A bit over a year ago I purchased my only Wind Indicator (Elgin 506) at a very reduced price but I have noticed lately that it appears that wind indicators really don't seem to pull big bids on Ebay like they used to. I am sure there are some rarer ones that still pull good bids but I have seen Waltham and Elgin WI types go for very low bids. It really doesn't seem to matter on the jewel count or size from what I have seen but I wondered if anyone else had noticed this also.

It's not just wind indicators. Big money railroad watches appear to be generally weak across the board to me, relative to 2-3 years ago.

The major exception to this I've noticed has been those examples in top condition solid gold cases. Prices on those are trending sharply upward on account of gold values.

Its a good time to be a collector if you haven't been hit too hard by this economy.

I agree that the market seems weak in general. Hard to generalize as all it takes is two bidders who really want a particular item to drive an auction but collectibles are a little lower on most priority lists.

happy hunting

5 years ago when my collection was at its peak I liked to collect the wind indicators. The prices have indeed taken a dive. Bill said it ... it is a great time to buy. Some trends have not changed. 18 size indicators are still hard to find and it is difficult to find them in mint condition. I like to think it will swing the other way again when times are better.

I believe we are heading into a period of high inflation, similar to what we had in the 1970's, only more so.

If I am right, there will be a huge run-up in the prices of non-cash investments. We're already seeing it in the gold market and I expect that collectables of all kinds will follow suit. Some of the price increase will be offset by the diminished value of the dollar but a swelling demand for collectables will push the relative prices even higher. This happened in the 1970's and it'll happen again, and probably on a much larger scale.

The big difference this time is E-bay and other internet auctions. The internet has created a huge, liquid, electronic marketplace for all manner of used items. It has become like the stock exchange for collectables. This enhanced marketability will drive the collectables market to astounding new heights over the next decade.

Premium items, such as high grade, named, "railroad" watches, wind indicators, and the like, in mint condition will apreciate the fastest. They're the most desireable but all vintage watches down to junker parts watches will increase in value. There are collectors in all facets and price ranges of this hobby.

I have recently purchased two Elgin wind indicators for about $750 apiece. They both need a little work but I'm happy to have them. I've also acquired some very old Elgin key winders and some nice nineteenth century low end and mid-grade Elgins. They're all welcome additions to my collection and they should prove to be good investments in the long run.

The Fed can print all the money it wants but there will never be any more Elgins, or Walthams, Hamiltons, Illinois, South Bend, etc.

I'm glad the market is soft right now-I may finally land that Hamilton 950E Mainliner!

All the watches I see now on the 'Bay are priced way over what I think is worth to me. I have a Waltham and in the past the indicator hand would not follow the wind so it pointed straight up or straight down at times when wound up.

Still next to a Ham 950 it is a favorite watch of mine to own...