why do you buy vintage watches?

[brokeone!]

as for me, i know why i came to like vintage watches so much...its the texture of the dial, the hands which comes in various shapes (i favour the dauphin [if i get that spelling right] in particular...i like it also because they are old...it sets me apart form the people who care less about history...the more 'aged' the dial appears, the more appeal it will have to me...watches from the 60s and the 50 are particularly attrative since some (or most) of the have round lines printed on the dial...unique...they dont generally make them like they used to...the metal they used to make the case other than stainless steel...brass...gold...i always have a feeling...sorry if offended anyone...that those old watches are mechanical...or automatics....no battery or electrical circuits are involved...from about two hundred component they interact with each other...one fail and the rest will follow...all for one and one for all....i like to see the balance spring vibrating....the gear for the second hand moving slowly in regulated tempo next to the dancing spring...the joy of watching the spring comes to life after the crown being turned during servicing...the shape of the round case...like two layers of cake mounted on the other on some watches...the contrast of colours in tone watches...one steel and one gold...the lugs...i always wonder...how much longer will these survived...since the balance springs will gradually became weaker and weaker...and spare mainspring are becoming scarcer...the present will certainly become set...those gears will worn down...so as the jewels....the future...not certain the future generation will appreciate....the diminishing numbers of watchmakers....the difficulty of getting good repairs...form certain watchmakers (again not with the intention of offending anyone) who only repairs them to just to get them running but do not bother to clean and oil them...on and on and on....they..those watches are getting old...and waiting for the right moment to.....i like to do my part in rescuing them before its too late...

[mikeukrainetz]

I like vintage watches for the same reason I like vintage cars, theyre relatively cheap, easy to work on and typically have more of an uderstated flare than anything new. For the most part the craftmanship was there, no giant faceless manufacturing facilities dispersed accross the globe.

I used to work on cars but as my time, money and space got short I turned to working on watches as a similar mechanical hobby (as similar as watches and cars are I suppose....)
You cant really work on most cars in your driveway anymore, all there is is a bunch of plastic and wires and god forbid you do anything to void your warranty...
I can find and get running a cheap $10 watch, theres a lot of satisfaction in that.

As far as the current lifespan of vintages; theres a lot of them still around and considering how long some have survived they just may outlive me.

The low cost also allows a newbie like myself to get involved at the base with collecting and appreciating watches and other historical fare.

[Shangas]

I don't know that I'd become a COLLECTOR of antique watches. I collect and restore my own vintage & antique fountain pens, though.

I always wanted a pocket watch. Ever since I could tell time effectively, about the age of seven or eight. I'm twenty-two now. I also happen to love antiques. So I decided the best course of action was to save up money to buy a decent antique pocket watch, which I did, and which I'm very happy with. Needless to say, should I get the chance in the future, I may buy another antique pocket watch.

[GinGinD]

So I decided the best course of action was to save up money to buy a decent antique pocket watch, which I did, and which I'm very happy with. Needless to say, should I get the chance in the future, I may buy another antique pocket watch.

I don't know, Shangas, sounds to me like a collection is around the corner. :-d

Jeannie

[Shangas]

Unfortunately, yes! In fact, I saw a very NICE pocket watch in the market last week, unfortunately, I hadn't the funds to BUY IT. It was a gold-cased Elgin, size TWELVE, from 1916. 17-jewels. Its price was $190, in working (though perhaps not serviced) condition. I only had $160, so I wasn't really in any position to haggle.

If I was, I think I would've bought that watch.

[ulackfocus]

Plenty of reasons I collect vintage:
- historical brand significance and legendary calibers
- less expensive way to get top end brands
- "Normal" sizes
- classic/timeless designs


Did I mention a less expensive way to get top end brands?

[johndozier]

You can't beat the style,panache, and build quality of vintage. Plus the price.I picked up a 1964 HyMoser in 18k for under two hundred. Definately the steal of the century as Moser was one of the top five makers of all time. It exudes the same kind of understated elegance and quality as Patek.

[pz93c]

Because they don't make 'em like that anymore.

[subrosa]

Here are a couple of my reasons:

*)Years and years of cool designs, never have to "buy what the store has to offer."
*)You can own US made watches and movements!
*)Size and bling is at a minimum.
*)Almost any watch can be restored....for a price.
*)I venture to guess the "Made in *" is a little more honest....back when the US had a thriving watch industry.

The only problem is that I am not a "gold" person, so the downside is that most the vintages I come across happen to be gold plated. ;-)

[brokeone!]

thanks you all for sharing youur reasons...now i know why does collectors or hobbyist buy vintage watches form their own words...

[kohym]

to own a piece of history :-d

[huck]

For me its the beauty of them and the enginering of them, the maths behind them boggles my mind, i am new to collecting and only have the two at the moment, a hamilton and a Waltham, and just got them back from servicing and cant stop grinning:-) My girlfriend lives in Lancaster PA so i am leaning towards a bigger collection of Hamiltons. Wearing them is always a pleasure that bit of history in your pocket! my Hamilton is engraved and have enjoyed reaserching and trying to trace previous owner

[constantin14]

I collect vintage pocket watches for their history, for their incredible beauty, for their diversity, because are more accessible.

[JohnF]

Hi -

I love vintage watches for two reasons:

1) history, design and quality are unrivaled

2) when you buy them used, you pay for the value of the watch, rather than what the retailer wants to sell it to you for, i.e. you're paying wholesale, not retail.


That second aspect appeals to the economist in me. :-)

JohnF

[restless]

They are mix of jewellry and era testaments to me. Moderatedly sized mens vintage watches are far more appealing than the tiny granny ones or the pink bling that are offered to women in the stores. I've yet to see a new womens watch that I actually like, except a couple that would cost more than a new car...:-d

[GinGinD]

You make a really good point, Restless. I prefer mechanicals to quartz and I find the selection of modern ladies mechanicals to be limited. Vintage offers a much wider variety.

Jeannie

[ulackfocus]

You make a really good point, Restless. I prefere mechanicals to quartz and I find the selection of modern ladies mechanicals to be limited. Vintage offers a much wider variety.

Jeannie

This is why I'm gradually getting Windy into vintage. I keep telling her I don't want to spend $2000 on a quartz watch no matter how nice it looks. She seems to be coming around, and is looking at Omegas & Tiffany's with automatics in them. It's only one more step into vintage after that! (but it could backfire and she could develop a taste for Piaget or Audemars Piguet and then I'm really in trouble! :-d)

[GinGinD]

Another thing, although I enjoy the convenience of my automatic daily wearer, I really get a kick out of winding my two vintages. There's something so satisfying about that interaction with your watch.

Jeannie

[sesquipedalian]

For me, as for many of you, it's a matter of style/quality/history/value. But I also appreciate knowing that the watch I'm wearing was actually made, wholly or to a large extent, by the company on the dial, rather than by a huge trademark repository like ETA. I've always thought that allowing a company to purchase the right to use a brand name was somewhat inappropriate. And since I "buy" movements rather than names I also think that the products born of such shenanigans are more than a trifle dishonest. Now, if they retained the company's tradition and sense of purpose that'd be another thing.... But for now, and with only a very few exceptions, no Swiss Hamiltons/Balls/Elgins/etc. for me.

[gingersnap]

Limitless selection of "unisex" sized watches for wear by ladies. Reasonable price. Plus I really prefer hand-wind to automatic, simple two or three handed watches the best of all. You do need to find one or two watchmakers - I have one for vintage high end brands, he sells Camille Fournet straps, solid gold buckles and all the trimmings and one who is more like a collaborator for my ebay specials and the antique watches or clocks.

Best,

Ginger

[Mr.Lucky]

As most of the people here I have those reasons: "normal" size (well I do daily wear 44mm Pilot like watches), timeless elegance of some, very reasonable prices and I like to feel some magic or life story of the Vintage watches ;-)

[Gansan]

My only two vintages are inherited pieces. I love them for the memories associated. I am yet to buy a vintage watch.

[Reno]

For the "feel"
http://r.crouzet.free.fr/Ressources/images/ftp/Girard-Perregaux/Girard_Perregaux-020209/DSCF6359.JPG
I really like the "used" look on the dials/indexes...

And for the price, of course... 100€ for this little Omega Cosmic
http://r.crouzet.free.fr/Ressources/images/ftp/OMEGA/SEAMASTER/OMEGA-COSMIC-030209/DSCF6375.JPG


I must mention my granfather's YEMA :-) (I inherited this one)
http://r.crouzet.free.fr/Ressources/images/ftp/YEMA/MEANGRAF/YEMA-Meangraf-050209/DSCF6426.JPG

This one belonged to one of my uncles... (1977 Omega Speedmaster LCD)
http://r.crouzet.free.fr/Ressources/images/ftp/OMEGA/SPEEDMASTER/LCD/OMEGA-LCD-080309/DSCF6603.JPG
yes, even QUARTZ can be vintage (hey, that's 32 years ago, it's not that bad !)

[vintageguy]

Plenty of reasons I collect vintage:
- historical brand significance and legendary calibers
- less expensive way to get top end brands
- "Normal" sizes
- classic/timeless designs


Did I mention a less expensive way to get top end brands?

I agree absolutely with ulackfocus.

[Shangas]

I'm not one for wristwatches, although a 'Tank' style watch from the 30s or 40s might not be ignored. I prefer pocket watches. Apart from all the lushy sentimental reasons about colour and aesthetics and having a piece of working history in one's hand and all that other dribble, a main reason for my wanting to own an antique pocket watch is that they are easier to read.

I don't have the world's greatest eyesight, and an antique or vintage pocket watch usually has a nice, clear dial with nice, bold numbers. It's easy to read and it's harder to make a mistake when telling time. I don't buy wristwatches because I can't stand the strap on my wrist. It's too uncomfortable for me, and I never wear my wristwatches anyway.

Also, it's nice to have a watch that actually TICKS. Some might disagree with this, but when I'm in bed at night, it's nice to hear my Waltham across the room on my desk (where I keep it, sitting on a little stand) ticking away. It sounds like the watch has a heart and soul. It's fun waking up each morning and winding it before starting the day's work or play or other activities, listening to the winding-stem and the wheels click and grate as they coil up the mainspring.

[Ray916MN]

Value, craftsmanship and history.

The depreciation has been taken, and the craftsmanship to create these types of watches is disappearing. It has never been cheaper to capture a piece of history.

For example, I'm working on adding the first automatic chronograph produced to my collection. I've got 2 of the 3 watches with a claim to the title, and hopefully will get the third within a month.

[Eeeb]

Value, craftsmanship and history.

The depreciation has been taken, and the craftsmanship to create these types of watches is disappearing. It has never been cheaper to capture a piece of history.

For example, I'm working on adding the first automatic chronograph produced to my collection. I've got 2 of the 3 watches with a claim to the title, and hopefully will get the third within a month.

Heuer and who else? You must post a thread!

[bjohnson]

You wind up interacting with the most interesting people.


PS - note the pun on "wind up"

[Ray916MN]

Heuer and who else? You must post a thread!

There are pages and pages on this topic on the Internet so I'll oversimplify the three here:


Zenith El Primero - preemptive announcement and branding to make the claim
Heuer/Breitling/Buren-Hamilton - first to be launched as available and be presented at Basel with a wide range of models and advertised and heralded in the media
Seiko - the earliest production models seen in the general market, with Japanese Domestic Models with serial numbers indicating March '69 production.

Based on what I've read, I actually think Seiko was probably the first, but as a lower end mass producer at the time, just wasn't keyed in to the historical and marketing significance of what they did.