30 next year and was thinking about getting a watch. Ideally I’d get an iwc pilots watch but at 2k there’s no danger of that. Next best thing is something vintage and similar but a quarter of the price but don’t know where to start? Looked at few sites but nothing really stood out, looking for leather strap, understated face maybe 39 mm but open minded otherwise

Tag heuer super professional, used for around 5-600, cracking watch, prob be around 15 or so years old but a timeless design.

Pics I’ve found of that aren’t what I’m after, looking for something without a bezel

Watches are one of my other passions, depending on what your after try Watchfinder or have a look on the forum on watchuseek

You should consider an older Raymond Weil or Omega aquaterra but the Omega may be abit pricey

What ever you get make sure you do your home work there are plenty
of online shops selling but you really have to do your home work on movements etc
and make sure you get the correct paper work.
Best look at shops nearer to you, to at least get the right advice.

Instead of going vintage you could get a less well known swiss brand like Sinn, Stowa, Archimede, or Fortis. They all do flyer watches a lot like IWC, with swiss movements but start at about 600 quid instead of 2000. Also have a look at Christopher Ward, very good value but no heritage (if that matters to you)

Stowa are German but use Swiss movements – I think Sinn are similar. Good advice though.

(A Stowa owner)

eBay is your friend.

Or have a look at Hamilton watches. Their “Jazzmaster” range has the twin benefits of a) looking very nice indeed, and b) sounding vaguely porn-related.

I’m selling this:

Flightmaster Titanium

Tissot are also worth a look in that price bracket.

I used to work round the corner from here http://www.antiquewatchcouk.com/, always seemed to have a good selection of Breitlings, Omegas etc

Chronomaster is worth a browse as well.

Omega or Rolex, all else are parvenu

Or have a look at Hamilton watches. Their “Jazzmaster” range has the twin benefits of a) looking very nice indeed, and b) sounding vaguely porn-related.

Jazzmaster? Is that the one with the lubricated strap which is easy to adjust?

Buying vintage can come with a few problems. Unless you really know what you’re buying I would buy new. Vintage can mean more regular servicing aswell.

I can guarantee you’ll want more than one as you’ll catch the bug.
39mm is an ok size, but I’d try a 42mm aswell. That seems to be about the norm these days. Depends on wrist size aswell.

You don’t give a budget but at prices of around a grand, I’d look at Glycine, Nomos and Fortis. You get alot of watch for the cash. I’d personally go for the Nomos.

Omega or Rolex, all else are parvenu

Really?

I have one of these, lovely watch, it has gone up in price new by £800 in a couple of years. Dunno why, maybe time is money?

It was my 40th birthday present.

Some of these are nice and inexpensive.

http://www.steinhartwatches.de/

If you really want an iwc pilots watch save and buy one. it will mean a hell of a lot more to you than buying one that isnt 1st choice.

I wanted a Tag Monaco on a stainless strap for the best part of 10 years before I finally took the jump. one of the best ‘feel good’ purchases ever.

I now have a few others but the Monaco will never be sold 🙂

Cheers guys lots to look at and think about

on and on, I agree with you but this is more likely to be a present from family. If I still hanker after an IWC when I turn 40 then it may be on the cards but given I don’t start working for another couple years it will have to wait until then.

I bought an Omega constellation automatic 10 years ago now. I wear it occasionally and its lovely. Simple, ok time keeping, not needed to be serviced in 10 years and has gone up in price dramatically if i ever did need to sell it.

Its something very similar to this

I have a 60 year old Rolex which I really like. Understated but really classy. A bit like me in that respect…

But the only other watch I’ve had an interest in is a Cartier Tank Watch.

If you can get to Birmingham have a browse around the Jewellery Quarter. You won’t get ripped off there.

How about one of the dirty dozen w.w.w. watches? I’ve got a Cyma, it was my grandfather’s but they come on eBay fairly often for £250-£350.

Omega or Rolex, all else are parvenu

😆

Victoria Beckham’s Daytona and *quick Google search* her husband’s DSSD would suggest you are wrong.

tall martin,no linky…

bigjohn not far from Birmingham so will have a look at some point

Check specialistauctions.com lots of vintage watches on there

This one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60S-OMEGA-CONSTELLATION-SILVER-DIAL-SS-AUTO-CAL-551-MANS-/150716084127?pt=UK_Jewelery_Watches_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item231760ef9f

Ebay link

Cost me £150 in a watch arcade in London, now about £500/£600 in the same place and on ebay- so right sort of budget. Quite small and low profile so sits under a shirt easily. Not flashy or obviously ostentatious- people with no interest in watches see a plain watch, but clearly recognizable if someones interested.

You can get it or something similar with date or additional second hands but mine is plain with less to go wrong in a 40 year old watch.

Martin

If you want a pilot’s watch then how about a Steinhart

Steinhart Nav-B €350

If you’re going for vintage then Rolex will be beyond your budget. Omega may be worth a look.

Beware of some the vintage items on ebay (especially from sellers in places like the Ukraine) There are loads of pilot style watches that are fabricated out of very average old pocket watches but with new dials and lugs. The descriptions are often misleading and would make you think they are the real deal.

If you like IWC definitely look at Steinhart, Stowa or Archimede as mentioned above.

How about this?

Have a look here:

http://www.wernersflyingwatches.com/

Actually some advice please guys. My Grandfather has a 1973 he thinks – Omega Geneve Date in Gold strap and gold bezel bit – so all gold.

Anyways its broken so he sent it to Northern Goldsmiths who he always deals with. They reckoned on I think 700 to fix it which seemed way too high to me. Dont know many more details but he is just going to put it in a drawer i imagine now.

I mentioned he should sell it but we are unsure who would take it broken.

Carbon337 – Maybe get a quote from here before you get rid?

Having a collection of vintage pieces, I say buy new with classic style but updated to modern sizes….

http://www.timefactors.com/smiths.htm

PRS-25 – classic!

Sorry – missed the leather stap bit…

http://www.timefactors.com/precista.htm

Pilot – these can be worn very nicely on leather:

http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm

Eddie is a top bloke and the watches are quality well beyond their prices.

I quite like the radio one on there! Speedbird looks tidy too

Really like that Steinhart

I can’tsee past Swatch anymore, best (aesthetic) design out there IMO, I’ll probably change my mind about that sometime tho…

carbon337 – Member
Actually some advice please guys. My Grandfather has a 1973 he thinks – Omega Geneve Date

I used these people to restore my Father-in-law’s broken vintage watch. They did a great job. And only did as much as I wanted. i.e. They fixed the glass and got it working but left the marks on the dial. I paid less than £200.