The Omega 30T2 is one of the brand’s most respected movements. A vintage watch with this calibre has been on my wish list for a while. During my search for a suitable candidate, I came across this particular example at The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. It’s a 9ct gold Omega wristwatch, dating from 1944. Sadly,…Read more
Category: Manual wind
Browse our articles on vintage manual wind watches. Before automatic movements became widespread, manual winding was the standard way to power a mechanical watch.
Is my vintage watch overwound?
Is my vintage watch overwound? As vintage watch collectors, we hear this question a lot from both new and experienced watch collectors. But here’s the thing, for as many times as we’ve been asked about overwinding, we’ve never seen a watch that was actually overwound. It’s simply not possible, if a watch is fully wound and not working,…Read more
Vintage gentleman’s Longines Jamboree wristwatch, c1958
I must admit I had no intention of buying the Longines Jamboree even though it had been sold when I had a chance to review the piece. Although I am familiar with the Longines brand, I had no knowledge of the Jamboree model. I spent a few hours researching this obscure model, and below is…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
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
Why do vintage watches tick?
When people think of vintage watches, one of the first associations that comes to mind is the sound of ticking. Almost all watches tick, and this distinctive sound has become synonymous with the passage of time itself. A common belief is that quartz watches tick, while mechanical watches exhibit a sweeping motion. While this appears…Read more
Mechanical watch movement frequency
Frequency is a term that is used regularly in these pages when discussing the specifications of watch movements. Movement frequency in a mechanical watch refers to the number of oscillations or vibrations the balance wheel makes per hour. It’s typically measured in Hertz (Hz) or vibrations per hour (VPH) or beats per hour (BPH). For…Read more
Certina Waterking, 1960s
I came across this vintage Certina Waterking online and thought it was a really appealing watch from a much-underappreciated brand. I had every intention of buying this watch after I had completed my research. What a frustrating effort that was! Despite all of the online resources at hand, the history of the Certina Waterking is…Read more
Art Deco, Cyma Watersport wristwatch, 1930s.
This is a classic Art Deco Cyma Watersport wristwatch in 9ct gold, dating to 1937. The dial has a nice, even patina, with no signs of restoration, which gives no doubt to its originality. The Art Deco Arabic numerals sit inside the outer-minute tracking, which is mirrored in the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock….Read more