Help with a Watch from Vancouver

[charu]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a total watch novice and am new to the forum - I'm looking for a gift for my husband as he finishes some schooling this winter!

This is a suprise for him so I'm getting help from some of his friends who introduced me to this forum.

He's really wanting a vintage Omega watch (seamaster?) and really likes the metal bands (bead of rice?) with the lighter face colour. I sneakily measured and his wrist is 7".

If anyone has any leads, I would really appreciate it!

 

[Ferrariben65]

Welcome first of all ! watches are great gifts that last a lifetime and then some. I would start by asking if you have a budget for said Omega ? I can't suggest a local place but
I'm sure some Vancouver members like @Braindrain can assist perhaps. We have an under 2K section here where you may find what your looking for as well. Best Of Luck !

 

[Slowfred]

Many choices pending budget, welcome to the forum.

 

[YVR785]

Impossible to answer this question without a budget.

 

[fenris69]

I recently bought a vintage Omega from @Vanallard and he had a few more although they may be gone by now. There is no shortage of vintage Omega on the market and a beads of rice is one of my favorite bracelets. Condition is the only thing, try to get the seller to put it on a timegrapher so you at least can confirm it's running half decently. Very few service their watches with any frequency so it's a crap shoot. Van does more than most and he'll tell you if not.

 

[Braindrain]

Thanks for the shout out @Ferrariben65 .

@charu , I suggest going to a place like Otto Friedl (Hotel Vancouver) as they usually have tons of vintage Omegas and other brands.

The best is to go together and figure out what he likes. Also, by spending the time, the watch will be a much more memorable experience going beyond just the purchase. There will be a good story behind it.

 

[Vanallard]

Charu messaged about the Seamaster De Ville I have listed for sale, made an offer that was accepted but then advised that a friend told her the watch (a standard sized 34.5mm SMD) would be too small.

I agree with Braindrain’s suggestion to go to Otto Friedl where you’ll appreciate the types, sizes and variety of vintage watches and a sense of how much you should expect to pay if buying from a dealer. Vintage dress watches are smaller than modern watches, and even jumbo sized examples that cost considerably more will seem small compared to modern 40mm+ watches.