Vintage 101

Personally I’m not sure if there is a great deal to know, what I mean by that if you like it and enjoy it you will invest the time to know your vintage how it operates properly, what kind of service you’ll need and so on. So I think if you go for it it’ll work out.

Exactly!! I also refrain myself from going to flea markets and stuff, cause I know I would find some thing I like but I know pretty much nothing of and end up regretting buying it. How do we approach vintage if the affordable pieces are exposed randomly in markets or small dedicated vintage shops? No way to research extensively?!

So we are actually talking about value retention and not really enjoying a watch. Like if you buy a Rolex redial, which really looked good and you got it for an ok price you’re disappointed afterwards if someone points out it’s a redial? If we are talking high end vintage I would generally shy away from it because there are very few experts who can actually determine if everything legit.

I get your point pare. To some degree there is also the matter of the price. Is it worth it? Still the idea of a frankenwatch haunts me in owning a vintage. I am not sure if I subsequently find that out, will I still enjoy wearing it? Probably not. Then what is the point of buying it with these variables in mind? I'd love to wear one if only for the looks and all but I know these thoughts will keep bothering me.

But you answered it yourself the thought will haunt you so just don’t buy a vintage watch. Buy one now and keep it for 25+ years and it’s vintage ;-)

✅

Same feeling here. It's one thing to wear a good-looking vintage. It's another thing to really know its guts and history.

That's a solid option! Just not sure if I still got another 25years! 😂

You have to believe :-D but no one knows how much time we have and we are so crazy to actually measure it as much and fancy as possible.

My advice is to find a dealer you trust. I have some vintage pieces but I’m no expert in any shape or form. I have done the research to know some basic stuff like how a model is supposed to look. And I don’t go for crazy expensive stuff. The rule that you should like what you buy is valid for new as well as vintage watches. Not get a vintage piece to tick a box.

You're right. There is probably no cut and dried way of acquiring a vintage. I wish aside from auction companies there would be some readily available certifying authority. Pawnshops perhaps?! 😂

I know from experience many watches especially those not particularly valuable when new can be repaired with none original parts. Cheaper Rolex watches especially. I'm not sure if this is due to owners avoiding the large cost and delays while using AD's on what was essentially a tool watch or people flipping them with maximum profit. After market bracelets, hands and even watch faces can be swapped out easily. My opinion is never pay too much and don't look to make a profit. Enjoy the watch for what it is after all you bought it because you like it.

Yeah the old saying of buying the seller not the watch is always good advice. Not really ticking a box for a vintage. It is just that I get the urge when I see a vintage piece up for sale that I like but never had the courage. 😂

I get what you mean in buying it because you like it. However, I have a feeling of this kind of liking being skin deep. Which it really is. I feel that if I were to go vintage, it should at least go hand in hand with authenticity. 😘

A major auction house was recently fooled into believing a frankenwatch was real and of great importance. So you know people get tricked. Buy from someone who specializes or just take the risk. I think the risk is greater on luxury pieces from random people on Ebay. Me personally, on relatively inexpensive vintage watches I do not care if a broken part has been exchanged for another as long as it is a correct part. Technically that's a frakenwatch but if it allows an otherwise nonworking piece to live again it doesn't bother me. Of course counterfeit parts are a different matter. If you love the vintage look and feel you have to pay to play and that means accepting some risk and or not caring so much about 100 percent purity whatever that means.

Just bought a vintage Bulova Accuquartz yesterday without knowing anything about it, found it randomly at an antique store. Thankfully the tuning fork movement isn't something that gets faked, so when I popped the caseback off after I got home, I was very happy to see it, so at least it's authentic!

Keep looking, it is also very important to handle as many vintage pieces as you can. Assessing them is like learning a language, knowledge and vocabulary build up over time.

Yup, we do have different mantras in collecting. Wish I was that nonchalant in my choices. 🤔

Good for you sir! Congratulations on your latest acquisition. 😊

Yup, practice does make perfect. I wish I would be able to take the first step sooner. Baby steps initially. 😉

Great vintage watches!

Love vintage dress watches but I go through metal detectors and other machinery daily whilst living in a place known for rain so I've gotten into the Longines Heritage line for the vintage looks and modern sturdiness

If anyone needs a hand - I am only a DM away…

Yup, the risk one has to take hopefully brings out the rewards of enjoying ownership of a vintage piece. 😊

That could be the best option, vintage looks with modern tech. 😉

Will definitely take you up on that offer someday my friend! 😊

Pick up books...there are several on the subject....I've got a large vintage collection and have learned how to avoid redials and frabkenwatches...avoid buying from India 🇮🇳

Wow! You must be a guru of vintage by now. That is exactly what I am aiming for. No frankenwatches. Will definitely stay away form India sources on your recommendation my friend. 😊

Still learning...I used to belong to NAWCC which helps... I also hang out at a cool local vintage watch shop which really really helps with authentic... there's an older book called "Wristwatches, History of a centuries development "... you can find affordable copies on Ebay

Could imagine that would be a lot of fun being surrounded by vintage pieces on a watch shop! Will definitely check-out that book. Thanks Spike! 😉