Vintage Speedmasters... have I lost the plot
Discussion
Hi All,
Having got the plane/car bug in my teens, I finished the holy trifecta by getting into watches this year. Currently own a "Seiko Tank" and Raketa Moonphase.
Passing the time browsing Chrono24, I came across these beauties. I understand there will be significant servicing/repair costs with something like this, but by finding one with a recent service, I feel like this could be managable.
Am I living in a dreamworld here?
All the best x
Having got the plane/car bug in my teens, I finished the holy trifecta by getting into watches this year. Currently own a "Seiko Tank" and Raketa Moonphase.
Passing the time browsing Chrono24, I came across these beauties. I understand there will be significant servicing/repair costs with something like this, but by finding one with a recent service, I feel like this could be managable.
Am I living in a dreamworld here?
All the best x
GTI Tom said:
Hi All,
Having got the plane/car bug in my teens, I finished the holy trifecta by getting into watches this year. Currently own a "Seiko Tank" and Raketa Moonphase.
Passing the time browsing Chrono24, I came across these beauties. I understand there will be significant servicing/repair costs with something like this, but by finding one with a recent service, I feel like this could be managable.
Am I living in a dreamworld here?
All the best x
Dont see why they would break the bank. I have a gold Seamaster given to me for my 21st in 66. Serviced once since then and going strong.Having got the plane/car bug in my teens, I finished the holy trifecta by getting into watches this year. Currently own a "Seiko Tank" and Raketa Moonphase.
Passing the time browsing Chrono24, I came across these beauties. I understand there will be significant servicing/repair costs with something like this, but by finding one with a recent service, I feel like this could be managable.
Am I living in a dreamworld here?
All the best x
I have, um, "a few" vintage Omegas, & I'm always on the lookout for more.
C24 isn't a good place to buy until you've learnt to tell the good from the bad... Those pictured don't look quiite right, & the prices are a bit high.
Stick to sales fora on watch enthusiast sites like Omegaforums, or to reputable dealers like littlecogs.com.
Never treat a vintage watch as waterproof. If you find a good independant watchmaker service costs will be under £200 for basic mechanicals. If buying from the wild, (c24, ebay etc) always assume a watch will need a service. And lastly, since Swatch group restricted supply of parts, it's normal to have to track down any spares required by your watchmaker. Stick to the enthusiast fora and reputable dealers & you shouldn't have issues.
Lastly, be aware that there are many vintage Omegas with electronic movenents. They aren't something to be scared of, but they are a can of worms.
C24 isn't a good place to buy until you've learnt to tell the good from the bad... Those pictured don't look quiite right, & the prices are a bit high.
Stick to sales fora on watch enthusiast sites like Omegaforums, or to reputable dealers like littlecogs.com.
Never treat a vintage watch as waterproof. If you find a good independant watchmaker service costs will be under £200 for basic mechanicals. If buying from the wild, (c24, ebay etc) always assume a watch will need a service. And lastly, since Swatch group restricted supply of parts, it's normal to have to track down any spares required by your watchmaker. Stick to the enthusiast fora and reputable dealers & you shouldn't have issues.
Lastly, be aware that there are many vintage Omegas with electronic movenents. They aren't something to be scared of, but they are a can of worms.
As said, they will be old and fragile.
The Missus watches Antiques roadshow and I digest the weekends sport, but when they have vintage watches on my ears prick up.
It's a funny old game as they reduce the valuation if it's been serviced, but the watch would be a mess if it didn't get serviced so how does that work out!
The Missus watches Antiques roadshow and I digest the weekends sport, but when they have vintage watches on my ears prick up.
It's a funny old game as they reduce the valuation if it's been serviced, but the watch would be a mess if it didn't get serviced so how does that work out!
fourstardan said:
It's a funny old game as they reduce the valuation if it's been serviced, but the watch would be a mess if it didn't get serviced so how does that work out!
I think it's because a service will often involve (typically Omega and Rolex) replacing the dial and hands - and that reduces the value.
Old & fragile?
No not really. There's no reason that a vintage watch shouldn't be as reliable as a modern one. Shock protection was introduced in the 40's. Reliability wise not much has changed since.
Water proofing can be an issue, sweat can corrode the case around the seals, meaning that even if the seals are replaced the watch isn't watertight.
But treating a vintage watch as if it isn't watertight is more about consequences. If a modern watch leaks after a swim, it's easy to get a replacement, not so with that 60 year old beauty with the pristine dial.
Your vintage watch is probably as watertight as it always was. It's just not worth the risk. And frankly you quickly get used to ensuring it doesn't get wet when you wah your hands, and slipping it in a pocket when you do the washing up.
There are fragile vintage watches. Hamilton's 500 series for example, and many of the electric watches it inspired. The Tag Chronosplit range was nicknamed the Chronosplut. But these are bonkers collectables with awful reliability. They're not the sort of thing a new collector is likely to stumble upon.
A vintage mechanical watch can easily be a reliable every day wearer.
No not really. There's no reason that a vintage watch shouldn't be as reliable as a modern one. Shock protection was introduced in the 40's. Reliability wise not much has changed since.
Water proofing can be an issue, sweat can corrode the case around the seals, meaning that even if the seals are replaced the watch isn't watertight.
But treating a vintage watch as if it isn't watertight is more about consequences. If a modern watch leaks after a swim, it's easy to get a replacement, not so with that 60 year old beauty with the pristine dial.
Your vintage watch is probably as watertight as it always was. It's just not worth the risk. And frankly you quickly get used to ensuring it doesn't get wet when you wah your hands, and slipping it in a pocket when you do the washing up.
There are fragile vintage watches. Hamilton's 500 series for example, and many of the electric watches it inspired. The Tag Chronosplit range was nicknamed the Chronosplut. But these are bonkers collectables with awful reliability. They're not the sort of thing a new collector is likely to stumble upon.
A vintage mechanical watch can easily be a reliable every day wearer.
NDA said:
I had a 1950's Seamaster serviced/repaired by Omega not long ago - the cost was close to £1k (I was told they have to go to Switzerland) and it took 12 months.
Lovely watches, but....
Omega have an age where a watch is deemed to be vintage and the vintage watches are supposed to be serviced Switzerland. There's also an extra surcharge for vintage servicing which must be annoying if you own an old Speedmaster for example, where there's next to zero difference between a watch made in 1980 vs a watch made in 2020.Lovely watches, but....
fourstardan said:
As said, they will be old and fragile.
The Missus watches Antiques roadshow and I digest the weekends sport, but when they have vintage watches on my ears prick up.
It's a funny old game as they reduce the valuation if it's been serviced, but the watch would be a mess if it didn't get serviced so how does that work out!
Some of the experts on there haven't got a clue, There was a pre-moon Speedmaster on recently and the lady who owned it said her deceased husband bought it brand new in 1969 and she even had the original receipt with it. The first thing the 'expert' picked up on was the bracelet which he said must've been a later replacement as the date stamp on it was from November 1971. No you walloper, 1171 is the style of bracelet and it has nothing to do with the date it was made. It's 100% correct for a 1969 watch and all he did was put the lady's mind in doubt about the authenticity. No doubt most of the experts are exactly that, but not this chap.The Missus watches Antiques roadshow and I digest the weekends sport, but when they have vintage watches on my ears prick up.
It's a funny old game as they reduce the valuation if it's been serviced, but the watch would be a mess if it didn't get serviced so how does that work out!
Dynam0humm said:
Omega have an age where a watch is deemed to be vintage and the vintage watches are supposed to be serviced Switzerland. There's also an extra surcharge for vintage servicing which must be annoying if you own an old Speedmaster for example, where there's next to zero difference between a watch made in 1980 vs a watch made in 2020.
True. Took my watch into the local goldsmiths to get a quote for repair and they sent it off to Swictzerland for an estimate because of its age. The estimate was £400 which I thought was ridiculous. Interesting thing was that the watch came back with the batons refixed to the dial, the auto winding working again and the whole thing cleaned up. Keeping splendid time now so in effect a free service!Mind you if there are doing the same thing as Rolex and refusing to supply parts to non authorised repairers, then I wouldnt go near one of their watches.
Edited by bordseye on Monday 16th December 11:08
bordseye said:
True. Took my watch into the local goldsmiths to get a quote for repair and they sent it off to Swictzerland for an estimate because of its age. The estimate was £400 which I thought was ridiculous. Interesting thing was that the watch came back with the batons refixed to the dial, the auto winding working again and the whole thing cleaned up. Keeping splendid time now so in effect a free service!
Mind you if there are doing the same thing as Rolex and refusing to supply parts to non authorised repairers, then I wouldnt go near one of their watches.
Must've been a few years ago as a standard mechanical service is £590 now with the vintage surcharge extra.Mind you if there are doing the same thing as Rolex and refusing to supply parts to non authorised repairers, then I wouldnt go near one of their watches.
Edited by bordseye on Monday 16th December 11:08
Omega/Swatch Group halted supply to independents 7-8 years ago.
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