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DCVW doesn't have a cute name with an ampersand - we concentrate on what's important, sourcing exceptional vintage watches and providing outstanding service to our customers.

 

What we also aren't is a fly-by night watch dealer - we are committed to giving back to the watch community via original and in-depth research articles we post here and in Watches of Espionage

 

This covers the gamut of watch history - from tracking down the original adventurers that wore a watch - MACV-SOG special forces officer, NASA astronaut, CIA ops officer, and more - to add their stories to unique watch history canon; discovering what watch our hero's - Bruce Lee, Francois Cevert, and more - wore; and even looking into watches made iconic by amazing films like as Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood and Apocalypse Now.

Since we sold our first vintage watch in 2012, we’ve been committed to carrying only products we ourselves would buy.  So you’ll never see a watch in the shop that we couldn’t sincerely vouch for personally.

Our hand-selected vintage timepieces are worthy of your collection, and all meet our discerning standards for style and - importantly - quality.  Most of watches in our shop we've had copious direct experience with - usually because we have one in our own collections.

We bring the same customer service and dedication to all of our customers and clients, regardless of the watch in question. 

 

We love to see the passion our customers, both those new to watches and long time aficionados, espouse, so reach out to us with questions - we are at your service.

Daniel Dae Kim, DC Vintage Watches, Seiko, and Bruce Lee

Our Story

 DCVW on Hondinkee's "Talking Watches" with Ronny Chieng  (full video, here)

 DCVW on Jack Carr's "Danger Close" Podcast (full video, here)

About

DCVW has great respect for classic mechanical movement timepieces from the 1950's through the 1990's for the care taken during this period by Swiss, American, and Japanese watchmakers to ensure owners had a keepsake worthy of lasting decades (and longer), all at an affordable price.  

Based in Los Angeles, DCVW strives to bring beautiful and interesting watches - the type people will undoubtedly notice on your wrist - to our discerning customers worldwide.  

Each one of the vintage watches we source for our clients has its own unique story to tell, which we do our best to tell - doing the research to find these stories is half the thrill of the vintage watch hunt, and we do it well. 

Browse our curated selection of exceptional vintage watches and prepare to be part of the next chapter of our watches - perfect for novice and veteran collectors alike, the watches we source speak to what we all look for in a vintage timepiece, namely history, craftsmanship, the allure of the uncommon -and most important, the story. 

 

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have great style!

Reach out to us with any questions about our watches for sale or your custom sourcing wishes @ sales@dcvintagewatches.com

Press, Reviews, & Feedback

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​Looking for more on DCVW?  Check out our appearances at watch shows, on podcasts,

and more in below articles:

Podcasts

He Said, Ella Dijo (w/Eric Winter from ABC's The Rookie & Roselyn Sanchez), "Enter the Man Cave," November 2024

Wrist Cheese Radio Podcast (@Brodinkee on Instagram), "Episode 130: The Collector's Gene, featuring Georgia Benjamin & Nick of DC Vintage Watches," November 2024

Spirit of Time Podcast, "Seikos for Breakfast W/ Nick (DC Vintage Watches) & The Outta Time Podcast," November 2024

Paré Paré Podcast, "Episode 48: Autokennel and DC Vintage Watches," October 2024

40&20 Podcast, "Talking Olympics, Seiko, Etc. with DC Vintage Watches," Episode 303, August 2024

 

Paré Paré Podcast, "Episode 40: Autokennel and DC Vintage Watches," August 2024

​​

Two Broke Watch Snobs, "Episode 237: Affordable Vintage Watches with Nick from DC Vintage Watches", May 2024

Spirit of Time Podcast, "Vintage Seiko Hotness with Nick from DC Vintage Watches," March 2024

Jack Carr's Danger Close Podcast, "Prepared, with Mike Glover," February 2024 (24:10 mark)

The Lan Jam Podcast, "Planting SYCAMORE with DC Vintage Watches," February 2024

Jack Carr's Danger Close Podcast, "John Stryker Meyer and the Secret War in Vietnam," January 2024 (51:00 mark)

The Lan Jam Podcast, "Interview with DC Vintage Watches," August 2023

Rico's Watches Podcast, "Episode 127: Vintage Seiko Round Table (w/The Wristorian and DCVW)," June 2023

Rico's Watches Podcast, "Chatting with Nick from DC Vintage Watches," May 2023

The Army & Time Podcast, "Spotting Feiko's with Nick from DCVW," April 2023

Outta Time Podcast, "Antiquities Dealer Nick Ferrell," March 2023

The Wrist Cheese Radio Podcast, "Episode 54: Hot Tub Chime Machine," November 2022 (14:24 - 15:15 mark)

Wrist Cheese Radio Podcast, "Episode 35: Vintage Vibing," June 2022

The Zulu Time Podcast, "Episode 57 - All Things Vintage (Military Watches)," May 2022

Hooniverse Podcast, "Episode 329 - Swatch Your Mouth!!" May 2022

Hooniverse Podcast, "Episode 316 - Watches and Wheels with Nick of DC Vintage Watches," January 2022

Fratello Podcast, "Fratello on Air: Mike Talks to Nick from DC Vintage Watches About Vintage Seiko," January 2022

Whiskey & Watches, "Episode 90: Surprise!" (Guest DCVW), October 2021

Watch & Listen, "The History and Watches of (TAG) Heuer," Episode 29, August 2018

Watch & Listen, "Collecting Vintage Seiko," Episode 22, June 2018

Articles

GQ Magazine, "Which Watch Brand Had the Best 2024?  40 Experts Decide," November 2024
 

Sketchy Boyz Watch Club, "Watches, Espionage, and the White House Situation Room," November 2024

GQ Magazine, "The Best Watch of 2024, According to the Watch Illuminati," November 2024

The Material Review, "September Summers, Bespoke Airstream Trailers, James Earl Jones and a Q&A with Colin Nagy," September 2024

Why Is This Interesting? "The Monday Media Diet with Nicholas Ferrell," August 2024

Gear Patrol, "A Classic 1970s Chronograph Gets a Thoroughly Modern Makeover," August 2024

 

Watches of Espionage, "A Second Seiko 6139 Chronograph in Outer Space," July 2024

GQ Magazine, "These Affordable Watches Are Loaded with Vintage-Inspired Details," March 2024

GQ Magazine, "Why the World's Best Seiko Dealer Started His Own Watch Line,March 2024

Worn&Wound, "The Making of a Watch: The SYCAMORE Collection," January 2024

2023

GQ Magazine, "According to 46 Experts, the Year's Best Watch Brand Is..." December 2023 

Jack Carr, "The Jack Carr 2023 Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide," December 2023

GQ Magazine, "How Tiny Watches Became the Biggest Trend of 2023," December 2023

CanvasRebel, "Stories & Insights: Meet Nick Ferrell," October 2023

GQ Magazine, "7 Places to Find Unique and Affordable Watches," October 2023

Watches of Espionage, "SOG Seikos - Vietnam MACV-SOG Watches, Part II," September 2023

Watches of Espionage, "Best Watches Under $1,000 - Ask the Experts," May 2023

GQ Magazine, "Ronny Chieng as the Face of the Rowing Blazers x Seiko Collection," May 2023

Hodinkee, "Watches in the Wild - The Road Through America, Episode 3: Cole and James Take California," March 2023.

GQ Magazine, "The Only First Watch You'll Ever Need," February 2023

Spike's Car Radio, "Ronny Chieng," February 2023 (34:40 - 38:30)

Watches of Espionage, "Marathon, Watch Maker for the Modern Military," February 2023

GQ Magazine, "Box & Papers: Inside the Watch World with GQ's Cam Wolf: Seiko 5 Sports Watches, Modern & Vintage," February 2023

2022

Hypebeast, "Here's How a Pair of 1970 Seiko Stopwatches Found Their Way Into Sung Kang's "Doc Z" Datsun 240Z," November 2022

Chrono24, "A Watch, A Look: Watch Talk with Leo Chan from Levitate Style," October 2022 (4:05 - 6:00 mark)

MotorTrend, "Japanese Classic Car Show: Nissan and Datsun Mania!," September 2022

Autoweek, "Our 50 Favorites from the Japanese Classic Car Show in California," September 2022

Hodinkee, "Four + One The Unconventional Path Of Vintage Seiko Dealer Nicholas Ferrell," June 2022

The Hollywood Reporter, "How Bruce Lee Inspired Ronny Chieng’s Watch Collection," April 2022

The Smoking Tire, "Episode 723 - Jeff Glucker," April 2022 (1:27:00 mark)

Spirits of Time, "Episode 33-Nick from DC Vintage Watches, and the Rise of Bruce Lee!," March 2022

Hodinkee, "Four + One Actor, Writer, And Comedian Randall Park Loves Watches From The '70s," March 2022

2021

The Drive, "Sung Kang’s Rally Datsun 240Z Took SEMA by Storm. But There's Way More to it Than That," December 2021

"DC Vintage Watches - A Buyer's Experience: Seiko 6139-6000 SpeedTimer Cevert," December 2021

Motor Trend/Super Street, "Sung Kang's Safari-Inspired Datsun 240Z: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work," November 2021

Hodinkee, "Talking Watches - With Ronny Chieng, Actor, Comedian, and 'Daily Show' Correspondent," September 2021

ShoutoutLA, "Meet Nick, CEO of DCVW," September 2021

GQ Magazine, "Why I Bought Bruce Lee's Watch," May 2021

PBS Antiques Roadshow, "Preview: Ronny Chieng's Vintage Watch Collection"

(DCVW sourced the 6139 "Bruce Lee"), May 2021

Salon Prive Magazine, "Five Decades, Five Affordable Chronographs," March 2021

2020 & Before

StrapsCo Survey, "Top 40+ Sites for Vintage Watch Lovers: DC Vintage Watches,"

August 2020

The Time Bum, "District Time 2019 Wrap-Up," October 2019

The Tony Kornheiser Show, Episode "OK, Let's Start the Show Now," @ 5:26 Mark

VoyageLA, "Meet Nicholas of DC Vintage Watches in Long Beach," July 2019

The Time Bum, "District Time 2018 Wrap-Up," October 2018

Gear Patrol, "Found: Three Vintage Watches Under $500 - Kickstart Your

Vintage Watch Habit," August 19, 2018

The Time Bum, "Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT," July 2018

YouTube, "Vintage Seiko! | 1971 Seiko 6119-6400 "Saucer" Automatic Sports

Diver Show And Tell," July 2018

The Time Bum, "Interview: DC Vintage Watches," June 2018

Ronny Chieng, DC Vintage Watches, Seiko, and Bruce Lee
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Ronny Chieng Talking Watches

"Daniel Dae Kim put me in touch with his Bruce Lee watch guy - which I can't believe is a job - shout out [DCVW]!"

DCVW in Watches of Espionage
DC Vintage Watches
Sung Kang and DC Vintage Watches

DCVW on Watch & Listen's "Collecting Vintage Seiko"
w/The Smoking Tire's Matt Farah & Cameron Weiss

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DCVW in the Top 40+ Sites for Vintage Watch Lovers

Hypebeast and DC Vintage Watches

Feedback for DCVW: Don't take our word for it, our loyal customers & clients can provide more...

"Basically, after we filmed Shang-Chi, I saw this watch that my Seiko dealer, the guy who sold me the Bruce Lee [Nick Ferrell, DC Vintage Watches] had.   It’s this Seiko watch that says “Lord Marvel” on it.  And I can't say I knew what it was, but when I saw it, I was like, “Oh, this would be a great gift for Kevin Feige [President of Marvel Studios & CCO Marvel].”  So I bought it and I gave it to Kevin Feige, and he’s a very down-to-earth guy.  He doesn't even have a watch, or at least he doesn't wear any watches, doesn't care about watches, in a very down-to-earth way.  Very practical guy.  And I just said, "Hey, thank you so much for everything you've done for me and Hollywood movies.  Just as a fan, I hope you can accept this small gift. It's not the most expensive watch in the world, but I think it's really cool.  I think it's very you.  It says Lord Marvel on it.  It's a vintage Seiko."  And he was like, "Oh, yeah, thanks so much."  He took it and he wore it to some premiere somewhere."  ~ Comedian/actor, Ronny Chieng, to GQ Magazine

"Wow, just received this one and it’s a real gem! I love new watches but there’s honestly something really special about these vintage Seikos (not that I need to tell you guys that..) and they are quickly becoming my favorite pieces. The 6306-7001 I picked up from you guys late last year gives me so much joy to wear. There’s really a special intangible character to it that is hard to put into words. I can tell that this one feels the same. Thanks, guys!"

"I wanted to reach out just to say thank you again. This watch has been fantastic and I have found myself wearing it most days since the beginning of this year. Working with you and your team was a great experience. you all were honest and very helpful throughout the process.  Thanks for helping me to find exactly what I was looking for!"

"[Actor/Producer Daniel Dae Kim] put me in touch with his Bruce Lee watch guy - which I can't believe is a job - shout out Nick Ferrell!" ~ Daily Show comedian/actor, Ronny Chieng

"Wow, I’m speechless.  This watch exceeded my expectations in every regard.  Again, thank you for your patience, diligence and over the top customer service and communication answering all of my questions (there were a lot!).  I never could have sourced this watch in this condition on my own. It is pristine and exactly what I hope for, and I look forward to enjoying it for years to come.  Again, thank you for all of your efforts. Until next time!"

"You should also know that after searching these watches for the last six months, it was Ronny Chieng’s interview on SPIKE’s CAR RADIO that brought me to do business with DCVW."

"I really appreciate having you guys helping me out...  On anything > of $1,000, it’s invaluable having an expert like you “sign off” on the watch.  I got my Seiko 6306 Scubapro in the mail a couple days ago — I was totally comfortable buying it from you guys!  I absolutely love it.  Been wearing it ever since I took it out of the box.  Keep up the good work!"

"Beautiful vintage watch I have enjoyed wearing, and your company was a delight to work with."

"Perfect and shipped fast. The only place I buy vintage watches!"

"Superb and outstanding…great services. 100% recommend."

"Your site is very dangerous... so many awesome timepieces!"

"Excellent & minty, with very fast delivery... Thank you!"

"Superb quality at an excellent price, and fast delivery too!"

"Excellent vintage Seiko 6139. Will buy more!! Thank you!!"

"Beautiful watch true to description, I 100% recommend."

"Awesome!  Watch came super quick and in perfect condition!"

"Amazing watch.  Great communication and super quick shipping."

 

"Came in 2 days to CT.  Exactly like the pictures, perfect condition!"

"Excellent shipping speed, item arrived well packaged. Excellent!"

"You are a dangerous acquaintance because you make cool watches

magically appear."

"Vintage Tissot watch, flawless international sale.  Recommended!"

"This is an awesome company to purchase from. I will purchase again!"

"The watch exceeded my expectations. It looks better than the pictures."

 

"Repeat customer; extremely satisfied; accurate description; fast shipping."

"DC Vintage Watches has some very cool inventory. Great communication too!"

"Pleasure doing business with DC Vintage Watches, great communication, thanks!!!"

"Awesome watch, awesome seller. Exceptional customer service. Thank you so much!"

 

"Better than the pics suggested. Really happy. Packed really well in special box!"

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Antiques Roadshow, Ronny Chieng, DC Vintage Watches, and Bruce Lee

DCVW on PBS' Antiques Roadshow, w/Ronny Chieng

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Ronny Chieng, DC Vintage Watches, Seiko, and Bruce Lee

DCVW on Matt Farah's Watch & Listen, "The History and Watches of (Tag) Heuer"

Tamlyn Tomita, DC Vintage Watches, Seiko, and Bruce Lee
Randall Park, Hodinkee, and DC Vintage Watches
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