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Recommended Good Value / Vintage - New Deals On EBAY & other Auctions

JwRosenthal
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The Helvetia is a nice little watch, not rust- plating wear and pitting- which is common on watches of this period if they saw regular use (Ph of sweat has much to do with this)- I have a few vintage mil pieces that have some pitting unfortunalty.
The Ralco is a nice little watch, case is in slightly better shape (still had pitting) but that dial is very attractive and either original or a very old well-done redial- I would guess original. Hands could use a refresh (if you want) to match the dial lume and it would be a knock-out.
I say double your pleasure and get the Ralco as well.
And I have had several that I have gotten ready to post here and just bought them myself- which defeated the purpose of this thread is to share them so others will buy them 👎
 
Helvetia History
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thelinendial phamti
I've been watching these posts and they've been very helpful. So I went to contribute and instead bought myself a watch ::facepalm1::
... so I'm both happy and sad. My search was for a cheap military feel vintage.

So here is my second choice, a 33mm Ralco Manual Wind Tuxdeo for $139 USD with "Make Offer". Fellow members, please correct me if wrong. Picked based on
  1. Nice look - yes not quite military
  2. Original Dial and Hands
  3. Likely little or unpolished
Con's, no idea of Ralco movements are any good, but they were produced by Movado.

Vintage RALCO Manual Wind Tuxedo.png


And the one I actually bought, Helvetia 3190P30 Military 30mm $225 USD, but agreed on $159 USD. Before this I had no knowledge of Helvetia, but @CVivash has a great Helvetia History website that is very informative. Picked based on,
  1. Nice dial, original hands, original crown
  2. Likely unpolished
  3. Serviced (hmm... I'll ask from whom) with warranty - which I waived with the discount
Con's, I'm a little concerned with what looks like rust but let's wait and see.

Hopefully it arrives early next week!

Helvetia Military Watch 30mm.png

Hi,

Nice watch for the money you paid. These watches tend to date to immediately post war when they introduced the 30mm version of the 3190 case. All original condition.

You can use the serial number lookup on my site to date it more accurately if you haven't already. I bought a similar DIH marked example yesterday with more unusual 'General' for General Watch Co dial instead of Helvetia, 800C movement probably the same as yours.

s-l1600 - 2020-08-13T112105.148.jpg
 
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Nepomuceño
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arturo7 arturo7
I should really stop looking at this thread...
Yep I agree. Like I said this thread is all about self control. The silver lining is that most of these are under $100.
 
JwRosenthal
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Nepomuceño Nepomuceño
Yep I agree. Like I said this thread is all about self control. The silver lining is that most of these are under $100.
Yup- cheap thrills- retail therapy. I’ve spent more on straps for many of the these watches than the watches themselves
 
wagudc
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Nepomuceño Nepomuceño
This one has been reduced and they are sending out offers. Less than $20 for a nice caravelle if anyone is interested. Seller seems eager, send them an offer.

I have 1/2 a mind to buy it, and then give it away.
 
JwRosenthal
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wagudc wagudc
I have 1/2 a mind to buy it, and then give it away.
Send it to @Nepomuceño - he’s putting all of these up because he’s being responsible with his money and trying to avoid temptation. If anyone deserves a few freebies, it’s him for his efforts here.
 
rcs914
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I picked this up probably a decade ago for $5 if i recall correctly. It's just too small for me to wear at I'm guessing 33-34mm, but I've always liked the clean look of it. It's just in the watch box till I decide to sell it off or pass it on. Would be good as a boys watch for my kiddo at some point too.

IMG_20200814_154614.jpg
 
Nepomuceño
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Send it to @Nepomuceño - he’s putting all of these up because he’s being responsible with his money and trying to avoid temptation. If anyone deserves a few freebies, it’s him for his efforts here.
Hehe well if you insist... But that's okay. There are many nice watches in the world but we can't have em all. Hopefully someone on OF will pick it up. Or even better a new member. I wish this thread and the "Other Watch Brands Forum" could get more views from newer folks. Stuff on here is affordable and is a good stepping stone towards buying that "dream" Omega, Rolex, etc. And watches like these still carry good value for what you get out of it. That's why I like this thread. It gives these types of watches a chance.
 
Syzygy
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This thread is amazing...and amazingly dangerous! I have 7 tabs open right now and the wife is saying "step slowly away from laptop! You have six on the way, you don't need seven more!!" 😗
 
DaveK
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Nepomuceño Nepomuceño
Accutron anyone? https://www.ebay.com/itm/184401889150
If these aren’t working, best to stay away from them. Although, few people, including some watchmakers, know how to source and install the battery correctly

Edit: If you are wondering why, here’s the story of how I learned to speak Accutroneese https://omegaforums.net/threads/got-it-bulova-accutron-spaceview-from-a-barbershop.96429/
Edited:
 
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