15/12/2008
Collecting watches is a very young, extremely fashionable, extremely interesting and exciting activity. But is it really profitable to collect watches?
Old, new and almost new
Collecting watches is similar to collecting vintage and classic cars. Both require a certain theoretical preparation, knowledge, patience and a lot of money.
You need to be prepared for the fact that you won’t earn quick money here, and your collection can only be in demand in good times from all points of view, and especially economic ones.
Unlike collecting paintings and art objects, numismatics and philately, in the secondary watch market there are still no clear principles for pricing certain watches.
Fluctuations in “watch stocks” cannot be tracked using daily stock exchange reports, and there are no watch catalogs comparable in level and completeness to philatelic or numismatic ones.
What can I say, just ten years ago, owners of vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe were perceived not as rich people, but as noble eccentrics. In watch boutiques in the center of New York, one could easily find and, after haggling, purchase for $4,000 a rare piece of a perpetual calendar in a yellow-gold case from Patek Philippe.
And the legendary Officine Panerai, produced during the war for the Italian underwater special forces, were sold on the streets of Naples in their “original” box for only $600.
Today the price for them starts from 20,000 euros, and for the mentioned Patek Philippe - from 80,000. In those good times, fantastic stories happened - for example, with the Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph, which, apparently, belonged to astronaut Buzz Aldrin and was the first to visit Moon.
It was stolen from the Smithsonian in the '70s, and in 1994 it suddenly resurfaced on the secondary watch market and was purchased by a middling California businessman for just $400.
As the ranks of watch collectors began to grow, the situation on the market for vintage models from the pre-quartz period stabilized. And this circumstance has given rise to two other trends: collecting and active resale of modern and even the latest watches on the secondary market.
In collector's catalogs, classifications such as LNIB (Like New In Box) for used watches and a special abbreviation NIB (New In Box) for the newest ones have appeared. But collecting old and modern watches are completely different types of collecting, with different rules and priorities.
Investments in the brand
Any collector, without hesitation, will say that the leaders in the vintage watch market are Patek Philippe and, more recently, Rolex. However, they almost do not overlap in consumer niches.
During the quartz boom, Rolex remained the only company that did not reduce its very significant production of mechanical models. Therefore, there are many high-quality mechanical Rolexes on the market, and for a long time no one paid more than $40,000 for them at auction.
Rolex shares on the secondary market skyrocketed thanks to the fact that Guido Mondani sold his huge collection at the Antiquorum auction two years ago. At the same time, he showed how to collect Rolex, which models are valued and which mechanisms should be paid special attention to.
The Italian helped people take a fresh look at the creativity and heritage of the most popular of luxury brands. In addition, prices for Rolex have crept up u1080 due to the fact that this year the company celebrates its centenary.
Usually, before big dates, brands hold special auctions, looking for and buying rare models from collectors for their own museum. Just look at the price dynamics of the 1997 Rolex Daytona chronograph in a steel case.
At the time of its release, it cost about a thousand dollars, in 2002 the price for it was already 5 thousand, and now they offer no less than 25 thousand for this model. And prices will only rise, experts are sure. Patek Philippe is another matter. The company goes out of its way to position its watches as an investment in the future.
This image is supported by a well-thought-out advertising campaign, a sales strategy (new complex models are sold only to trusted clients) and an auction policy, when Patek Philippe representatives bargain hard for their watches, raising prices.
So if you are lucky enough to become the owner of a real Patek Philippe in good condition, you can be absolutely calm: their price will rise over time. The same can be said about watches from Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC (especially recently) and other famous manufacturers.
Even those who recently acquired the status of a manufactory. Yes, companies like Omega or Blancpain are far from the records of Patek Philippe and even Rolex. But Blancpain's complicated watches have a very promising future. This especially applies to the very first models produced by the F manufactory.
Piguet in the 90s, when the company’s president, Jean-Claude Biver, was just “testing” refined complications for the brand. If in 1996 ultra-thin Villeret cost 6 thousand francs, now they can be bought for 15-20 thousand dollars.
At the same time, models with the very first in-house ultra-thin calibers will always be valued higher. The same can be said about the first models with a co-axial escapement from Omega, created by George Daniels in 1999. Now the co-axial escapement is Omega's calling card.
Almost all movements of the brand are equipped with it, but the first working examples have already become a real history of watchmaking, and therefore will always be of interest to connoisseurs.
Investing in originality
The first Santos de Cartier, the first Patek Philippe wristwatches, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, IWC Portuguese and Rolex Oyster Perpetual premiere series - all these models can certainly become the brightest stars of the collections.
But only under one condition - complete authenticity. We are, of course, not talking about fakes. The former owners of most of these watches were unaware of their potential value decades later and used them daily.
This means that the watch has been in the workshop more than once. But on the secondary watch market, the main rule of watch collecting applies: all details, even the most insignificant ones, must be authentic.
Many novice collectors came across this. As you know, in a watch, the dial and glass are the first to be affected, and many dealers, trying to attract the client with the ideal condition of the object, replaced them.
The same applies to mechanisms. For example, it is no secret that the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufactory supplied its calibers to dozens of brands, including the most prestigious ones. So it sometimes happens that a historical Vacheron Constantin model has a balance-spring assembly from other watches that used the base JLC caliber.
Meanwhile, any non-original and especially “non-original” part in a mechanical watch can reduce its cost by 80 percent. The only place where you can be guaranteed a 100% authentic watch is at a reputable auction.
The rules of the largest auction houses even provide for the return of the amount with compensation for moral damages if it turns out that due to an oversight of experts, the watch you purchased contains an inauthentic part. Only models that have successfully passed the authenticity test are included in the catalogs of reputable houses.
Investments with a guarantee
In these catalogs you can find thousands of Breguet, Cartier, Omega, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre or Audemars Piguet models, which for one reason or another most collectors do not pay attention to, and therefore they cost three times less than in stores.
The exhibited lots must be treated objectively, and not chase after sensations (sometimes inflated out of the blue) and the so-called “uterus” (rare models on which auction organizers, for various reasons, plan to earn the main profit).
Now you can independently evaluate the watches that are put up for auction without leaving your own chair. Sotheby's was the first auction house to open an online sale, followed by Christie's. But they only followed the path of Antiquorum, which has been practicing electronic trading for three years now. In addition, Antiquorum has an additional website www.C2Ctime.com , whose visitors have the opportunity to trade watches directly without intermediaries and commission fees.
By the way, this practice was first used by the founder of Antiquorum, Osvaldo Patrizzi, who was removed from management by the new Asian owners. Now Patrizzi, together with the team that left Antiquorum after him, has opened a new auction, Patrizzi & Co Auctioneers, which also provides a lot of services at: www.patrizziauction.com.
Watch connoisseurs who have taken part in many auctions claim that only one rule ensures a successful purchase: know exactly what attracts you in this watch. Not a name, not PR or a beautiful story, but an original dial, an unusual function, a rare mechanism, a “catchy” design.
Sometimes even a defect in a watch can be so interesting that it increases its value several times over. For example, there is a well-known story about the largest Rolex collector, Guido Mondani, who accidentally came across a Daytona chronograph: its dial changed color in sunlight and artificial light. As a result, Mondani sold this particular model on Antiquorum for ten times the price for which he purchased it.
Investments for the future
However, many experts began to note that interest in authentic vintage models is gradually weakening. There are several reasons for this. The sale of antique watches has recently become not a business for buyers, but a PR campaign for the manufacturer’s brand, that is, a business for the watchmakers themselves.
For example, Antiquorum (especially lately) practically did not sell watches from dead brands, refusing those who did not produce expensive watches or did not invest enough money in advertising.
In catalogs in recent years, you can find that brands such as Gruhen, Whittnauer, Bulova are represented very little and their models are sold for fairly modest sums. But the relatively young brand Gerald Genta, which provided funds for holding its own thematic auction, is present in dozens of models.
In addition, all the most interesting specimens went through auctions and resales, which means that one cannot count on significant profits and magical discoveries. Another thing is that modern watches are in NIB and LNIB condition.
Many very young brands managed to become famous in just a year or two thanks to the invention of hitherto unknown innovations and complications.
It is easier to find watches that are interesting from an investment point of view in the “ore” of newcomers than in a historical “breed” that has been processed thousands of times. In addition, modern examples of complex mechanics and unusual design seem to most of us to be a much more understandable and close source of investing money.
Manufacturers have long seen this trend, so they specially produce watches aimed at collectors. Specialized publications and websites have been organized for the latter, exhibitions, salons, presentations are organized for them, they are even invited to private dinner parties with the presidents of great brands (the latest marketing novelty).
In general, everything is aimed at drawing attention to watches as a profitable financial investment. Another question: how profitable is this investment?
Investments in interest
How to start collecting watches if you have never done it?
First, you need to acquire some basic knowledge in this area. All collectors make mistakes at first, and that's okay. It doesn’t matter at all what your first watch will be, the main rule here is to buy what you like. Gradually, model by model, the sample will narrow down. Over time, you will have your own base of collectors and dealers. Specialized forums and resources where collectors share their knowledge will also help you. Study the brochures of watch companies - we, for example, publish them for each collection, they are all available on the Internet.
Let's say I chose a specific model and bought it. What's next? Should I look for watches from the same line or choose others?
It's just a matter of taste. What attracts you specifically? Motorcycle racing and racing themes? Then you can focus on special collections dedicated to racing, for example, Monaco or Silverstone. Among them there are also many vintage watches that once belonged to famous racing drivers. Or maybe you are more interested in the history of a particular brand - then you can start collecting a collection of a certain year of manufacture. Nowadays, models from the 1980s and 1940s are very popular, the design of which has a wartime imprint. There are much fewer of the latter, plus they have been less frequently documented, so working with them is both very exciting and very difficult. Your budget also matters and how much you are willing to invest in a watch, with models from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s costing more than wartime models.
There is a stereotype that collectors are very rich people and that without an impressive fortune there is no point in collecting. Is this really true?
No, that's not true. You don't have to be a multi-billionaire. Expensive lots at auctions at Philipps and other auction houses are just the tip of the iceberg. We have a lot of clients of different incomes, and the main backbone is ordinary people who buy watches on eBay or Amazon. Also, don’t forget that until the 1960s, TAG Heuer was not a luxury brand - to build your watch collection you don’t have to spend all your savings, the main thing is to know when to stop and not lose common sense. Of course, you can invest in very expensive vintage pieces: say, Steve McQueen's Monaco watch, which he wore in the movie Le Mans, or some gold watch that belonged to a famous racing driver. Of course, this is top class and worth the money. But the main market is not built on this.
Is there any way to predict which time period watches will become popular in the future?
I believe that collecting only for money is wrong. After all, the essence of collecting is to acquire watches that you like first and foremost. You will amass a priceless collection if you put meaning and personal touch into things. Therefore, I recommend buying for the soul, and not for commercial purposes.
Are there any additional factors other than the year of manufacture that influence the cost of a watch?
Of course. The value will also depend on previous owners: it stands to reason that a McQueen-owned watch will be worth more than your neighbor's - although I don't know who your neighbor is (laughs). The materials from which the watch is made also affect the cost. By the way, an interesting fact, but steel watches are often more expensive than gold ones - the point is that steel is better suited for making a case. Also, the cost depends on the complexity of the watch movements - it is clear that assembly requires skilled craftsmanship.
What is the current price range on the vintage watch market?
Quite wide. The scene for vintage stopwatches starts at 1,000 Swiss francs (about $1,010). There is no upper limit: McQueen's gold watch went for more than $800,000. If similar offers appear on the market, it is difficult to say how much they will cost. For example, we have several products that are priced at amounts with five and six zeros.
Are there a lot of fakes on the vintage watch market?
Let's say that for every thousand original watches there are about 10 fakes - this is when the case, the hands, and the clock mechanism are completely faked. Much more often I come across “custom assembled” watches, where they are assembled from parts from different time periods. That is, they did not come in one set. Plus, any watch requires regular inspection and repair. During service work, the hands, dial, case, and mechanism parts are changed, so it is not so easy to say that a particular watch is less authentic.
How can a non-specialist recognize vintage by eye?
Unfortunately, I can’t give any hints: to determine the vintage, you really need to have a certain education. By the way, many of our young customers prefer to buy reissued models of vintage watches. This makes life much easier if something happens to your vintage watch - for example, you break it. If you have a reissued watch, then you can go to any watch repair shop, where you will be immediately received and served. With vintage watches, things are a little more complicated, because only a special watchmaker can work on them.
How to properly care for a vintage watch?
You need to constantly start them, otherwise the lubricating oil inside the mechanism will dry out, and because of this, the parts will begin to wear out. Also, the watch must be stored in a dry place - high humidity has a very negative effect on its operation. If the watch case is covered with patina, then it should be stored away from ultraviolet radiation and not left in direct sunlight. In principle, this is enough, provided that once every four years you show your watch to a specialist.
I can’t name any specific cases. But many of our collectors purchased their first watch 20 years ago, when their price was much lower. Therefore, if they maintained the watch in good condition, today it costs two or three times more. So you could say they made good money.
The art of watchmaking in any era was considered the prerogative of the best masters of their craft. The names of the famous workshops are known to almost everyone who orients themselves in time not only by the Sun and stars. Some examples, recognized as true masterpieces, are a brilliant and harmonious combination of precision mechanics and jewelry. The watches were designed and manufactured individually, to order, the craftsmen practiced exclusively manual, but at the same time amazingly precise assembly, guaranteeing durability.
If your “vintage watch” is still running, and you prefer to find out the exact time from your smartphone, then you can think about how to quickly and profitably get rid of an absolutely chic and stylish, but, alas, completely useless and unnecessary thing. The purchase of antique watches is carried out after they have been checked by a master watchmaker; in this case, the seller does not bear any costs for checking them. Buying an antique watch is a kind of standard of success among collectors, but not even every experienced watchmaker can professionally evaluate an antique watch; only a master of antique mechanisms will do. Antique watches have always been in great demand at auctions and on the antiques market. Rare watches made in famous workshops last a very long time, and if handled with care, they count the time of several generations on Earth without significant wear and tear.
What watches are considered antique?
- Exclusive pieces made by hand. In this case, the popularity of the watch brand is also taken into account. You can sell rare watches that fall under this category quite quickly and profitably after.
- Antique watch in good condition. Not only the appearance and general safety are assessed, but also the wear of the mechanism, as well as the accuracy of the movement. Antique watches dating from the 19th century and older can now be sold for a very high price, but only after more careful consideration. However, the approximate cost can also be determined from a photograph using.
- Collectible watches that made a revolution, or any other revolution in watchmaking that suits you. A watch is not a bicycle; it can be invented forever. Temples were rebuilt, counting minutes with the help of the Sun and Moon, mechanisms became more complex, and cuckoos evolved. Some of the surviving watches were the first in their category - these are the ones that are of real value to collectors. Nowadays you can sell collectible watches quickly and expensively, provided they are in good condition and authentic.
- Personalized, award and other iconic watches associated with any historical or cultural events, famous owners and watchmakers. Everything is clear here - and among the watches there are real “stars” who were participants in significant events, starred in famous films and adorned the wrists of (not necessarily) famous people. It is interesting that such watches are hunted not only by professional collectors, but also by the most devoted fans of actors, musicians, football players and political figures, seeking to obtain a piece of their idol as their full property.
How and where to evaluate antique watches?
Some watch lovers at some point in time become interested in vintage watches. Often - pocket watches, because they are “older” than wristwatches.
There are quite a few reasons for this, as they say, to each his own, and in general, choice is a matter of everyday life. But we can highlight several. The first is an interest in antiques and history. For many watch lovers, it is much more interesting to consider a product with a 100-year history that “survived” the First World War, the 1917 revolution, the Great Patriotic War and other important historical milestones than a quartz craft in a standard case.
Second, antique pocket watches allow you to actively grow your collection without making a significant investment. If, of course, we are talking about affordable and simple models. Someone will be much more interested in “collecting” Swiss watches, from famous brands such as Omega, Zenith and Chopard, rather than buying another faceless hoax for the same amount.
Zenith pocket watch (1917). Price category - up to 300 euros 
Omega pocket watch (1926). Price category up to 300 euros 
Pocket watch L.U. Chopard (1890). Price category - up to 300 euros
Third, some people simply like the style of older watches. All these hands, engravings and so on - this is practically not present in modern watches, if you do not take into account the premium class.
Also, collecting antique watches is an investment. Such watches, at least, do not become cheaper. Many are rising in price. Unlike almost any modern new watch (remove the film, put it on once - already minus 10%).
Of course, collecting old watches is not that easy. Watches require special care, cleaning and lubrication, often restoration, replacement of glass, hands, and much more. A watch that runs for a day or more is a relative rarity, so you will have to wind it often. And not completely. Sellers, out of malice or ignorance, may sell you blatant junk, a “cutlet” (a watch assembled from various leftover spare parts) or even a remake. Anything can happen. But, if you do everything correctly and don’t rush, then the antique watch will delight you.
Some watches are sold at auction as "running for a few minutes." This usually means that someone tried to revive them with oil but overfilled it. The treatment, again, is cleaning. But unless you're a jack of all trades, cleaning will cost more than buying a good watch outright. Especially in the case of cheap mass-produced WWII watches. They cost 30-70 euros. Therefore, if you are not a master of mechanisms, then immediately take a normally working watch.
You can do the following operations yourself: wipe the watch case with a velvet cloth (you can use watch polish) and (this is already an advanced level) clean the watch case using a special paste or just toothpaste (after removing the mechanism). By cleaning you will remove plaque from the case, patina, and sometimes even the smallest scratches. Large scratches will require special tools and skills. Replacing glass is a simple procedure (for a master) and relatively inexpensive. But the dial is the face of the watch. If it has shortcomings, then they can often be eliminated, but this is painstaking and expensive work. Therefore, again, it is better to immediately choose watches with well-preserved dials. A “cobweb” on the dial is not a very good sign; if it is very noticeable, then this dial will need to be replaced.
A separate topic is arrows. Often they are not original. Here a comparison with other watches of the same company or a simple observation can help: whether the minute hand reaches the division on the dial. If not, then the arrows are definitely not original. Glasses are also often changed, especially on the oldest watches, which originally had ordinary glass (plastic glasses were invented in the mid-20s of the 20th century). In general, there are a lot of nuances.
All old pocket watches can be divided into 2 large groups. Of course, such a division is only suitable for residents of the former USSR. So, these are: Soviet and foreign watches. The first group is all kinds of Molniyas, ZIMs and other Soviet-made watches, which cost very moderately and give quite a lot of joy. Especially for a beginner. As they say, buy yourself a Lightning Bolt and think, do you really need all this? Of course, all watches are divided by time periods; the same model can cost differently depending on the year of production, but more on that later.
The second group is Western watches. Swiss, English, French, American and German. They can also distinguish several time periods. These will be inexpensive mass-produced simple watches (in the vast majority of cases, watches with the function of hours, minutes and seconds, that is, 3-handers in cases made of silver at most).
Well, pre-revolutionary Russian brands like Pavel Bure and Kalashnikov can be distinguished into a separate subgroup. These watches were assembled from European components, but on Russian territory, so they occupy a kind of intermediate position.
Pocket watch Pavel Bure, early 20th century. Price category - up to 300 euros European watches in the accessible category come in 2 types: with a crown and with a key (key). Prices for key watches, all other things being equal, are often lower, although it would seem that this is a more “vintage” type of watch. The reason is that they are very expensive to repair; repairs may cost more than buying the same watch in good condition. Therefore, it is better to immediately buy a high-quality watch with a winding key.
And a few words about prices. Of course, everything is highly conditional. Prices vary greatly. The same watch at a flea market, in an antique store, on eBay, or bought from a master can cost completely different money. This is a guideline just to give the reader an idea of how much it might cost in principle. Since the situation with the ruble exchange rate is now very unstable, you will have to indicate the price in US dollars.
An ordinary Soviet zipper from the 70s-80s in excellent condition will cost about $20-30 or more. For Europeans, for $200-250 you can buy something like a simple Zenith from the 20s-30s in good condition. A Pavel Bure watch produced before 1917, in average condition, will cost about the same amount: the whole point is limited competition; there are few such watches in the West.
Where to buy? Antique stores, flea markets, online auctions (specialized and global like eBay, as well as Russian), Western online stores. Everywhere has its pros and cons.
We will talk more about specific watches in future publications. And what’s more, we will have a corresponding pocket watch section.
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Natalya ErofeevskayaWe can safely say that the topic of collecting has not spared a single person. Porcelain figurines, postage stamps, toys, postcards, beer caps and coasters, herbariums and strange insects - the collecting instinct in man has lived, is alive and will live. Today we will talk about a rather expensive, but incredibly attractive type of collecting - wristwatch collecting has a whole army of fans.
Watch collection
When choosing such an unusual hobby, many people wonder what watch collecting is called? In fact, there is no special term, whether we are talking about antique specimens or modern ones, but you can often find the unofficial name of this hobby is chorology. And although the term “chorology” directly refers to the science of measuring time, it still has some relation to watches. And then you can often hear that collectors of antique, Soviet or original watches are called horologists.
What watches should you collect?
For himself, a novice collector first of all determines direction of “watch” collecting: antiques, wall clocks, pocket clocks, clocks from USSR factories, etc. Of course, portable clocks have a certain advantage: they take up significantly less space in the collection than, say, their wall-mounted or floor-standing counterparts. But the size of the collectible exhibit does not affect the cost - a small wrist or pocket watch can cost much more than a weighty clock with a pendulum, cuckoo and the like.
Howard Miller Wall Clock
The collection may contain completely different pieces: working ones and those that can no longer be made to work, watches from a certain country (for example, Soviet or Japanese), or watches that are in one way or another connected with significant events in the life of the owner of the collection. The desire of collectors to get something unique into their collection is also quite understandable: some watches are produced in limited editions, cost considerable sums, and true watch collectors sometimes go on a real hunt for them.
Collectible men's wristwatch "Polyot" President
It’s worth talking about Soviet watches separately - USSR era wristwatch can hardly be called a work of art: they are, as a rule, laconic and strict, there is nothing superfluous in them. Often such watches were dedicated to certain historical events in the life of the country and the Soviet people: the launch of rockets and artificial Earth satellites, nuclear submarines, icebreakers, etc. The “Commander” brand of military watches, produced since 1965 at the Chistopol watch factory, continues to this day day is prized in collector markets around the world.
A significant advantage of Soviet watches is their quality: watches in such collections can last for decades with a minimum of care
Men's and women's wristwatches
If we talk about collecting pocket watches, then these are exclusively men’s models: during the times of their widespread use, ladies were not supposed to wear personal watches. Pocket watches were massive, made of precious metals (often gold), decorated with expensive stones and an impressive chain.
Collectible skeleton pocket watch
But the history of watches with a bracelet began exactly the opposite: elegant and not so elegant (depending on the manufacturer and cost) watches for a long time adorned exclusively women’s hands. For men of that era, a solid pocket watch remained a status item.
Wristwatches for men became popular during the First World War. Costing more than pocket watches, the watches were distinguished by their quality and accuracy and were necessary for commanders and senior officers when planning and conducting operations and performing combat missions. Soldiers who particularly distinguished themselves at the front were awarded personalized copies; in the event of the death of a soldier, such chronometers were handed over to his relatives along with military awards and personal belongings.
Soviet wristwatch
It's no secret that for collectors some chronometer models are more desirable than others. The October Revolution changed not only the course of history, but also practically stopped producing new chronometer models: Tsarist factories were destroyed, production facilities were liquidated, private workshops were ruined. Only decades later, in 1930, the production of wristwatches was resumed, but first of all they were provided for the country's defense forces: the army, aviation, and navy. Men's and women's wristwatches for mass civilian consumers began to be produced only after the Second World War.
Wristwatch Submarine "Antey"
“Pobeda”, “Vostok”, “Chaika”, “Luch”, “Polyot” - all these names are familiar even to those who are far from collecting watches. Moms and dads wore them, and grandparents could have received such watches as a reward for military or labor merits. Collecting USSR wristwatches especially highlights the following brands of a certain year of manufacture that are most interesting for collectors:
- "Victory" produced in 1946;
- “Rodina” - the first self-winding models produced in 1956;
- chronometers with the “Flight” signal, manufactured in 1959;
- Among the rare models of women's wristwatches, one should especially highlight the miniature watch “Zarya” from the Moscow Watch Factory, produced in 1955;
- and, of course, “Komandirskie” - reliable, practical, distinguished by a holistic design and well-thought-out ergonomics of the case.
“Commander” watches were not mass-produced - they were created specifically for the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union
Where to start collecting watches?
For many collectors, purchasing rare and unique watches from different eras and countries becomes not just a hobby, but even the meaning of life. The purposes of such collecting can be completely different. For example, scientific or historical activity, allocation of personal capital, compilation of family collections that could be passed on from generation to generation, prestige and respect of friends, etc.
Scope and contents of such collections often directly depend on the financial capabilities of their owners, when purchasing unique items, it is recommended to focus on the Price Guide to Watch price list published annually in the USA. Beginners are recommended to search for information - specialized books and magazines, museums, exhibitions and auctions will help determine the era of future items in the collection, models and cost.
Original collectible watches
The most accessible watches for the initial stage are those from the Soviet period; as the collection grows, you can move on to more expensive Japanese models, military military watches, “amphibians” of old editions and military chronographs and designer pieces, the cost of which exceeds thousands and tens of thousands of dollars and euros.
"The Golden Age of Watchmaking" corresponds to the period of the 1950-1970s: most models of that time were assembled by craftsmen by hand, and therefore the quality and accuracy of the mechanisms were at the highest level. In the pre-quartz period (1960-1970) so-called tuning fork and electromechanical watches were produced - there were few of these transitional models, and therefore to this day many collectors dream of getting such an interesting specimen into their collection.
Electromechanical table clock
Both beginners and experienced collectors pay attention, of course, not only to the brand itself and the origin of the watch, but also on the originality of each copy: every detail must be authentic, since replacing even a minor element with a non-original one significantly reduces the cost of the entire item. Reputable auction houses carefully monitor such moments and, if there is a non-original element in the watch, they may demand the return of the purchase amount, taking into account moral damages.
Let us note that experts in the field of watch collections have observed a certain trend: watches from vintage periods are slowly but surely losing their appeal to collectors. Newcomers to collecting are increasingly prefer modern models of unusual designs, since they can be a successful investment, and will only increase in value over time.
18 September 2018, 14:41Taking into account the growing demand, famous brands and designers are specially releasing series of chronometers aimed at collectors
