Ive been looking over ebay the last few months for a vintage. Found this forum trying to gain knowledge to make a responsible purchase. Im pretty set on a seamaster with any of the 500 series cal., preferably a date cal. Stainless case. Would prefer it to be around 36mm. I want it to be all original. I plan to keep this watch for many years and wear it often as a dress watch so Im not concerned with getting a steal on it as I will most likely never sell it. I do however want to pay a fair price. I would like to get one for under $800. Is this a realistic price range?

 

Yes.

 

A good market place to monitor is the sales sections of this forum. There is a dealer forum and a private sales forum. Very well self policed.

eBay is a another experience altogether. If you have the stomach for it it can be a fairly interesting place to look for vintage watches.

Here's a recent personal experience from eBay: Saw a post in the vintage forum recommending this offering as an honest looking watch

http://www.ebay.com/itm/222206095370?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I win the auction for $320. Cool, right?

So I get the piece and it won't hand wind and it's obviously in need of a service. Off to my watchmaker.

Rust in the movement, pitting around the case and caseback, needs a crystal, hairline crack that needs laser welding total service $550. So now I have a $500 watch for a bit less than $900.

On the other hand I have purchased a Constellation easily worth $900 for $220, had it serviced for $200 and it is an incredible timepiece.

 

[QUOTE
On the other hand I have purchased a Constellation easily worth $900 for $220, had it serviced for $200 and it is an incredible timepiece.[/QUOTE]

As they say - pics or it didn't happen....
(Gratuitous request for pics of Connie)

 

OK, here you go: 168.0057 gold cap that keeps quartz-like time. An AMAZING time keeper...

 

Hi

You can get a decent 565 for 450 euros. If I see one good exemple I'll tell you.

 

Don't forget to factor in service.

 

Thanks for the insight, I think I'm going to steer away from eBay at this point and time.

 

Gorgeous

 

I don't ask for anything

 

Interesting and revealing misinterpretation there!

 

can you explain?

 

I read the statement as advice to the OP to factor the cost of a watchmaker service into the cost of buying not as the price of a sales commission.

 

You read it correctly.

 

Sorry I did not, my english must not be that good. I thought it was about my taking any comission regarding a watch for sale.

 

You're good. I personally understood your confusion and am in awe of all you multi-linguists among us. My use of second languages is limited to ordering beer.

 

well you understand, I'm supposed to be a scammer here , let's go have a few beers

 

It has been my experience after enough beer there is no language barrier.

 

Yes. Whilst it's great that most members are genuine enthusiasts who like to help/advise others from their - sometimes fantastic - knowledge-base, it's a shame we also have some here only interested in the financial aspects of collecting, often with superficial knowledge and participating only on a self-interest basis.