Options for affordable/entry level vintage heuer

So... I'm interested in expanding my watch collection beyond my trusty 1000 diver

However anfter many gours browsing I'm not sure there's a lot of 'value' in the market for buyers on a budget at the moment... even on less popular models seem to have increased signifiantly in last couple of years

In fact once you examine the prices it's hard not to conclude to buy a heuer reedition (new or 2nd hand) rather than a 'true' vintage.

Or..... move away from heuer to something like sinn or tudor for now and build a collection of more affordable models

Interested in forum perspectives on the market; vintage vs re-edition and whether I'm missing something in terms of entry-level heuer opportunities

I feel your pain. I haven't bought any new (old) pieces for a while now, but I still think there is value in some early 1980's models, such as the Pasadena that DC wrote about recently.

I agree, got fortunate when i bought my vintage Silverstone , the Pasedena does interest me and is still affordable in my opinion

Thanks for the thoughts guys, I will check them out. Would still love to find a vintage that worked for me but i think it'll take sone more browsing and deliberations.

Essence of my dilemma is I want a watch to wear frequently. It might be the only one I can buy for a couple of years. How would those models you mentioned cope with that sort of usage?

Once you go much beyond 1500-2000 pounds it's difficult to justify the low-end vintage I think. Thats where 2nd hand reeditions start to appear. And at 4000 quid you can get a brand new heuer reedition.

Plus I think my view on a fair price is different to watch dealers.. .. or is it just that prices have rocketed in last few years.

Anyway I'll keep searching....

Yes you got me

If if were the OTHER tony stark I suspect I wouldn't be complaining about entry level vintage heuer!

1 pound = 1.29 USD
1 pound = 1.15 euro
Which doesn't help when looking for value....

Guess l have to invent something new!

Stupid brexit 🙁

Hello all thought I should post a short update on my thoughts/deeds in the search for affordable vintage since last post.

1. developed a bit of a thing for 'French made' 1611 etc. Missed one at auction because I didn't setup a login in time.
1b bid on a suspiciouslyy cheap 840 monnin in same auction (cathedral hands) but bottled out... believe it had a replacement movement.
2. Became interested (obsessed!?) With the 510.xxx models (lemania 5100 movement) but condition and value widely variable. calibre11 article is a great resource
3 found many similar models there are based on the 5100 movement and case - generally seem to be better condition than the eqiivalent heuer!
4 after a chance encounter in a watch store specialisi ng in vintage omega, drifted over speedmaster mark 2/4 or even 4.5 (very similar to the heuer 510!)

So I feel much more knowledgeable on late 70s/early 80s chronos but am no closer to making a purchase.

Hi there, well I think you've rounded it up quite nicely. I am a huge fan of the L5100 and I think that's the best value-for-money you can get.
However they're getting ever scarcer, and maintenance requires a trained watchmaker who knows the calibre well enough - and has access to parts.
The Speedmasters Mk II and IV are a good option too - especially the Mk IV (ref. 176.009) has an extremely high-quality movement (Lemania 1040) - however they share little with each other apart from the case shape.

If you choose to stick to a L5100-based watch - which I could not recommend more ;-) - here are my suggestions:

- Heuer's are splendid, especially the 510.50X - which are also the most affordable ones of the L5100-based Heuers, way cheaper than the Carreras or Silverstone or (very rare) Cortina. The AMI and Audi Sport are a completely different category altogether, especially price-wise.
Their prices have been increasing steadily, but some bargains can still be found from time to time if you're willing to wait enough.

- In the Heuer 510.50X series, if your target is an everyday watch, I'd recommend the polished steel 510.500, much easier to manage than its PVD siblings. Probably a tad less charming as well, but much less of a headache in case it gets scratched or else. I've had a couple over the years and I realised I can't do without one - see a pic of mine below.



- Heuers come at a premium compared to other L5100-based watches - even more so recently. If you want to consider other brands, I'd highly recommend Sinn, especially the 142 (if you like large watches) or the 157 (if you prefer smaller ones). Prices are getting higher for these as well, but still lower than Heuers. The titanium 157 especially is a dream watch in my opinion, great size and goes well with everything, with a couple of advantages compared to the others - comparatively cheaper, lightweight, compact, sapphire glass and skin-friendly.



- If budget is a constraint, by far the best choice is the Revue Thommen Airspeed - the old L5100-based one. Probably the smallest L5100 watch around, but very, very nice - and most of them come in the titanium version which is a plus to me. They seem to be dramatically undervalued, and I can't understand why - the brand has a real and very solid aviation connection. They don't come up for sale often, but when they do it's usually for about 1000 EUR for good ones.


- the Speedy Mk 4.5 (ref. 176.0012) is very similar to the Heuer 510.500 as for features and dial layout, but its radial sunburst finish and reverse-printed mineral glass make it a little less suitable for everyday use IMHO.

Hope this helps a bit.
Cheers,
Fabrizio

Fabrizio thanks for an excellent and informative posts. The 510 heuer, the 157 and the speedy mk 4.5 are on the shortlist for me and I'll be keeping my eyes open for the right example.

The speedy is most easily found it seems but I do worry about the case and glass marking easily.

In the meantime am enjoying learning more about the subject matter from knowledgeable people like yourself.

I must admit I'd never even heard of thommen!

Some good advice here, especially from Fabrizio...I assume this is Fabrizio R who is one of the real experts on the 5100 watches 👍

The Verona tends to be good value (especially Quartz), or the Kentucky. Of the more modern re-editions, the Targa Florio is fantastic value

Encouraging!

Indeed that was a good price for the buyer considering the watch conditions.
However please notice that this is a transitional model 510.500/12, with TAG-Heuer signed caseback and bracelet and later hands (which are also now mounted as service hands by TH for the 510.50Xs).
Also, based on its caseback model the movement seems to be the slower-beating L5012, still very good but less appreciated than the L5100.
I think overall the fact this is a transitional model may have detracted a bit from the final sales price.

Mr Stark, I feel your pain! Some of us are just a little late to the party.
Have you looked at a 2000 series? Very affordable and quite an interesting background to the Depraz Dubois chrono module and it's development.

The ref 12 and 13-1 are still reasonable money, but not as desirable as some other models. I'm a big fan of the Lemania models, especially the Audi Sport branded one.

Other than these I think the Autavia Viceroy are still really good value currently and can be picked up in great condition.