"Shocking Truth: Are Vintage Watches Really Worth Their Sky-High Prices?
From the iconic elegance of Art Deco pieces to the rugged reliability of mid-century tool watches, vintage timepieces have always held a special place in horological hearts. But are they really worth their skyrocketing prices in today's market?
"Vintage watches are a bubble waiting to burst. The prices are artificially inflated.
Is it time for a reality check in the world of horology?
13 comments
Sort by
There's vintage watches and there's vintage watches I suppose. I collect cheap vintage watches so it's not an issue. I don't think people are paying top $ to flip vintage watches I think they're going into collections long term. Prices will probably soften as they have with everything else but there always seems to be someone with a spare 15 million just burning a hole in there pocket. 🤷
No watch is worth more than someone is prepared to pay for it. 🤔
Vintage watches are a wide range of watches. Sure there is inflated prices for hyped models. But there is a huge majority of not so exklusive watches with a much more normal prices. What the hyped and non hyped watches have in common is that they, like land as Twain pointed out, are no longer produced. For the majority of the vintage market there is no bubble, sure prices might go down as in any market. But there will always be a market for well kept vintage pieces.
Most of the price growth seems to be in hyped brands. There are still masses of vintage bargains to be had from lesser known brands with a little research and hunting.
Vintage watches are a wide range of watches. Sure there is inflated prices for hyped models. But there is a huge majority of not so exklusive watches with a much more normal prices. What the hyped and non hyped watches have in common is that they, like land as Twain pointed out, are no longer produced. For the majority of the vintage market there is no bubble, sure prices might go down as in any market. But there will always be a market for well kept vintage pieces.
And you never know when another watch maker is going to do a 50 fathoms and boosts prices of the originals. I'm hanging onto my original 1960's Timex Snoopy just in case they do another one. 😜
Here are some examples all for well under $300. Gold ones are solid gold.
@I_am_ndemo do you own or have any experience with vintage watches?
Excellent choice. Especially as the year of assembly of Seiko is easy to determine definitively unlike many other. My vintage Seiko 5 salutes you!
I collect vintage and I actually think they are under-valued.
Yes, a 1960's Sub is going to cost $25k+, but you can pick up gorgeous, well made, Hamiltons, Longines, Seikos from the same era for around $100.
As the others have said, there's so much beauty you can find, without needing to spend a fortune. This is my only one so far...
Interesting question..I have come to realize that the value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it..JMO
Are you basing this premise on vintage Rolex prices? Vintage watches are a huge subject & there are a lot of nice watches out there that are under valued. That said it is getting harder to find them & vintage prices have on the whole increase steadily over the last 5 years or so. I don't think generally there is a bubble that it going to burst though