: I'm currently interested in purchasing the timepiece at the
: following link
: https://www.vintageheuer.com/products/heuer-45-3641/

: I'm just wondering two things:
: 1. Do you consider this to be a good watch/chronograph for the
: price?

I think you could find better in the private sales market. This has clearly been worn a lot but on the positive side has not suffered the corrosion that plated watches often do. The lume on the hands looks to me to have been renewed. Whether that is better than gaps or no lume at all is a matter of personal choice. The lower pusher is a bit wonky too, so budget for a full strip down service and possibly new parts.

: 2. I realize that the case is plated metal. Is this a problem and
: shoul I be trying to get a stainless steel case?

Stainless is generally believed to be better, but pristine 40-50 year old plated watches do exist -- I am wearing one right now.

: 3. My dream watch is actually here:
: https://www.vintageheuer.com/products/new-old-stock-7721-economy/
: ....however, I will have to keep dreaming.

You do realise the 7721 is plated? Mine definitely is, it is the 7722 that is stainless. They all get the same movement, same dial, same.... If the case is good the watch is just as good. The 3641 will have a Valjoux 92 movement (I think), the 7721 a Valjoux 7730/3, but they are both good, reliable and well understood by the specialist watchmakers.

: In the meantime, the
: other watch is incredibly similar... Do think with a little care
: and polishing, that HEUER 45 3641 can be a good substitute for
: the 'dream watch?'

Skip the polishing, which will simply remove more chrome, and I'd be looking for something like that. If you have budget issues look for the same watch by Zodiac, Tradition, Hamilton and a few more, it will look just the same from 2ft away and cost half its twin sister from the same watchmaker's bench with the Heuer logo.

But the important thing for me, which I think is in at least partial agreement with John, is Buy What You Like And Want To Keep. Whether anyone else likes it is then immaterial. Unless planning to buy and sell frequently to get a new look of course, I find a change of strap or bracelet does that for me.

A couple more things: if at all possible see it yourself on your wrist and with a magnifying glass. A bit of travel cost can save a misjudgement -- but not mechanical issues unfortunately. I bought my "Zodiac" 7721 from the other side of the Atlantic with crossed fingers, but it was from someone with a solid history on Chronotrader and it's a lovely piece. Also be prepared to be surprised when seeing the watch in person -- in either direction. When buying another watch I wanted something relatively cheap and unreadably complicated to remind me why Carreras are so good -- and wound up loving its complication! Wouldn't try to take lap-times at a race track with it though and it needs somewhat longer to work out what the time of day is. Still faster than getting the phone out of my pocket though :-)

Mike