I have to agree with Hawkwood.
Whilst I have not been a collector for 14 years, nor do I have the wallet to afford an Ed White, or similar, 321; I know quality and honesty when I come across it.
I first became aware of Omega as a brand and in particular the 321 Speedmaster (moon watch) as a young lad in the 1970’s. There was a full page advert in some publication showing ‘ a space man’, a symbol I did not recognise and a picture of a watch face.
It was not until many years later, about 40 years, that, when looking into a jewellers window as I strolled passed, that I was aware of some point of sale and a watch that had a similarity to the publication all those years before. The penny dropped and I became aware that I had long known of Omega and its very special place in the history of horology but had not known I knew!
Unfortunately, but in a nice way, I was drawn into the store and purchased a ‘moon watch’. I say unfortunately because I had not purchased the watch I had seen on the page those 40 years ago, but a very nice modern version of.
Lovely piece, beautifully put together, nice big presentation box and all the trimmings, BUT, not a 321......
If I had of postponed my purchase for just 3 months, I would have perhaps never purchased a modern ‘professional’ endowed Moon watch, but would have saved up and bought the real thing.....
2 things happened in the 3 months mentioned; I came across a lovely shop in London, Austin Kaye ( and purchase a beautiful Pie-pan constellation, AND, I came across Fowey River Watches!!!!
The Austin Kaye experience was very business like and whilst I know I paid over the odds for a stunning watch, I was in London, and I could have said no!
This finally leads me on to the reason for this very long intro, and thanks for bearing with me.
I now had the bug for horology and started doing a lot more research into watch brands and prices and what makes some special, some reasonable, some exceptional and some overpriced but mediocre.
Different people like different things. Some people like bling and names ( even if they pay well over the odds for that name).
Some like elegant, sophisticated, classic and understated.
I lean more to the latter and I appreciate knowledge, honesty and good people with a true working ethic of fairness and friendship.
My research lead me to Andrew and Fowey River Watches.
I saw an item on eBay a Seamaster and 6 or 7 pictures of it.
Not 1 or 2 hazy pictures but many, From all angles, stripped down, the movement, the face, the bracelet and much in the way of narrative. I went onto the Fowey River website and saw many many watches, all photographed and advertised in the same professional way.
To cut to the chase, I rang the number on the website and was privileged to speak to be greeted by someone who knew what the were saying and at no point was I being sold to. I was still very much a novice and appreciated that this person was not taking advantage of that fact. I was being spoken to as an aficionado and an enthusiast and not being spoken down to. The knowledge that was being imparted on me, with no definite sale being made and at no cost to me, was exceptional. I knew that should I wish to purchase any further watches, this was the place.
Andrew is a true and honest businessman.
Fowey River Watches is simply world wide regarded as being on a par with the best in the business of vintage watch restorers and suppliers, Omega in particular.
I wish I had of come across Fowey River Watches 3 months earlier; as I would have had £3400.00 more to put towards an original 321 and not bought a new ‘professional’ version!
FRW may not be the cheapest.
They are not the most expensive.
They are very good at what they do and you will not be left wanting.
Talk to Andrew and find the watch you want.
I am absolutely sure £ for £ you will not find better vintage Omega anywhere.
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