Buying and collecting vintage wrist watches is often stressful.
Especially if you do not know much about them.
But it can also be fun, once you get the hang of it.
They often have a unique history, and you will be surprised by all of the features and complications that were available back then.
The pioneer watch makers have set the stage for some the most advanced movements(gears and pinions inside a watch) that world has ever seen.
So what type of Vintage Wrist Watch should you buy? Well that depends on quite a few things: taste, money you are willing to spend, time you want to take repairing your watch, time period.
I would recommend that if you are starting out, you only stick with good quality brands: For example Hamilton and Citizen would be a great place to start.
They have always made great watches and have a great reputation in watch community.
What are your tastes when it comes to vintage watches: Do you like the old chronographs(aka stop watches) or are you more into moon phase watches.
My personal favorite are the old retrograde or jump hour watches.
You can get really nice vintage jump grade watch from the 50's.
They are so cool.
The point is though, to pick a style that you like.
How much money are you willing to spend? Thank will often limit you as far as what type of watch you can buy.
But do not get discouraged, because a lot of vintage watches are cheaper than the newer ones.
For example a Zenith vintage wrist watch will range between $100-$2000.
A new Zenith watch will cost you upwards $5,000-$20,000.
Most American vintage wrist watches, like Hamilton will be much cheaper.
I would stick to American watches before I went to Swiss watches The next thing you want to take into account is the condition the watch is in.
Some clues are the case and is there particles in the movement.
Can you still see the serial number on the watch.
These things are very important because they affect the value of your vintage wrist watch.
Time period is the final thing that I would consider, when shopping for a vintage wrist watch.
Usually the farther back it goes, the simpler the movement.
This will affect many things, like how you clean it and take it apart.
Be very careful when clean your watch, its very easy to do damage to it.
I would recommend messing with clocks before you start with wrist watches.
Remember the most important thing you can do before you buy is research.
There are some many options.
That would be the first thing I would do.
Go to your local book store and pick up a catalog book on it, or browse through an auction website like ebay.
You will all sorts of styles, that you will not know where to start.