Hi All, I am on the hunt for a vintage watch for my boyfriend. I have my heart set on starting his collection with an Omega, which has been very difficult to find.

I do however really like this JLC that is posted on this forum for sale.

Can I get people's thoughts? Should I keep looking for the Omega, or is this JLC a special watch that would be nice to receive as a gift?

Thanks!!

Link for JLC: https://omegaforums.net/threads/jaeger-lecoultre-memovox-cal-814.30812/

 

The LeCoultre alarm you're asking about is a nice watch. However, if you're set on getting an Omega that's okay too and we can help.

 

That is a nice looking watch but keep in mind that it is a relatively small case, if that is an issue.

 

Do you know of anywhere other than this forum that I could find a nice Omega (somewhere trustworthy)

 

Why?
That may help us understand how to answer.
Omega is a fine watch and continues to be.
LeCoultre is arguably higher quality today than it was when this watch was made, but it was still among the better brands in the 50's and 60's.
This LeCoultre is attractive, and offered at a nice price considering it also features an alarm function. But is is on the smaller side, and will appear even more so because of the width of the bezel (the part that holds the clear plastic lens, not sure how familiar you might be with the watch language).
For the price, there's not a whole lot of other vintage watches I would rather have, unless a very nice condition Omega or Longines became available.

 

Isnt there like 3 pie pans in the for sale part here for about the same price? Not to mention all the ones on ebay if you know what to look for? I just got mine on original bracelet for $800 off the bay, its not perfect it has wear on the back from him wearing it and spots on the dial but its almost 60 yrs old so i think its charm..

 

I'm worried about purchasing on ebay since everyone has advised that I do not do that. I am definitely no expert and really don't want to risk buying something that might not be authentic.

 

you make interesting points, if the face is on the smaller side I am ok with it as it is a vintage and I understand that larger faces weren't that common, but that being said I don't want it to be on the way smaller side either.

I don't want to get a longines, because he recently purchased a brand new one. He has done a lot of reading on Omega because he wanted to buy a new one, then became intrigued by the vintage market, but has yet to pursue shopping for one. (I'm hoping to beat him to it).

That being said I know he would be thrilled with a JLC or a Rolex as well. The reason I became set on Omega is because I read that they have always been amazing watches (some say better than rolex, and have been amazing for a long time) Which led me to believe that their vintage collections must be better to buy vs. any others.

I could be wrong, but this is what I have found in my research. The only other issue I have with the JLC is the damage on the back, since this is a gift (vintage or not) I would prefer to purchase something that isn't damaged...

 

The watch maker I use to rehab and service my old wheezer watches just had this to say today during an email exchange.

"Myself, I prefer vintage Omegas because they are one of the most accurate watches ever made (the old ones, not the ones from 1980 and beyond ..."

You won't go wrong with a nice vintage Omega. Omega produced a lot of movements and variants and most of them give excellent service if properly tended with no inaccuracy drama.

I do like that LeCoultre alarm and am not concerned with smaller watches. I enjoy wearing 'em all.

 

Omega (and Longines) offer some great value considering the quality of their watches from the 50's-60's. I wouldn't mess with the 70's as these began to decline in quality.
As a side note, my personal favorite "bang for the buck" is IWC (International Watch Co.). Their vintage pieces are very soft at the moment, though a nice one will be twice that LeCoultre (about $1600).
Your choice to go Omega is a good one, stick with it. And this is a great place to get help with vintage Omega. I wish I had specific examples to suggest, but they will probably materialize over the next few days.
I admire the "extra mile" you are investing here. Very few of us men are so lucky, though I am one. My wife had my best buddy figure out my dream watch and reported back to her. That was one memorable Christmas...

 

There range of styles (and prices) in vintage Omega is very wide. Another good place to review vintage examples is in the Market Place section of this forum. You'll see a wide variety of vintage Omega, and also get a sense of what may fit into your budget.

 

www.watchrecon.com ... there is all you need to know and more ;-)
cheers, Al

 

would you really put a IWC over a JLC (say - same range of lines)? ... and if you think so, why?

cheers, Al

 

true that, but also works in your favor ... if you can "live" with 34-37mm, then you can get really good deals nowadays, as everybody and their dog like watches 44+mm (which is ridiculous, and imho a passing fad)

34-42 is considered classic size ... you'd be hard pressed to find a Patek with 46mm ;-) that's why those huge disks will - again imho - be a "rapper's special"

best

 

From the 50's into the 60's, yes. Based on what I have read over 30 years collecting, I would sooner have an IWC than a LeCoultre. I would rather have an IWC caliber 8541B than an Omega Constellation caliber 564, though I suspect I'm in the minority (especially here on the Omega Forum)!
If you meant today, no way. JLC over IWC.

 

I am actually ok to spend more than the JLC, but I am purchasing in CAD$ which isn't doing too well right now, and I'm trying to stay close to $1000 give or take a couple hundred.