Good online vintage watch dealer

[petersims]

Hey anyone able to recommend a good online vintage watch dealer (or any to stay away from)? Thanks very much if you can. Peter.

[ds666]

Any particular brand ?

[petersims]

Rolex, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre?

[Squadrone Rosso]

Omegaaddict sells some fantastic pieces.

Got an eBay store too.

[mikeveal]

Naming and shaming rules mean you won't get an answer to who you should stay away from.
Nip over to Watchuseek and look for a thread titled "bring a brain" in the Vintage section.

[nikaiyo2]

Mike Wood at the old watch shop, for nice Rolex.
Bulang and sons in holland have some of the nicest Rolexs you will see.
Watchfinder have some nice stuff from time to time.
Hodinkee shop has some great things but they sell very quickly.

Edited by nikaiyo2 on Monday 12th June 21:11

[ds666]

The old watch shop is great . I wonder if anyone knows more about vintage Rolex than he does .

[traffman]

Uk specialist watches , sweeping hand , watchclub and over the pond Hq Milton , the last site is amazing!

[petersims]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I'll take a good look at these although I'd prefer to stick within the UK for now.

I've built a small collection of Rolex, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, mostly 50s and 60s from various privateers on eBay, which has been a bit hit and miss. But fun taking a small gamble here and there and of course if it's not 'as described' always send it back and obtain a refund from via Paypal.

But buying off ebay, out in the 'real world world' and still online suddenly feels a lot more serious and much less secure. And then prices seem to vary hugely especially as you meander up market. I'll look at all the sites recommended, especially the Old Watch Shop which I hadn't heard of and gets 2 votes, - thank you to both for that.

I've been looking at some nice watches listed on eBay by 'Sonning Vintage Watches' Reading which look wonderful but also a bit pricey, and 'Vintage Gold Watches' London (same) also Sanderson and Son Stamford, which looks good and seems better value. But Ive seen some excellent prices and amazing write-ups of watch at Vintage Watches Collection: www.vintage-watches-collection.com.

Anyone buy from or had any 'experiences' with any of these?

Thanks again.

[mikeveal]

nikaiyo2 said:

Mike Wood at the old watch shop, for nice Rolex.
Bulang and sons in holland have some of the nicest Rolexs you will see.
Watchfinder have some nice stuff from time to time.
Hodinkee shop has some great things but they sell very quickly.

Edited by nikaiyo2 on Monday 12th June 21:11

One of the above may be the subject of the Bring a Brain thread(s). I suggest you take a look.

petersims said:

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I'll take a good look at these although I'd prefer to stick within the UK for now.

I've built a small collection of Rolex, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, mostly 50s and 60s from various privateers on eBay, which has been a bit hit and miss. But fun taking a small gamble here and there and of course if it's not 'as described' always send it back and obtain a refund from via Paypal.

You sound like a man after my own heart. I'm not a fan of Rolex, but I do collect from the 50's, 60's and 70's. What have you got?

petersims said:

I've been looking at some nice watches listed on eBay by 'Sonning Vintage Watches' Reading which look wonderful but also a bit pricey, and 'Vintage Gold Watches' London (same) also Sanderson and Son Stamford, which looks good and seems better value. But Ive seen some excellent prices and amazing write-ups of watch at Vintage Watches Collection: www.vintage-watches-collection.com.

Anyone buy from or had any 'experiences' with any of these?

No, never bought from either of them. I've just had a look at Sonning out of curiosity.
Ebay item 182471823376, "Stunning 1953 Oversize Steel Rolex Precision Gents Vintage Watch"
Well, yes I am stunned that anyone would ask that much for a redialled Rolex. Take a look at the alignment of the centre second markers with the dial recess. Those centre second markers are different widths. I never knew that the Rolex crown was supposed to be wonky either!

That was the first one I looked at. There's a "Stunning 1940’s Oversize Jaeger le Coultre Sub-Second Gents Vintage Watch" that's just as bad. The redial is awful. This one even has white paint on the gold numerals.

In fairness to the dealer, he is admitting that these are redials.

The dealer said:

The original Rolex signed crisp white dial has been professionally refinished to highest possible standards and classically Rolex.

Well if it's been refinished, it isn't original is it? I doubt that the refinished dial bears much resemblance to the original. And I do not agree that these are examples of the highest possible standards.

It's clear that these two watches were redialled by the same organisation. If a dealer has one or two tarted up watches, that's acceptable. If you see many watches with major work having been done, I think:
There's nothing wrong with that business model of course. However, it's not what I look for. I'd rather have an original watch, in original condition, in it's original unpolished case, with an original movement...

Edited by mikeveal on Tuesday 13th June 07:57

Edited by mikeveal on Tuesday 13th June 07:58

[nikaiyo2]

mikeveal said:

nikaiyo2 said:

Mike Wood at the old watch shop, for nice Rolex.
Bulang and sons in holland have some of the nicest Rolexs you will see.
Watchfinder have some nice stuff from time to time.
Hodinkee shop has some great things but they sell very quickly.

Edited by nikaiyo2 on Monday 12th June 21:11

One of the above may be the subject of the Bring a Brain thread(s). I suggest you take a look.

Edited by mikeveal on Tuesday 13th June 07:58

Interesting... Thanks


I forgot to mention Marsh Clocks in Winchester, have some wonderful watches some at wonderful prices mind!!!

[mikeveal]

That's local to me. Marsh have decent stuff, but you'll pay retail as you'd expect.