US$50,000 watches are lovely to look at but in the real world and in the current economic climate it’s tough for many to justify blowing any cash on a watch. But you can still enjoy all the fun of collecting cool, unusual and still reliable watches for under US$300.
If you can’t afford retro chic, you can always opt for retro cheap. Superb watches from the 60s and 70’s can be snapped up for under US$300 and in many cases they are made to better standards than they are today. For some there’s a tinge of nostalgia in collecting watches which were cutting edge in the 70’s and are born again cool in the 21st century. For others, there’s the joy of discovering the eye catching designs and wacky colour schemes of a bygone era. Specialist retro websites cater to this demand and many of the watches are new old stock; latter day watches that have never been worn.
Buler Gents Mechanical Watch US$153
Swiss made wind-up 17 jewelled movement. Viewed through a TV shape aperture that was all the rage in the seventies and now fashionable again , the dial is in blue with large chrome/luminous batons and hands. Sports a quick set day/date window at 3-o-clock. Available at www.retro-watches.co.uk
Dimetron 70’s US$245
New Old Stock, never been worn, very rare assymetrical brushed steel case with polished sides, heavy and weighty on the wrist, quality 17 jewel Swiss movement with date function and sweeping seconds hand, four colour dial and on a brand new leather strap. Available at www.70s-watches.com
Nivada Compensamatic Automatic US$117
Admit it, you’ve dreamed of a compensamatic automatic watch. This Nivada Swiss watch is brand new old stock and in mint condition. Circa 1970s and features a 21 jewel automatic movement with sweep second hand. The dial resembles green frog spawn but still manages to look incredibly cool and desirable. Quick set day/date window at 3-o-clock. Available at www.retro-watches.co.uk
Pencron Revue Automatic US$237
Swiss made with ‘sautomatic’ movement that allows the second hand to run with a near sweep action. Phenix are from the Manufactures Suisse Reunies (MSR) which included Revue, Vulcain and Buser and eventually merged into Revue Thommen. They made high quality watches made to last years. This particular watch with its bronze brown tones is so typical of the late 60s and early 70s. A quick set day/date window is at 3. Immaculate condition with high polish and brushed surfaces , stainless steel case in an unusual funky shape featuring screw back cover. Available at www.retro-watches.co.uk
Nino Automatic 70’s US$245
New Old Stock, never been worn, a couple of small handling marks to the case. Automatic Swiss movement, steel chromed oval case, silver faceted dial, day and date sweeping seconds hand on a great leather strap. Available at www.70s-watches.com
Ricoh Automatic US$245
Again, this is New Old Stock, never been worn, automatic. Heavy brushed steel TV shaped case, metallic blue dial with gold and tiny faux diamond numerals, sweeping seconds hand, day and date on a nice quality leather strap, 21 jewel movement. Available at www.70s-watches.com
Seiko LordMatic 5606 5100 US$120
I own one of these and I can attest to its reliability and loveability. It’s a mid 70’s Seiko LordMatic, which runs on the ultra reliable 23 jewels 5606 Seiko in-house movement with a power reserve of around 60 hours. Quickset date at 3-o-clock, these are not so easy to find but if you scour the internet long enough you should find one for around US$120 or maybe less.
