Tough question.... the one that got away!

Albe100

This is tricky. Especially with social media, forums, etc., we can get influenced. The best way is trying them on, although not always easy when it's something vintage and/or rare.

I'm a novice collector myself, and I have sold some watches because they didn't speak to me, or your taste changes, or like @gostang9 mentions, you tend to find more expensive pieces that start to attract you. I went through a period where I bought too much, too fast. Now I'm trying to focus on thing that I absolutely love, from the appearance to the history. But in the process, this means making more room (so difficult to part with them!!)

Good luck and part of the fun is discovering. Important thing is not to make too many expensive mistakes 😉

JwRosenthal

Like you, I have to wear it to know, and price or brand doesn't matter- if I don't love it, then I don't love it. I have had a few coveted and "expensive" watches that I just didn't enjoy wearing for one reason or another but felt no need to keep them-if you don't wear it, it's just a dust catcher. One of my favorite regular wears is my Benrus military re-issue from 1995 (50th anniversary of D-Day). It is only worth about $150, but it's incredibly comfortable, well built, easy to read and I don't care what happens to it.

If you want smaller vintage sport Omegas, that wear like your Seiko, look towards the late 60's Seamaster 120, the Seamaster Cosmic's, the Admirality Geneve, the C-cased Constellations or any of the Tissot PR516 or T12 lines (I know not technically Omega but the same family).
For your birthyear- anything from Rolex or Tudor would be fab. The Tudor Prince's of that era are a bargain.

GTAKnights

what is your favourite watch currently and why? mine is my seiko 6139 because it has the original bracelet

BradleyJ.

If no omegas have jumped out at you yet, take a look at the speedmaster mkii. The case is similar to a seiko 6139 (mkii doesnt have end link cutouts though) Honestly the mkii was never on my radar cause the look just wasn't for me until I seen one in person and I was very wrong with my judgment of it in pictures.

DaveCollins

I have only sold modern (relatively new) watches. I have 17 vintage watches and would never consider selling any of them. I am careful when I make a purchase, and generally my watches are in exceptional condition. Selling one of these watches most likely means I'll never have another one. NOS watches, or close to it, aren't common. It takes years of paying attention in order to snag those special watches. Selling would certainly be followed with regret. No regrets so far.

JwRosenthal

Just an example of what's out there for Tudor- your birthyear-

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=703254

JwRosenthal

It’s actually been pretty heavily polished/rebrushed (albeit I think fairly well) and is overpriced by about 1/3 imo, but is an example of a nice daily wear from a respected brand of it can be had at the right price.

Everyone has different goals for their collections- some collect specific brands, styles, or periods. Some collect NOS examples, some want wabi-sabi galore. One man’s trash is literally another’s treasure. I think as we collect, our tastes and proclivities evolve- just as someone who gets into wine, craft beers or small batch distilled- your palette evolves.

I think if you were to ask every member here what they look for when collecting, every single one would give you a different answer- but I think a unanimous answer would be originality and condition. I don’t mind a little wear, I don’t care if it’s been lightly polished in its life as I intend to wear my watches regularly, not keep them in a showcase. But redialed watches or aftermarket parts (aside of period correct bracelets) are a no-go for me.

Dan S

I would probably turn it around. Im not drawn to watches because they’re more expensive, I’m just increasingly interested in less common watches, watches with special history/features, or watches in particularly good condition. These are not usually inexpensive. When you hunt for a long time to find an uncommon watch in good condition you’re naturally going to be reluctant to let it go.

JwRosenthal

Like you, I have to wear it to know, and price or brand doesn't matter- if I don't love it, then I don't love it. I have had a few coveted and "expensive" watches that I just didn't enjoy wearing for one reason or another but felt no need to keep them-if you don't wear it, it's just a dust catcher. One of my favorite regular wears is my Benrus military re-issue from 1995 (50th anniversary of D-Day). It is only worth about $150, but it's incredibly comfortable, well built, easy to read and I don't care what happens to it.

If you want smaller vintage sport Omegas, that wear like your Seiko, look towards the late 60's Seamaster 120, the Seamaster Cosmic's, the Admirality Geneve, the C-cased Constellations or any of the Tissot PR516 or T12 lines (I know not technically Omega but the same family).
For your birthyear- anything from Rolex or Tudor would be fab. The Tudor Prince's of that era are a bargain.