If you enjoy collecting vintage watches, you know how rewarding it is to find a rare timepiece in great condition. However, with counterfeits becoming more sophisticated, making sure a vintage watch is authentic is more important than ever. Whether you’re a collector, investor, or enthusiast, knowing how to authenticate a vintage watch can save you…Read more
Category: Brands
A gateway to watchmaking history. Explore vintage timepieces organised by the brands that helped shape the industry. Each name reflects a distinct legacy of craftsmanship, technical achievement and enduring design.
The Omega Medicus wristwatch 1937
Introduced in 1937, the Omega Medicus was a deliberate response to a critical professional need, revolutionising medical timing with its central sweep seconds hand. It is not a well-known timepiece, and the name “Medicus” seems to be a nickname applied to the watch. The name itself never appeared on the dial of the watches or…Read more
Longines Flagship automatic watch, 1960
I have written about vintage Longines Flagship models in the past. I have owned a modern Heritage version and have always been on the lookout for a classic vintage Flagship. Last time, it was another case of the “one that got away”. However, this time I got lucky and have a nice Longines Flagship automatic…Read more
The Rolex Oyster case
Established in 1905, Rolex is world-famous for tough, reliable watches. This reputation largely comes from the Oyster case, Rolex’s patented waterproof design. Introduced in 1926, the Oyster was a radical step in watchmaking. Rolex had found a way to seal a wristwatch so water and dust could not enter. The brand’s own account calls it…Read more
Omega 351 bumper automatic, 1950
This is an early Omega Seamaster 351 bumper automatic that we came across recently. It has one of the early “bumper automatic” movements, the Omega calibre 351. It is a classic vintage Seamaster, dating from 1950, and has aged very well. Timekeeping is good, and it has that distinctive “bumper action” on the wrist. The…Read more
Zenith Sporto, 1970s
Zenith is a brand that rarely appears in these pages. There is a reason for that, which we will discuss further down the page. That said, this post is about a vintage Zenith Sporto wristwatch dating from the 1970s. It caught our eye and our interest. Although the watch was sold before any of us…Read more
The Omega Genève range, an overview and history
The Omega Genève is one of Omega’s lesser-known brands. It was an entry-level watch of good quality that fell by the wayside in the late 1970s. Although when it launched in the 1950s, it was a high-tier dress watch, second only to the Constellation. Later, in the 1960s, Genève’s target audience shifted to the entry-level…Read more
Omega Seamaster replacement dial, 1965
Omega Seamasters feature prominently at Set Back In Time. It’s hard not to like a Seamaster. The Omega brand has history, and the Seamaster range has proven itself to be a reliable, rugged timepiece for over 70 years. As collectors, we value originality and authenticity. We aren’t investors. We just appreciate vintage watches. That said,…Read more
Longines Ultra-Chron, High Frequency
Longines relaunched the Ultra-Chron in 2022. It is a near-perfect revival of the high-frequency range that first appeared in the 1960s. We saw a vintage Ultra-Chron on one of our recent expeditions to an Antiques and Collectors Fair. There wasn’t a known service history for this particular example, so it wasn’t purchased. However, it did…Read more
1950s Cyma Triplex wristwatch
We came across this interesting watch during our endless search for the next vintage timepiece. It’s a 1950s Cyma Triplex available at The Vintage Wrist Watch Company (a favourite supplier of ours). We were already familiar with the Cyma brand, as we have had a few pass through our hands over the years. However, we…Read more