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My approach to vintage ww collecting comes from collecting clocks (mostly vienna regulators). I learned thru trial/error a few things, I will limit to 3 subjects:
1) Spend time researching your subject--reading ref books, price guides, auction catalogs, attending auctions, visiting Auth dlrs, and ALWAYS asking questions. The more informed you are, the better your chances for a successful purchase.
2) I found visiting numerous watch dlrs, both AD (new watches) and vintage stores (hard to locate, but they're out there), you will eventually build a list of good, solid, truthful watch people, to consult, and buy from. Get to know them by asking plenty of questions, if they appear not interested in giving you their time, keep looking. Visit the site of NAWCC, as it is a great resource for info, contacts, and ww shows across the country.
3) DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEND TOO MUCH! Most new collectors want to buy everything. To build a nice collection, you must learn to spot redials, overpolishing, and look at movts, for scratches, excessive wear, or marriages (incorrect movts, parts for ref #). If some of these terms are foreign, you need study. A modest collection (small number of pieces), can hold real treasures, if they are of high quality, and relatively rare...that is the fun of collecting.
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