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What are good "starter" vintage watch brands

Omegamonkey
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Still looking for the vintage Omega I really want but decided to test the vintage world with a little less risk $$ to see if I would really enjoy it. Picked up a 1959 Bulova 23 about a week ago on ebay for $150 and can't stop wearing it. What other brands do you like as starter pieces that I should consider as part of the learning/experience. Thanks for you feedback.
 
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Canuck
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There are lots of other brands that might be of interest. Tissot, Gruen, Rodania, Certina, and others. However, the longer you dabble in building a watch collection, the greater the likelihood that you will end up buying something that doesn’t perform reliably, with the probability that you will be looking at major repair bills. The cost of repairing and maintaining vintage watches comes out of your total watch collecting budget. The more you spend on repairs, the fewer watches you’ll be able to collect. So learn how to collect quality stuff, which might mean fewer, but better watches.
 
bradurani
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Seiko has a rich catalog of watches in all styles spanning decades. As Canuck mentioned though, the problem with cheap vintage watches is that, like anything mechanical with moving parts, they'll need servicing at some point, and then the price to service them is more than they're worth, so they're basically disposable.
 
JwRosenthal
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I should also note- the Bulova catalog was huge, you can spend a lifetime collecting all of their greats and still not scratch the surface. I know this forum is Omega-centric, but we love all watches and Bulova has a soft spot for many here.
There is a thread or two dedicated to Bulova love
 
Vitezi
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Omegamonkey Omegamonkey
What other brands do you like as starter pieces that I should consider as part of the learning/experience.
Some of us began with those "starter" pieces and have never left. 😀 There's a lot of fun to be had in vintage if you keep a hobbyist mindset and don't get caught up in the investment angle. Most of my watches cost more to service than they did to buy, but all of them were great fun to research, hunt for, and then wear.
the 50s.jpg
 
JwRosenthal
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Vitezi Vitezi
Some of us began with those "starter" pieces and have never left. 😀 There's a lot of fun to be had in vintage if you keep a hobbyist mindset and don't get caught up in the investment angle. Most of my watches cost more to service than they did to buy, but all of them were great fun to research, hunt for, and then wear.
the 50s.jpg
Dibs on the chrono, the cross-hair and the tuxedo 😀
 
Shabbaz
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Vitezi Vitezi
Some of us began with those "starter" pieces and have never left. 😀 There's a lot of fun to be had in vintage if you keep a hobbyist mindset and don't get caught up in the investment angle. Most of my watches cost more to service than they did to buy, but all of them were great fun to research, hunt for, and then wear.
the 50s.jpg
Lovely watches. I dont understand I never bought a Tissot. Just a few hours ago I was scrolling through ebay looking for tissot's. Great dress watches and still affordable.
 
Shabbaz
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You can buy some great zeniths as well for $ 300. I think this one was around EUR 200. 38mm.
 
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JwRosenthal
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Certina are a great value
F75FF514-406C-4AD1-B321-890FB3C4E864.jpeg E239610D-9557-487E-8038-3B321FCA1FCF.jpeg


As are Longines- on par with anything Omega did during this period

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mrbreen
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Lots of great affordable vintage watches. I’ve been saving up lately for a potential larger purchase, but the collecting still continues! Recent buys like these little gems allow me to scratch the watch buying itch while keeping my powder
407D8039-A242-42FB-BF7A-575B666BDFED.jpeg
dry.
 
JwRosenthal
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mrbreen mrbreen
Lots of great affordable vintage watches. I’ve been saving up lately for a potential larger purchase, but the collecting still continues! Recent buys like these little gems allow me to scratch the watch buying itch while keeping my powder
407D8039-A242-42FB-BF7A-575B666BDFED.jpeg
dry.
That Seiko looks awfully familiar 😉
 
imfagent449
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I always thought that Gruens were a great way to visit the vintage world. Very affordable and I believe of decent quality.

I have a veri thin here somewhere.
 
Spruce
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Ness Ness
Vintage Seikos. Great value for money.
Some of them are lovely and there’s plenty to choose from but, as one who’s been there, you have to remember that most watch repairers/servicers have to spend a similar amount of time servicing a basic Seiko movement as they do for a vintage Omega movement.
The service will cost the same but, with a ‘value' Seiko, it’ll be worth no more than you paid for it but the value of a quality watch will be enhanced.
 
Norfolk
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Wyler. Nivada. Zodiac. Bulova. Hamilton. I could go on

and on

and on
 
DaveK
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I should also note- the Bulova catalog was huge, you can spend a lifetime collecting all of their greats and still not scratch the surface. I know this forum is Omega-centric, but we love all watches and Bulova has a soft spot for many here.
There is a thread or two dedicated to Bulova love
This is a good resource when hunting Bulova https://mybulova.com/
 
Professor
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I would say Bulova and Elgin (older Elgins with in house movements are very interesting) are the brands you'd most likely find good deals for the money spent. Benrus is another with very nice watches usually priced in the affordable range yet with quality movements and styling, not to mention the milspec line.
One should pick up a Russian watch or two, just for variety, while prices are still low.
Don't go overboard on the Russians though and avoid the modern made Russkies built using surplus movements. They are good sturdy watches but range from boring to gaudy with little in between.
Occasionally you might find a very nice Russkie for little more than the cost of a fair quality watch band.
An example.
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NOS Soviet era accurate to within two seconds per week. The corners of the lugs are sharp enough to trim fingernails.
 
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