The Watch Snob: Originality Is King

I think the next logical watch for you would probably be something on the dressier side - not that the Bulova is an unworthy watch but something a bit more modern might be a nice edition Before we go any further it is as well to clarify that the Ploprof in any metal is something of an absurdity nowadays; it has long since given up any claim it might have to being a useful tool for divers so no matter whether you have it in steel, or titanium, or for that matter in titanium and Sedna gold, it's a pretty absurd watch to wear Originality Is King Is an overhauled 'new old stock' watch considered vintage? If an old, unused movement is refurbished and placed in a new case is it considered vintage? Does the definition of vintage refer only to the movement or only to the case or both? Is an otherwise 'vintage' watch which has been redialed with new hands still considered 'vintage'? The very first rule of vintage watches is that originality is king; the second rule is that condition is king although one must be aware of bizarre exceptions - certain kinds of badly damaged or faded dials are, believe it or not, considered interesting by collectors and command a premium.

"Vintage" refers to everything: the entire watch; a vintage watch with a replacement modern movement would not be considered a vintage watch at all, but what collectors call a "Franken-watch" A redialed watch with new hands can be called whatever you want but most collectors would dismiss it out of hand What collectors want in a watch is often the exact opposite of what someone who wants a good watch to wear every day would want, but then, collecting can always be relied to bring out the most irrational in human impulses. Source