Help: reputable sellers in the UK, or buy at auction?

Hi All,

I'm a Newbie here, and to vintage watches (I own a modern Seamaster, and a modern IWC, but nothing vintage).

I am looking to buy a steel vintage Omega Seamaster Calibre 562 Vintage as a more classy formal watch (essentially as the one in the attached photo), but when I look at what is available online and then looks for the reviews of the sellers I get so lost in the world of possible disreputable sellers and possible fakes that my search grinds to a halt (happy to pay the true price, I just don't want to get ripped off!).

I wondered if anyone knew any reputable dealers that have proper offline premises (as well as an online presence) the UK (so that I can actually go and look at the watches, although I have to admit to not really knowing what I am looking at, hence why I need a reputable seller!)?

The alternative for me (living close to London) is that I simple wait for one to come up at a watch auction (e.g. Bonhams), so I wondered what people thought of this idea?

I am sure these questions have come up before, so if you have any links to previous discussions on the forum please do let me know.

Thanks for your help, it is very much appreciated.

re: auctions - I set up alerts on the-saleroom and invaluable (auction aggregators) which send me emails from time to time. When I find a reference that I'm interested in, I "watch" a lot of lots and then they show up in my history. Then, when I feel like I've learned enough, seen examples of what comes to market (the good and the bad), I have a resource to refer back to. Alerts on watchrecon, watchpatrol, and mywatchmart will also help you keep tabs on what's moving and for how much.

Thanks 'jsducote', will try that for a while.

If you don't mark lots as watched/favorited then they often disappear, along with the final hammer price.

Thanks for this - to be honest I sort of gave up on eBay as when I did a bit of digging most of the sellers seemed to be a bit questionable - that searching is what led me here (as this site has saved me from a few sellers already).

Only issue now is that I'm worried about buying anything as I realise I'm not on top of the subject matter (hard for someone who just wants to dive in and buy 1 or 2 vintage watches to wear rather than collect a larger collection) - that's why I was erring towards the more reputable but less expensive auction houses (e.g. Bonhams), as I figured that would increase my probability of not getting ripped off!

Thanks 'Davidt'.

Noted, thank you Dan.

There are a few nice watch shops along the South Coast. I often browse 2 or 3 in the centre of Bournemouth. They seem have a few vintage Omegas from time to time.

Jump on a train at Waterloo and have a day out at the Seaside. 😀

Good idea, always liked Bournemouth!

I actually live in Kent if you knew any good dealers towards the Kent / Sussex / Central London part of the world?

Thanks again for the help.