Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette. In today's video, we're going to turn our attention
to the wonderful world of vintage watches and ask the question, "Should you buy one?"
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Now, when it comes to watches, there are undoubtedly thousands of options to choose from,
and depending on your budget, you could go from a dollar store timepiece to a
hundred-thousand-dollar investment watch. And depending on your style,
really, the world is your oyster when it comes to choice. Now, I'm sure it's pretty obvious
that you can go into really any watch store and pick out something that fits your style
and budget. But what about a watch that's new to you and has a life beforehand? Well,
welcome to the world of vintage watches. Currently, the vintage watch world is booming,
with a rise of online retailers and physical locations. Overall, there's been a rise in
the sale of vintage watches, with many beautiful models to choose from. But,
with price depending on condition and a whole lot of other factors to consider,
you really should ask: Is a vintage watch right for you? So, that's what I'm going to
try and guide you through today; but, first, let's look at what we mean by "vintage." So,
it's kind of annoying; it's a little bit difficult to really pin down what is vintage,
and depending on the model and brand, it's really any watch that's 20 to 30 years or older; whereas,
there are other watch brands that need to be even older than that to be considered vintage.
Obviously, one of the key things that defines a vintage watch is that the watch is not new
when you buy it. Now, there are collectors, and you will find "new old stock" watches,
but this is not very common. And, keep in mind, if you do find a new old stock vintage watch,
the prices are extremely expensive. Also, keep in mind that there are vintage-inspired watches.
These watches take stylistic cues, design ideas, or even reproduce designs that were
made in years prior. For example, let's look at the classic Casio digital watch. Now, this watch
is considered retro or vintage-inspired, but this watch is still produced new today. So, this would
not be a vintage watch if you buy it brand new, but you could find actual vintage examples. So,
based on all these factors, we're going to consider a vintage watch being a watch that
is 20 years or older. Now, let's focus in on: Why do people buy vintage watches? This is an
important question to ask as it's going to help us to understand the appeal of vintage watches
in the first place. We've come up with four reasons as to why people buy vintage watches,
but if you have more, feel free to leave them down in the comments below. Reason number one:
Prices for new watches are skyrocketing. So, once you start diving into the world of watches
and start to understand pricing, when you look at iconic models - like maybe the Rolex GMT - prices
are all over the place. They're climbing, they're dropping. It's like watching the stock market.
And retail prices continue to climb as well and waiting lists just get longer and longer. Meaning,
if you want a new Rolex, you need to be in possession of some serious cash
and patience. Even high-end fashion watches are extremely expensive for what they actually are,
and even though I understand that people might like the look of a Daniel Wellington, there's
absolutely no reason that a quartz watch like this should cost this price. Meanwhile, the vintage
watch market will offer many options that don't have to break the bank. Buying a vintage watch
can allow you to look stylish, save some cash, and pick up a watch with a movement that has history
and heritage. Reason number two: Stylistically, a lot of vintage watches look really good. As
we've previously mentioned, vintage watches can look fantastic. Overall, something you see with
vintage watches is a design element that really is lost today; it's the beauty of simplicity. This
is because a lot of these vintage watches were designed at a time when classic clothing was worn.
So, a classically-designed and elegant watch had to match and harmonize with a classic outfit. If
you contrast that with today, casual clothing is much more present. Designs have become less
considered and are more sporty, so people turn to vintage watches as a way to elevate a casual
look or to add a touch of authenticity to formal attire. Reason number three:
A lot of people will find that vintage watches can be easier to wear. In recent years,
modern watches have followed a lot of trends. One of them being really chunky, oversized watches,
and those trends should just stop. I mean, after all, I mean, I think a watch somewhere between 39,
40, 42 millimeters looks really good. 46, 47 is really, really just getting big.
After all, a giant diver's watch that's weighing down your wrist might look good
right now or with a casual outfit, but it's hard to dress it up and make it look classic. Hey,
it might even be like the mullet of the 21st century; people might look back and say why
am I wearing that brick on my wrist. On the other hand, a vintage watch will typically
be smaller and slimmer on the wrist. This is going to do you more favors than you might
actually think. Remember that wristwatches of classic gentlemen were always elegant and
didn't dwarf the size of their wrist. Also, as a bonus, if you have a significant other,
watches of this size can really look good on both sized wrists. Reason number four:
Vintage watches can still be purchased as an investment. Of course, we really can't
pass up the point that people do buy vintage watches based on their future value. After all,
there are certain models in production years that can really fetch a hefty premium. Therefore,
people will buy these hoping to fetch a profit in future years. Just like anything that's rare
or no longer made - whether it's a classic car, a bottle of wine, or a baseball card - the few
remaining articles in good condition become very desirable to collectors.
Now that we've talked about why you might want to buy a vintage watch, let's talk about some of
the pros and cons. And because we're happy people at the Gentleman's Gazette, we'll start with the
pros. Pro number one: There are many options to choose from. No matter what you're looking for,
you have decades and decades of examples to choose from, and with many watches being made
in mass production, your choice really is endless. Keep in mind that vintage watches also include
brands that are no longer around so, if you're looking for a specific type of vintage diver,
you might not have to find an Omega, you can find another brand that has a great example. Chances
are, no matter what you're looking for, you can find something that really catches your eye. Pro
number two: You can find something that's really unique. In addition to having a range of choice,
you also will have a range of condition, which means you might find a watch that is extremely
unique. Even if it's just based off of patina, every single watch that has a previous life will
have differing degrees of patina and more unique character. You can also find watches in your
birth year, which can be extremely desirable for collectors. Pro number three: Vintage watches can
be inexpensive. Granted, this won't be the case with a lot of the bigger brands. But quite often,
if you have a design in mind - say a gold dress watch - you can find lots of examples from smaller
Swiss brands that existed in years prior. Another benefit here is value. Oftentimes, you can find a
vintage Swiss watch from a brand that's no longer around that has a quality movement for a thousand,
two thousand dollars that will greatly outshine a modern watch,
which is overpriced. Take Jack on our team; he has an entire collection of vintage watches
in different metals with different looks that really suit every one of his outfits,
and he picked them up for a really great price. He only has a few that are big names with an
Omega and a Cartier, but other ones from smaller brands that no longer exist. Pro number four:
They fit really well in the world of classic style. Let's round things out with probably the
least surprising pro of all: They go great with classic clothing. Vintage watches and
their more elegant design go great with a pair of trousers and a jacket or a suit.
So, if you love this sartorial lifestyle, chances are a vintage watch will work great for you.
Now that we've looked at the pros, now let's look at some of the cons for vintage watches.
Con number one: You could need to know a decent amount of information about vintage watches. Now,
this is true, especially if you're going for a more high-end brand like a Rolex or
Omega; you really should know a lot about that vintage watch model before
buying. That will help you to weed out the potential for things being
fake or aftermarket parts being put on. You should know things like,
in this model year, what type of dials and dial colors did
Omega use on their Seamasters. That way, it protects you from something like a redial
where the dial's been repainted and the watch then doesn't have as much value. Luckily,
we're happy to help you boosting your watch knowledge as we here
at the Gentleman's Gazette are continuing to put out more and more watch content. Con number two:
It is likely that a vintage watch will need some TLC. Now, if you're someone who doesn't
like patina or some scratches, a vintage watch might not be something you want to wear right
away. Also, there are models that are traded quite frequently across small dealers, and the
watch might not be the best cared for and might need a service. So, there is a chance that you'll
have to put a little bit of money into that watch. Whether it's a new strap or a complete overhaul,
just keep that in mind. A good vintage watch can be thought of a lot like a pre-owned car;
they can have a lot of mileage left, but you really should take care of them. You also
might notice that a vintage watch won't handle the bumps and knocks of everyday life that a
modern watch will, but that's okay if you're not planning on using it as a workhorse. Overall,
just something to be aware of. Now, this next point is not really a firm pro or con,
but keep in mind that vintage watches might not always hold their value at the same rate
as modern watches. There are many factors at hand when you buy a vintage watch -
the condition, the dial, whether it comes as a full set. There's many things to keep in mind. So,
these varying factors can greatly impact the overall value that that watch will continue
to have and will continue to carry. Also, keep in mind that if you ever wanted to sell that watch,
the vintage watch enthusiast market is smaller than the watch market in general,
so you might have a harder time selling it. So, overall this isn't something for it the faint of
heart and don't think that you're going to buy a vintage watch and then retire on it. Okay. So,
at this point, we might have you thinking that you actually want to buy a vintage watch.
So, how do you do it? We're going to give you a few tips before you pull out your credit card. Tip
number one is to research before you buy. Research the watch, the model, and do your homework on who
is selling it. Look into the history of the watch that you want to buy. Are there other models that
were made at the same time that you might like more? What color dials should it have make sure
to do your homework. Also, look into the retailer with a similar level of curiosity. How often do
they sell vintage watches? Are they reputable? Do they have strikes against their better business
profile? If you call them up, do they actually have knowledgeable answers about the product? Take
this for an example: Delray Watch sells vintage watches quite often. I had a question about one
of the chronographs that they sent us, which was a vintage JLC. We had some questions about it for
this video, and I was able to call up Federico; ask why it costs so much, what's special about it,
when it was made; and he was able to answer all these questions for me. The second tip we have is
to try and try on the watch before you buy it. So, this should be easy if you're buying it in person.
Ask the salesperson to pull it out of the case and slap it on your wrist. But, if you're buying
online there might be some more things you want to think about. Does the seller offer returns if you
get it and you don't like it? Could you talk to the seller and they could compare it to another
model of watch that you've already tried? Ask yourself: Does this really fit my style? And don't
just buy it because it's cheap; make sure that it actually works for you. Tip number three: Find a
reputable watch care company. Even if your vintage watch comes with a watch service guarantee,
odds are it'll still need a service at some point in time, and that original watch company might not
exist anymore, so be sure to find someone that's reputable. Oftentimes, the dealer who sells the
watch to you can recommend someone or they might even have their own watch service program. I know
that this is the case with our friends over at Delray. They have a watch service program,
so you can buy a vintage watch from them and have it serviced from them. The final tip is to set an
overall budget and stick to it. So, you'll want to break down your budget into a few categories.
What is the upfront cost, the shipping and customs cost, a service cost, and the cost to
get a new strap? Now, this will be different for everyone, but these are some things to consider.
You don't want to spend $300 on an Omega Seamaster,
get it, the strap is terrible, it doesn't fit you,
and all of a sudden, you're in seven, eight hundred dollars when you weren't planning
on it. When it comes to vintage watches and a particular model,
you'll see really high and really low prices.
It's best to stick to something that's in the middle for a happy medium. So,
now, back to the main question: Should you buy a vintage watch? Here are our
summarized thoughts: If you're looking to buy a vintage watch as an investment,
no. You'll have to put in countless hours researching, searching,
haggling on price, and if you're not an expert, I wouldn't recommend this. The cost of time plus the
cost of the watch might not leave you with a whole lot of profit in the long run. Plus, no one knows
what the vintage watch market is going to do long term. Many vintage watches will come with a little
bit of upfront cost, so just popping it out of the box and putting it on your wrist might not always
be the case. If the vintage watch fits your style, yes. If you're a lover of classic style, chances
are a vintage watch will be a no-brainer for you. If you care about craftsmanship and the beauty of
old things, yes. If you care about sustainability or keeping old things going, vintage watches are
perfect for you. Also, it's like wearing a piece of history that had a life before you. Lastly,
if you want to find something unique at a great price, then yes, vintage watches are for you. So,
if you want to find something interesting and different than what's currently on the market,
search for a vintage watch, and this fact is only sweeter by the numerous amounts of bargains that
you can find out there in the market. So, as always, we're interested to hear from you down
in the comments below. What vintage watches do you own? Do you have one that you're saving up
for currently? Please let us know. In today's outfit, I'm wearing something pretty casual that
I would wear around the GG office this winter. I'm wearing a gray Merino wool sweater from LL
Bean. It's in a commando-style very similar to what James Bond wears. I'm wearing a pair of
dark wash selvedge jeans in the new strongman fit from Brave Star, a pair of my more rugged winter
boots in waxy commander from Grant Stone, and a pair of Fort Belvedere socks, which are red,
in this sort of diamond pattern. These are a prototype of something cool that
we're working on. On my wrist is this really cool Piaget Skeleton in rose gold. This was
sent over by our friends over at Delray Watch. It's not a vintage watch, but this is so darn
cool; I had to wear it. To check out any of the Fort Belvedere products, like a new pair of socks
or gloves for the winter, click on the link here. If you're looking for a reputable dealer to buy a
vintage watch, I would recommend our friends over at Delray Watch. They sent many of the watches
that are in today's video, and you can check them out by using the link in the description below.
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