Cheapo Vintage Beauties

Syrte · May 20, 2022

Mafkees
That looks like a clamshell case. If so, that's some great quality you have there. How old is it, and is it marked Staybrite?

It is a clamshell, super quality indeed, my take is that it’s from the 1940s based on the dial colors and design, and it was essentially unused when I got it. And it does have a patent mark inside, along with staybrite indeed.

and since one cannot have too many pictures of this little gem I just took a couple more for you, as I’ve been wearing it daily these days. I find it very elegant yet unobtrusive. Plus I trust its sturdiness.

cverstegen · May 20, 2022

Been slightly addicted to looking for these in the last couple of months. Here are the latest finds.

dandog · Jul 31, 2022

Here’s a couple of interesting pieces I found. Very inexpensive but nice quality. All were less than $125 apiece.
Damas automatic ETA 2452 25 jewels

Damas manual winder ETA 2391 21 jewels. Note the second “hand”

Finally: Octo “Lakemaster” manual wind Love the dial

Bourne1984 · Jul 31, 2022

dandog
Here’s a couple of interesting pieces I found. Very inexpensive but nice quality. All were less than $125 apiece.
Damas automatic ETA 2452 25 jewels

Damas manual winder ETA 2391 21 jewels. Note the second “hand”

Finally: Octo “Lakemaster” manual wind Love the dial

Fantastic dial on the Damas

yle · Jul 31, 2022

Bourne1984
Fantastic dial on the Damas

Very cool second hand. A true pilot watch. 😀

yle · Jul 31, 2022

Here are a few cheapo watches that have accumulated over the last few years.

The first is a very elegant rectangular/tonneau Longines. I forget the name. The current Evidenza line seems inspired by it but the bintage piece is much more elegant. The hands on this piece are not original, but they fit the watch nicely imo.

Next is a Gold plated Tressa with dashing Deco style numerals (although the watch is from the 70s). That brand had a short and unlucky history, but I do like this piece.

Third is a Rado Mannheim. Very interesting faceted crystal; strong 80s vibes.

Finally, this is an anonymous Swiss piece, likely from the 1920s or 30s (so almost 100 years old). Works perfectly after service. Look at these exploded numerals 😀

mzzleather · Jul 31, 2022

all radium intact, tuxedo beauty with killer lugs. this def didn't cost an arm or a leg

Matty01 · Jul 31, 2022

A few I’ve found over the years - most of which I till have…

Nupero · Jul 31, 2022

dandog
Finally: Octo “Lakemaster” manual wind Love the dial

Cool Octo! Recently I came across a similar Lakemaster but didn't pull the trigger. Very cheap watches but seem to be of good quality. If this recession continues I maybe forced to downgrade my collection from Seamasters to Lakemasters 😁

lfan · Jul 31, 2022

dandog
Here’s a couple of interesting pieces I found. Very inexpensive but nice quality. All were less than $125 apiece.
Damas automatic ETA 2452 25 jewels

Damas manual winder ETA 2391 21 jewels. Note the second “hand”

Finally: Octo “Lakemaster” manual wind Love the dial

All three are terrific, but that airliner second hand is the best.

dandog · Jul 31, 2022

lfan
All three are terrific, but that airliner second hand is the best.

Yes, it’s fun too. I’ve looked for others like it but haven’t been able to find one that’s nearly as good.

dandog · Jul 31, 2022

Nupero
Cool Octo! Recently I came across a similar Lakemaster but didn't pull the trigger. Very cheap watches but seem to be of good quality. If this recession continues I maybe forced to downgrade my collection from Seamasters to Lakemasters 😁[/

Why stop there? Why not Pondmaster, or Puddlemaster or even Dripmaster?

dandog · Aug 1, 2022

Re airplane second hand watches: I’ve found two of interest for sale on eBay but they’re ridiculously expensive. The rest are all Russian junk or airline promo watches. I think I paid around $100 usd for that Damas
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/115462507912?hash=item1ae21a0d88:g:b20AAOSwFTZizYt2
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/304260574241?hash=item46d757ec21:g:6FoAAOSwKKxg2RD6

dandog · Aug 2, 2022

Just rediscovered this one in my watch drawer
Borel “Space Gem”. The back ssys “Super Waterproof Guaranteed 600 feet” Good

luck with that one!

dandog · Aug 2, 2022

dandog
Just rediscovered this one in my watch drawer
Borel “Space Gem”. The back ssys “Super Waterproof Guaranteed 600 feet” Good

luck with that one!

Could use a good polishing!

levkov · Aug 2, 2022

Vintage cheapo's are super fun! When we bought a house & our daughter was born, had to tighten the belt, that's when i got into cheap watches.
My best deals under £40 each:

Steel IWC, paid £7.50 (ok, admit this happens once in a lifetime 😀 )

Tissot steel quartz, paid £8 (1 of a lot of 3 watches claimed to be non-workers, they just needed batteries)

Duward Aquastar minty, with uniform punchy Tritium patina, paid £15

British Military issued CWC G10, paid £19

Fortis Tuxedo steel super jumbo (38.4mm) paid £22.77 (Appears redial but it's not, just scratchy crystal. Not that it matters much at this price point 😀 )

Jenny, paid £25.12

Lindex Telemeter Chronograph, paid £31.55

Enicar Ocean Pearl in its original box & purchase docs, paid £34

British military issued Pulsar, purchased directly from the soldier who wore it in Afghanistan. Paid £31

Tissot Antimagnetique jumbo (37.5mm). Planning on having it re-nickel plated. Paid £31.21

dandog · Aug 22, 2022

levkov
Vintage cheapo's are super fun! When we bought a house & our daughter was born, had to tighten the belt, that's when i got into cheap watches.
My best deals under £40 each:

Steel IWC, paid £7.50 (ok, admit this happens once in a lifetime 😀 )

Tissot steel quartz, paid £8 (1 of a lot of 3 watches claimed to be non-workers, they just needed batteries)

Duward Aquastar minty, with uniform punchy Tritium patina, paid £15

British Military issued CWC G10, paid £19

Fortis Tuxedo steel super jumbo (38.4mm) paid £22.77 (Appears redial but it's not, just scratchy crystal. Not that it matters much at this price point 😀 )

Jenny, paid £25.12

Lindex Telemeter Chronograph, paid £31.55

Enicar Ocean Pearl in its original box & purchase docs, paid £34

British military issued Pulsar, purchased directly from the soldier who wore it in Afghanistan. Paid £31

Tissot Antimagnetique jumbo (37.5mm). Planning on having it re-nickel plated. Paid £31.21

That “Jenny” is pretty snazzy! Many of these defunct brands had odd names. I wonder how they came up with them?

levkov · Aug 23, 2022

Thanks 😀 Unfortunately the Jenny is more of a boy's size, if it was say at least 35mm, it'd be one of my favourites, just love the honest patina on it.
I know, right? Some of them sound pretty random, and it's funny how it was almost mandatory at the time for most brand names to contain the letter "X" 😁

TimeODanaos · Aug 23, 2022

levkov
Vintage cheapo's are super fun! When we bought a house & our daughter was born, had to tighten the belt, that's when i got into cheap watches.
My best deals under £40 each:
[...]
Enicar Ocean Pearl in its original box & purchase docs, paid £34

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

tnt9 · Aug 24, 2022

Dafnis Deluxe, swiss 60s

Cheapo Vintage Beauties

Syrte

cverstegen

dandog

Bourne1984

yle

yle

mzzleather

Matty01

Nupero

lfan

dandog

dandog

dandog

dandog

dandog

levkov

dandog

levkov

TimeODanaos

tnt9

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