Justin wore several novelty watches as a young child (his favorite was a digital G.I. Joe watch), but he purchased his first "actual" watch when he was 14: a two-tone Casio quartz model with a date. He still owns the watch complete with original boxes, paperwork, and receipt for $51.15. "I have always loved watches. My first great vintage watch was a Universal Genève Polerouter passed down to me from my great grandfather who was a highly-skilled watchmaker. Ironically the watch needed repair, but that sparked my interest in vintage mechanical wristwatches and ultimately led to two semesters of watchmaking courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College." - Justin Vrakas, Founder & CEO

Justin is currently a member of the the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC), RedBar Milwaukee, and the Chicago Commonwealth Crew, a Midwest chapter of the inaugural RedBar Crew in New York City.

Where should I buy vintage watches? Who can I trust?

Here at watchsteez.com, we answer these all-too-common questions with a single mission built on a foundation of outstanding client service, ethics, honesty, and transparency: to bring exceptional and rare, yet affordable vintage watches to market with an emphasis on personal style and excellent design. We aim to further our core mission by bringing the vintage watch market out of the shadows and into the light - so that all collectors can appreciate these incredible pieces, from the budding enthusiast to the discerning veteran collector looking for just the right piece to round out their collection.

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Services:

The majority of our timepieces are mechanical, so regular maintenance is recommended to ensure the longevity of each piece. Although we do not service watches in house, we work directly with a network of respected watchmakers that can service and repair a wide variety of watch brands - Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!

In addition to selling vintage timepieces, watchsteez.com is directly affiliated with an authorized retailer for Citizen and Seiko watches - Browse these websites and be sure to contact us for the lowest possible prices on watches from these brands! Each watch will come brand new and directly from the manufacturer, complete with original box(es), paperwork, and factory warranty.

Buying Vintage:

Please keep in mind that you are buying a pre-owned vintage timepiece, and as such, it will often exhibit wear consistent with its age and use. We thoroughly inspect each piece (inside and out) to ensure that the condition is up to our standards prior to sale, all mechanical parts are in working order, and it is keeping time within acceptable standards (unless explicitly noted in the listing). It is important to understand that vintage mechanical watches are not as accurate as quartz watches and will require regular maintenance and care to keep them running in top condition. Due to the antique nature of these collectible pieces, we recommend avoiding all contact with water or moisture as none of our watches are guaranteed to be water resistant.

Shipping & Handling:

All orders include complimentary, insured shipping within the 50 United States. We generally process and ship all orders via Federal Express within one (1) business day of purchase. We welcome international buyers - Please contact us prior to purchase to arrange shipping and payment options. International buyers are responsible for any/all applicable customs duties, import taxes, and related fees. All international sales are FINAL.

Return Policy:

At watchsteez.com, we take pride in our excellent reputation for providing honest and accurate descriptions for all of our curated timepieces. We display numerous high-resolution photographs of each timepiece. We also encourage you to contact us if you require any additional details, descriptions, or photographs before making a purchase decision. Given the above, any requests for returns will be granted solely at our discretion, and if granted, will be refunded at the original purchase price less a 10% restocking fee. If you are not satisfied with your timepiece, you must contact us within three (3) days after the date of delivery for a return authorization. If granted, your return must be shipped fully insured with return postage paid by you. A refund will be issued ONLY if the watch arrives in the same condition and is accompanied by all accessories as initially shipped. In some cases, the 10% restocking fee will be waived at the sole discretion of Watchsteez LLC. All international sales are FINAL.