Pre-loved / vintage watches

[Zhampagne]

I know there are some very knowledgeable watch collectors on this board.

I have a big birthday coming up and would like a nice watch. I would prefer pre-owned or vintage, a decent 'name', and definitely not a 'ladies' style - I much prefer mens' watches. I'm just starting my research - please can anyone recommend reputable dealers (online or physical)? I am based near Birmingham but willing to travel within the UK. Thank you.

I know what you mean about the Rolex groups, a lot of the time it's people getting very aeriated about the same circular arguments about the same unobtainable pieces.
I graze a few of the YouTube channels but the only one I watch religiously is the Timeless Watch Channel, which is absolutely exquisite.

OP here, eagerly reading everything. Thank you all so much; I have loads to look into.

The Tag posted above is lovely. DH has a Tag Carrera which I’ve been wearing this weekend to test out the size (44mm). The crown on the ‘wrong’ side particularly appeals because I’m left-handed and wear my watch on my right wrist.

Here is one in your price range that will tick the moon phases, but might be to clunky:
www.union-glashuette.com/de/belisar/chronograph-mondphase-d009-425-16-017-00

Resurrecting this old thread because I like a resolution. I am the OP from back in 2021 and my big birthday was earlier this year. We ended up extending the budget a bit and I am the proud owner of a Cartier Ballon Bleu in stainless steel with a black leather strap. I really love it. It does come in a moon phase edition and I seriously considered it but I ultimately preferred a simpler face. Thanks so much for all of your contributions and advice.

Excellent, happy birthday! Glad you found something that you love. What's next on your list? (there WILL be a list, watches are addictive).

Congratulations, it’s a beautiful watch

Such an inspiring and informative thread, thanks, @Verv and @ChinookPilotsGoVertical. Glad you got your dream watch, @Zhampagne.

I’m looking for a dive watch for my nephew’s 21st. Max budget of £2K. Have sent him links to pre-owned Seamasters, a new TAG-Heuer F1, and new Seiko Prospex. But then I saw the Vostok chat and went down a huge rabbit hole…

Links:

Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M for £2,100 for sale from a Private Seller on Chrono24
chrono24.co.uk

Seiko Prospex Prospex 'Samurai' 43.8mm Mens Watch SRPF03K1
goldsmiths.co.uk

Seiko Prospex Heritage Turtle 1968 Re-Interpretation 41mm Mens Watch SPB315J1
goldsmiths.co.uk

TAG Heuer Formula 1 41mm Quartz Mens Watch WAZ1110.BA0875
watches-of-switzerland.co.uk

Grateful for any advice/pointers.

Have you seen the Seiko Prospex "Captain Willard" in green? Looks amazing (I've got one) 200m W/R & around £1K.

I hadn't. Looks great, thanks. The green doesn't come with a steel bracelet option, does that matter?

@WristCandy
I'm happy with it on the rubber strap, partly because I have a lot of watches on steel bracelets & partly because it is a reissue of the one worn by Martin Sheen as Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now.
It could be swapped for a different rubber strap or a leather one to change the look.

Have just been reading about it, @AllMyExesWearRolexes. Very nice. Definitely going on the list 👍

@WristCandy I recommend the SLA055J1

The dial is glorious and it has a grand seiko level movement so is extremely accurate. It’s also considered to be a high end seiko and is finished in everbrilliant steel which is harder to scratch and scuff.
They were over 4k new and while still available are coming onto the pre owned market now at around the 2-2.5k mark which is one hell of a lot of watch for the money. Someone may take an offer given that the market is so slow.
https://timeandtidewatches.com/hands-on-the-seiko-sla055j1-save-the-ocean-limited-edition/

if you can’t get one within budget though any of the circa 1-2k seiko divers are excellent choices. As previously mentioned the Willard is a classic but so is the turtle or any of the “reissue” shaped models based on the 60s divers.

Tudor black bay - can’t go wrong with a ‘58 but the original black bay is very thick. They come in at 2k pre owned also.

Can’t go wrong with a pre owned omega seamaster either. Blue is the classic dial associated with bond. I’d say try and avoid quartz and go for automatic.

Personally I’d avoid Tag.

if you google kibble watches they usually have a good and quirky selection around the 2k mark that sometimes includes seiko divers.

Thank you, @Verv. That one looks amazing.

I've got a green Willard for him to try and also been looking at the SPB143 and the SPB297 blue dial bought new.

Tbh I'm not sure how interested he is beyond 'a new watch', so now less likely to search out a top of the budget pre-owned.

They’re both excellent choices !
Like the blue glacier dial.

Yes, think one of them could be a good option right now. Also saw this version, with dark blue bezel...

Hard to find them all locally to try, so think I'll have to create my own pop-up watch shop for him!