Online source (website ?) to research/study older Swiss wrist watches ?

Let’s say 1955 and older, but especially pre-war.
Also, any recommendations for reputable (online ?) sources to buy some from ?

 

Are there some specific brands you're looking at? There might be some forums or a random website that nobody really knows about with some info. I don't deal with too much vintage stuff (in fact I try to avoid it) so I can't help you unfortunately but if you give me more info I can ask around.

 

Thanks for your reply and offer to ask around.
Well, this is just a initial research into vintage watches, which might lead to purchase of one or more, but my interest is or would be more about something that would’ve been practical, every-day use, quality watches, let’s say Omega Seamaster and/or alike that would seem appropriate to use when out driving/using a vintage car(s) of same/similar era.
Something a mechanic or car enthusiast would’ve worn back in the day.
Nothing too blingy or fancy.
Ideally, I’d be more interested in (quality) watches that have age appropriate appearance, but are mechanically/operationally in top condition. Kind of like I prefer my vintage cars.
Due to my work (restoration and services of vintage cars and their components) I don’t wear a watch on daily bases and these wouldn’t be subjected to such use either.

 

You're welcome. My advice is if you'll start to dig into the vintage world, start with the bigger names. In other words brands that you can find parts for. These watches are fairly difficult to work on primarily because the parts are much harder to come by. Having said that, they are generally made a bit better so if the watch was serviced at decent intervals it should be OK.

Omega is a great candidate to start with.

 

So fairly similar to vintage cars. Maintenance and parts availability.
For some reason I’ve always liked the name “Omega” and thought of it being good quality, but don’t know much about it or similar (quality) watches and would like to see different makes/models/years, hence my inquiry.

 

Omega is known for its quality so that's why I think it's a good place to start. I'm not sure about parts availability but it'll definitely be better than a brand that's extinct now.

I recommend you browse Chrono24 and they have an age filter so you can go by the years you want. My watchmaker works on vintage stuff all the time and can help there, just won't be easy with the parts.

 

If Omega is where you want to start, check out On The Dash. Chuck Maddox was an encyclopedia of Omega info and it is cataloged there. Omega worked with a number of other companies to develop movements, so there are ties to Lemania, Breitling, and others. I think you can find it by googling his name.

 

Couple of site to look at, no affiliations:
https://www.windvintage.com
https://www.craftandtailored.com
https://10pastten.com

Forum: http://vintagerolexforum.com

 

You may want to check out the auction site Jones and Horan (https://www.jones-horan.com). They have a bi-monthly on-line auction and some live, in-person events throughout the year. They auction some jewelry, occasional coins, wristwatches and pocketwatches. I haven't used their services but I would say their descriptions are really, really good (they have someone who really knows the stuff and can point out flaws, rare attributes, missing parts, scratches, etc.) Also you can see what they sell for. Right now they have a number of '50's chronographs, dress watches, a moonphase calendar, 4 Accutron Spaceviews...Usually there are some Omegas, Rolexes, Breitlings....They probably won't have too many Pateks or Vacherons but again for what you are asking I think they will show a decent cross section of '30's-'60's fare. I believe they set the record for the most expensive American pocket watch ever sold so some high end items hit their house. Their terms of sale are really good as well.

 

Aside from online, here is a great source for books.

https://watchprint.com/en/

 

Thanks for the rec.
I did do some initial browsing and came up with couple of questions.

Many sellers seem to refer to “Year of Production”. Does that mean a year the given model was introduced and initially placed into production, even if the identical model production carried over to several subsequent years OR does it mean the actual year of manufacturing of that particular item ?

Also, do these types of watches, let’s say Omega from 1932 or 1952, have an actual date of completion ?

 

It’s been awhile since I’ve looked at a vintage Omega but with Rolex there’s a general serial nunber sheet that gives you an approximation.

As far as Chrono24 goes, when I list the year of production it’s the year on the papers. If it was produced a year before or whatever is not really relevant as the brands don’t mention when it was actually produced.

Fuethermore, since Rolex has scrambled serial numbers since about 2010, it’s impossible to guess outside of the papers. I’ve seen watches before that had a year 2000 serial but the papers said 2004. It could have been for sale for 4 years or it wasn’t finished by Rolex until later for whatever reason. I know of a Cellini that’s still for sale and it’s got a 2007 serial. Not sure what the hell that dealer is doing but it’s been for sale for 14 years!!!

Either way if you’re looking at watches this old, I don’t think a few years here or there matter.

 

Thanks for expanding.
I guess to an average buyer the actual year or date won't matter, but I've always been an odd man out...

.. and (historical) details like these seem important to me.

Kind of like having a "Daytona" (Ferrari, not the watch) actually made/finished in '72, imported to original market destination in '73 and finally sold (+ registered first time) as new car in '74, all of which over the years and decades has been recorded and mixed up in subsequent paperwork giving her the year model designation as '72, '73 or '74. So which is it ?