I came across this curious vintage timepiece when browsing The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. It is a 1970s metric or decimal wristwatch from the respected retailer Camerer Cuss. It is called decimal or metric because it only has 10-hour markers, which are subdivided into 100 minutes. I am not sure how practical this vintage decimal…Read more
Category: Components
Browse our articles on vintage watch components. Understanding the individual parts of a watch is essential for identifying, dating, and appreciating vintage timepieces. This category explores the design and, functions of watch components.
Why wear a vintage watch?
If you are an avid watch fan, you will have noticed in recent years that vintage watches are becoming more common. What is the appeal of these vintage timepieces? Why have they become so popular? Should you consider wearing a vintage watch? In this post, we will attempt to answer the question, Why wear a…Read more
Mappin & Webb Favre Leuba Sea Chief wristwatch
This is a rare gentleman’s Sea Chief wristwatch from Mappin & Webb with a movement by Favre Leuba. This vintage watch is in beautiful condition with the original box and papers. The Sea Chief was a brand that was more commonly sold under the Favre Leuba label. Mappin & Webb Mappin & Webb (M&W) is…Read more
Are vintage watches reliable?
If you are new to the world of vintage watch collection, you may well have asked yourself the following questions. Are vintage watches reliable? How accurate can a vintage watch be? Do I need to leave them safely boxed at home, or can I wear them out every day? Do they have shock resistance and…Read more
Gentlemen’s Longines vintage wristwatch, 1969.
This is a beautiful-looking gentleman’s vintage wristwatch from Longines, dating to 1969. I was drawn by the clean design and the originality of the watch, based on visual appeal alone, it would look great on my wrist. However, I am looking for classic vintage watches to add to my collection which have a depth to…Read more
Vintage watches, automatic vs hand wound movements
Vintage automatic and mechanical watches are both traditional mechanical watches that rely on mechanical parts to measure time. This is in contrast to modern quartz watches which use electronic components. Both mechanical and automatic watches use a complex series of gears, springs, and other mechanisms to maintain time. Strictly speaking, both movements are ‘mechanical’, the…Read more
9ct gold Eterna-matic Centenaire automatic wrist watch.
What an absolutely stunning vintage watch is this 9ct gold Eterna-Matic Centenaire automatic! The black dial, which is in amazing condition for a timepiece dating to 1954, is perfectly paired with the rich, warm shade of tan brown of the leather watch strap. Unfortunately, it had sold before I discovered it, but this is the…Read more
Tissot Visodate Seastar Seven, 1960s.
This is a recent addition to the Set Back in Time collection, a Tissot Visodate Seastar Seven wristwatch dating from the 1960s. The watch has a hand-winding movement which is working well. It is a Tissot calibre 782-1 with 17 jewels with a date function. The watch is a reliable and accurate timekeeper. Tissot Tissot…Read more
The importance of originality in the vintage watch market
The dream of every vintage watch collector is to come across a watch in pristine condition, as if it has never been worn or left its box. It is possible with New Old Stock (NOS), which refers to a vintage watch that was never sold to a customer and is still in its original packaging….Read more
1960s Avia-matic automatic wristwatch
This vintage watch is an Avia-matic automatic watch dating from the 1960s. The watch has a Swiss 17-jewel ETA 2472 automatic movement, with Incabloc shock protection. The watch is working well and keeping good time. Avia is a watchmaking company that has a long history and was very prominent in the 1950s and 60s. The…Read more