If you've read a few bits and pieces here you must have an idea of the version of watch you want and possibly the decade styling that generally appeals to you most. If you plan to go straight in with a 1000 USD purchase I can imagine you feel gun shy. However, if you're going in with few hundred dollars or so and are looking for a straight up mechanical vintage with a patina'd or marked original dial you should have quite a wide scope. Decide on a budget and stick to it as best you can...
Be prepared to make mistakes...decide what you will and won't compromise on....Go your own way. There is much heated debate here about pure original v's customisation. "Your wrist your watch enjoy!" as a OF member said to me:- I recently inquired here about a watch I fell in love with. I was told about a slight mismatch (i.e. a 61' black linen Seamaster 30 dial with Dauphine hands(wrong) in a slightly earlier case (1959) but I got it anyway because it was cheap and the styling spoke to me and I wanted that particular calibre 285.
If you can, try a couple of vintage Omegas out on your wrist in a second hand shop or pawnbrokers. They can look so much bigger in pictures where the reality is that many of them are considered pretty small by modern standards. If you're not a particularly small person with tiny wrists you'd best be looking at 32mm + watch diameter (minus crown)...If it's your first one, try and get one with a recent service..it can be disheartening to think you got a great deal, only to fork out another 200 dollars on a service within a couple of weeks of getting it.
Last thing: It's a vintage watch, it might be a bit economical with accuracy and generally needs a bit of looking after. Unless you acquire it as what they charmingly refer to here as a "beater" treat it just a little bit nicer...take it off before you do the dishes, any overly vigorous housework or DIY involving power tools. Can we see a pic of the Movado please?
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