Collecting Vintage Watches

The early 2000s were an important period, spanning a time when mechanical watches had quite rightly retaken their place in the world market. We all may have a digital device in our pocket that is more accurate than a mechanical watch, but a timepiece has soul, personality, and history. The collection in this book is a step into the world of vintage watch collecting, with a range of photographs, intricate research, and accessible reference material that will intrigue both the casual and avid enthusiast. The collection showcases some of the most interesting, luxurious, and functional 20th-century (1930-1980) mechanical timepieces ever to be produced, including Heuer's Autavia, Rolex's Submariner, Gallet's MultiChron, Zenith's De Luca, and the Universal Space Compax.

The authors of this book are neither watchmakers nor specific watch specialists, just dedicated watch collectors. A book for the friends of watches and a guide for the collector or the possible collector-to-be, giving some advice and guidelines, certainly also expressing very subjective opinions. Specific subjects of interest from the multi-facetted mosaic of time, watches and watchmaking as a whole: collecting watches, watches and time, the quartz crisis, the revival of mechanic watches, clocking of watches and the corresponding amplitudes from the pendulum to the atomic clock, adjustment and regulation of a watch, time as a standard unit, changing of the time itself, technical features, magnetism and watches, radium contamination, watch dials, hallmarks, the 'gold rush', things to watch out for when collecting watches and more. Mechanical watches hand wind, mechanical watches automatic, electric watches, electronic watches, quartz controlled electric watches, tuning fork watches, quartz controlled tuning fork watches, quartz watches, watches - radio controlled by an atomic clock. Also including antique- and vintage pocket watches. Over 300 pictures (black and white) of original watches, tools, equipment and others.

An accessible, design-savvy collector's guide to the world of unusual, rare and dazzlingly retro watches. Retro Watches is a popular, accessible collector's guide for anyone who wants to make a statement with the watch they wear, but who wants to choose a timepiece that is very different from the 'classic' and very mainstream watches by the major Swiss brands. It brings together the most intriguing, visually striking and 'out-there' watch designs from little-known but influential watch brands, along with overlooked but brilliant pieces from the major players. One hundred watch models are featured, specially photographed for the book and accompanied by accessible, informative texts discussing the watch's design, its intriguing features, and its rarity and value. The book also dives into the cultural and fashion history of watch design and the many innovations from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

100 Years of Vintage Watches features wristwatches and pocket watches produced from 1870 to 1970. Each listing features a detailed description and accurate pricing information; before-and-after pictures illustrate restoration stages, and photos of near-mint versus the average watch aid in identifying and valuing collections.

'A gorgeously indulgent new coffee-table heavyweight.' - Esquire magazine 'An ode, a love letter, and a paean to family tradition while also being a celebration of the longevity of the Rolex brand, this tome is encyclopedic and monumental in its scope.' - New York Journal of Books For more than a century, Rolex has stood apart as the most legendary brand of watch in the world. Ever the record setter--the Daytona, belonging to actor Paul Newman, was auctioned by Phillips in New York in October 2017 for $17.8 million--it comes as no surprise that Rolex is the most collected watch label in the world. Published to celebrate The Vintage Watch Company's 25th anniversary in 2020, the book contains a unique pictorial collection of vintage Rolex watches that have passed through the shop during the past 25 years. From early Rolex pocket watches to the world's first wristwatches, elegant in their simplicity yet revolutionary in their impact, to the very first Submariners, iconic Daytonas, and jewel-encrusted Crown collections, the mesmerizing archive of vintage timepieces charts the extraordinary rise of an extraordinary brand.

Telling time has never been so stylish. 100 Years of Vintage Watches brings an entire century of classic watch craftsmanship to life with over 1,000 full-color photos. Detailing watches made between 1870 and 1970—the most popular century for watch collectors and aficionados—Dean Judy’s remarkable guide provides information on what and how to collect as well as what to avoid. In addition to large, detailed photos, 100 Years of Vintage Watches offers accurate pricing information, and a description, history, and dating for each of the watches included. Watch collectors will find the before-and-after photos of vintage watch restorations particularly useful, especially when it comes valuing a piece. And who knows, maybe that old watch your grandfather left in his junk drawer is worth thousands. Featuring examples from over 50 watchmakers including renowned Swiss companies like Agassiz, Rolex, Breitling, Cyma, Tissot, and Zodiak as well as American companies like Bulova, Elgin, Hamilton, and Illinois, 100 Years of Vintage Watches is a comprehensive and practical guide to the greatest century of watchmaking in modern history.

The Watch is the most popular book on vintage and contemporary mechanical watches, appealing to both beginners and experts. In the decade since it was published, the international audience of watch lovers and watch collectors has grown exponentially. It’s time for The Watch, Thoroughly Revised. For this new edition, the original author, Gene Stone, is joined by Stephen Pulvirent of Hodinkee.com. Together, they have thoroughly revamped the book to reflect the current state of the watch world, with the addition of new brands, new models, and more focused and nuanced coverage of the traditional brand leaders, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, and TAG Heuer.

Aimed at collectors and investors, this user-friendly guide explains art's value as an asset through comparisons with more familiar investments, including property, shares and gold. It draws on extensive research and interviews with key players in these other markets, as well as the author’s own experience, to clarify the specifics of art as an asset class.

The indispensable guide for investing in luxury watches. Build a watch collection that will not only grow in value but also bring joy on the wrist. According to Bloomberg, multiple luxury watches have outperformed vintage cars, Bitcoin and other crypto currencies in 2022. Market prices for some Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet references have more than doubled over the past two years and auction records keep being set month after month. In the watchmaking industry, knowledge is power and properly navigating this landmine is key to make wise investment decisions. With Invest in Watches: The Art of Watch Collecting you will understand the crucial elements to realize good watch investments by learning what makes a worthy investment, how to properly estimate the value of a watch, how to sell a watch at a profit, what are the costs of owning a watch, how to acquire a watch on a wait list, how to buy at auctions, tips for watch repair and many more including a list of watches (and clocks) to keep on the radar. Not only providing concrete examples of valuable watch investments, Invest in Watches: The Art of Watch Collecting is also a journey in the fascinating world of horology through the eyes of a watch collector whose passion is contagious. Both modern and vintage watches are covered and whether a watch expert or complete beginner, you will discover hundreds of watches to invest in from brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Tag Heuer and many more including independent watchmakers. “Investors who earned big returns in tech stocks and crypto currencies are now looking to pre-owned watches as the next hot asset class”. —Bloomberg "A great read and strongly recommended for those interested in taking their luxury watch collecting to the next level and unpacking the booming trading value of select pieces." —Teddy Baldassarre "Don't ask me which watch to buy, just go get the book!" —Andrea Casalegno, IamCasa "Rarely have I been so enthusiastic about a book. It has a clear and understandable structure and is well researched and prepared. You can feel the passion for watches in every line – on every page – beware of the risk of addiction." —Karl Heinz Nuber, Tourbillon Magazine "This book is the perfect guide for understanding how to invest wisely in watches. It's also simply a lot of fun and super interesting to read for anyone who loves watchmaking." —Alex G, editor of madeinbienne.ch Marc Montagne is a watch industry professional and a collector himself. He founded the Toolwatch.io & WatchAuctionHQ.com apps used by over 150’000 watch enthusiasts around the world. Marc also hosts Repetition Minute, France’s first podcast about watches, gathering tens of thousands of monthly listeners. He is also one of the most popular watch writers on Quora, with over 11 million readers.

The wristwatch is the only jewellery that most men will wear, although many would not want to call it that. A watch may be a practical device for the sole purpose of telling the time as accurately as possible, a complicated machine, a wearable design object, or a status symbol. Some watch wearers, like scuba divers or pilots, rely on their timepieces for safety and survival. Gene Stone's The Watch covers all these things and more. It ranges over the world of watches without prejudice, mixing the old with the new, and the expensive with the economical. It introduces the fifty major brands that any watch collector must be familiar with. Essential wisdom on buying, collecting, maintaining and wearing watches is provided. And an encyclopedic glossary offers a crash course in watch lore. Best of all are the more than 500 photographs of terrific watches, including remarkable details of dials and movements, and selected for their beauty and diversity from collections around the world.