I thought it might be interesting to show what a “noob” can do with a VERY limited budget, some research, and a passion for finding bargains and value.

I love vintage watches, but currently don't have the financial resources to chase $$$, or $$$$ watches.

What to do?

Fish the shallow end of the pond.

There are GREAT vintage watches available, that have many of the characteristics of their more expensive brethren, and they can be purchased for less than $50. So I set $50 as my max purchase price and began looking at Ebay listings. I do aspire to buy a couple of vintage Omegas (or more), a Memovox JLC, Pogue Seiko, a birth-year watch and others, but that will all have to wait for a while longer.

So with thanks to @ConEl Pueblo, @MSNWatch, @X350 XJR, @Foo2rama and all the members of the OF that willingly share their time and expertise, here are the watches I've picked up over the last 6 months, while I have been learning about vintage Omega's and vintage watches in general.

Each watch in this collection speaks to me in a particular way, and fulfills a particular stylistic want in my collection. Each watch was purchased from an Ebay auction. I'll present them in the order I purchased them:


First up: 1994 Seiko Quartz Tank V700-5K30 $10 shipped
(Yes I know it's quartz and not that vintage but...)

This watch was poorly photographed, and the auction ended at an odd time. But it was from a high feedback seller, and at that price was a minimal risk. Some basic research showed that the V700 quartz movement is well thought of, and produces a nice thin watch.

I've always lusted after an 18k Rose Gold Cartier Tank, but I have to settle for this Seiko right now. I put in a max bid of $12 and won the watch with the minimum bid of $9.95. It arrived with a new battery installed, but on a disgusting, de-laminating brown leather strap that reeked of old tobacco. The old strap went straight into the bin, and a quick trip to my local battery and strap emporium yielded the 20mm Lizard grain black leather strap it now sports.

Yes the strap cost more than the watch. So now for dress days, I can wear this fine looking tank watch for a bargain price.





#2: 1948 Bulova President 21j 7AK Art-Deco Tank $30 Shipped

I love the Art-Deco look and feel and fully numbered dial of this watch. Great patina on the dial, it's very readable and looks great on my smallish sized wrist. I know it's another tank style case, but with the sub second hand dial, the look and feel of this watch is very different on the wrist from the Seiko tank.

The auction ended at an off peak time (10am Pacific Time on a Tuesday), but had great photos and description, so I guess no one wanted this one as much as I did. I bid and won it at $27 plus $3 shipping for $30 all in. The watch arrived with a NOS crystal, a NOS pigskin band, and is 5X signed (dial, case, movement, crown, & buckle). The seller was nice enough to include the crystal packaging and the price tag from the band to prove NOS status. The movement is clean as the proverbial whistle, and it runs great.

It gets wrist time, and can be worn for any occasion.



#3: 1974 Seiko 6106-5529 Automatic Blue Dial “TV” Case with Day/Date $40 Shipped.

I'm a child of the late 60's and early 70's and “mod” design strikes a chord with me. Anyone know of a watch with a dial by Peter Max? After doing a lot of reading on OF, SCWF, and other places about vintage Seiko's and movements,

I began searching for a watch with the 6106 calibre. It's a hacking second hand, quickset day/date movement, that is nearly bulletproof.

The blue dial and “TV” shaped case are a great vintage 70's look. It's on the original stainless steel integrated bracelet, which really enhances the look of this watch. I found this one as a BIN for $60, shot the seller an offer at $40 and it was accepted. The listing had a few case shots, a full dial shot, caseback shot, but no movement shot.

The watch arrived with the band really full of dried gunk, needing a new crystal, and some cleaning of the case. It runs well when on the wrist, but loses about 10 minutes in 12 hours. It needs a service, and I sourced a new crystal and gasket for about $25. By the time I add in the cost of a service, I'll be in this one about $150, but it's a keeper and will go into my wearing rotation.



#4: 1967 Seiko Sportsman 17j 6602-9981 Seahorse Caseback “Water Proof” $37 Shipped

I firmly believe that someone at Seiko “reverse engineered” many elements of Omega design into their 1960's vintage watches. This one is a 36mm plated case, stainless steel back, the Seiko Seahorse engraved on the case-back, 17j manual wind 6602B with 35 - 45 hour power reserve, date window, and a dial design that to my eye echoes the Seamaster and SDV designs of the time. Of course the seahorse echoes the Omega hippocampus. The 6602 calibre is the improved version the venerable 66 calibre but with the date complication added. If I can find a vintage 19mm Seiko BOR bracelet, I'll have my “poor mans” Seamaster. Oh, this watch also was on auction, but the seller did not mention the Seahorse engraving, which usually drives up the bidding. I entered a max bid of $50, but ended up winning this at $34 plus $3 shipping. The crystal had a major scratch extending from the 12 down through the 3, but most of it polished out. I can see a large circle of grime on the case around the stem so I know the movement must be filthy. The case has a few nicks here and there, but the lines are sharp and the lugs in great condition. A couple of other minor marks are on the crystal and when I send it for service I'll replace it. It arrived on a broken old stretch band which went straight into the trash.

Even so, I think I stole it at that price.

I ordered a pair of 19mm straps from a seller recommended on one of the strap threads here recently. I caught the end of a 50% off sale and scored both for $40 shipped from Cyprus (Thanks to @cicindela for the tip).

This watch does need a service, and it's going in this week. After that, it goes on my wrist and stays there for a while.

Since writing this I see that an Ebayer has a “restored” version of this watch with a BOR bracelet for a BIN of $769.


#5: 1970 Seiko 5 21j Automatic 7006-8000 Day/Date with BOR Bracelet! $48 Shipped

This one just arrived last weekend. Simply Excellent. Another $50 max bid auction that I won for $40 plus $8 shipping. All stainless steel, 36mm case, 18mm lugs, recessed crown, and dates to Dec 1970. Automatic 17j movement, with a quick change date, but changing the day is a PITA. Again a poor description and title hurt the seller. The auction never mentioned the BOR bracelet in the title or description. I bought this one for the original BOR bracelet, but the watch looks so nice this way I can't bear to cannibalize it for the band. It looks like an Omega Seamaster clone, and so far is running great.

I'll take the band off and clean and size it next week, then give this puppy some wrist time to see how well it runs.



So all told, $10 + $30 + $40 + $37 + $48 = $165 over a 6 month span bought me 5 great vintage watches. Yes I spent a bit more for straps, and I'll spend some on service, but for fishing in the very shallow end of the pond, I think these are great results. I now have the start of a nice collection of vintage watches, spanning the 40's through the 90's.

Different case and movement styles, but all connected to my style, and wearable for any occasion. Thanks for reading through this long post and all comments and suggestions are welcome.

 

Great post and well done.

Seikos are great buys, but the 21 Jewel Seiko 5 with BOR bracelet

 

Congrats on what looks like a fun and individual journey

Funnily enough I have been eyeing Seikos with BoR bracelets these last few weeks - seems like a lot of potential there. Great minds and all that

 

In my humble opinion, OF needs a subforum where new members - and those new to the hobby - can easily find the new member stickies and awesome tutorials like this one.

 

Another great low price but great value badge to buy is Bulova. Lots of real horologic goodness here. While I am highly respectful of the folks that collect the Accutrons - itself a major advance in timekeeping - I like the Swiss design and mechanical precision they brought to the American market. Here's 4 of mine that in total I have maybe $1000 invested in.

 

Bulova factory in NYC near LaGuardia airport, built in 1953



This Phantom that came my way this year for $50 rolled out a year later



Calibre 10BUC



Slightly later Surf King came my way for slightly less



Another great American watch brand that can represent good value is Hamilton, this Sea Sentinel also came to me about the same



Calibre 688 is based on ETA 2390

 

Great stuff @Looneytoons, what you’ve done with the budget is fantastic. Particularly like the Sportsman.
Nice touch tipping your hat to those that helped you along the way too.

All the best

Nathan

 

Love this post
The fun is in the hunt and the sense of accomplishment when you find these gems is priceless
I always look for Seikos- many cool and undervalued watches came from that company. Divers have really taken off
Congrats on your cool collection

 

Congrats on a super nice post and nice watch venture. It’s all about finding little gems at a price range which will provide quality and enjoyment.
Oh and PS- dibs on that vintage NOS watch strap that’s on the tank Bulova!!!

 

Great way to start collecting and learning about what you like and forming a basis for what to look for and pick.

I should have a look and see if there's anything in my drawer that's worth $50 and runs

 

LooneyTunes, that is a nice little collection you have gotten yourself there. I especially like the Bulova but I have a soft spot for American watches.

 

Lovely collection - especially like the world time hand on the third, really funky!

 

If you are referring to the Bulova Wrist Alarm, the squiggly hand is turned by one of the crowns to set the alarm time. And that's a great looking watch.

 

That's even cooler. Actually mainly love the design of the squiggly hand - just making the decision to do something different like that stands out, and very nicely executed.

 

great idea for a thread! And fine watches!

 

I absolutely adore this thread because as a vintage collector this is what I enjoy doing, when i am having my breaks between lunch or after a long day. It is one of reason why I enjoy vintage watches because I believe in its value, which cannot be judged based on its price tag.

Just sharing a couple of mine: pasting some pics from my instagram @ClarendonVintage Was glad to have bidded/negotiated these watches to below $50 and I've had quite some luck meeting some very nice sellers who kept them in great conditions too.



The hunt never stops

 

Great thread. Many of these watches are very very cool looking

 

Great finds @gatorcpa. I love the dials on your Bulovas. I tried to buy very similar watches, but the bidding always went to high. I think the market on the <$50 is shrinking fast. I'll have to stretch to $75

Thanks to everyone that took the time to read my post and reply. Please keep posting your <$50 finds.
The more ideas the better.

 

I picked this Hamilton up for $42 about a year and a half ago.