Beginners should deal with knowledgeable and honest dealers. It is the safest way to go because you have the benefit of their experience to provide you with a timepiece that has integrity, and should something go wrong, you have some recourse after the sale. Although you may not be getting a yard sale bargain, you gain peace of mind. Although the names of many of these makers may be unfamiliar to you, their movements are of very high quality and, when properly cleaned and adjusted, keep extremely accurate time for a mechanical timepiece that rivals some of the most expensive watches. When buying a vintage watch that costs a significant amount to the purchaser, it is important for the first-time buyer to have access to a qualified watch repair person who can scrutinize what you plan to purchase and determine whether the watch can be repaired and what the cost would be.
Sellers always know.
Don't accept evasive answers. Ditto about evasive answers. Hopefully, at least a cleaning and regulating. No reasonable seller will deny any of these requests. Don't be embarrassed to ask, even if you are a beginner.