Do IWC vintage watches trump (no pun intended) vintage Seamasters?

Dan S · Jul 13, 2020

ollipekka
The problem for me with IWC is that the price is often 5 to 10-fold compared to the equivalent vintage omega. That and there isn't too many resources to learn from. I'd love to have a vintage Yachting Club or Ingeniur, but the 5k+ prices are a serious turn off especially since there are many good redials to burn newbies like me.

Which Omega do you think is equivalent to a vintage Ingenieur? I think this is a false equivalence. The actual price difference between truly analogous references is not nearly so dramatic.

ollipekka · Jul 13, 2020

Dan S
Which Omega do you think is equivalent to a vintage Ingenieur? I think this is a false equivalence. The actual price difference between truly analogous references is not nearly so dramatic.

I think you're correct here. If you accept nothing but a Railmaster to compare to an Ingeniur, Omega is going to wind up more expensive. With the Yacht Club, the prices are over 2-5x compared to similar Omegas.

I'm sure the IWC are better watches, but for me, there isn't anything that makes me want to get a Yacht Club over a similar era Seamaster. This is mostly because the watches start to be in such price bracket that burning your fingers starts to hurt.

JwRosenthal · Jul 14, 2020

I think there is a divide between three points of value here- what some members will say they think something Is worth, what they would be willing to pay, and what they would ask if the piece were theirs.
We get into threads where a noob will ask if a watch is worth a certain price, some say Gfaw!- that’s way too much, I wouldn’t pay that- then if you were to ask them what they honestly would sell their own piece for- it would be twice that.
If we were to compare the OP watch against a 166.010 (which I think is the closest), we would see they range from $1.4k-2.5k on Chrono24. Many say that’s not a fair place from which to judge value but it is the current marketplace that most people check for vintage pieces.
Th OP watch is far rarer than an 010, with factory bracelet which Is even rarer and in terms of visual excitement I would put both at a solid 6 on the yawn-o-meter. The IWC wins in my book for being a more “special” watch for the same money.
Just because you may think you can still get an excellent 166.010 for $400 doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen- that was 5 years ago, we are way past that.

Dan S · Jul 14, 2020

JwRosenthal
If we were to compare the OP watch against a 166.010 (which I think is the closest) ...

Not to open a whole new can o' worms, but IWC made many of their watches in the 36-37mm range, where the "equivalent" Omega is 34-35mm, and the larger "jumbo" Omega references are uncommon and carry a premium. For some, this is significant.

Shabbaz · Jul 14, 2020

As you know I also like the 166.010/168.024 but regarding wrist presence the r820a IMHO blows the 166.010 from the table. Not only because of the case diameter, which is bigger, but also because of the shape of the lugs. But of course both watches are equal as beautiful.

Tony C. · Jul 14, 2020

ollipekka
I'd love to have a vintage Yachting Club or Ingeniur, but the 5k+ prices are a serious turn off especially since there are many good redials to burn newbies like me.

Yacht Clubs are far less expensive than Ingenieurs. Good examples can be had for under $2000. There are actually relatively few redials, as so many good, original examples remain. But if you have any questions about either model, feel free to create a post, and members like myself, who have plenty of experience withy those models, will be happy to help you navigate the unfamiliar territory.

STANDY · Jul 14, 2020

Trump bit strong, just as good would be my opinion

But Seamaster Lugs

JwRosenthal · Jul 14, 2020

Dan S
Not to open a whole new can o' worms, but IWC made many of their watches in the 36-37mm range, where the "equivalent" Omega is 34-35mm, and the larger "jumbo" Omega references are uncommon and carry a premium. For some, this is significant.

Completely forgot about the IWC sizing- that put them in different leagues- great point.

janice&fred · Jul 14, 2020

Ah this Omega vs IWC conversation brings back fond memories of a few years back. I was bored to tears one weekend and heard of a big antique show and sale up in RI so I hopped on 95 Sunday morning to check for any watch deals there. I spotted a display case with a bunch of jewelry and a few watches and leaned over to take a look. The owner of the display was a pompous paesan (I can get away with that as I'm also of Italian decent). You know the type of guy I'm talking about...heavy-set with gold chains and talking about 30 decibels too loud. Some unfortunate lady was looking at a piece of jewelry and made the mistake of commenting on the price, to which the Soprano-wannabe launched into a bellowing pontification about how he has been doing this for 30 years and blah blah blah. I knew then what I was dealing with. In my best sheepish voice I pointed to a row of around 5 or 6 watches, mostly old square gold colored stuff and asked for the brand name of the round one, as I couldn't make out the writing on the dial with it's distance down on the bottom of the display case. The guy announces that all the watches are solid gold and the price is firm at $125 each. I suppose back then that would have probably been a bit more than scrap value. Anyways he picks up the round watch and starts reading the dial to me "International Watch Company Shuf…" and without him finishing I immediately figured he was breaking my balls. He hands the watch to me and as I see it was in fact a nice original IWC gold automatic he says "It ain't no Omega but the price is still $125". I promptly paid the man and walked away thinking it was a good thing it wasn't an Omega as then it would only be worth 5 times what he wanted for it instead of 10. 😁

JwRosenthal · Jul 14, 2020

janice&fred
Ah this Omega vs IWC conversation brings back fond memories of a few years back. I was bored to tears one weekend and heard of a big antique show and sale up in RI so I hopped on 95 Sunday morning to check for any watch deals there. I spotted a display case with a bunch of jewelry and a few watches and leaned over to take a look. The owner of the display was a pompous paesan (I can get away with that as I'm also of Italian decent). You know the type of guy I'm talking about...heavy-set with gold chains and talking about 30 decibels too loud. Some unfortunate lady was looking at a piece of jewelry and made the mistake of commenting on the price, to which the Soprano-wannabe launched into a bellowing pontification about how he has been doing this for 30 years and blah blah blah. I knew then what I was dealing with. In my best sheepish voice I pointed to a row of around 5 or 6 watches, mostly old square gold colored stuff and asked for the brand name of the round one, as I couldn't make out the writing on the dial with it's distance down on the bottom of the display case. The guy announces that all the watches are solid gold and the price is firm at $125 each. I suppose back then that would have probably been a bit more than scrap value. Anyways he picks up the round watch and starts reading the dial to me "International Watch Company Shuf…" and without him finishing I immediately figured he was breaking my balls. He hands the watch to me and as I see it was in fact a nice original IWC gold automatic he says "It ain't no Omega but the price is still $125". I promptly paid the man and walked away thinking it was a good thing it wasn't an Omega as then it would only be worth 5 times what he wanted for it instead of 10. 😁

Ahhhh, the days before the internet.

Shabbaz · Jul 14, 2020

janice&fred
Ah this Omega vs IWC conversation brings back fond memories of a few years back. I was bored to tears one weekend and heard of a big antique show and sale up in RI so I hopped on 95 Sunday morning to check for any watch deals there. I spotted a display case with a bunch of jewelry and a few watches and leaned over to take a look. The owner of the display was a pompous paesan (I can get away with that as I'm also of Italian decent). You know the type of guy I'm talking about...heavy-set with gold chains and talking about 30 decibels too loud. Some unfortunate lady was looking at a piece of jewelry and made the mistake of commenting on the price, to which the Soprano-wannabe launched into a bellowing pontification about how he has been doing this for 30 years and blah blah blah. I knew then what I was dealing with. In my best sheepish voice I pointed to a row of around 5 or 6 watches, mostly old square gold colored stuff and asked for the brand name of the round one, as I couldn't make out the writing on the dial with it's distance down on the bottom of the display case. The guy announces that all the watches are solid gold and the price is firm at $125 each. I suppose back then that would have probably been a bit more than scrap value. Anyways he picks up the round watch and starts reading the dial to me "International Watch Company Shuf…" and without him finishing I immediately figured he was breaking my balls. He hands the watch to me and as I see it was in fact a nice original IWC gold automatic he says "It ain't no Omega but the price is still $125". I promptly paid the man and walked away thinking it was a good thing it wasn't an Omega as then it would only be worth 5 times what he wanted for it instead of 10. 😁

Haha. Great story

Radiumpassion · Jul 14, 2020

I have always loved the clean design and build-quality on vintage IWC
and I hold them a couple of notches above Omega. No offence😉

Why did I let this go🤦

janice&fred · Jul 14, 2020

JwRosenthal
Ahhhh, the days before the internet.

I found out about that antique show on the internet. There's still plenty of good hunting and deals out there. All one has to do is put one foot in front of the other and get out of the house. 😁

JwRosenthal · Jul 14, 2020

janice&fred
I found out about that antique show on the internet. There's still plenty of good hunting and deals out there. All one has to do is put one foot in front of the other and get out of the house. 😁

This is starting to feel like therapy. 😬

ConElPueblo · Jul 14, 2020

Dan S
Not to open a whole new can o' worms, but IWC made many of their watches in the 36-37mm range, where the "equivalent" Omega is 34-35mm, and the larger "jumbo" Omega references are uncommon and carry a premium. For some, this is significant.

I would say that the Seamaster 'sparkle dial' variants would be good comparisons to this particular IWC. I don't follow prices that religiously these days, but they should be somewhat less expensive and are 36-39mm.

Shabbaz · Jul 14, 2020

I had a 36mm sparkle which I've sold for eur 1250 or 1350 but it does'nt get close to this one IMHO. The r820a is a league above.. But hey, everyone his own taste!

Shabbaz · Jul 14, 2020

I've never thought we would have the rolex versus omega discussion in the context of a gentlemans brand like IWC...😁

Spruce · Jul 14, 2020

Shabbaz
I had a 36mm sparkle which I've sold for eur 1250 or 1350 but it does'nt get close to this one IMHO. The r820a is a league above.. But hey, everyone his own taste!

I'm afraid I agree with you on this one ....

ConElPueblo · Jul 14, 2020

Shabbaz
I've never thought we would have the rolex versus omega discussion in the context of a gentlemans brand like IWC...😁

I think my comments are taken somewhat out of context. I never meant to say that the IWC is an inferior product, nor that this particular one is overpriced, only that the market is smaller. There are IMO fewer people looking to burn €1500 on a IWC dress watch than there are looking for the equivalent Omega which may or may not be priced lower and may or may not be of the same "quality" as the IWC. When the OP started the thread asking why it hadn't been sold, my answer would be that an IWC isn't necessarily as easily sold as an Omega - especially on a brand-focused (well, to some degree) forum.

I am not trying to make this thread into a "X vs. Y" thread as they are pointless, I only want to highlight some market mechanisms.

Here's the one IWC I've had the pleasure of owning, an unusual early fifties cal. 88:

imfagent449 · Jul 14, 2020

Does anyone have an idea of whether there was a differential in price between and Omega and IWC for a similar piece within a year in the 1960s?

I wonder whether they were about the same price or whether the IWC was a little or a lot more expensive.

Do IWC vintage watches trump (no pun intended) vintage Seamasters?

Dan S

ollipekka

JwRosenthal

Dan S

Shabbaz

Tony C.

STANDY

JwRosenthal

janice&fred

JwRosenthal

Shabbaz

Radiumpassion

janice&fred

JwRosenthal

ConElPueblo

Shabbaz

Shabbaz

Spruce

ConElPueblo

imfagent449

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