Learning How To Fish: The Under $50 Collection

McKinley · Sep 17, 2018

Decided to put an old leather band on this gray sunburst dialed Timex from the auction lot. I like it and think I will wear it for a while, before moving it on. There was 16 watches in the box lot, the price with auction house fee of 12.5% and state tax of 5.5 % brought the total outlay to $11.87. So technically, I have 74 cents in this watch. So, I am well within the limitations of this thread. I think I need to look for a gray dialed Omega. ;-)

McK

Professor · Sep 18, 2018

Got this one for 53 USD.

Need servicing. Still haven't figured out how to get the back off. Got a suction type tool but haven't tried it yet.
Its run perfectly for as long as 6 hours before stalling, but obviously needs oiling. Very nice condition.
The Admiral band is in excellent condition and a perfect fit, probably worth near half what I paid for the watch.
The inside plates of the band have a convex belly that prevents the edges of the band from marking the skin. Nice design. I've seen a few NOS bands of this type for sale lately. If one has sensitive skin this would be the best band. Most comfortable I've seen yet.

Waltesefalcon · Sep 22, 2018

This Illinois came in right at $50 with shipping. This is my second Illinois that I've gotten at this price.

Professor · Oct 29, 2018

My most recent additions.

Under $9 USD including the $4 shipping cost.

What looked like a crack in the edge of the crystal turned out to be a shallow scrape. I polished it out in less than a minute. Seems to be running fine. Shanghai Watch Factory

Paul Peugeot with 66a Seiko movement

Runs great, adjusted it a bit now keeping accurate time. Looks like a previous owner got the plus and minus mixed up and was setting it to run very fast. With indicator now centered its right on time.
Less than $14 USD with $3 shipping.
Discoloration on the dial doesn't show under normal lighting conditions.

Jerseyhammer · Oct 31, 2018

Professor
Got this one for 53 USD.

Need servicing. Still haven't figured out how to get the back off. Got a suction type tool but haven't tried it yet.
Its run perfectly for as long as 6 hours before stalling, but obviously needs oiling. Very nice condition.
The Admiral band is in excellent condition and a perfect fit, probably worth near half what I paid for the watch.
The inside plates of the band have a convex belly that prevents the edges of the band from marking the skin. Nice design. I've seen a few NOS bands of this type for sale lately. If one has sensitive skin this would be the best band. Most comfortable I've seen yet.

Bargin

Jerseyhammer · Oct 31, 2018

Professor
My most recent additions.

Under $9 USD including the $4 shipping cost.

What looked like a crack in the edge of the crystal turned out to be a shallow scrape. I polished it out in less than a minute. Seems to be running fine. Shanghai Watch Factory

Paul Peugeot with 66a Seiko movement

Runs great, adjusted it a bit now keeping accurate time. Looks like a previous owner got the plus and minus mixed up and was setting it to run very fast. With indicator now centered its right on time.
Less than $14 USD with $3 shipping.
Discoloration on the dial doesn't show under normal lighting conditions.

Movement look ok

Professor · Nov 1, 2018

Jerseyhammer
Bargin

Even better than I'd hoped. Those admiral bands in NOS condition are going for outrageous prices. I saw one mint condition NOS gold filled like mine priced at 144 USD. Used they fetch anywhere from 35 USD for a bit worn on up to 70-80 for a nice one, haven't seen any used gold plated ones like mine offered.

The watch is running now and keeping decent time, wearing it now in fact, though it might start bogging down again. I'll be having it properly serviced first chance I get.

Wish I could find information on this model.

sah · Nov 16, 2018

$49. Nobody seems to like vintage womens watches.

Professor · Nov 16, 2018

sah
$49. Nobody seems to like vintage womens watches.

I've noticed that. It seems that few ladies watches get the respect they deserve no matter how rare or how respected the brand name.
It could be because few women want to wear something another woman has worn unless its something that had been in the family.
They are more likely to be attracted to vintage small case diameter men's watches than vintage ladies watches.

GuiltyBoomerang · Nov 17, 2018

These are lovely alternatives to a Polerouter ^^

allwoundup · Nov 17, 2018

What a fantastic thread....great idea....great contributions! Here are five watches I picked up during the last year, all in working order,under $200 total: circa early 1940s Turtle DeLuxe, a private label model made by Movado for Zell Brothers Jewelers; 1928 lady's Longines with a 10.86N movement; a private label "Movado Museum Watch" made by Gerrard Perregaux for Gensler-Lee Jewelers (it's actually a GP "Sea Hawk"); 1937 Bulova "Doug Corrigan"; circa 1950s Marvin. Happy Hunting...cheers!

Professor · Feb 22, 2019

Was looking for replacement balance wheel with spring for one of my Pobedas, found one in fact, NOS replacement that fits just about any Pobeda and some other Russian watches of that vintage, when I ran across these beauties and broke my vow not to buy any more watches this year till I got some of my more valuable watches professionally serviced.
Anyway got each for around $20 shipping and all. Not pristine by any stretch but working and keeping time, and rather nice dials.