I've recently acquired an Omega Seamaster Chronograph from the 60's with the 321 movement which I love but don't want to wear every day. Today, I came upon this Alpha vintage chronograph, serviced with a one year warranty that I think might be good for everyday wear. I'm wondering if anyone here can shed some light on quality of movement, when it was made and how much would be reasonable to pay. I think I can pick it up for about $400.

 

AFAIK Alpha is just an homage brand; retro, not vintage

Enlighten me if I'm wrong

 

Can't tell much from those photos. Size, material, movement needed. Or better photos from all sides including the insides.

 

Alpha is currently an homage brand, but back in the day they were actually a quality brand. Like many makers, they used spec parts and self branded them. Most likely a Landeron or Val movement is inside, usually a stainless case, they made good stuff. I keep my eyes open for their vintage pieces when they pop up.

This is my Alpha skin diver- AS movement, stainless case- very well made.



If you decide to pass on it, PM the info.

 

If it's SS and in decent condition, $400 is going to be an OK price no matter what's inside. Keep in mind that service costs for chronographs can add up, and can easily double the real cost of these entry-level pieces

 

It's been serviced and comes with a one year warranty. I almost bought it impulsively when I saw it but thought I'd do my due diligence. I'll buy it!!!

 

I'll get it and post some pics of the movement and do some more research.

 

Will do.

 

As Dan said, the price isn’t a “deal”, but it’s a fair price for what it is. Should be a nice watch. Just make sure it’s a stainless case, chrome case is only worth grabbing if it’s flawless and isn’t worth as much. I would offer a little lower if you feel comfortable

 

It felt like stainless. I made a deal for it over the phone. It will be my new daily. Picking it up next week.

 

Picked it up today and giving it wrist time. Here is a picture of the movement and both sides of the case back. Can anyone help identify the movement and approximate year?

 

Glad you got it. We need to see a clearer (brighter) shot of this:

 

Ok, did some reading and it’s a Venus 210 movement, made up to 1963. By the style of the watch, I would put this at the very tail end of that. If it has “T” next to the “Swiss made” it is most likely 1963 specifically.

 

I'lll pop the back of and see if I can get a better shot. It's definitely for the Tritium T. I'm thinking that's a pretty good movement found in other watches?

 

Yeah- off the shelf like a Valjoux 7730 or Landeron 148 which would have been the contemporaries. All workhorses that despite not being elegant, are durable as hell.
So the switch from radium to tritium was around 1963, some companies went a year or so earlier, some a few years later. Considering that movement ceased production in ‘63, and say alpha bought a large supply, it could have been made any time between 1962-1964ish.

 

Great info! Appreciate it. Wish there was more info available on these Alphas but so much gets lost to history. I like that I now have the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and end.

 

Interestingly, read about the change to Tritium in this article for Omega https://www.watchbooksonly.com/articles/watch-reviews/speedmasters-dials
and they mentioned pulling dials out and marking them with the T in 1964 which wasn't always aligned.
Looks like maybe Alpha had the same challenge.

 

Unfortunately, it's chrome-plated.

 

For $400, it’s a nice little watch. I agree I would prefer all stainless, but I have a few chrome plated chronos from the 40’s-early 60’s and they are great watches for little money.

 

I'm not trying to be a buzzkill. I only bring it up because it was discussed extensively earlier in the thread and the information the OP provided didn't allow us to provide the best advice.