The popularity of the Under $500 in 2019 thread made think in a broader way. What watch or ephemera did you buy that you believe you purchased well under market value?.
For some this may be have the appearance of bragging, but I think the discussion of great finds and buys is what keep our hunter gatherer juices flowing. If you are self conscious or don't wish to mention specific prices, understood. If you can give us a ballpark, maybe in terms of percentages, of how much below market value you paid, I think it would be valuable.
I paid just under $500 for this Memomatic. With service and a new set of hands I now have just under $900 into it.
Not bad considering it came with the 1170 bracelet ($225-$275 value)

Before


After

 

I’d prefer the hunter gatherer juices of everyone else to dry up !

No bargains, no deals, plenty of scammer out there... be careful guys

 

Looks great!!! Nice outcome. Wear in good health.

 

Shown here before:



Seiko 6115 - 8110 in less than stellar state. Still, st $3 it is at home in this thread

 

Bugger... I had to pay $75 for mine !

 

A fool and his money...

 

I’m even more embarrassed about my 6105-8009 that cost $125

 

Why are you even posting here? There is a thread about n00b tax somewhere, I am sure.

 

To add insult to injury I was just bidding on an interesting lot. I typed in my max bid of $67.... waited until there were three seconds left, then submitted. I lost and the winner got it for $28. Seems I typed in $27.

 

I am bumping this thread. I know there are some stories out there. Fantastic boot finds, estate sales and old dusty stores.

 

My kind of thread.

2019 has been an unbelievable year for me, maybe the best yet, I scour charity stores, dusty 2nd hand shops/recycling centres etc, have done for over 35 years now.

Here are my2019 top two watch finds (both previously posted):

 

The speedy was AUD500, the f300 was free.

Then, just yesterday picked up a collection of late 50s - early 60s Bop. 20 records for $10 Including this copy of Kind of Blue (top right) which is an Australian mono 1st which translates to quite a big deal indeed.

 

Now that is what I imagined when I thought about this thread. Show us the treasure!.

 

When I haul in an empty net at a thrift shop, I give a silent nod and imagine that some deserving person just got there first and found their dream watch. We all need a turn at getting great deal or an unexpected bargain. I like the thrill of the hunt, and this thread is a fun way to “keep the dream alive”

For me, this year it was a drive in the country and a lucky glance at a barber shop window that got me this ‘73 Spaceview for $100

 

Watches and records... nice finds.

Can’t beat Miles. A couple of mine say hello




My recent luck was getting 4 early 70s Acoustic Research AR2ax speakers in perfect original condition for free from the 1st and only owner with manuals and boxes. Low humidity where I live really preserves things well. The owner saw my appreciation of these speakers and vintage stereo components so he went to the basement and pulled out his 1973 Pioneer receiver and gave that to me as well for no charge. His hearing has declined and he wanted to see all these used and appreciated.

Here’s a photo of a speaker in use.

Oh, I really wish I could have this kind of luck with watches.





Since this forum is about watches, I’ll include a random photo of one of mine.