If you’ve always wanted a luxury timepiece, looking at vintage watches could be a smart move. Many classic designs haven’t changed much over the years, and there is no stigma attached to wearing a vintage piece.
Not only are they design smart, but they are almost always more affordable, and in some cases can present exciting investment opportunities.
But as with any big-ticket purchase, there are a few things that you’ll want to make a commitment.
What You Should Know About Buying Luxury Vintage Watches
You might think about a vintage watch in the same way that you would think about classic or exotic cars. You don’t want to make a purchase like that without the requisite education.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind when looking at vintage watches:
Understand the Terminology
Pre-owned watches fall into one of three categories: vintage, contemporary, or discontinued.
To be classified as a true vintage watch, a piece must be at least 30 years old. By contrast, contemporary watches are current-model pieces that are still available from the manufacturer, but this particular piece just happened to have a previous owner. And in the middle are discontinued watches; no longer in production, but now quite old enough to be counted as vintage yet.
No matter which option you choose, buying pre-owned is almost always a greater value than buying retail. But the distinction matters if you’re interested in a genuine vintage watch.
Understand the Complications of a Given Vintage Piece
If you are exclusively interested in a vintage watch, you should be aware that they can sometimes come with complications.
While some high-end luxury pieces were built to keep working almost indefinitely, many will eventually start to show their age. They may be less durable, or require higher degrees of care and maintenance, for instance.
That doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth the investment of course, merely that you should make the effort to learn about vintage luxury watches, and any specific models you have your eye on in particular before you make an investment.
A Vintage Watch Can Be a Great Investment Opportunity
Most pre-owned watched will depreciate in value in the short-term. That lower price is part of what makes them attractive to first-time buyers, after all. But many models will end up bouncing back and increasing in value.
The trade in vintage watches has expanded in recent years, leading to a thriving market of both enthusiasts and speculators. While it can be difficult to predict what piece will become valuable and when, you can reliably count on a vintage luxury piece to at least hold its present value, if not increase in the coming years.
You Can’t Go Wrong with a Classic
Vintage watches present an opportunity to get all of the luxuries of a top-tier timepiece at a bargain. And because true classics never go out of style, you can count on your vintage watch keeping current for years to come.
It’s always worth your time to learn more about the crossroads between form, function, and value. Investing in a vintage watch is just one arena where having that knowledge can benefit you. To learn more about how to always be at the forefront of fashion, be sure to keep current with University of Fashion.
