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.

2.  Vintage Watches are Beautiful

This is really the essence of collecting something. I've seen how designs of watches have evolved throughout the decades, and they are all beautiful. Designs are distinct in their particular decade. They have various sizes, shapes and look, and one can be taken by and fall for them. I'm sure you'll get the “Got to have it” feeling once you've seen a piece that sweeps you off your feet, and there are really a lot of them.

3.  Finding Vintage Watches is an Adventure

This is the main difference of buying watches from a store. Aside from also being available themselves in stores, vintage watches can be found in your own home, from your relatives and friends, the backstreets, the outskirts, far-flung provinces and other countries. The search outside and even an eBay auction are exciting. Once you've acquired, serviced, restored and dressed up that piece with a selected strap or bracelet, you'll always look at it with a smile remembering how you got it in the first place.

4.  Being Enlightened and Making Discoveries

A drop of knowledge is like light being lit to a candle in the dark. My grandfather's Titus does not really command a high price nowadays. However, I was filled with appreciation when I learned that Titus was founded by a genius, Paul Ditisheim, who was schooled in horology since he was a boy. Ditisheim also won numerous chronometer performance competitions and innovated watch designs. Every vintage watch brand or model has its own history even if they are not as popular now as a Rolex or Omega. Making discoveries about pieces you have acquired is also something delightful. My dad's Camy, which he bought from a seller in 2005 or 2006, had a dark-brown casing, and I thought it was bronze when I got it when he passed away. I was surprised and glad it was actually gold electroplated on brass casing after cleaning and servicing.