For the vintage crowd / everyone

[lakeros]

I have been doing as much research on the vintage models and would one day love a few older sea dwellers.

1. where are the best places to get and or find the older models ?

2. what is your best acquisition story - found one at a garage sale, etc.

Thanks

[mike]

First of all kudos on doing the research. These can be some very deep waters and as much knowledge and understanding of dials, serial number time frames, casebacks, etc... is critically important.

As I'm sure you know condition is vital in pricing these pieces as well as history of the piece, B&P, and so on.

I don't have a vintage SD, but I tend to think a piece of this type is best "hunted" for from a known collector or those vintage dealers with great references and reputation.

A couple that have the faith of the vintage community are;

http://10pastten.com/

http://www.watchcommander.com/

http://www.sheartime.com/

These are dealers and price their watches accordingly. The vintage market is in flux at the moment so research in current pricing I think is prudent.

Man, I have read stories about people finding "grails" in garage sales, buying them off the original owner's wrist etc.... Never happened to me.

Mine either came from a vintage dealer, collector, or an AD (yeah,...back when they were new.)

Good luck.

[lakeros]

Thanks mike for the references, I will be checking them out shortly.

[Subfiend]

I have been fortunate enough to get my vintage watches from the families of the original owners and not from dealers. My favorites so far are a 1966 gilt dial Submariner (Ref. No. 5513) which I acquired from the family of a former British Navy diver, and a 1978 Submariner (Ref. No. 1680) that I acquired from a friend when he received a new Sub as a retirement gift. He sold his 1680 to me at one third of the current market value, even though I told him he could get more on the open market.

I tried unsuccessfully to buy a first year DRSD off the original owner when he decided to trade it in for a new SD. I offered to buy him his new SD in exchange for the old one. He thought this was far too much money for somebody to pay for his 40 year old watch, so he checked the values on-line. He sold to a dealer instead.

[Bisquitlips]

I am not so lucky to be into the vintage segment of this hobby, but truly appreciate the links!

Doing more research!

[chicagowatchman]

Great links thanks!