Guides
Buying guides
Practical advice for buying a vintage watch safely. No jargon, no gatekeeping.
Complete guide
How to buy a vintage watch
The complete beginner's guide. Budget, brands, condition, where to buy, and when to pull the trigger.
Buying safely
How to spot a fake vintage watch
Outright fakes are rarer than you think. The real risks are redials and Frankenwatches — here's how to catch them.
Buying safely
What is patina on a watch?
Patina, tropical, damage or fake ageing. Real photos, and what we found in 1,883 vintage listings, so you can tell them apart before you buy.
Buying safely
Is my watch real gold?
Solid, gold-filled or gold-plated: how to tell from the case back, why home tests are a bad idea, and what each is worth.
Buying safely
What is a redial watch?
A repainted or replacement dial on a genuine watch. What it is, how to spot one, and why the ones that admit it still sell at full price.
Owners
What is my vintage Bulova watch worth?
The median vintage Bulova is listed at $418, but an Accutron Astronaut can top $1,000. What each model lists for, how to date yours from the case back, and whether gold matters.
Owners
What is my vintage Elgin watch worth?
The median vintage Elgin is listed at $336. What a Lord Elgin, a pocket watch or a solid gold Elgin is worth, and how to date yours from the serial number.
Price guide
How much is a vintage Seiko worth?
Most vintage Seikos list for a few hundred dollars. What a Seiko 5, Grand Quartz or Grand Seiko costs, which to buy, and the Grand Quartz trap.