We’ve joined forces with our friends at 10:25 Vintage, a New York-based operation with a shared enthusiasm for interesting vintage timepieces, to bring you a robust handpicked collection that is both exceptional and affordable. Perfect for the discerning collector on a budget, these pieces provide an excellent entry point to the joys of vintage watches.
One of the most common requests we get are for affordable vintage chronographs, and it's easy to see why. Chronographs are, pretty much by definition, tool watches of the highest order, designed for use by men of action we all wanted to be as children- race car drivers, pilots, and even astronauts.
The market for sporty chronographs reached new highs in the 60's and 70's, with dozens of companies bringing their own variants to the table, providing the modern collector with a tremendous selection at all price points. If you're here, you know we have a particular affection for off-brand timepieces- name isn't everything, and there are an untold number of fantastic watches that combine sharp looks, robust build quality, and time-tested movements just as well as the bigger names at a fraction of the price.
If you've never heard of Royce before, we wouldn't blame you. While the brand dates back to the 1920's, they spent decades turning out simple, reliable watches with high-grade cases and movements before falling victim to the quartz crisis like so many other brands.
This particular piece is an example of Royce at its best. The dial features the popular "panda" color pattern, with a lightly aged white background and bold black subdials. The black hands and "big eye" subdial are some of the subtle touches that give this piece a truly distinctive look. All of this is wrapped in a decidely 1970's cushion case in full stainless steel and powered by the venerable Landeron 248 hand wound chronograph movement.
Even with all of this, the obscurity of the Royce name and history makes most un-illuminated enthusiasts breeze right past it.
But you know better. That's why you're here.
