New watches nowadays often look like those from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. The style is considered timeless or classic, but for many, there’s nothing like a watch that’s actually lived through the decades.
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Vintage watch collecting is a world unto its own. Watches featuring damage and decay sometimes fetch higher prices — when they’re aged in the right way and the damage is labeled as “patina.” Just like collecting stamps or coins, even the subtlest difference can mean everything to dealers and hardcore hobbyists. It can be expensive but affordable vintage watches can also be a ton of fun. It’s a world fraught with pitfalls and special knowledge, but one that can be endlessly fascinating.
There are a number of things to keep in mind when buying a vintage watch (learn more here), and a lot to learn — but sometimes you might just want to jump right in. Much of the fun of vintage watches has to do with discovery, so to kick off your own explorations we’ve gathered a few vintage watches at different price levels to get you going.
Seiko Lord Matic Weekdater
eBaySeiko Lord Matic Weekdater
What We Like: Seiko and even vintage Seiko have been moving upmarket, but who says you can’t still find very cool old models from this storied Japanese brand? Lord Matics are a favorite of vintage Seiko fans on a budget, but this one with its squarish case is a bit unusual.
