Category: Vintage watch

The Omega Marine: the first true dive watch

I must admit, I have never seen an Omega Marine watch in person. They are not on my immediate list for collection, because I am not a massive fan of dive watches, although the Rolex no-date Submariner is an exception. However, I am a big fan of Omega in general, particularly the Seamaster and Speedmaster…Read more

9ct gold Omega wristwatch, 30T2 calibre, 1944

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

Preserving the past: a guide to servicing vintage watches

Questions about the maintenance of vintage watches frequently arise for anyone involved in buying or selling these timeless pieces. Modern watches often last around a decade, but well-made vintage Swiss watches can endure generations with proper care. This is particularly the case with Swiss watches from the golden era of watchmaking. This includes timepieces produced…Read more

Hermetic wristwatch, 1930.

In my daily search for vintage watches, we came across this very interesting Hermetic wristwatch dating from 1930. At first glance, it looks a little odd because it appears to be missing the crown. However, the crown exists. It is just hidden inside the innovative “hermetic watch case”. This was one of the early attempts…Read more

A beginner’s guide to buying a vintage watch

Buying a vintage watch is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. For those not involved in watchmaking or collecting, the process may seem complex and intimidating. Vintage watches have a rich and nuanced market with numerous styles, terms, and brands to learn. I remember the first vintage watch I bought, an Omega Geneve automatic…Read more

A guide to dating vintage watches

Vintage watches are like time capsules that carry the character of their era. Some vintage watches can easily be dated by their serial numbers or the years of production for a specific model. However, if that information is not readily available, it is possible to estimate the date of a watch based on its particular…Read more

The pros and cons of vintage watch ownership

It’s important for potential buyers of vintage wristwatches to understand both the rewards and the demands of owning a classic vintage watch. Very few vintage watch dealers will try to address this because they would risk losing business. However, we aren’t dealers. We are collectors and want to share the benefits and the limitations of…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

Omega bumper automatic wristwatch, 1952

This Omega bumper automatic wristwatch, dating from 1952, represents the transition from traditional manual-wind watches to automatic movements. In this instance, the bumper automatic movement was an Omega calibre 351. Its stainless steel case, signed crown, and iconic bumper automatic movement make it an appealing choice for vintage watch collectors. History of Omega Omega was…Read more