If you are buying a vintage watch because it is your passion and you enjoy wearing something visually pleasing on your wrist, this article probably isn’t for you. Buy what you like, and wear it. However, if you are buying a vintage watch as an investment or perhaps both an investment and your passion, then…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.
Tudor cushion cased watch, 1930s
This particular vintage Tudor cushion cased watch is of great interest to me as it belonged to my great-grandfather, and it dates from the 1930s. The watch was passed to me by an uncle last Christmas, it was in a sorry state. It has since undergone restoration at J.J. Browne & Son, Caterham, Surrey, UK….Read more
Vintage watch condition ratings
If you are starting to visit the multitude of online shops that specialise in vintage watches, you are going to come across the term “condition”. This is where the retailers describe the overall condition of a vintage watch, and this does influence the price. There is no standard listing, and many retailers provide their own…Read more
Art Deco Omega T17 Tank, 1939
Recently, I have found the appeal of vintage Art Deco style watches to be distracting, to the point where owning one has become the focus of my watch-collecting hobby. Art Deco emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the cultural and social outlook of the era. Elegant geometric shapes, bold lines and superior craftsmanship characterise…Read more
The history of watch luminescence
One of the limitations of early watches was that it was impossible to read the time without a reliable light source. In darkness, you would need to strike a match or light a candle to check the time. There were solutions, such as the braille watch or “montre a tact” developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet around…Read more
Omega Seamaster Reference 165-009, 1962
At Set Back in Time, we have been searching for a vintage Omega Seamaster for a number of months. In our opinion, the Omega Seamaster is a must-have for any serious watch collector. We are looking for a vintage Seamaster, dating from the early 1960s. It should be in very good condition and a reliable…Read more
Omega T17 Tank watch, 1935
Recently, I have been interested in vintage watches that have a distinct Art Deco style. The design is known for its use of geometric forms, vibrant colours and strong contrasts. Bold hues such as gold, silver, black, and red are typical and are often used to create striking visual effects. Overall, Art Deco watches have…Read more
What determines the “condition” of a vintage watch?
When buying a vintage watch, you are also buying a piece of history. Your new timepiece may have had a sheltered life, sitting in a box at the back of a drawer for fifty years, and it will be in pristine condition. Alternatively, your latest acquisition may have been the daily wearer for its previous…Read more
Longines wristwatch for J.W. Benson, 1933
In our recent searches for a nice Art Deco style wristwatch, we came across the following offering from The Vintage Wrist Watch Company, a Longines cushion-cased wristwatch for J.W. Benson dating from 1933. Although not the typical rectangular-curvex Art Deco design we were looking for, the battered dial has appeal, much like a well-loved childhood…Read more
Omega Seamaster 501 automatic, 1956
This vintage Omega Seamaster wristwatch has a calibre 501 20-jewel automatic movement that works well and keeps time accurately. The movement is fully signed by Omega, and the serial number 15,832,615 dates back to 1956. The Seamaster is one of those iconic brands that every true watch connoisseur wants to have in their collection. I…Read more