what vintage chrono - and where to look?
Discussion
i have mentioned on the rolex thread that i have thought about buying a nice watch but then never do. the want never goes way, and i am thinking sod it just give in.
for as long as this dithering has been going on [15+ yrs] the top of the want list has been a pristine vintage 2 dial carrera in black. i am aware of the price increase my dithering has exposed me to on this....
but much like early 911 price increases in the same period that is perhaps a 'me' issue. i am ok with the spend but also wary that what i want is very much coveted and i am wary of how to ensure i don't buy a bitsa or worse, and that i don't pay over the odds for something that isn't really that rare but has been marketed as though it is.
other heuers like the carrera, monza etc. don't do it for me. i am open to other brands, just wondering what is out there as even the de ville below was unknown to me before this week.
so i would like a recognised / respected maker, ideally 2 dial chrono with an unfussy dial, no chunky bezel and clean lug design, i won't wear a bracelet, it would be changed out for a strap.
it seems to be there was a brief window either where this style was introduced and before the defining watches of their ilk [i.e. pre carrera vs carrera] or simply overshadowed by more popular models [i.e. speedy vs de ville]
i would be ok with a re-issue but would prefer original. i tried a modern top time recently and didn't like it at all, too shiny. the max bill chrono should be the kind of thing i should like, but i don't. i keep looking back to the older stuff yet in as good a condition as possible.
the omega de ville caught my eye this week, in blue but white also looks good to me.
others that i am aware of include the breitling top time
and at the upper end of possible budget, le coultre, etc.
i might be swayed by a 3 dial also. like this lecoultre which is very much my kind of thing. colour is welcome if it works, but then this is rare. gold i am on the fence over, some look good some don't
TL:DR - i'm looking for inspiration, what might you suggest, and who/where is best to look to buy? [i am aware of chrono24 as it is keyword searches on their site that has been my main source of inspiration so far].
for as long as this dithering has been going on [15+ yrs] the top of the want list has been a pristine vintage 2 dial carrera in black. i am aware of the price increase my dithering has exposed me to on this....
but much like early 911 price increases in the same period that is perhaps a 'me' issue. i am ok with the spend but also wary that what i want is very much coveted and i am wary of how to ensure i don't buy a bitsa or worse, and that i don't pay over the odds for something that isn't really that rare but has been marketed as though it is.
other heuers like the carrera, monza etc. don't do it for me. i am open to other brands, just wondering what is out there as even the de ville below was unknown to me before this week.
so i would like a recognised / respected maker, ideally 2 dial chrono with an unfussy dial, no chunky bezel and clean lug design, i won't wear a bracelet, it would be changed out for a strap.
it seems to be there was a brief window either where this style was introduced and before the defining watches of their ilk [i.e. pre carrera vs carrera] or simply overshadowed by more popular models [i.e. speedy vs de ville]
i would be ok with a re-issue but would prefer original. i tried a modern top time recently and didn't like it at all, too shiny. the max bill chrono should be the kind of thing i should like, but i don't. i keep looking back to the older stuff yet in as good a condition as possible.
the omega de ville caught my eye this week, in blue but white also looks good to me.
others that i am aware of include the breitling top time
and at the upper end of possible budget, le coultre, etc.
i might be swayed by a 3 dial also. like this lecoultre which is very much my kind of thing. colour is welcome if it works, but then this is rare. gold i am on the fence over, some look good some don't
TL:DR - i'm looking for inspiration, what might you suggest, and who/where is best to look to buy? [i am aware of chrono24 as it is keyword searches on their site that has been my main source of inspiration so far].
I've had good service from Dom Hackett as have others on this forum.
2 ends of ther price spectrum:
https://www.hackettwatches.com/watch/2021-vintage-...
https://www.hackettwatches.com/watch/2015-chronogr...
2 ends of ther price spectrum:
https://www.hackettwatches.com/watch/2021-vintage-...
https://www.hackettwatches.com/watch/2015-chronogr...
Dicky Knee said:
This (though not this exact one).A long while ago I was wanting a Carrera too...but I was shown a Class El Primero for the same/similar money...and technically (if that matters) it's a much better watch.
I have this on a brown leather strap, and love it. Have done for 20yrs
the following might give insight into why i have never followed through previously.... very much me telling you i'm autistic without telling you i'm autistic kind of thing.
panda dials do not seem to be my thing. compared side by side i prefer a single colour. i prefer the max bill to the junghans shown.
the zenith i appreciate is a fine watch but the dial is doing nothing for me. i can't point to anything particular.
similarly the patek, but that is easier to describe, it's the period font. strikes me [even if incorrectly] of 30s/40s which isn't my era.
but then i do like the heuer 'big eyes' which dates to the 40s. i joined a website the other day purely to be able to see the price of the 'average' one they had for sale. was 10k, which i simply can't see value in.
the camaro i think i need to see in person. not sure about the cushion case, but then i recall seeing one of these in a shop window as a kid and thinking they looked fantastic.
is there at least a name for this style of watch, or is it more era? i would have thought driver's watches, but those again seem to have a cut in date where a bezel was added and that just ruins it for me.
panda dials do not seem to be my thing. compared side by side i prefer a single colour. i prefer the max bill to the junghans shown.
the zenith i appreciate is a fine watch but the dial is doing nothing for me. i can't point to anything particular.
similarly the patek, but that is easier to describe, it's the period font. strikes me [even if incorrectly] of 30s/40s which isn't my era.
but then i do like the heuer 'big eyes' which dates to the 40s. i joined a website the other day purely to be able to see the price of the 'average' one they had for sale. was 10k, which i simply can't see value in.
the camaro i think i need to see in person. not sure about the cushion case, but then i recall seeing one of these in a shop window as a kid and thinking they looked fantastic.
is there at least a name for this style of watch, or is it more era? i would have thought driver's watches, but those again seem to have a cut in date where a bezel was added and that just ruins it for me.
Edited by shirt on Monday 20th October 16:55
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