Community Stories

Can’t decide if my interest in f300s is a mistake

Engee
Posts
1,541
Likes
3,352
I’m a growing fan of f300s. They’re fascinating watches, and I love the look of most of them, and especially the wonderful near perfect second hand sweep. I have one and it’s my most worn watch, a lovely Connie.

So, you might think, “well if you like them so much, why not build a little collection?” And I’m asking myself the same question.

But here’s one thing about them that worries me. Unlike automatic watches, there appear to be few watchmakers around who can work with them, and with these watches now 50 years old and more, I’m thinking that buying them could turn out to be an expensive mistake in a decade or two. Are they likely to fail, will there be parts easily available, and will there be people able to maintain them?

I don’t want to be lumbered with watches that are unfixable.

Are my fears justified?
 
Dan S
Posts
23,175
Likes
51,730
My suggestion is to buy them if you enjoy them. It's not climate change or cancer, so don't worry about something that might or might not happen in a decade or two.
 
Scarecrow Boat
Posts
6,592
Likes
26,623
Engee Engee
Are my fears justified?
Here is my Contax T2 point and shoot film camera. I have run tons of film through this as I love this camera. It is a reliable camera packaged inside a titanium shell. The insides are roughly 31 year old electronics. I know of two people globally that will work on these but that takes either fabrication or scavenging another 31 year old camera for parts. It's a wonderful little camera and in todays market these can be had around $1,200 in similar condition as mine. There is a chance this could become an expensive paperweight should something fail. However, that does not stop me from using mine. Buy what you enjoy and enjoy using/wearing it. It might fail, it might not. Reach out to a few collectors on here about where they have their serviced.

0163E94B-1A96-484E-ACF2-1A4C50753E60.jpeg


Heading home to visit family during sunset (I was in the passenger seat).
ac8952000049-R1-017-7.jpg
Edited:
 
Pianotuna
Posts
358
Likes
608
Ok, I’m biased. I love these watches, from a period where the industry was innovative and experimental, which let’s be honest, other than Grand Seiko’s spring drive, they haven’t really been for a few decades.
…. before I get overwhelmed with people listing notable incarnations of modern watches …
I think the f300’s are fantastic watches. If serviced properly, this according to one of the leading experts in the world, you’ll get decades of trouble free use.
Probably the only exception in this genre might be Omega’s Megasonic which due to its irreplaceable and unfixable microrotor, if it stops working, it’s stopped for good. However, that’s not an f300.
I have several and right now am in the process of sending a few more off to Thailand to be serviced. No regrets here.
 
DaveK
Posts
5,081
Likes
15,685
I feel the same way about Accutron watches. I really enjoy my Spaceview, but I have little interest in buying more - except at a fire sale price - because they could end up un-serviceable. I probably wouldn’t pass on a museum-quality piece at at amazing price, just for something to look at
 
Engee
Posts
1,541
Likes
3,352
Pianotuna Pianotuna
I have several and right now am in the process of sending a few more off to Thailand to be serviced. No regrets here.

that’s reassuring, but I hope I can find a reliable watchmaker nearer to London than Thailand! Thanks for the warning about megasonics. I was considering looking out for one but perhaps I’ll just stick to f300s.
 
jaegodylan
Posts
825
Likes
1,804
Engee Engee
that’s reassuring, but I hope I can find a reliable watchmaker nearer to London than Thailand! Thanks for the warning about megasonics. I was considering looking out for one but perhaps I’ll just stick to f300s.

The fella in Thailand is amazing cheap and reliable.
 
Larry S
Posts
13,464
Likes
52,956
DaveK DaveK
I feel the same way about Accutron watches. I really enjoy my Spaceview, but I have little interest in buying more - except at a fire sale price - because they could end up un-serviceable. I probably wouldn’t pass on a museum-quality piece at at amazing price, just for something to look at
And for what you’d wind up spending on services, you can get the modern spaceview, which I personally think looks pretty cool.
 
bigsom
Posts
1,320
Likes
10,694
Spring drive might be less hassle but less vintage charm
 
DaveK
Posts
5,081
Likes
15,685
Larry S Larry S
And for what you’d wind up spending on services, you can get the modern spaceview, which I personally think looks pretty cool.

The modern ones do look like fun. I hope they can bring the size down to 38mm at some point
 
padders
Posts
10,249
Likes
16,047
bigsom bigsom
Spring drive might be less hassle but less vintage charm
And less tinnitus!
 
Jonathan40
Posts
1,116
Likes
5,814
padders padders
And less tinnitus!
Don’t have f300 anymore and actually regret selling it. However do they make a racket especially on a bedside table. Used to drive the wife mad, it would have to be moved to another room.
 
Jones in LA
Posts
5,478
Likes
52,373
I think of owning a watch like this as being kind of a foster parent...you never know how long they'll keep working, so just enjoy each day.

Example: Omega Marine Chronometer - Omega will not accept them for service or repair due to lack of replacement parts.
IMG_2879.jpg
 
DaveK
Posts
5,081
Likes
15,685
Jonathan40 Jonathan40
Don’t have f300 anymore and actually regret selling it. However do they make a racket especially on a bedside table. Used to drive the wife mad, it would have to be moved to another room.

Good thing you had a spare bedroom for your wife 👍
 
DaveK
Posts
5,081
Likes
15,685
Jones in LA Jones in LA
I think of owning a watch like this as being kind of a foster parent...you never know how long they'll keep working, so just enjoy each day…

How many foster kids have you lost? 😲
 
noelekal
Posts
6,456
Likes
49,767
Engee Engee
I’m a growing fan of f300s. They’re fascinating watches, and I love the look of most of them, and especially the wonderful near perfect second hand sweep. I have one and it’s my most worn watch, a lovely Connie.

So, you might think, “well if you like them so much, why not build a little collection?” And I’m asking myself the same question.

But here’s one thing about them that worries me. Unlike automatic watches, there appear to be few watchmakers around who can work with them, and with these watches now 50 years old and more, I’m thinking that buying them could turn out to be an expensive mistake in a decade or two. Are they likely to fail, will there be parts easily available, and will there be people able to maintain them?

I don’t want to be lumbered with watches that are unfixable.

Are my fears justified?


I'm a fan of using vintage consumer wares and sporting goods from bygone times. Be it watches, safety razors, Coleman lanterns and stoves, firearms, vinyl albums, books over Kindle, or even old pre-government-regulation bedeviled automobiles, it's satisfying to put it back to work.
 
ken_hodson
Posts
228
Likes
528
I share your fears OP. I have two hummers: a F300 and an Ultronic diver. Incredible design and both are in great condition (for some reason a lot of these hummers seem to be in good nick).

I accept that one day, I will wake up and the watch may no longer hum...but am philosophical about it. After all, this is true of all our lives too.
 
20221207_133828.jpg 20210709_154322.jpg
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

M

Help me decide if a vintage Constellation is right for me

murph39 Modern Omega Watches
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
21
Views
5K
Astiegan

I bought a Genève with Cal. 565. Was it a mistake?

Astiegan Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Astiegan
Astiegan
Posts
17
Views
43K
ossfm

I can't decide if this Constellation dial is original; a chance to learn.

ossfm Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
BartH
BartH
Posts
19
Views
5K