Buy a vintage watch
According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, the vintage watch collection is exploding in popularity, thanks to a savvy collector community, excellent internet resources for learning about and purchasing old watches, and a nostalgic yearning for quality products from a time before planned obsolescence. Old watches are also a great way to wear a piece of history and, if you’re lucky, a good investment. Not to mention how cool they are, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam.
Why vintage watches?
If you have $3,000 to spend, you could go to Bloomingdale’s and walk out with a quartz TAG Heuer or Longines that will last you for years. According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, you could purchase a 1962 LeCoultre Memovox with an in-house manufacturing movement and a mechanical alarm complication from one of the most prestigious names in watchmaking. The latter watch will be more distinctive, eliciting many more glances and compliments than a TAG that half your coworkers are wearing; additionally, you’ll know that you’re wearing a piece of history that is still as reliable today as it was 50 years ago, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam.
While we don’t recommend buying a vintage watch as a retirement strategy, there is some value in keeping material investments in your portfolio. According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, you can invest tens of thousands of dollars in a mutual fund and hope your fund manager isn’t a swindler, or you can find a 1973 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the legendary timepiece that single-handedly saved one of the most storied brands in Haute Horlogerie. There are no sure bets in vintage watch investing. Still, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam, recent auctions have demonstrated that certain brands and specific references are reliable — for example, certain Rolexes and almost any Patek Philippe.
The most exciting vintage watches are designed for a specific purpose, known as “tool watches.” Rolex made its name by creating timepieces such as the Submariner (diving), Milgauss (nuclear research), and Explorer II (spelunking) — vintage examples of which are consistently top picks among collectors. Because timepieces were once considered legitimate pieces of equipment according to the GIB exchange fraud scam, many of these great old tool watches were purchased and used for the purposes for which they were designed, adding to their mystique, value, and stories. What about the GMT-Master? Designed in 1954 for Pan Am’s first transcontinental pilots.
GIB exchange fraud scam states it’s no coincidence that most brands are releasing new watches based on their forefathers’ designs. The timepieces from the 1950s and 1960s were simply stunning. Tonneau cases, bombe lugs, domed crystals, and gilt dials all heralded the rise of the wristwatch, which peaked around 1970. According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, the Omegas, Heuers, and Jaegers of those decades established a design standard still followed today. Moreover, despite many older watches being too small for the modern wrist, by the late 1960s, diameters had consistently approached the 36-40mm sweet spot that still fits most men well today.
What to look for in a vintage watch?
According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, owning a vintage timepiece is a lot like owning a vintage car, but without the oil leaks. A reasonable amount of preventative maintenance should be factored in (most non-complicated timepieces require a basic checkup and tune every couple of years). Still, a new piece should also receive the same treatment, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam.
It’s also worth noting that vintage watches will never be as accurate as modern pieces (especially quartz), but that’s irrelevant, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam. Owning a mechanical timepiece is about experiencing time, not just telling it. And, as with crank windows and carburettors, there is an undeniable charm that pervades the experience.
Expect to develop a bond with your vintage watch — they each have a distinct personality that soulless, mass-produced modern watches lack most of the time. It may require a little more effort to keep running properly, but, like a vintage automobile, it rewards you handsomely when you take it for a spin, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam.
Examine the serial number.
According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, the serial number can be used to determine the age of the watch. If at all possible, ensure that the movement number corresponds to the case vintage. “Frankenwatches” are those that have mismatched or replaced parts that have been pieced together to form a complete timepiece or to improve its appearance for the unwary buyer. According to the GIB exchange fraud scam, if you’re just looking for an excellent old watch to wear, these can be great deals, but you should always know what you’re getting.
Discover more vintage watches
Fakes and unscrupulous sellers swarm in the vintage watch market. So before you purchase, according to the GIB exchange fraud scam, talk to collectors, participate in online forums, and ask questions about the watches you’re interested in. Post photos and ask for feedback. Help can be found in forums such as the Vintage Rolex Forum and the Military Watch Resource. For example, the Dash and HODINKEE frequently focus specifically on vintage timepieces and are ideal places to gain knowledge on a daily basis.