Ray MacDonald
May 3rd, 2005, 13:55
This post will address one of the essential ideas in collecting vintage watches. Have a theme in mind.
This is especially true of vintage wristwatches, where the variety is enormous. However it also applies to pocket watches. Every collector will find out soon enough that you can’t have everything (unless you are Donald Trump or equivalent.) A theme keeps you on track as far as budget and collection size is concerned.
Most of us have a theme decided for us early on. For example, my pocket watch collection initially consisted of a Waltham and Hamilton from grandfather #1 and an Elgin from grandfather #2. That means I was definitely collecting American brands, but no particular one. So I decided to collect (as far as practicable) pocket watches my grandfather(s) might have owned during their younger years.
Neither grandpa was a railroad man so that ruled out the expensive railroad grade watches. They were both blue collar guys , so hunter cases and fancy watch chains were out. They obviously liked the big 18S and 16S sizes. Finally I decided to try to keep my collection of pocket watches prior to World War I. That way I got enamel dials and some nice Art Nouveau touches on them.
This has turned out to be a very rewarding theme. I don’t have the highest quality but I got some really nice pieces at moderate prices. And a nice watch from 1905 is a beautiful thing.
I like Elgins because they were solid and practical and are easy to fix since so many were manufactured. Most of my collection is now Elgin although I have a Waltham (obviously) an Illinois and a Hampden as well. The lovely Hamilton is now the proud property of my son-in-law (see earlier post).
My advice to you if you are just starting out? Choose a brand and a time period and stick with it. For me that would be Elgin from 1890-1910.
Now as for wristwatches I adopted a similar sort of approach, although I had no compelling reason to do so.
I decided that since my dad was unable to start my wristwatch collection, I would go with stuff he might have owned as a younger person. That meant 30s 40s and early 50s Americana. Here the range is much broader because you have American makers like Elgin Waltham and Hamilton, plus American companies with Swiss connections like Gruen Bulova and Benrus.
My dad was not a pilot or diver so I decided to go with time only classic pieces. These are very easy to find and still quite cheap. Most of mine are rectangular or tonneau shaped, smaller in size and by and large 15-17 jewel wind-ups. I have a fair variety of makes but if you want to collect in this area I can recommend 2 for your consideration.
If you want to go all-American, choose Hamilton. They made a magnificent product in the 40s and 50s, easily comparable to Omega.
If you want to have a Swiss connection, Bulova is your product. Lovely designs, easily identified, standard parts and above all easy to fix and keep running.
My themes may not appeal to you, but unless you have an unlimited budget and live in Yellowstone Park, you are going to need one. Keep that in mind.
This is especially true of vintage wristwatches, where the variety is enormous. However it also applies to pocket watches. Every collector will find out soon enough that you can’t have everything (unless you are Donald Trump or equivalent.) A theme keeps you on track as far as budget and collection size is concerned.
Most of us have a theme decided for us early on. For example, my pocket watch collection initially consisted of a Waltham and Hamilton from grandfather #1 and an Elgin from grandfather #2. That means I was definitely collecting American brands, but no particular one. So I decided to collect (as far as practicable) pocket watches my grandfather(s) might have owned during their younger years.
Neither grandpa was a railroad man so that ruled out the expensive railroad grade watches. They were both blue collar guys , so hunter cases and fancy watch chains were out. They obviously liked the big 18S and 16S sizes. Finally I decided to try to keep my collection of pocket watches prior to World War I. That way I got enamel dials and some nice Art Nouveau touches on them.
This has turned out to be a very rewarding theme. I don’t have the highest quality but I got some really nice pieces at moderate prices. And a nice watch from 1905 is a beautiful thing.
I like Elgins because they were solid and practical and are easy to fix since so many were manufactured. Most of my collection is now Elgin although I have a Waltham (obviously) an Illinois and a Hampden as well. The lovely Hamilton is now the proud property of my son-in-law (see earlier post).
My advice to you if you are just starting out? Choose a brand and a time period and stick with it. For me that would be Elgin from 1890-1910.
Now as for wristwatches I adopted a similar sort of approach, although I had no compelling reason to do so.
I decided that since my dad was unable to start my wristwatch collection, I would go with stuff he might have owned as a younger person. That meant 30s 40s and early 50s Americana. Here the range is much broader because you have American makers like Elgin Waltham and Hamilton, plus American companies with Swiss connections like Gruen Bulova and Benrus.
My dad was not a pilot or diver so I decided to go with time only classic pieces. These are very easy to find and still quite cheap. Most of mine are rectangular or tonneau shaped, smaller in size and by and large 15-17 jewel wind-ups. I have a fair variety of makes but if you want to collect in this area I can recommend 2 for your consideration.
If you want to go all-American, choose Hamilton. They made a magnificent product in the 40s and 50s, easily comparable to Omega.
If you want to have a Swiss connection, Bulova is your product. Lovely designs, easily identified, standard parts and above all easy to fix and keep running.
My themes may not appeal to you, but unless you have an unlimited budget and live in Yellowstone Park, you are going to need one. Keep that in mind.