Hi, I am looking to purchasing a Baylor valjoux 72 watch. I believe it is called exotica. I’ve attached a few photos. Can anyone tell any history on this watch or point me to other discussions on this watch. Also what you would think the estimated value is and if this is a good long term collectible. The watch is in great shape and functions perfectly.

 

Baylor is a relatively obscure brand, so value-wise, you might as well treat it as a no-name. I believe it was the in-house brand for Zales jewelry stores and had a passing connection with Heuer. Some sellers will try to promote that connection to talk up the value, but don't be fooled ... Baylor is not Heuer.

This dial design is not exactly a classic vintage chronograph style, so it will mainly appeal to a certain subset of collectors that likes funky 1960s/1970s style. Regarding condition, the dial and hands look great, but the case is moderately polished. I am also wondering about the finish on the bezel. The photo seems to show a radial brushed finish, but I'm not sure about how well it is preserved. Or perhaps it is just the glare on the bezel.

Overall, I don't really see this as a really top-notch long-term collectible if that is your main criterion. You would be better off with a more prestigious name on the dial and a more conventional style. Without a Valjoux 72, this chronograph would sell below $1k IMO. That said, any Valjoux 72-based chronograph has value these days. I would really need to see more photos to put a value on it, but if the price is above $2k, I don't think I'd even consider it.

 

Thank You for the reply. This is very helpful information. The asking price is well over 2k so I will pass. Thank You again.

 

even though does have the Valjoux 72 , it doesn't justify the asking price

 

I've only seen a couple of these for sale and the sellers seem borderline delusional in the prices they ask. I think the (largely false) association with Heuer is the culprit here, and unscrupulous sellers are trying to cash in on the skyrocketing prices of the latter. One of these sold for $1k in 2014, and even given the inflation in chrono prices since then, I think a fair valuation would put this at $2k tops for one in NOS condition (which this is not). So for this, maybe $1500?

Here's the one from 2014, btw. https://chronocentric.com/forums/chronotrader/index.cgi?md=read;id=34039

 

There's one on Chrono24 right now for $4200+

 

Comical!

That site, https://kibblewatches.co.uk/collections/watches?page=2, is clearly one of those pitched to uneducated buyers who want to buy a vintage watch from a "trusted vendor." The only thing they can trust is that the vendor is selling the piece for x1.5-2 its actual worth, and that they bought it for half that or less!

There's a bunch of those out there, and some are more inflated than others. I've occasionally gotten a fair deal, but I try to avoid them and I promised myself I wouldn't sell to them any more. They seem to hoover up the good pieces at below-market prices than relist them at around x2 market value, which makes the whole hobby less attractive and accessible to us all (as well as inflating prices and putting a lot of desirable pieces out of reach). I don't fault them for trying to make a living/run a business, but I'm not a fan either and I don't want to participate/contribute to the endeavour.

 

Never heard of the dealer before, but now he comes up twice in a few days. Win-some, lose-some.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/upd...sion-for-husbands-60th-1961-seamaster.128930/

 

Is that baylor missing a bezel (insert)?

 

No, that's the way it's supposed to be. The case is very similar to a Breitling Top Time or a Wakmann Big Boy. The latter has a bezel, the former doesn't.

 

Ah cool, good to know.