Top 10 Underrated​ and Undervalued ​ Vintage Watch Brands Watch2Wear

[@Biblicalgiants]

You just saved me 5 years of vintage watch buying experience and hard watch research. Thanks

[@Watch2Wear]

I am glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching.

[@michaelbedford8017]

Oh you poor, poor, innocent! It's guys like this that tell you can pick up this and that on ebay for buttons that cause so much trouble. What he doesn't mention is the cost of the inevitable service; not to mention the astronomical cost of spare parts for some these watches. 'If it sounds too good to be true, it's because it is'. I've been into old watches since I was 10, I'm now 65; don't listen to blokes like this; they either don't know what they're talking about, or even worse, they do; and you're 'the mark'.

[@genebates700]

I bought a plastic bag of about 60 old watches at an estate sale a few weeks ago for $25. There were about 12 vintage ladies watches in it, one of which was 14kt gold. Sold it as scrap to a jeweler for $48. Most of the other watches were vintage Timexes or beyond repair mid-range watches. There was also a fake Rolex and fake Omega. About 10 of the watches were classic Hamilton's, Elgin's and Gruens that could be repaired or cleaned up for a small amount of money. I kept them and I gave the rest of the washes to the jeweler for parts. As he was sifting through them, he discovered that the fake Omega was not a fake (quartz, mid to late 1980's, in near perfect condition, needing only a new battery) and he valued it off the top of his head at around $1,100. Also in the bag was a Sector watch, needing only a battery and a new band and I found them on eBay for between 350 and $400. One of the watches I had decided to keep was a brand I had never heard of before called Eterna (Eterna-matic). A self-winding movement, I shook it a couple of times and it started running. It looked like it might be a solid gold watch but there were no markings on the back, so I asked the Jeweler to open it up and take a look and indeed it was solid 14-karat gold. It was clean inside and surprisingly did not even need to be oiled, but the crystal was scratched and since I had given him all the other watches free for parts, he replaced the crystal for free. He said from the insides he could tell it was made in 1949. I looked it up on eBay when I got home and found that they were selling for between $1,100 and $2,400 there. So, to make a long story short, I got about four thousand dollars worth of nice watches that day for essentially free. You got to love estate sales!

[@TommyRibs]

Eternamatic Super Kontiki is one of the Iconic Watches of all time. They also created the ETA movement. You did well. My daily watch that I have worn for 25 years is an Eternamatic Super Kontiki.

[@noone8131]

You are the luckiest person in the world

[@robbiffa]

You NAILED it first time mate…..

[@davidcrandall4958]

Define A small amount of money!

[@genebates700]

@David Crandall Clean and oil would get them going. On a wind up, that's about $75. On self wind, about $120.

[@peterkiviat9969]

I have picked up several 14 ct gold piquette watches never spending more than $209. Ultra thin and so perfect, they are my favorites.

[@mikedavis9130]

None of these watches are unknown to watch lovers and their prices do reflect this so I was super pleased you missed my favourite bargain buy brand. Nope I'm not telling you the brand but you can still pick up an Omega quality watch for £150.00 or less every day on E bay... Long may that continue for us cash strapped watch lovers.. Oh ok three clues European, Vintage and versions issued during ww2 command a slightly higher price, sometimes £300.00 plus... Madness and good luck... I'm sure there are other proper hidden gems out there. xx

[@bronovalter391]

The problem with Bulova is they won't sell parts outside their service network. Love the Hamilton electric watches. I have a couple of Girard Peraux watches, but they are both quartz. Still trying to find a good mechanical one! I have added Vulcain to the list. I'm wearing a Seiko 5 as I type. It is from 1967 and has never been serviced. I like my Seiko Turtle too, but they are popular and pretty well know. A lot of people don't consider them because they are the product of mass production, but they do what a watch is supposed to do.

[@ronaldneehao9723]

Thanks for your great advice 😅

[@julioizaguirre2517]

Zodiac, RJaquet... have good movements. Underrated both of them.

[@danielbrandes9967]

Great list! I own 3 vintage watches (all from watch makers featured on this list), all of them passed down to me. 1) my daily wear is a 1949 gold Wittnauer Automatic. I love this watch so much. It was my maternal grandfathers, and it's been a daily wear since he first got it and passed then passed it on to me. It's a beautiful, elegant looking watch and it keeps time so well. My grandmother bought it for him the year before they got married. She was a nurse and saved a years pay to buy it for him. 2) I have a Bulova from the late 30s/early 40s. It's gold with a kind of Art Deco design. I usually wear it as a more of a dressy piece. A quick wind and it keeps great time. I believe that it belonged to my great-grandfather. 3) I also have a Gruen Precision 25 jewels automatic from (I think) the early 80s. It belonged to my paternal grandfather. It still keeps great time (even though it hasn't been serviced in decades). I don't wear it often because it needs a new crystal and a bit of cleaning. But it's a great reliable watch that I take out from time to time.

[@Watch2Wear]

Thank you for your kind comments. I completely agree with you. I really love my vintage pieces. Lately, my go-to watch is the vintage Hamilton Dunham I purchased a few weeks ago. It is very reliable and has a classic timeless design.

[@dave0z96]

I have a 1940s Bulova and an earl 1950 Elgin automatic and both are great .

[@earthgirl7267]

I've been looking for a nice Zenith wrist watch, and I'm thinking about purchasing a vintage Certina. Great video. New subscriber.⌚🙌

[@teddy6266]

Fun fact Sean Connery wears a Gruen precision 510 in a couple of the early Jamie’s bond films most notably in the casino scene in in dr no meaning that it was the first bond watch

[@Watch2Wear]

Very true. It was actually his own personal watch. Thank you for watching. Dale

[@davidcrandall4958]

You forgot Elgin Deluxe!

[@julienfroidevaux1143]

The watch snobs ignore this watch when talking about Bond watch's . Sad the Gruen is awesome .

[@johnpinner1]

the Omega those not belong in this list is not underrated nor undervalued.

[@avianfish8732]

I love those thirties bulovas and the spaceview is a legend machine. The fifties gruen curvex are cool too.

[@charlesgraham9954]

I have a thing for vintage Omega watches, I've acquired more than a few. lol

[@julioizaguirre2517]

Gruen, Enicar and Bulova have the most well made and beautiful movements. Accuracy is good.

[@walther9161]

My Wittnauer 2000 is one of my favorites. I have a mint Vulcain and it’s bullet proof .

[@GDLOTKIDOG]

I have a bunch of sweet Gruen automatics. They are proper watches. I appreciate Elgin as well

[@glennbebout9355]

Great video! More common pronunciation of two of your watches: Zenith (Zeenith); Omega (Omayga). Just a thought.

[@jysanto7665]

Zênith for those who appreciate proper enunciation.

[@paulolodicora4471]

Hi there friend, I have all this watches that you just show us, and I would like you consider a Benrus watches that was out of your list which they are also great. Greetings from Brazil.

[@Watch2Wear]

Benrus makes a fabulous watch. I actually have an Electronic and it is very special to me since it was a watch that my father purchased new. thanks for watching and all the best. Dale

[@paulolodicora4471]

@@Watch2Wear I haver over 200 watches, and my thing is the "Dollar" Watches, haver a Nice week too!

[@jacksugden8190]

Difficult one as I have so many old watches, lost at what to wear, hadn’t any of those shown, will continue to buy more classic watches.

[@dedwardmalick]

Thank you for watching. I totally agree. I’m always looking for a nice vintage watch. Right now I’m on the hunt for a rose gold example. Be well and all the best, Dale

[@jacksugden8190]

@@dedwardmalick Hi Dale, I have a number of rose gold plated watches, from Ingersoll, Lindex, Continental, Corvette, Verity and a MuDu, have many others including TIMEX both American and Great Britain models, love them, going to buy more soon. Regards from Jack (across the pond) in London 🇬🇧.

[@dedwardmalick]

@@jacksugden8190 Hi Jack. Thanks again. Best, Dale

[@jacksugden8190]

Hiya, I just bought this: Vtg 1940s Incarna Military Style 31mm Chrome Cased Gents Wrist Watch Cal AS 984.

[@fweenoe9501]

Watching this while smiling at the Enicar on my wrist, luckily unknown to the bigger public but sadly too well known within the collector-scene.

[@Watch2Wear]

Agree! Thanks for watching. All the best, Dale

[@fweenoe9501]

@@Watch2Wear thanks for giving us these videos, stay safe and have a good day

[@lamartinezola8507]

hi there, thanks for your videos, I love them.. I have a quick question, Can you please tell me why Girard Perregaux Gyromatic vintage watch with GP logo right above 6 is so cheap?

[@carmelo3454]

All of them are so beautiful.

[@emilioislas5786]

Es muy bueno que diga los antecedentes del reloj del cuál habla y anécdotas del mismo , ojalá y no cambie para mí gusto esa forma de ser

[@toml.8210]

Elgin also had a factory in a second town called "Elgin." I think it was in Georgia or South Carolina.

[@Antiqueexcavator]

Illinois.

[@julienfroidevaux1143]

Almost any vintage watch is awsome value , especially so in the dress watch area.

[@dancezar6049]

No Enicar? Raketa?

[@bumpyroad3251]

OMG - ''Amiga'' watch company... Better know English, because if one have to rely on the subtitles will be well served... Nevertheless great vintage list there, maybe it's hard to call Omega underrated brand, in fact it is one of the most appreciated watch making brands outthere.

[@markjohnston7869]

Britain have never had a unit called the Royal Flying Unit. It was the part of the Army before becoming the Royal Flying Corp during WW1 and then becoming the Royal Air Force in 1918.

[@f.kieranfinney457]

Most vintage watches need complete CLA service. At $400+ for service the value of most of these watches disappears.

[@markjohnston7869]

You keep mentioning ebay. You should add a word of caution when doing this as it is stuffed full of fakes and Frakenwatches. Someting always worth mentioning. There is a reason why many of their watches are low cost.

[@davidcrandall4958]

How much do you spend on average per watch to bring these gems back to life!

[@davidcrandall4958]

Elgin also made Elgin Deluxe!You didnt do your research!

[@billeib427]

What about TIMEX

[@jysanto7665]

...oh, you must mean that thing that keeps on a-ticking though my pooch keeps on a-lickin'‼️‼️‼️

[@Rog5446]

Girard Perregux is pronounced Pear-a-go.

[@mikeitalian]

What about Russian Pobeda?

[@ratulsarkar8972]

Please make more videos

[@paulsteele6120]

How things have changed, getting these watches now will cost you an arm ay least if not the leg accompanying it.

[@angeloumacario9558]

I have e watch soper old watch wyler

[@davidcrandall4958]

unfortunately purchasing vintage watches is a minefield!

[@vincentmcdonnell7986]

Ok

[@omarbou3826]

Fentastec

[@pemhoman1754]

Certina Watches befor 1974

[@neckbone6976]

💤💤I feel deaf, dumb and old listening to this guy‼️‼️‼️

[@Bignewshound60]

It's Elgin with a hard 'G' Jeez. Why do they bother

[@roadkill7845]

Omega underrated? Haha sure

[@davidcrandall4958]

You must know how not to get burned by unscrupulous sellers!!

[@dedwardmalick]

It can be very tedious. You just need to do your research and utilize the website forums for help.

[@johntate5050]

Why the music? It's distracting, annoying and totally unnecessary.

[@johnm9845]

Is he an ex newsreader?

[@SatishKumar-gi4rj]

I have eterna watch for sale

[@Watch2Wear]

We are launching the website this week. Finally! You can sell it on there. Thanks for offer.

[@phillipsugwas]

Can barely make out what he is saying

[@toml.8210]

Please learn how to pronounce Grün properly. It's German, not Americanian.

[@fweenoe9501]

@classiccarz KZbin is an American conpany with a global audience. Since the founder of the company was German it should be pronounced in German. Stay safe in these times my friend ;)

[@fweenoe9501]

@classiccarz what does WW2 have to do with a pre-war German immigrant?

[@davepastern]

@classiccarz it is still a German name. The umlaut over the u adds an additional 'e' , so it is effectively pronounced (and spelled) grueen. Have some respect for other languages and cultures.