Here's an excellent posting from Ben Clymer @Hodinkee, "The Ups And Downs Of Buying Vintage Watches, As Told Through The Last Watch I Bought".

Here's an interesting passage from the posting:

Buying vintage watches in not for the faint of heart. My friend Paul Boutros often says that no matter who you're dealing with, you (as the buyer) are "at war" with the seller. It's a battle of who knows more about the particular desirability of the watch, who can suss out the over all condition relative to others, and who can play the game better. Even when you're buying a watch from a known and trusted entity, it's all a struggle. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. In this personal post, I will tell you about the very last watch I purchased, and how it might be the perfect example of how even when you win, you never win as much as you think.

Have a look at the posting, and then share your thoughts? Reactions? Are we really engaged in "wars" when we buy watches? What about the ones that stay in the family / go to our friends? Friendly prices? East transactions?

Jeff