KMII
[Montblanc Moderator]
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What was your first vintage watch?
Not sure if we had such a thread recently - at least I could not find anything. But given that a great number of Purists counts vintage pieces amongst their collection I was wondering what your gateway drug was to this world, i.e. which was your first vintage watch? And if you feel like a bonus question, how did you get into vintage?
For me it was a funky NOS Eterna Sevenday Fastbeat (above). The shape of the case and hour markers as well as the Fast Beat movement clinched it for me. That it had an Italian day disc was an added bonus 
It has gotten several brothers and sisters since, of course (Vladding doesn’t usually fail for long) but will always remain the first.
Looking forward to seeing yours and reading your stories!
Vintage
Explore the Eterna Centenaire, an underappreciated vintage timepiece with an eggshell dial. Discover collector insights and other Eterna models.
28 replies4673 views
Vintage
KMII showcases his Eterna Sevenday Fastbeat, celebrating its high-frequency movement and Italian day disc. Discover the charm of vintage watches.
25 replies3340 views
What was your first vintage watch?
Not sure if we had such a thread recently - at least I could not find anything. But given that a great number of Purists counts vintage pieces amongst their collection I was wondering what your gateway drug was to this world, i.e. which was your first vin...
Not really a ,, Vintage ,, collector .
More a indie type of guy 😉. But a watch i needed in my collection was a watch that inspired a lot of (indie) watchmakers . The Amida Digitrend ...
That is a spectacular watch indeed :)
Reminds me of the GP Casquette quite a bit - the latter was digital, though Thanks for sharing this, Watchonthewrist!
Futurematic was first
Hi Had a quick look at the boxes & their associated receipts & was surprised. My Futurematic was my first vintage - 2004! Hadn't realised I'd had pleasure so long. I read an article in watch journal about them & was hooked! Took a bit of searching to get ...
Thanks for sharing your story, JML!
Your Futurematic is certainly a very cool piece. Especially like the profile - future-matic indeed!
A simple Longines was my first vintage watch (not counting my father’s old Roamer). [nt]
Bought in the early 80s. I love the simple elegance of these old watches. Regards Kev. ...
Fantastic Longines and love your shot!
As you say, these watches had an effortless elegance about them
A Seiko Diver
It was given to me by the wife of my father-in-law after he passed away in 1983. Strap and insert have been replaced since then. ...
A truly lovely watch!
And it looks like you’re taking great care of it, too! Thanks for sharing the story
My first was this Rolex from 1948
Stainless steel case with gold hands and digits. ...
Remember both :)
That pocket watch is quite something! Did the Doxa and Molnija come later?
One or two...
The issue is I have yet to get a single chain for the ones I have, so as to actually use them, so not a top priority it seems
Hmmhh.. Let me see, how to play..
Actually, there are two watches, and these are quite different, being „first Vintages“. One, an Omega Seamaster ss with gold hands and indices, from early 60ies, was passed on to me as an heirloom from my father- in-law, in the late 90ies. It is a plain w...
My first proper vintage . . .
. . . was this '69 Mk II Speedy . . . . . . gifted by a friend over a dozen years ago. It departed a few years later, but shortly afterwards, its position as the sole vintage in my collection was filled by . . . . . . Black Connie. And it's been a downhil...
I hope you find yours someday, Nicolas. I've seen only one other . . .
. . . exactly like mine. There must be more examples in the field, waiting to be loved by a new admirer. Art
Some fantastic pieces, Art...
And if I recall correctly, you have just the vintage Mark II for this week’s WS, too
Not sure if this can be considered 'vintage',
but bought it brand new in 1970 and has been a constant companion up to the last few years in 'rain or shine" My other vintage acquisition was from a close friend some twenty years ago when i persuaded him to sell it to me---a fun piece. best henry ...
Oh, that DeVille is suitably vintage, Henry . . .
. . . not to mention the best route to owning a cal 321 today. Being the original owner is even better, of course!
What cool pieces, Henry!
Both truly fascinating and not something we often see here - thanks for sharing them!
This Rolex GMT 16750, still own it.
Purchased about 12 years ago. Wasn't a perfect specimen but at the time the price was right and it was good enough for me. ...
Thanks. Believe it or not I was searching for a 5512/13 for about a year and of course those were a little more expensive.
The GMT was not on the radar but then this one popped up and I went for it. One of those unintended purchases that have stood the test of time!
No this one is long gone
I find vintage to be too difficult. Plus, I want to ow my watches for a long time. So I figured that they’re better to age with me.
1958 Vostok Sputnik
I loved the aesthetics of Soviet-era watches, even if they weren't very hardy. Would love a modern piece like this. ...
That is a very interesting piece - never seen it before :)
The seconds disc is a novel approach I have never seen before!
Probably an Omega bumper automatic
KMII, I used to collect Omega automatic vintage watches but the first one has left the flock. I still have this "younger" Omega that stayed. Both younger in manufacture and also acquisition dates. Regards, MTF Omega Constellation yellow gold ...
That’s a very interesting collecting theme :)
And a very cool way to start. Was it a particular event or person that steered you in that direction?
Follow the money
All I could afford No, seriously...I was experimenting with vintage and chose Omega instead of Rolex. Omega has a richer history and you know what my mother thinks of Rolex I wanted a brand with long history and many models that could be found cheaply. Th...
Portmaster collecting Seamasters...
That’s a very interesting insight, MTF. In all honesty I have invested little time in trying to find ways into vintage watches and pretty much all of the vintage pieces were acquired online. Need to follow your advice, though