Everyone’s favorite online auction site comes with its fair share of caveats when it comes to buying vintage timepieces — always do your due diligence before bidding or buying and know you’ll need a service down the line — but it’s a great resource for newbies or any watch enthusiast looking for something fun and cheap to wear, rather than something to lock away in hopes it accumulates in value. There are tons of mechanical watches from the 20th century that have been overlooked in favor of more obvious collectors favorites, but that’s good news for you, the frugal watch obsessive.
Seiko Sportsmatic 5 Deluxe
What we like: Though you can buy a brand-new Seiko 5 for less, there are tons of quirky models from the 5’s long history that are worth snatching up. This Sportsmatic looks to be in excellent condition, and the Japanese date wheel and (unoriginal) mesh strap are great touches.
From the seller: Crystal is in fair condition with some minor scratches. The case has some wear. Watch has been wound and hasn’t stopped running; I’m not sure of time accuracy, though.
Enicar Ultrasonic
What we like: Enicar was a Swiss watchmaker that didn’t survive the Quartz Crisis but made a series of interesting watches during the mid-20th century. The “Ultranonic” on the dial refers to the brand’s high-tech lab that opened in 1953, where movements were ultrasonically cleaned.
From the seller: Crystal is in fair condition with some minor scratches. The case has some wear. Watch has been wound and hasn’t stopped running; I’m not sure of time accuracy, though.
