Why I Don’t Buy Vintage Watches - Rolex, Cartier, Tudor
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
- I love the idea of getting a vintage Rolex, Rolex GMT Master, a vintage Rolex Explorer, a Tudor Submariner, Cartier Santos; but there are 3 big reasons why I have never pulled the trigger and actually bought one: 1. Not enough information and documentation (for these prices, I am going to need some assurances), 2. Not wanting to put in the amount of work that it takes to own a vintage watch and 3. I just always seem to get "the call" on a modern watch before I buy a vintage watch.
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TIME STAMPS:
0:00-1:35 - Intro
1:36-4:00 - Not Enough Information on the Watch
4:01-5:22 - Possible Work Needed
5:23-6:50 - I Always Get "The Call" Before I Buy Vintage
6:51-8:31 - I Still Love Vintage
8:32-9:00 - Outro
9:01-10:05 - Pope Tier Patrons are the GREATEST - Навчання та стиль
The best vintage watch is the one you bought new 20+ years ago and still wear today.
I own a 37mm yachtmaster from and since 2001 and refuse to call it "vintage".
I'm not getting old. No. ;-)
AMEN! (Well. I’ve not bought anything 20 years ago haha! But this is what I am aspiring to!)
Your tank will get there soon enough.
my 25 year old TAG is hardly vintage
Exactly what I do! Full of good old memories!👍❤️
I have a Rolex 1603 and 1803 that my grandfather purchased and now I wear them. Love vintage.
I was born in '94, and seeing you call the '92 vintage definitely gave me an "uh oh" moment 😂
Her vintage birth year is two years before I graduated FROM HIGH SCHOOL!!! I hate it here 😂😂😂 Love Britt though so there's that
As someone born in 1970, I’m definitely having a moment - a senior moment!
You and me bro, we're approaching middle-age. Happy 30th this year
@@guest301500 Thank you, just hit mine in March. Same to you, brother!
1984 for myself, officially vintage as of this year 😂
Last year my mom gifted me my grandfather’s Longines that my grandmother gave him on the occasion of their engagement, that she engraved with her name, their song and the date of Christmas 1952. It’s a beautiful gold tank-style watch, still with his cigarette tar and black ink on the dial because he worked in a printing factory for Columbia Records. I wear it every Sunday to Mass and he is with me!
My old Timex gave up the ghost on Christmas Eve 1968. We had put the newspaper to bed and were down the pub for a Christmas drink. I decided that I needed a new watch and walked over the road to the local jewellers to buy another Timex. The salesman showed me a new Breitling.... expensive but nice...... very expensive. Why not? It's Christmas and I've been a good boy. Hence my new Breitling Top Time 810 reverse panda. Just sent it back to Switzerland for service.... $1700! That's the cost of owning a vintage watch. Looks small by modern standards but at +5 seconds a day, that isn't bad. It's a beautiful watch and a great talking point.
"The Call" means you are just waiting for modern Rolex watches, which is fine if that's what you like. But to me, that's very boring and you can have FAR more fun with vintage shopping and buying. You can have something that hardly anyone has or wears and be unique. Plus, most online vintage dealers have a 1-2 year warranty on the movement which should eliminate any fears about servicing. I only service my watches if they need it though as my collection is so large that I don't wear each enough to warrant interval servicing.
Suggests her husband flips…
Vintage just requires a greater depth of knowledge to ensure you don’t get ripped off. If you know what you’re looking for then you can buy in relative comfort, even in the absence of the deeply desired box and papers 😱
Ahhh! This is so good to know! You’re exactly right here!
Not true. Even if you know what you are looking for, the franken-fakes are so good you can't tell the difference.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 I understand where you’re coming from and certainly this was part of the omega auction scandal the other year. However, research will always help you to spot fakes and Frankenstein’s better than any novice. I’m aware of the quality of fakes but not every model is faked, it’s all very specific and make/model dependent.
Recently purchased a 1979 Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Quartz 17000 on eBay. It was a watch I wanted for years and finally pulled the trigger. Couldn’t be happier, runs great and the nicks and scratches give it a super patina.
I have my father’s Rado Marco Polo which I remember him wearing from about the 1980’s. I’ve had it serviced and wear it very occasionally and it still runs fairly well.
I traded for a Tudor 41 MM for a Tudor Date Day 36 mm, it was hard to wind so I took it to the Rolex AD and they did service. now its like a new watch. This Tudor is hard to beat for the price.
Lol. "All the reasons why, as a person with severe OCD, I just cannot bring myself to buy a vintage watch." I can so relate...
I think you made the right call listening to your gut about that air king! I'm a vintage watch lover and part of the fun for me is the hunt and the journey to finding a unique piece. I agree with your concerns and I have found that I have leaned on a few reputable sellers that I know I can trust and that helps me narrow down potential pieces to eye
A 1974 Seiko is now 50 years old. I don’t need to save up for it and I do need to spend on service/cleaning etc as I am not a watchmaker and then I have an amazing watch I know. Not a Rolex or Omega but I am not buying it for an investment. I just like the way they look. The 70s vibe. I even like the twin quartz from the year of my high school graduation. They are fun and make me smile when I wear them
It’s ok to buy vintage. It has a certain charm and beauty.Bought a vintage Submariner 5513. Sent it to Rolex for service. Works perfectly. Had it for 4 years now no problems.
Hi ! Imagine, I am a young Hungarian, and somehow I just realized I in fact have a few vintage (neo vintage?) watches, but I bought them new!!! Yes, I am 55, and my first rolex is a twotone sub, 31 yrs old now, a daytona steel 22 yrs and a daytona yellow gold 20 yrs old… All my first savings after university went into watches…
But yes, since I never dared buying vintage as you said always too worried what I would find out about them, have a huge wishlist,but recently bought a Seiko quartz , and its amazing, so I might well go for it from now on!!! Take Care, Big Fan of yours Zoltan
The only vintage watches I have is my grandfathers omega seamaster from the 50s and my father’s longines from the beginning of the 70s
Oh these are gorgeous watches to have! I love watches that actually mean something 💕💕💕 those vintage watches are apart of your family story!
Britt, we are lucky cause our current Tudor and Rolex will be classics in the future 😊❤
Almost all my watches are vintage. Almost all of them keep terrible time.
🤣🤣
You need to have them serviced. All my better watches are vintage and every single one of them went straight to a watch mender for servicing after purchase. No matter what the seller claimed. Even my oldest watches keep accurate time. When purchasing an older watch, it's best to calculate a service right into the purchase price.
Thanks for the video! On the subject of information re vintage watches:
- completely agree, a vintage watch, and the wrong box would turn me off too.
- the irony is that these watches were more genuine when they were worth a lot less some years ago.
- but now that a vintage sub is worth 8.000£ or more, you look at it differently and always fear that it’s not genuine.
I miss the good times when you could collect vintage watches, not doubting their authenticity because it wasn’t an issue, and for well below the prices of the new ones.
Omg Brittany your bump is sooooo precious!!! Much love 😎 wearing a Seiko Lagoon Turtle!
The main vintage piece I look at is a day date, but mainly as I love the piece, it's timeless, and a modern one is totally unaffordable 😂
Oh MAN! A vintage day date would be so cool!
The 'vintage arc' of my watch journey has been an amazing one. There are boatloads of amazing watches to discover and research. I would highly recommend it. Just make sure you don't skip the study and research part (that's where most of the fun is anyways!)
Made my first vintage/neo vintage purchase last year. Speedmaster 3950.50 from the early/mid 90s, last reference with the 861 movement. Went with a reputable online dealer and crossed my fingers, as it was exactly what I was looking for and in great condition. Fortunately it worked out and I love it. I did have my local guy take a look and confirm it was good. One other vintage in the collection a Seiko chronograph from the 1980s, a 7A28. That one I have owned for almost 40 years.
Auntie Britt!! FOMO is REAL! I am totally one of those who gets the "call" just as I am about to lay down the credit card on a vintage watch. Every time!! Even looking at a neo-vintage Tudor or Omega 2254.50 seems to make the universe decide to mess with me and I get a text or call from my AD. I was a day or two away from slapping the card down on a 2254.50 and I got the call on my FXD Black. Now as I wait for the call on a BB Monochrome, my itch for a 2254.50 is getting worse. Long live the Cult(s) and 4:30 date windows.
Omg Don! AS ALWAYS: we are two peas in a pod! This literally happened to me. THE DAY I was going to buy a 2254.50. The AD called at 10:30am 🤣🤣 it just wasn’t meant to be!
But I think it’s a sign. You need to put that 2254.50 in the chrono24 basket, to signal to your ad that they need to call NOW! 🤣💕💕💕
I have a 1979 Omega Deville quartz 1332 and it has been great! I've had it for many years now and sure, it has needed some TLC but it's a good watch. And it is fully legit, but it came without papers or box, hence the very affordable price.
Something went wrong with my reaction... so here it is again...
I love vintage watches, they can be sooooo awesome. I've got about a dozen of them, from a 1909 Zenith pocket watch to a Breitling that's about 16 years old. I'm lucky that I can service and repair them myself. but i totally understand that it can be overwhelming to pull the trigger on a vintage watch. But sometimes you just got to take a chance Britt 🙂
Just try a reputable dealer and there shouldn't be a problem. BQ watches for instance could help you out, no problem !!
Cheers Britt, enjoy the upcoming weekend 🥳
I have a very big advantage in that I have a very good friend who is a watchmaker and has repaired and/or serviced many vintage watches for me.
After 36 weeks your child is considered term and premie worries are just about over. Thanks for sharing your life with us. You are absolutely not a simpleton.
‘… and then being skint for another few years’ sounds very familiar to me. I’ve made my piece that neo vintage (95/00 up?) is where it’s at for me right now because I also dont know enough to feel safe buying proper vintage watches.
You have a great community and I bet if you are interested in a specific model, there's always someone that is/was obsessed with that model to tell you all about the quirks out there.
OOOR just shell out more money at a renowned vintage dealer to be safe! If the watch received a fresh (expert) service, you are good to go for many years (in my experience with 70s pieces for example).
"Getting a call" can -in my mind- never be as satisfying as finding that 50year old gem which seemingly waited just for you all these years.
Cool to hear your thoughts on this. I started with vintage so approached the watch world from the other side, but it was not without failure, I might add.
A few years back I picked up a tiny, vintage Carravelle (Bulova), from the 1960's. I paid something like $20, for a black dial, crusty lumed arabics, domed acrylic in a 32mm package. It looks like a miniature pilot watch, keeps excellent time, and I'm pretty sure the calibre isn't a fake.
Vintage Carravelle is your drama-free, loyal friend
Never bought a new watch☺ so all of mine are vintage. Ranging from 1912-1988. To be fair I was buying them as a kid in the 80's for pocketmoney and until circa 2000-2010 prices and demand were lower with fewer dodgy sellers around.
The main advice I'd give is _research is everything_. Do not rely on dealers and I'd avoid 'Big Name" auction houses like the plague. Another thing I would suggest is budget for a service no matter what.
Size can be an issue too, though less so for women so you're on a winner there. 👍The average size of a man's watch for most of the 20th century was around 35mm or smaller. They got larger in the 70's. I suspect because the new quartz movements were themselves larger at first(They went smaller again in the 80's as the movements did). Even chronos were usually around the 36/37mm mark. 40mm plus were outliers and nearly all actual tool watches(mostly for pilots/navigators).
Brands? I'd personally avoid Rolex as there are too many sharks in the water. Brands like Omega, Zenith and Longines would generally be safer. Imho Longines are still "undervalued" because of their current market position and perception even though they blow the doors off many brands as far as history and innovations go.
I just got an old Zenith El Primero, but it needs a bit of love from my watchmaker. So I got to see it for about 30 minutes before parting with it, and now the wait feels like forever!
Really appreciate the updates on the bump, though 🎉
Because of my wrist size, a lot of vintage watches feel just way too small for my wrist, so I’m stuck to admiring them from afar. But for the few that are a good size for me (39-40mm), I feel like I don’t have the knowledge, nor time and dedication to gain such knowledge, to make an informed decision. So I’m reliant on forums, “certified” watches, and so on and so forth that I’m paying more (buying certified pre-owned seems to add a lot to the cost), then there’s the inevitable movement service, and the intense fear every time it’s a bit humid if I haven’t had a chance to have the watch pressure tested yet. You don’t want to buy a watch and then spend the next several months waiting for it to be serviced. That’s worse than waiting for a VAR goal decision. With so many watches that are modern, made in modern ways, with modern techniques and materials that stay visually faithful to vintage models, like the Seamaster 300, Tudor Black Bay series, Tudor Ranger, even modern versions of watches that haven’t been discontinued, like the Speedmaster, Submariner, Monaco, and Navitimer, which are like living vintage watches, I’ve made myself happy to stick to modern watches and leave vintage for the brave and knowledgeable. I’ll continue to admire and be jealous of them.
this is why I went vintage GS; just lower stakes and arguably equally beautiful and very easily srviced by a competent watchmaker.
I got two sketchy 60s-70s watches on eBay before hearing the warnings, and they're both my favorites! The total cost of buying and servicing both watches has been well under $1,000. I'm sure they're not super valuable, but it's been a much better experience than simply buying a "heritage-inspired" new watch.
I think the problems people talk about are when you spend way too much on something complicated, or are overly concerned with reselling them. Just get what you like and can comfortably afford. Which applies to new watches too!
Exactly this! Too many people are too worried, go for it!
The thing that puts me off, which probably is irrational but it‘s the tritium lume. I don‘t want to wear radioactive materials 😅
Yes, I agree with you @Britt Pearce! Buying vintage watches are risky, mind you, most of my pieces are vintage. But...there needs to be some perspective that is added.
Yes, vintage watches will require some TLC. However, new pieces will as well. Buying a new Omega, Tudor or Rolex will eventually require a service, just as vintage pieces will require them.
Second, you generally pay a premium whenever you buy the item at retail. For example, you can always purchase a vintage Omega for less than $1,000 or a vintage Rolex for less than $5,000. ADs do not offer these price points.
Sure, these vintage pieces will require TLC but...the TLC required + the amount you paid for a watch will often be less than the price of a brand new watch from an AD.
You do have to watch out for a few things...for example dials can be retouched, replaced, serviced which will hurt the value of the watch. Plus, vintage watches can be more delicate. Depending on the era and type of watch, you may be purchasing something that has no water resistance.
All in all, whatever you do buy...always remember you will not get that money back...regardless of buying new/old.
I recently purchased a 14k 1950's Movado M95 chronograph as I've always wanted a vintage Movado in my rotation (still looking at the HS360 Datron and Super Sub Sea references) and found that the chronograph movement had issues even though it was supposedly recently maintained. I ended up returning it as finding someone local to maintain it could be a pain and the purchase was already starting off on the wrong foot.
My daily is a Datejust 1603 from 1968 and it does feel dainty as all hell. Not for everyone, but it is crazy cool. Buying vintage and used can be scary but so long as you do all your homework, there are treasures to be found.
Congratulations on the baby. You will be a wonderful mother. ❤️
Interesting POV from your end Britt. I recently got a vintage Cartier Santos Galbee (ref. 2319) at a very good deal. What made me pull the trigger was probably because in my case, the smaller 29mm case size wears perfectly on my wrist, while rather than the modern Cartier Santos that is on market right now, is a little bit too big to my taste (and no Guilloche dia!).
Regarding the servicing and tlc needed after buying a vintage watch, I think it really depends on the dealer, which some would perform polishing and tests to make sure the watch is running properly. I guess this also contributed to the process, or I shall say fun to find the perfect vintage watch that checks all the boxes.
I understand this Cartier santos life COMPLETELY!!! This is why I got the modern Dumont over the Santos de Cartier. It’s just too big! But those Galbees are PURE MAGIC! 😍😍 biggest congrats on owning one of these! I’ve got a Galbee two tone on my list! 💕✨
I almost only collect vintage watches. I find them more appealing personally, and often you can get some really significant and unique pieces for a fraction of the price of new counterparts. I also like researching and learning about them so it goes hand and hand. Omegaforums, which i have been a member of for years is a great resource for instance.
Hi there I just pick up a tag heuer 4000 and love it to bits
my first 'luxury' watch was an Omega from 1944 with a 30t2 movement ... for £350 ... had it serviced and absolutely love it ... its the only watch that I have never considered selling! ive also had a Breitling Navitimer from 1966 and a Rolex from the 20's ... but you are quite correct, all needed servicing immediately and its only the Omega that feels robust enough to wear without worry
Vintage watches are very cool but I always have a fear around older Radium dials. There is a lot of information out there and it can be hard to sort through. At the end of the day I just don't want to mess with it at all. I know it is safe as long as it stays in the watch and it is not opened but I still feel off about it and prefer something new. Like putting TLC into a vintage car a lot of the appeal would be to restore something and I don't feel capable of undertaking that safely. I will enjoy my current watches becoming vintage one day. That said I would enjoy a vintage watch handed down to me or maybe even if I found one of those treasure finds in a thrift store it would be hard to pass up. But generally new can be better for a reason sometimes and let the watch turn vintage with you is a neat process as well.
Something that really drives me up the wall is when a vendor says in their ad: „ it is running well for it‘s age!“ Nothing do do with the age, if the watch has been serviced regularly, it will run like any modern watch. For instance I have a 1957 Longines with the original movement that runs at +2.5 seconds a day!
It seems easier to find smaller watches with simple clean designs that are vintage. It may be that I don’t know how to research this type of watch, but I’ve found more small second subdial watches that are vintage over new ones as well.
Right?! There’s a whole crazy world of small, weird watches! It seems like the older and more obscure you go, the less information is out there! 🧐
I love the thought of vintage. I love the look. I love the stories. I don't like the baggage that can come with them. I still have a few cheaper pieces that I really enjoy.
I am vintage 😃 and I have Omega Grand Prix, a bit more vintage than me, love it and keep is as a memory of my grand father who gave it to me at the deathbed. Recent repair of balance wheel cost me £250 to keep it in running condition, it’s beautiful solid silver case but I don’t think I would buy a vintage watch unless I would be 100% sure what history it has. Love the video as usually.
I think you're looking at very high-end vintage pieces. Try looking at some cheaper options. So much quality and history to be had and not expensive prices.
My 1980's ultra slim Credor runs at +-10 sec per year and I found it for around 200£. Same story with a 1960s Seiko Crown that I found for next to nothing with the old movement just ticking away. And Seikos are much cheaper to service (especially by 3rd party watchmakers) than Swiss watches.
I would suggest anyone that wants to jump into vintage, try there, just to see how you feel about it.
Neo vintage is where it’s at (Omega Constellation 95 automatic in my case). Old enough to be charming yet new enough to lessen the chances of issues servicing etc.
This pretty much sums up my thoughts on vintage. I'll admire from afar
Same here Brit! Been interested in buying a birth year Daydate, but too scared to pull the trigger because idk about vintage enough!
I wear my modern watches more, because I’m relatively rough on equipment and am an impact prone individual. I do have some crazy cool and fun vintage pieces that I do love wearing. The latest is the Tudor 90910. It’s just so ridiculously charming.
I did think "What about the Speedy?" when I read the title, though appreciated the difference between bought and been given! The bulk of my collection is vintage and part of the pleasure for me was becoming that person who had all the info they needed to buy the right watch(es). Involved a fair bit of research for the Heuers, which were nowhere near as well documented as the likes of Rolex or Omega but honestly that just added to my enjoyment. I appreciate that's not for everyone though
This is exactly it! A lot of these older watches aren’t really well documented! I’m trying to get my hands on some better books to help me with vintage as well! 🧐 the internet can get you a long way! But I want to have better resources!
I soooo enjoy watching your videos. God bless you and the baby🎉
My formal dress watch is my 1948 Hamilton. It wasn't an expensive purchase and came serviced by the seller. Keeping good time and gets compliments.
Calling anything that's not older than you are "vintage" kinda hurts. I have a pair of Casio digital/analog "dive" watches I got in the early to mid 1980's that many people would consider vintage. To me it was just middle school and high school. I also have a Seiko from 1962 and an Omega Seamaster from 1954. Those are proper vintage.
I wish the local AD would even do so much as put my name down for a watch 😂
I never actually bought vintage watch, I got my first Citizen from my mum, Certina with ETA inherited from my late uncle, well unless Vostok can count as vintage then yes, I bought two haha
Oh this is the BEST kind of vintage tho! 💕 watches that are passed down!
What counts as “vintage” should have been talked about in here! I think, officially anything older than 20-25 years old is technically vintage. But I am holding on to the term neo-vintage 🤣
I bought lots of vintage Rolex and Tudor watches for 15 years between the mid 2000s and late 2010s. Lots. All kinds of 4 digits. A real madness. Each time I thought I had found one with the right patina, the right untouched case, there was always a better looking watch on someone else’s wrist. I had to stop, I was spending €60k to €80k a year.
Today I own a medium Santos and a white gold Patrimony. End of the adventure.
Hey Britt I guess your post is one reason I hate vintage purists like perezscope and eric wind - they make what should be fun too much work - my responses (as someone that does buy a lot of vintage):
1. forget trying to know everything - instead assume its been polished, had a redial, the wrong hands and then ask yourself "am I still prepared to pay whatever?" Then you get a watch you want and maybe a happy surprise if it turns out to be all original.
2. except for really high end stuff 99% of vintage watches used generic parts (movements/cases/hands) and are actually pretty easy to service - Ive got a 100 year old watch that under layers and layers of brands was basically a generic unitas movement and a full service was 200 bucks. (though I live in fear of the day I get a vintage auto chronograph movement serviced)
3. theres a limited supply of cool vintage and an unlimited supply of modern watches - Ive been searching 5 years for a very specific 1970's breitling reference and if I get it I will be probably the only person in my circle with one. otoh by definition any watch where you are waiting for "the call" is common and will be readily available.
And of course theres the huge bonus - vintage watches automatically make you precisely 13.7% cooler.😁😁
I own a couple of vintage pieces however they are not expensive at all, i got some cool vintage swatches, a vintage rodania and i purchased second hand a lovely lemania with a sub second and a patina dial!
Butting watches is good, but buying them is even better
Burlington arcade has some lovely proper vintage Rolex from the dawn of time. Some of the ancient designs are just beautiful but they were not put together like they are today so it’s like vintage cars - there may be trouble ahead…
Always speaking the truth. I’ve found and could’ve gotten 2 vintage and a moser this last month but am currently in a holding pattern since I’m waiting for something from my AD. Ugggghhhh 😢just give me the call already
🤣🤣 THE CALL IS COMING! What call are you waiting for?! 😱
I actually agree with you on the saving money and might receive the call at that time. Only thing that blocks me as well.
I personally think that the rest are some good excuse not to buy. If you are planning on not selling the watch then not having the boxes or papers might not change your mind.
I am looking at the Tudor sub and at the same time I would love that Rolex OP 41 celebration or green dial …. Tough choice ^^
I’m the same in some ways, there are several vintage watches I love the look of, but I’ve put them into the ‘admire online’ bucket. I have the same with modern watches in that there’s some real interesting models out there, but I can enjoy other people’s enjoyment of them without committing the money to getting something that doesn’t fit my lifestyle/collection
Omg this could be an entire video topic! I know exactly what you mean!
@@BrittPearceWatches do it! I think people would appreciate being told it’s okay to like something but don’t have to buy it! Haha
Only dipped by toes into neo vintage and been happy but bought a few early on which looked great but no service history and had to have serviced shortly after buying. Newer vintage inspired re-releases has been the sweet spot for me but a vintage speedy/Tudor sub/day date still calls me…
I love your posts so much. Unfortunately coming from the country of the Game of Thrones I cannot maintain a watch collection as it is so easy to steal. Anyway I have been coerced by you to buy a Bel Canto
I inherited my vintage watch. It belonged to my grandfather-in-law and my father-in-law. I’ve heard from seniors that no one wants to inherit their jewelry. If you have a relative with a vintage watch, they might be happy to put it in their will for you. They might even be willing to give it to you now to see it find a good home.
Oh this is so sweet! 💕 what a gorgeous thing to receive! And omg - how do older folks not have family that wants their jewellery?! I feel like it’s some of the most meaningful, personal heirlooms!!!
@@BrittPearceWatchesThe younger generations don’t want yellow gold. I know a jeweler who platinum plates gold jewelry for inheritance. Platinum plate can be matched with silver jewelry.
I am with you on availability happening all at once. I tell my sons that I don’t like buying several pieces at a time because I like to wear each one for a while, see how it fits into my collection and enjoy wearing it. Then, 2-3 will become available at once. Happens at least once every two years and then I break my rule. The disease is real.
Vintage is a gamble for sure.
I learned my lesson after buying a Cartier Must de Tank from the '80s and an Oris Williams from '08 last year. Both went straight to the watchmaker because they arrived almost non-running.
On the other hand, an Eterna Kontiki from '68 without a clear service history is still running great!
For someone who spent a life wasting money on "vintage" cars and motorbikes and only recently got into watches, trust me, vintage watches are absolutely no issue! A decent service and they are usually good to go for another few years (unlike old cars and bikes...). But like, old cars and bikes, they look cool, are unique, and set you a little apart from the main stream. If that's your bag.
As a Vintage fanatic my advice is this, get a friendly watchmaker (like A1) or my maybe my more expensive one Mr Neville Clark, and dive in, the value can be absurd. The watches you mentioned don't need to go back to the manufacturer I promise.
A big "Hola" from Spain, I´m very happy with my Omega Geneve (1969) and now very exciting waiting for my new acquisition (Hermes from the 50´s with an Universal Geneve caliber 332). Thank you for sharing
Otro español por aquí , hola 😂
Un saludo Alejandro
You have to shake off all of the UA-cam and watch dealer conditioning. You don't need box and papers, you just need a watch that makes you happy. Buy it expecting to service it soon after you get it, that way it's not a shock if it needs work.
Vintage watches offer so much that modern watches don't. The same is true the other way around of course...but it's worth overcoming the challenges of vintage because there's a lot of enjoyment to be had there.
Got a neo vintage 16710 (2007) Rolex coke back 2 years ago ..and love it 😍
There are many vintages that are underrated and underpriced, just gotta research yourself and take the leap of faith
Yay! You are right outside the doorway of the oh so very beautiful world of vintage watches. The brands you wear and love have magnificent pieces from your birth year and before. It's what you know, who you are dealing with (most definitely) and yes....TLC. and loving Wearing Them. And paying for services sometimes 😂.....I highly recommend the world of vintage timepieces. Your caution is a good idea too! And best of luck with the last bit of oh so very pregnant. Thanks for a great topic here and your input
The hit and miss nature of vintage watches is part of the fun. Total hit on my solid gold vintage Omega dress watch :) Miss on my Fortis Cosmonauts that immediately leaked water :(
I don't but vintages either. But I buy vintage watches.
my first car was a fancy used one and it was a disaster . since then i made a rule . buy what you can afford new as you are not experienced enough and it is better to wait and save .
Contemporary watches are wonderful and accessible.
Vintage watches require years of education, patience, willingness to learn, attending auction previews, and meeting with other collectors and dealers.
Two very different worlds but I believe every collector should have both. Vintage watches are worth the dedication.
I have 6 vintage pieces and counting…
Box and papers don’t matter because most of them are incorrect (i.e. don’t pay a premium for it or do without it).
Service history doesn’t matter either. If it is working, you can wear it right away! Otherwise, service it when it stops and not before. Ironically, servicing risks damaging important parts (like the dial) or losing the original parts which decreases the vintage factor of the watch.
If you’d still like it serviced at the onset, it may even be worth considering a non-working vintage watch at a low price and having it serviced immediately.
What matters more are stuff like no dial swap, correct buckle, correct bracelet, enough links so you can wear it. Straps will surely have to be replaced. Bracelets and the watch exterior will need a deep clean. Sanitiser, some good quality wipes and a toothpick (or any other sharp object that won’t scratch the watch) can help in the deep clean. No direct contact with water as old watches may not be water resistant at all.
Agree that some homework needs to be done but a trusted dealer can sometimes be of great help. “Buy the dealer”. I would also be careful of vintage Rolex as some pieces may have a dodgey history. Finally, if it looks too good to be old, it probably isn’t (i.e. highly refurbished with new parts from unverifiable sources).
Hope this helps!
I agree 100%, i only own vintage.
I agree every aspect mentioned in this video. One more my extra concern. Somehow I like vintage dress watches. However, most of them have water resistant nonexist. After the pandemic I just couldn't tolerate any watches that I have to take off before hand washing.
Our BB54 is vintage, new vintage, can’t beat that. My Dad’s watches make up my vintage collection, they were an easy purchase but costs increased quickly with servicing. Having them is worth every penny. 👍🏻😀
I’ve always wanted a Paris-dialed, JLC-powered Cartier Tank but am not going down this route this year. The price on that GMT Master looked low.
All very fair. I love the research side of vintage, all the dial variations etc. challenge comes to actually buying, grey dealers will rarely reference service dials or replacement hands, dials re-lumed etc. best sweet spot is neo vintage
I have a couple of vintage watches, but neither worth in much dollars as they they are both Timex's. But, they were my fathers and he is no longer with us, so irreplacable to me.
I really want a birthyear watch as well, but since I was born pre-quartz crisis I struggle to find a size I like in a price range I can justify. I also struggle badly with not knowing a watches history or if it's "correct." So that has, thus far, scared me off.
I nearly pulled the trigger on the Air King you mentioned. I wanted it for my wife. It sold but the seller didn’t update the listing. I went through the whole mental gymnastics and knew it was the one….already gone!!!
I have 1977 Soviet Vostok unworn with box and papers. Back in the days that watch cost $20, I bought on eBay for $300. Try to convince me that watches are not an investment 🤔
I owned a lot of vintage watches. All are in the range from 50€ to 300€ and it was a hit or miss.
The joy of being a hobbyist watchmaker. :)
I’ve owned two vintage watches. A 1972 Omega Geneve and a 1944 World War 2 MOD issue field watch and both only cost £180 each for my watchmaker to service. However both were sold as I just find them too delicate in comparison to modern watches and I was always worried about getting a splash of water in them or knocking them and causing internal damage. It was lovely though having a piece of history on your wrist and wondering how many other owners it’s had and what things it’s witnessed over the decades.
None of my watches are under 20 years old, and all bar my 50s gold JLC are one owner. I’d like to add some vintage Rolex to my collection, however I keep encountering 80s and 90s watches in either genuine modern or outright fake boxes, and that always gets me thinking, if the seller is prepared to pass those off as original, what else are they prepared to be “economical” about disclosing?
Buying a vintage watch has a golden rule if you are not a watch connoisseur: buy the seller.
I buy vintage watches at reliable vintage dealers only. Yes, it is more expensive but I know for sure that the watch is real, it is recently serviced by a watch maker and it comes with guarantee.
Don't bother asking when was the last service, just ask for the amplitude and beat error
I’m going more and more neo vintage with my collection due to size and style… they are the best!
Britt excellent as usual! I enjoy your channel so much! want a Vintage so bad. But I’m chicken!
Best to you and the baby congrats!!