Unofficial vintage collectible watches thread

[tdw28210]

So, I posted this topic here back on 3/20/16. And replied to my own post with a bunch of thoughts, questions and subsequent purchases details.
Some good stuff, pics and advice in that thread.

Starting out in Collecatble Watches - Educate Me

However, I am already in deep with this new hobby and I want to start this thread for a more specific purpose of learning why other watch collectors have purchased the vintage watches they now own. I hope this thread focuses on vintage watches, as those are what interest me - and hopefully others too- the most.

Since that original post, I have indulged myself with 2 "affordable" collectable vintage watches and I am in the process of acquiring two more. One '60's era Ball Swiss trainmaster, one Seiko "Col. Pogue" . Now I am on the trail of a Viet Nam era Seiko Study and Ops Group (SOG)- Counter Insurgency Support Office (CISO) issued watch and a '60's era manual Longines.

I like mechanical watches (autos preferred) with interesting back stories. Hence, the Pogue, the Ball and the SOG Seiko. The Longines is just a deal I could not pass up and I will likely sell once it has been spiffed up a bit.

So, other watch collectors, tell me your favorite watches' backstory and where I can by a Blancpain 50 Fathoms on the cheap.

[tdw28210]

Adding to my collection. In addition to my '72 "WATER 70m RESIST" holy grail Seiko Pogue, I just acquired probably one the rarest vintage Seiko's; a Seiko MAC V SOG watch. These watches are fairly well documented but tough to find. The don't look like anything special, but for a Seiko they are bit odd. Black faces with Arabic numerals and day/date window. Something anyone could likely buy, in a small stand in Thailand. Nothing that screams "military watch" and that was the point. They had to be "sheepdipped" and "sterile".





These are watches that were issued by the CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) to MACV (Military Assistance Command VietNam) SOG (Studies and Operations Group) "operators". These operators were a mix of Navy SEALS, US Army Special Forces and CIA spooks.

From Wikipedia;

Established on 24 January 1964, the unit conducted strategic reconnaissance missions in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), Laos, and Cambodia; carried out the capture of enemy prisoners, rescued downed pilots, and conducted rescue operations to retrieve prisoners of war throughout Southeast Asia; and conducted clandestine agent team activities and psychological operations.

The Studies and Observations Group (aka SOG, MACSOG, and MACV-SOG) was a joint unconventional warfare task force created on 24 January 1964 by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subsidiary command of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). The unit would eventually consist primarily of personnel from the United States Army Special Forces, the United States Navy SEALs, the United States Air Force, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and elements of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units.

Basically badass guys who did not technically exist and were not technically US soldiers operating in Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia. Rather they had previously left the armed services and operated as a mercenary force solely through their own efforts. This scenario allowed the US to stay in compliance with the Geneva agreements that dictated all foreign armies out of the region in the late '50's.

I am not a VN expert, nor even a militaria guy. I am a budding watch guy who only stumbled onto this story because I noticed something a bit odd about a grouping of 3 vintage Seiko watches that were for sale. After a few hours of research, I pieced together the backstory on these rather mundane, but unique looking Seikos. At that point I knew had to have the watch. And at around 9:30 tonight, that occurred. Here is my new-to-me Seiko SOG. Sitting in the middle and beaten up and needing repair. I already love it and I doubt I will ever sell it.

[LeeH]

Good choice on the Pogue. One of my favorites. Still waiting to trip across a gold version, but this one is very original.

[tdw28210]

Like this? With the correct "WATER70mRESIST" at the 9:00 mark and a Jan. '72 production date (Nov. '71 would be ideal). Sniped it on eBay after a local Craigslister tried to pass his gutted Pogue as "pristine". It needs the day/date surround, but I have it on the way, along with anew crystal and "straight H" band. I've got my eye on an earlier WATER70mPROOF model now : )

[rwest]

Here's a Movodo Quartz that I bought just after HS, so almost 30 years ago. Men's watches were smaller then, this one is 30mm and dang is it thin 3.75mm! Biggest drawback is it goes through a battery in around a year- probably because it is so thin.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by rwest

Here's a Movodo Quartz that I bought just after HS, so almost 30 years ago. Men's watches were smaller then, this one is 30mm and dang is it thin 3.75mm! Biggest drawback is it goes through a battery in around a year- probably because it is so thin.

Using eBay as a guide looks like these Movado's are pulling $300 to $400. Pretty cool you've had it since HS.

[tdw28210]

A Seiko blue Pogue "proof" dial watch acquired. It was mismarked as a 1980 model, which kept if from going higher. It is actually a much more desirable 1970 model, but the Seiko serials are tough to decipher sometimes. This one needs some work on the lume a new bezel and a new crystal, but the mechanism looks pretty good.

[Hugh R]

Bought it for $5 in a pawn shop in around 1970, it works too. 1948 vintage. I wore it to my interviews at Disney to send a message that I could be a Company man.

Ebay says its worth $50 to $100; some seem to think its worth thousands (not).

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

A Seiko blue Pogue "proof" dial watch acquired. It was mismarked as a 1980 model, which kept if from going higher. It is actually a much more desirable 1970 model, but the Seiko serials are tough to decipher sometimes. This one needs some work on the lume a new bezel and a new crystal, but the mechanism looks pretty good.

Be careful... just like cars, a vintage watch with a nice patina beats one that's been restored. Several models of old Seikos have a brushed finished on the case. The original finish with a lot of scratches it worth more than one that's been polished to perfection.

[BeyGon]

These aren't worth much but I bought the Mickey Mouse in the early 60s and the Seiko in Vietnam in 67 or early 68.

[tdw28210]

[QUOTE=BeyGon;9073177]These aren't worth much but I bought the Mickey Mouse in the early 60s and the Seiko in Vietnam in 67 or early 68.

Dean that Seiko is basically the same guts and crystal as the SOG, but without the black face and Arabic numerals. And FYI, based on your serial number, that Seiko was built in February of '68. Very cool.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Be careful... just like cars, a vintage watch with a nice patina beats one that's been restored. Several models of old Seikos have a brushed finished on the case. The original finish with a lot of scratches it worth more than one that's been polished to perfection.

Thanks Lee. I hear you. The Pogue in particular has a mix of metal srface finishes that make it easy to overlook what work may have been done to it over the proceeding 45 years.

[tdw28210]

Grabbed this little item off the auction sites this week too. It is a genuine Waltham wrist compass and strap. The preferred set up for SOG operators. It is going to be sporting a Seiko SOG watch shortly. : ).

The writing on the side freaked the wife out a bit. : )

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Bought it for $5 in a pawn shop in around 1970, it works too. 1948 vintage. I wore it to my interviews at Disney to send a message that I could be a Company man.

Ebay says its worth $50 to $100; some seem to think its worth thousands (not).

Hugh, very cool back story. If you got the Disney job, add up your total income during your tenure there. THAT may be its true value, to you anyways. Enjoy it!

[tdw28210]

thread issues?

[Hugh R]

TDW, I did get the Disney job, been there almost 15 years.

[BeyGon]

and I think I bought my MM pocket watch while working at Carnation on the Plaza, Disneyland the summer of 63.

[LeeH]

Picked this one up today. I've had a 6309 7049 for a couple of years, but it needs a service. Just haven't gotten around to it. This one's from 1987. The non-runner is a 1980.

[Baz]

[Baz]

2 Mickey's at left side...all Seikos.....