The Adventure of Collecting Vintage Watches

Discovering Treasures

It started from discovering something shiny in my folks’ old cabinet to going to watch service and repair stalls in the backstreets and in the provinces. That’s how I became a vintage watch collector. My first vintage is, of course, my grandfather’s old Titus. It was a former resident in my mom’s jewelery box with cracked open crystal and casing turning gray. I had that serviced, restored and dressed up with a brown crocodile leather strap, and despite its antiquated dial, it looks elegant up to now. Oftentimes, that’s where it begins. From discovering it or being handed down, good watches are built to stand time to be appreciated by the former to the next generation. Vintage watches can also be found from nowhere. The collector is like an explorer following the trail to an archaeological find, a pirate sailing the vast seas and searching for buried treasure or a diver salvaging sunken galleons. There are a lot of items that can be collected, but there is nothing as personal, satisfying and as adventurous as collecting vintage watches.

A Work of Art that Defines Its Wearer

A watch is a very personal piece of accessory. It is not only an instrument that tells time, but it is a work of art that defines its wearer. Sherlock Holmes once deduced a man’s occupation and social class by looking at him from head to toe. Well, just by looking at a person’s watch alone, one can see a reflection of his or her personality. The most famous watch that does so is probably the Omega Seamaster of Bond… James Bond. The Seamaster is a dive watch that stands pressure mirroring Bond’s status as a naval commander and as a spy placed in dangerous situations. Having the color blue also reflects Bond’s noble plight and sadness that he cannot settle down like a normal person because of his occupation. Coming from our grandparents or parents, a vintage watch is also as personal as one accessory can get.

Top Seven Reasons Why I Collect Vintage Watches

I want to share the top reasons why I collect vintage watches, and I enumerated them below to describe the love for my hobby.

1.  The Value is at Its Barest Minimum

Being in the world of finance, this is my number one reason. Vintage watches at 30 to 50 years old are already depreciated down to their barest value unlike buying brand new ones in a mall, store or on-line. Of course, the condition of brand new watches are superb and at their peak, but vintage watches can be serviced and restored close to their original condition. Scratches can be buffed and polished, dials can be redialed and straps or bracelets can be replaced with new ones. There are also vintage pieces still available at mint condition. According to the vintage and pocket watches moderator of Watchuseek.com, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe are the three sure brands that maintain value. Vintage Rolex at mint condition are available at one third or one fourth of a brand new one’s price. There are also numerous quality brands with rich horological history available for the taking at USD45 to USD70. This is not an expensive hobby.