The Dive Watch Connection

I routinely see very cool vintage Tissot chronographs in good condition selling for relatively low prices - like in the $500 range. Some of them are on the small side by modern standards but there are some really nice models in the 40+mm range that don't seem to sell for much more. Movements aren't super special - typically a Valjoux hand winder of some sort - but solid and reliable. I guess these don't have an association with famous race drivers or movie stars which may be why they don't have the cachet of a Heuer, but they do seem fairly under appreciated and under valued. I wonder if these will come to be more covered by collectors at some point and represent good value now, much like Heuers were some years back.

logan2z wrote:I routinely see very cool vintage Tissot chronographs in good condition selling for relatively low prices - like in the $500 range. Some of them are on the small side by modern standards but there are some really nice models in the 40+mm range that don't seem to sell for much more. Movements aren't super special - typically a Valjoux hand winder of some sort - but solid and reliable. I guess these don't have an association with famous race drivers or movie stars which may be why they don't have the cachet of a Heuer, but they do seem fairly under appreciated and under valued. I wonder if these will come to be more covered by collectors at some point and represent good value now, much like Heuers were some years back.

many also have some very nice Lemania movements, 1340, 1341 precursors to the 5100. I picked one up some time ago and still have it very nice vintage pieces for the money

caesarmascetti wrote:

logan2z wrote:I routinely see very cool vintage Tissot chronographs in good condition selling for relatively low prices - like in the $500 range. Some of them are on the small side by modern standards but there are some really nice models in the 40+mm range that don't seem to sell for much more. Movements aren't super special - typically a Valjoux hand winder of some sort - but solid and reliable. I guess these don't have an association with famous race drivers or movie stars which may be why they don't have the cachet of a Heuer, but they do seem fairly under appreciated and under valued. I wonder if these will come to be more covered by collectors at some point and represent good value now, much like Heuers were some years back.

many also have some very nice Lemania movements, 1340, 1341 precursors to the 5100. I picked one up some time ago and still have it very nice vintage pieces for the money

That's a really nice one, they are real bargains. I've got my eye on a couple as well.

I think they are a good value, and the quality is the same as most other 70s chronos, since these companies shared dial, case and movement suppliers.

I think Heuer is a unique case, since the link to F1 racing gives the vintage watches a cachet that Tissot will never have. Tissot, and brands like Wakmann, Le Jour, Hamilton, etc, etc are all solid vintage watches that can be had for under a grand, but I wouldn't consider them investments.

here's one on WUS

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tis ... 92938.html

caesarmascetti wrote:here's one on WUS

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-tis ... 92938.html

That one's cool.