Five famous watch brands at five different auctions all pitched at under £400

When it comes to watches, auctions offer a huge range of choice of both vintage and modern examples. They also offer items that you won’t find on the high street due to their rarity or the fact that they are no longer in production.

Watches are available at a wide range of price points and typically these pre-owned examples sell for much more attractive prices than their retail equivalents.

Then there’s the thrill of bidding at auction of course. If you’re new to auctions, have a look at our guide to watches and also our guide of how to bid online in a live auction.

In the meantime, to whet the appetite, here are five watches at upcoming auctions estimated at £400 or under.

1. Omega watch

Omega is one of the most sought after and historical watch brands. The business dates back to watchmaker Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland who started his business in 1848. The firm took the name Omega in 1903.

One example of a vintage Omega on offer at an upcoming auction is the rectangular gold cased wristwatch from the 1940s, pictured above.

It is estimated at £300-£400 at Dix Noonan Webb on March 16.

View the catalogue entry for this Omega watch on thesaleroom.com.

2. Longines watch

A Longines gentleman’s wrist watch – estimated at £250-350 at Lyon & Turnbull.

If you’re looking for something different but still sophisticated and elegant, this Longines gentleman’s silver wrist watch could be just the thing. Its vintage elongated rectangular case certainly helps it stand out as does its silver coloured dial.

Longines is a luxury Swiss brand which was founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832. Its winged hourglass logo is one of the world’s oldest trademarks and its high quality watches remain very popular to this day.

This example, which dates from the 1970s, is estimated at £250-350 at Lyon & Turnbull on March 9. View the catalogue entry for this Longines watch on thesaleroom.com.

3. Lady’s Rolex watch

A c.1960 lady’s Rolex Orchid bracelet watch – estimated at £250-350 at Dreweatts.

This is something you won’t find on the high street. A c.1960 lady’s Rolex Orchid gold coloured bracelet watch will be offered at Dreweatts on April 13.

The watch has an 18 carat gold coloured case and bracelet with snap clasp, and its movement is still working.

It is estimated at £250-350.

View the catalogue entry for this Rolex Orchid watch on thesaleroom.com.

4. Tag Heuer chronometer

The Tag Heuer brand is one of the best known watch names in today’s marketplace. The brand can trace its roots to Edouard Heuer who started his watchmaking business in Switzerland in 1860. He was the inventor of the oscillating pinion device, something can remains in many mechanical wrist chronographs to this day.

Among the Tag Heuer watches offered at upcoming auctions on this website, is this gentlemen’s link chronometer stainless steel wristwatch. A new example would cost at least £1000-1500 from a retailer.

This one is estimated at £250-300 at Reeman Dansie on March 9-10. View the catalogue entry for this Tag Heuer watch on thesaleroom.com.

5. Seiko King Quartz watch

A Seiko King Quartz watch – estimated at £100-120 at Sutton Hill Auctions.

One of the leading non-Swiss historical watch brand that is still in operation is Japanese maker Seiko.

The firm dates back to 1881 when its founder Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks in central Tokyo.

Among the Seiko watches offered at upcoming auctions is this vintage Seiko King Quartz watch (ref: 5856-7040 watch). The Grand Seiko and King Seiko were the leading top series watches made by Seiko from the end of the 1970s.

This example is offered at Sutton Hill Auctions on March 5 with an estimate of £100-120.

View the catalogue entry for this Seiko watch on thesaleroom.com.