4 Reasons to Buy Vintage Mechanical Watches

I know, I know, there are definitely going to be some people who disagree with me here or at the very least roll their eyes. Let me explain what I mean when I say “romance”. In today’s digital world, where everyone is permanently glued to screens of various sizes, be they smartphones, laptops, or tablets, the mechanical wristwatch is an anachronism. Let’s face the fact that mechanical watches will never be able to compete on the accuracy front with the cheap, mass-produced quartz technology that was pioneered by Seiko in 1969. Quartz technology, incidentally, nearly destroyed the Swiss watch industry – they instantly one-upped mechanical watches in the pursuit of accuracy that had become the very raison d’être of the Swiss watch industry. Why wear an expensive mechanical watch that is fundamentally less “functional” than a cheap quartz one?

Pick up any mechanical watch and put it to your ear. Listen to the mechanical heartbeat of this device and then remove its caseback, reveling in the complexity of the intricate microcosm of gears, plates, levers, and springs. The beating of the balance wheel (thousands of times per hour) and ticking of the hands is entirely driven by mechanical energy – there is not even a modicum of electricity in the thing! There is a timeless quality here, as opposed to the planned obsolescence we observe when it comes to electronics. The basic technology driving the timekeeping organ of the watch, the lever escapement, was invented in 1755 by Thomas Mudge. Not much has changed since then.

I’ll answer the question I posed above: “Why wear an expensive mechanical watch that is fundamentally less “functional” than a cheap quartz one?”

We do not wear mechanical watches for their functional benefits. We wear them because they are art, they are tradition, and they are the purest expression of the most precious thing we have: time.

I’m not going to rush and tell you to rush out and invest every cent of your savings in vintage watches with the promise that you’ll see your money double in a couple of years. In recent years, the rise of watch platforms like Hodinkee and watchuseek have transformed what used to be a rather niche hobby to a more mainstream interest. This increase in interest has led to a veritable flood of money pouring in as attested by the eye-watering auction results of the last five years. But it’s not only rare Rolex and Patek Phillipe references that are steadily appreciating and have the potential to generate substantial returns. Here is an in-depth look at some of the models showcased on Vintage Portfolio. We analyze several Rolex and Omega models and calculate annual returns for the five-year period 2014-2019 based on actual book-keeping data. Just as is the case with any other collectible, condition is king! In the past, the condition of the dial was the make-or-break factor in determining the value of a vintage timepiece. As the vintage watch market has evolved, however, collectors are increasingly focusing more on (and thereby attaching a premium to) cases that retain their original finishing, full lugs, and bevels. Though it is difficult to ascertain if the current momentum in watch price appreciation will continue, well-maintained vintage pieces from classic model lines like the Submariner, Datejust, Seamaster, Speedmaster (and more) will always be in demand, especially as these pieces get older and more and more fall into disrepair.

How many times have you decided to reward yourself with a luxury watch for some life milestone or achievement, only to experience a severe case of sticker shock when you consult the prices at your AD? Luxury watches are just that – a luxury, but it must be said that many luxury watch brands (like Omega and Rolex) started off manufacturing high-quality tool watches that, though expensive, were well within the grasp of most middle-class enthusiasts. Unfortunately, those times have passed, and watch prices have rocketed into the stratosphere.

Vintage watches offer two obvious financial advantages over their new counterparts: