Category: Vintage watch

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

Longines Admiral 5 star wristwatch, 1970s

This is a vintage Longines Admiral 5-star automatic wristwatch in excellent condition. The movement is signed with the Longines name and the serial number dates back to the mid-1970s. Longines is one of the most underrated brands in the vintage watch world, in my opinion, it’s just as deserving of attention as other well-known Swiss…Read more

Vintage watches, how to spot a redial

If you are buying a vintage watch because it is your passion and you enjoy wearing something aesthetically 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

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. Art Deco design is characterised by its elegant…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

I have been searching for a vintage Omega Seamaster for a number of months. In my opinion, the Omega Seamaster is a must-have for any serious watch collector. I am looking for a vintage Seamaster, dating from the early 1960s. It should be in very good condition and a reliable timekeeper. I don’t expect the…Read more

Vintage Art Deco watches

In the modern world, there seems to be an abundance of devices that can tell the time, from smartphones and tablets to microwaves and even my washing machine. There seems to be no need today to bother wearing a watch, unless of course, it is a statement of personal style. However, it wasn’t that long ago,…Read more