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    That's a killer price! I had a similar cased Geneve, the integrated bracelet kept me from it going to my keeper drawer...
    On my side another super compressor, this one with broad arrow hands and some in my opinion nice patina.
    No clue on the movement till Monday, 320$ shipped one vintage Tropic copy on it and another leather Banda strap with it. Quite happy about this one. IMG_20200613_165143.jpg
     
  8. Dr.Sascha Jun 13, 2020

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    Ah, broad arrow hands--not common on SCs, and that's a great price, too. Really like the two-tone dial (reminds me of the classic Hamilton SCs).
    BTW, my watch guy says that the star gear on the interior bezel is all but irreplaceable, so good idea to keep these well serviced and don't mess with the second crown too much.
     
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  9. Aquariusmatic Jun 13, 2020

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    If you have the means do buy yourself the 36mm stars that pop up on eBay from time to time and some SC crossed crowns at 20$ a pop they are a steal and could become as rare as hens teeth. I think the stars are repops but that doesn't really matter to me the crowns need to be correct on these watches!
    I don't spin the bezels but i won't buy if they don't work - your watchmaker is right the movements here are easily serviceable but anything else you're SOL if anything happens.
    I almost don't wanna say what I've paid for the Hamilton as I'd get death threats, 5 years ago ebay Germany - 50€ + 7€ shipping... IMG_20200613_171220.jpg
     
  10. MtV Jun 13, 2020

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    Yeah, that’s definitely an issue. And after a service and possibly a light brush up it’ll likely be a total investment of ~350-400€. But anyway, I was curious as to how I like the feeling of this case on the wrist and I doubt I’ll lose too much money on it.
     
  11. Dr.Sascha Jun 13, 2020

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  12. Aquariusmatic Jun 13, 2020

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    The Geneve was quite comfortable and wore pretty large on my wrist at least, most of my friends hated the TV dial but for me it was a fun experiment.

    I remember German dealers already asking high 3 to low 4 figures for these noting that the "Cape Horn" is "As rare as the original Longines legend diver"
    I bought it on an impulse... Made me appreciate the smaller case sizes of all watches.
     
    Edited Jun 13, 2020
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  13. mcemeren Jun 14, 2020

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  14. bradurani Jun 15, 2020

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    Mid 90s Seiko S800 200m. It has a bright, illuminator style backlight, and in dive timer mode, pressing a pusher activates an alarm used to attract attention underwater. I use it as my beach watch
    View attachment 1009170
     
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  15. omegawatchlover Jun 16, 2020

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    Ref. 2523 from 1950. This one's got character imo :D
     
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  16. lindo Jun 17, 2020

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    I recently picked up three 60s vintage watches in a job lot that came under the $500 - a Seamaster, a Waltham and this Longines Jamboree, whose design I particularly like. It has the heavy gold capping of the Omega Constellations.

    My watch collecting wife pounced on the other two, and has worn one of them every day since then.

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  17. RazorFrazer Jun 17, 2020

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    vintage 76' seiko grand quartz
     
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  18. rootbeer7 Jun 18, 2020

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  19. ck2503 Jun 18, 2020

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    I just bought this one, ref. 5356, with a stunning original dial with great patina!
     
    2020-06-08 17.11.47 copia.jpg
  20. Alpha Kilt Owner, Beagle Parent, Omega Collector Jun 23, 2020

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    Hands up I didn't buy it, a gift from my daughters so it is priceless but my wife recently let slip it cost less than £50 which surprised me.

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