Nothing beats the thrill of buying a vintage watch, but the process of sourcing, quality checking and authenticating can be daunting. At Open for Vintage, we have done the work for you, with a curated edit of the finest vintage timepieces from coveted brands including Omega, Rolex and Cartier. Our collection suits a range of budgets, with fashion-forward styles to traditional, classic designs.
Whether you’re looking to make your first investment, or add to an expanding collection, this guide will give you all you need to know on the benefits of buying vintage over buying new.
So, why buy vintage?
1) The History
They say that good design is timeless, and we couldn’t agree more. Whether you are buying a watch that is 3 years old, or a watch that is 30 years old, designer brands have always created classic, stylish timepieces. When you buy a vintage watch, you are investing in a piece with history and character, without compromising on style.
Buying a pre-owned timepiece is great for those that seek something extra special in their purchase, and wearing a piece of history is just that. In addition, a number of our watches come with the original paperwork and boxes, giving you the full insight into the origins of your piece.
2) The Price
Whilst a vintage watch purchase isn’t for one specific budget, it is almost always a smarter investment than buying new. There are two ways of benefiting financially from buying a vintage watch.
- If the watch style you’re looking at is still in production, and easily accessible in the wider market, buying vintage can often mean a cheaper price for the same quality.
- If the watch you’re looking at is a discontinued or an exclusive style, you may be paying a slightly higher price in the knowledge that you’re investment is going to be a money earner as time goes by, and fewer pieces become accessible.
Your watch value is likely to increase as time goes on, so it’s certainly money invested rather than money spent.
3) Unique
One of the more obvious benefits of buying vintage is the wide range of unique styles available. For those that seek a rare timepiece, or something that their peers won’t have, vintage is a great option. Additionally, as watch functionality develops rapidly as years pass, watch makers rarely keep a style completely the same. Browsing vintage watches may mean you find an original style or functionality that you can no longer buy new.
4) Discovery
When it comes to designer watches, the materials, functionality and craftmanship are second to none, so a vintage investment will rarely mean a compromise in standard. With this in mind, the process becomes much more enjoyable, as you know you are buying into quality regardless. Explore different brands, functionalities and designs, and start a collection that will not only increase in value, but bring exquisite style with it too.
What are the best brands and models to invest in?
All of the below are considered prudent from a perspective of iconic style, exquisite craftmanship, commercial investment and auction performance.
