Page 31 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles Januray 2020
P. 31
Rarity is also an asset that can only be learned Hiconsumption, an online modern-day men’s
through research. Was the watch sold in mass quantities lifestyle publication, identifies “The 10 Best Vintage
when it was new, or something a bit more special like Watches Under $500” for collectors to consider.
a limited edition, a small run or custom-made? More than offering just affordable suggestions, this
It is also important to make sure you’re not dealing list presents the collector those watches that have both
with a replica watch. Many fake watches look very character and history, and are a great foundation
similar to the real deal, especially when it comes to for start-up collectors and those that appreciate the
Rolex replicas. Have a qualified appraiser assess the vintage aesthetic:
watch you’re evaluating if you’re not sure that it was • Bulova A17A Mil-Spec
originally purchased from an authorized dealer.
• Longines Flagship
• Rado Starliner
• Tissot Visodate
Becoming a Collector
While the current auction market for • Girard Perregaux Gyromatic
Cartier Santos Dumont ca. 1910. vintage watches would seem to suggest it is
From Monochrome-watches.com • Hamilton Brock
just for the wealthy, the fact is that the • Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel 666
“Louis Cartier made a watch for his vintage watch market offers something for • Grand Seiko Hi-Beat
friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, who collectors and enthusiasts at every end of the
wore it every time he flew. Alberto spectrum. But, caution veteran collectors, • Omega Seamaster
was a celebrity throughout Europe, not every old watch has value, and past • Jaeger Lecoultre Memovox
and with his flamboyant personality, performance, as they say in the brokerage
his Cartier watch became equally world, is no guarantee of future results to Whether you wear what you collect or
famous. Looking at pictures of those collectors looking to invest in what collect as an investment, buy what you love
Alberto in newspapers, the public they hope will be a retirement fund. If you and know what you buy. Either way, you
asked, “What is that strapped to his plan to be a serious collector of old watches, will be making a timeless investment.
wrist?” The answer was a watch. as with any investment in a collectible item,
Instead of a cumbersome pocket Title image: A classic Waltham
watch, Alberto wore a wristwatch do your homework! Anyone who scoops up dress watch, 17 jewel. The full
affixed by a comfortable leather a cheap boxful of half-working Bulovas Arabic-numeral indices are
strap and secured with a small from the 1950s at a flea market is likely to presented in a unique font along
buckle. Though Patek Phillip end up with a cheap boxful of half-working This vintage ladies’ with a classic handset, including
invented the wristwatch, women Bulovas from the 1950s. But if its style and Bulova 14kt yellow a red arrow-tipped seconds hand,
mainly wore it until Santos fashion you seek, then buy what you love gold watch sold for giving this watch some character.
made the wristwatch a man’s and can afford, regardless of what it may be $189.85 at Aspire The gold dial contrasts with the steel case, and it
watch, achieving another first.” worth in the future. Auctions in 2009 contains a manually wound Swiss movement inside.
The Longines 12.92 movement (left) was first
made in 1903. It is a 12¼ lignes savonnette
measuring 27.80mm x 4.10mm. The savonnette Vintage 1960s: The Mod Generation
layout was used in hunter cased pocket watches, Whether you’re “feelin’ groovy” or strictly modern.
www.bradbury.com
and for wristwatches. Often movements imported
into Britain before the mid to late 1920s do not
carry the name manufacturer's name visibly, this
was not allowed by British retailers.
The inner workings of a perfectly balanced Patek
Philippe Calatrava wristwatch from the 1970s
(right). The movement is the manual winding
Patek Philippe Caliber 23-300 PM with 18
jewels; adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and in
5 positions; and double-stamped with the
Geneve Seal.
Selling for $6,200 at adamvintage.com
January 2020 29
through research. Was the watch sold in mass quantities lifestyle publication, identifies “The 10 Best Vintage
when it was new, or something a bit more special like Watches Under $500” for collectors to consider.
a limited edition, a small run or custom-made? More than offering just affordable suggestions, this
It is also important to make sure you’re not dealing list presents the collector those watches that have both
with a replica watch. Many fake watches look very character and history, and are a great foundation
similar to the real deal, especially when it comes to for start-up collectors and those that appreciate the
Rolex replicas. Have a qualified appraiser assess the vintage aesthetic:
watch you’re evaluating if you’re not sure that it was • Bulova A17A Mil-Spec
originally purchased from an authorized dealer.
• Longines Flagship
• Rado Starliner
• Tissot Visodate
Becoming a Collector
While the current auction market for • Girard Perregaux Gyromatic
Cartier Santos Dumont ca. 1910. vintage watches would seem to suggest it is
From Monochrome-watches.com • Hamilton Brock
just for the wealthy, the fact is that the • Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel 666
“Louis Cartier made a watch for his vintage watch market offers something for • Grand Seiko Hi-Beat
friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, who collectors and enthusiasts at every end of the
wore it every time he flew. Alberto spectrum. But, caution veteran collectors, • Omega Seamaster
was a celebrity throughout Europe, not every old watch has value, and past • Jaeger Lecoultre Memovox
and with his flamboyant personality, performance, as they say in the brokerage
his Cartier watch became equally world, is no guarantee of future results to Whether you wear what you collect or
famous. Looking at pictures of those collectors looking to invest in what collect as an investment, buy what you love
Alberto in newspapers, the public they hope will be a retirement fund. If you and know what you buy. Either way, you
asked, “What is that strapped to his plan to be a serious collector of old watches, will be making a timeless investment.
wrist?” The answer was a watch. as with any investment in a collectible item,
Instead of a cumbersome pocket Title image: A classic Waltham
watch, Alberto wore a wristwatch do your homework! Anyone who scoops up dress watch, 17 jewel. The full
affixed by a comfortable leather a cheap boxful of half-working Bulovas Arabic-numeral indices are
strap and secured with a small from the 1950s at a flea market is likely to presented in a unique font along
buckle. Though Patek Phillip end up with a cheap boxful of half-working This vintage ladies’ with a classic handset, including
invented the wristwatch, women Bulovas from the 1950s. But if its style and Bulova 14kt yellow a red arrow-tipped seconds hand,
mainly wore it until Santos fashion you seek, then buy what you love gold watch sold for giving this watch some character.
made the wristwatch a man’s and can afford, regardless of what it may be $189.85 at Aspire The gold dial contrasts with the steel case, and it
watch, achieving another first.” worth in the future. Auctions in 2009 contains a manually wound Swiss movement inside.
The Longines 12.92 movement (left) was first
made in 1903. It is a 12¼ lignes savonnette
measuring 27.80mm x 4.10mm. The savonnette Vintage 1960s: The Mod Generation
layout was used in hunter cased pocket watches, Whether you’re “feelin’ groovy” or strictly modern.
www.bradbury.com
and for wristwatches. Often movements imported
into Britain before the mid to late 1920s do not
carry the name manufacturer's name visibly, this
was not allowed by British retailers.
The inner workings of a perfectly balanced Patek
Philippe Calatrava wristwatch from the 1970s
(right). The movement is the manual winding
Patek Philippe Caliber 23-300 PM with 18
jewels; adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and in
5 positions; and double-stamped with the
Geneve Seal.
Selling for $6,200 at adamvintage.com
January 2020 29
