Do you own a collection of vintage automatic watches? If so, you might be wondering if you need a watch winder. It’s a question that is regularly asked in the world of watch collecting, particularly by those new to the hobby. One option may be to invest in a watch winder that can keep your…Read more
Longines Surfing wristwatch, 1966
I must be honest; in this post, I am actually writing about a vintage watch I had no intention of buying. It is a Longines Surfing wristwatch, Reference: 7625-1, dating from 1966. I have a great deal of respect for the Longines brand, but I see them as a watchmaker that focuses on elegance rather…Read more
A brief history of the trench watch
Strictly speaking, trench watches have not been considered vintage for decades, they are beyond vintage and very much antique. However, the design of the trench watch and its practical usage throughout the First World War led to a change in how we presented the time. For this reason, we take a brief look into the…Read more
Longines Conquest automatic watch, 1973
In the 1970s, Longines released a lot of different designs in the Conquest line, this was one of them. Vintage Longines still offers undeniable value in the vintage watch market, this model is the perfect example of that. It has a high-quality 25-jewel automatic movement and is cased in stainless steel. The watch is in…Read more
Guide to vintage bumper automatic movements
In the world of vintage watches, the bumper automatic movement holds a special place, representing an era of innovation and ingenuity in mechanical watchmaking. These early self-winding mechanisms, developed in the early 20th century, were an important step towards the modern automatic wristwatch. Despite being eventually replaced by more efficient designs, bumper movements have left…Read more
Oriosa wristwatch, 1960s
By chance, I recently bumped into a fellow vintage watch collector. I was in a local shoe repair shop looking to have a leather watch strap repaired (I know I could buy a new one, but the existing one has a lovely patina). Sadly, the strap couldn’t be salvaged, but it led to a long…Read more
The Rolex winding crown
Rolex watches have long been associated with innovation, precision, and durability. Among the many defining features of these iconic timepieces, one of the most critical components is the Rolex winding crown. The crown serves a vital function beyond just setting the time. It’s also the key to one of Rolex’s most remarkable achievements, water resistance….Read more
Zenith Curvex “tank” wristwatch, 1939
No disrespect intended, but Zenith’s modern watches have never quite captured my interest. While the El Primero chronograph is widely seen as a modern classic, I lean toward simplicity. Complicated watches just don’t match my taste in watches. That said, when it comes to vintage watches, Zenith stands as an iconic watchmaker, and their vintage…Read more
Vintage watch case design
In this guide, we will explore the most common types of vintage watch case shapes and designs, their popularity over different periods, and how they relate to specific types of watches and materials. In the early days of watchmaking, timepieces were fragile and easily damaged. To safeguard their intricate mechanisms, the first watch cases were…Read more
Tissot bumper automatic wristwatch, 1952
In this post, we take a look at a 1950’s Tissot bumper automatic. I have long held an interest in the Tissot brand. It has a long history and still survives today. I have written before about my first Swiss mechanical watch, which was a Tissot Visodate. It is not yet vintage, but that particular…Read more