Cheapo Vintage Beauties

TimeODanaos

Wow - nothing cheapo about that Ocean Pearl beauty, WIGH!
But, just as a matter of curiosity, what's going on with that bracelet there?

Nupero

Let’s start a thread for Cheapo Vintage Beauties.

sathomasga

In defense of the Rado, it is a pretty faithful reissue.

Nupero

Let’s start a thread for Cheapo Vintage Beauties.

These are the uncollectible, unsung beauties of the vintage watch world – local brands, knockoff designs, Ebauches movements and every so often plated cases. CVB-thread guideline: in-house movements are frowned upon and signed crowns are barely accepted 😁

I’ll start with a Milljonär Scandinavic. Milljonär was a small Swedish brand that operated from the 1950s to the early 1970s. It sold cheap, often chrome plated, watches and frequently copied its designs from another popular cheapo brand, Atlantic. Imagine being a poor man’s Atlantic… Well, that business concept proved to be a pretty successful one and eventually Milljonärs were peddled via mail order magazine adds throughout the Nordics.

This Scandinavic is all steel and in fantastic condition, it even had the caseback sticker on when I got it. It features a tritium dial, robust Unitas 6325 movement and bizarre caseback markings. A fun watch and well worth the 22€ I paid for it.

Boatload of tritium. Still glows surprisingly strong after light exposure.

I guess missiles and tanks were in vogue during the Cold War.

“Wehrmachtswerk”, a common heart of a CVB.

It’s kind of crazy how much joy wearing this thing brings me. I even decided to put it on a nice Hirsch Ranger strap, effectively doubling the value of the watch.

Let’s see your cheapos! 😀

dandog

Here’s another. Certina Bristol 190 manual winder. I consider it cheap although it cost close to $150. It looks like a much more expensive watch and the bracelet, if it’s not original (not sure), is period perfect and in great shape. Love these lesser brands!