Much as I love my submariner, I think my long term favorite is going to be this badboy after he's all cleaned up... What's your favorite vintage Omega score, not the most expensive one necessarily, but the best find!
The one I found myself, and gets worn the most hands down, is the '71 AP. The best example of a particular line is '60 Longines. Neither are the rarest watches, but both are near mint and pretty uncommon. Some other watches, like the Seamaster Pie Pan, weren't finds because somebody tipped me off to them. It's nice when somebody else does the work!
When you say "best vintage find", I'm not sure if you mean one's favorite, or the watch on which we got the best bargain. Here's one that meets both criteria... This was a find at a small jewerly store where my parents go for $1 quartz batteries. They have a small cache of vintage watches, probably purchased out of estates and the like. When I saw this sitting there, I figured it was a gold capped version, until I turned it over and found this on the reverse. The watch was so dirty on the back (picture is after a light cleaning), you couldn't see the squirrel (14K) hallmark on the back of the lugs. A little negotiation, and it was mind for less than 50% of what these sell for on the 'Bay. Only work I needed to do was buy the correct bridge with chronometer language from Jules Borel. The watchmaker replaced the bridge, adjusted it and said not to touch anything else for the time being. Looking forward to seeing some other best finds, gatorcpa
Some of my favorites: Hooded Black dial Seamaster: Box and Paper Constellation 2887-2 w/ connections to the RCAF And my first original Omega: Prices were pretty good for all of them too! Edit: Oh, and this one too.
This Hilton is apparently not of the same pedigree as Omegas of the same period. It's probably just a more average watch, typical of most swiss 17 jewel movements of the 1950s. But I love it.
If we go by best bargain than it has to be the '46 Centenary 2500 that came from the gold buyer which I traded for the '59 Constellation 2943. It's very possible I'll end up with another one day because it's a great looking watch. Kyle, I know you really like that leopard patina. That might be one worth a shot at cleaning though. Really? I thought you had a couple more. Two good ones for sure. Man, where do you find watches like that?
I bought a box of old wrecks at auction in the countryside for a few years ago. I was very surprised when I found this at the bottom of the box. Bezel was missing and it was generally dirty and very scratched at the plastic glass. My incredibly talented watchmaker made the Speedy in perfect condition again. Even bracelet ref 1039 was in good shape after one wash. And I pay only 10 USD for it at the auction. Not every day you make such a deal.
VERY COOL! I do love Cal 321 Speedmasters, yours is about the kind of perfect I'd love to find one day.
Owned it for many many years before I "found it" never appreciated what I had - youth wasted on the young?