Budget Watch Collecting

This book is a resource for collecting vintage watches on a budget.

Budget Watch Collecting

There are plenty of resources for collecting expensive watches--There are some brands with more articles on them than watches produced. On the other hand, information on everyday middle-class watches can be hard to find.

This book will (eventually) cover most aspects of collecting inexpensive vintage (mostly mechanical) watches, as well as inexpensive methods to get them running again.

Like any Wiki, you can edit and contribute, click here for details.

Identification

Timex Date Codes Timex Model Names Times Movements

Unknown Swiss Made Identifying Movements Bulova Date Codes

Seiko Serial Numbers Types of Movements

Brand History

Waltham Old American Brands

Historical Prices Russian Watches

Repair, Restoration & Maintenance

Learning to Fix Watches Plastic Crystal Polishing Plastic Crystal Replacement Removing The Movement

Removing Hands Removing The Dial Service a Timex Movement Quick Lube

Reluming Hands Regulating Watch Battery Interchange Tool List

Buying & Selling

Buying on eBay Selecting a Watch

Selling a Watch Online

Horological Theory

How a Watch Works Jewels

Shock Protection Automatic Winding

Other

Fake Seikos Watch Photography

More Resources

• Jeweled movement clean and lube - Similar content needs to be written for this book, but in the meantime this is an excellent resource.
• Seiko service data - Includes oil charts for many Seiko models.
• DIY Dial printing
• Waltham serial number lookup
• Elgin serial number lookup
• Movement Database - Mostly jeweled mechanical
• Seiko Movement Table