Hi!
Im new here and im looking to buy my first vintage watch and looking for some advice. The watch i am intrestead is in the pictures. Do you guys see anything that could be wrong whith this watch?

Greetings
Adam

 

Welcome Adam

Linen dial front loader, looks OK

price ?

 

thanks! i do not yet know the price as it is an auction. But what do you think would be a fair price for it? So i dont overpay!

 

What do you think of it? Have you done any research?

Prices vary by location. For instance they are slightly higher in the UK. I'd say around £400 max, but ideally more like £300. Don't forget there will likely be auction fees to take into account.

 

It's what you can't see in the photos you need to worry about.

 

Alright, im not in the uk so hopefully will the price be not that high. I have made some reseach on it but i do not find alot of information. But what i like about the watch is the linnen dial and the fact that it does not have a date function. I am not planning on using the watch every day and i do not need the date function then. Unfornetly there is no pictures from the inside but accordingly to the seller the watch does work with a good time reserve.

 

Whew, that's good news.

 

If you buy this Watch, calculate in your purchase price that it will need a service in the near future.

 

You won't see internal pictures because this is a monocoque (= front loader) case that is not easy for a non-specialist to get into, so that's not a sign they're trying to hide anything. Externally the case and dial appear in excellent original condition, which is a strong indicator that the watch has been well cared-for so that the movement is probably also in good shape. As stated above, allow for auction fees of anything up to 25% plus around £150-200 for a service.

This watch is as nice an example of a gold cap linen dial De Ville as you are likely to find. They are not common in this condition. Personally I would be prepared to go that extra mile to secure it.

 

Yeah that is the problem, but as you said the rest of the clock is in excelent condition, i was just woudering what you guys think of it and if there were any warning signs in the pictures. Thanks alot!

 

Always better to overpay for something in good condition, the overpay will catch up in a few years.
See so many newbies buying something mediocre to save money or to fit a budget in their head.
If you like it buy, don’t think £400 max quoted above would be where I would stop for a nice piece like above ( maybe a bit over but not a lot over )

 

Thanks for the help! It is true as you said, i was just woudering what would be a fair price if i get into a bidding war hehe

 

I’ve bought just two things at auction, perhaps your level of experience is similar.

The first lot, two pocket watches, arrived in a box, both together in one ziplock bag with a scrap of bubble wrap tossed into the box. That’s it. The watches survived, but I was insulted. I asked for my shipping fee returned, and the auction house countered with the option to return both watches for a full refund.

The next lot, a week later (My dad was in the hospital, and I was distracting myself with retail therapy) arrived from another auction house. These were expertly, almost lovingly packaged. But... and I wasn’t home when the package was delivered, my wife told me the story. The letter carrier said, “wow, I’d love to see what’s in this box”. The box was very clearly labeled “lot of Antique pocket watches”. Labelling that isn’t great for avoiding theft or domestic arguments.

All that to say, please grab a coffee and read this thread before your auction closes.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/best-packing-and-shipping-practices.94229/

 

Great dial there, and it's all about the dial.

 

Thanks alot! I read through that thread and will make sure that the seller packages the watch nicley if i end up winning the auction. It ends tomorrow so i dont have the problem with shipping over the weekend.

 

Hope you get it

 

Good look securing it, I think you’ve had a great insight from some experienced members whom have passed judgement and given the green light to proceed at a price limit.
Looks fantastic but I know nothing of vintage speedmaster’s
Let us know how you get on.

 

Thanks alot! I will keep this thread updated.

 

How about vintage Seamasters?

 

Thanks everyone for all the help! I did end up winning it at a price i am happy with. I will update this thread when i recive the watch. Does anyone know what type of movement it is inside this watch? As it is hard to open.