If you are looking for a specialist UK vintage watch buyer Watches Of Westminster are keen to hear from you.
SELL YOUR VINTAGE WATCH TODAY
We specialise in buying vintage watches in any condition , even non runners and will also be happy to buy a whole watch collection.
SELL YOUR VITAGE WATCH TODAY
Most people are deterred by the complexities of selling a vintage watch but we have spent years refining the process to make it as simple and easy as possible.
HOW DO I SELL MY VINTAGE WATCH FROM HOME ?
The process is simple . We just need need a couple of pictures , one of the face and one of the back.
Most vintage watches no longer have their original boxes or papers but if you do have them they will add to the value so a picture of those will greatly help our valuation.
You can send these pictures via the valuation page on the web site or whatsapp/text them to us on
07768316371
So if you are looking for a UK Vintage watch buyer please visit our site.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ?
We will get straight back to you with a written valuation that is only subject to final inspection. If the watch is as described then we do not quibble on the price and never have. If you are happy with our offer we simply need to agree payment and collection.
PAYMENT
We can pay via
PART EXCHANGE ??
YES ! If you have a old watch you want to get rid of or just fancy a change , just take a look at our watches for sale page and see if there is something there you like. If there is we can work out a PX deal.
Here is the link to the sales page . There are circa 100 watches up for sale.
COLLECTION OR POSTAGE
Depending on where you are we can come and collect the watch and make payment there and then . If you prefer a bank transfer we will set you up on our mobile banking service and send you a pre payment of one pound to ensure the will be no snags once we get to you. We can also send you a pre paid postal pack and pay once the watch has arrived ( signed for ) or pre pay via Paypal ( not friends and family )
https://watchesofwestminster.co.uk/shop/
WHAT BRAND OF WATCHES ARE WE LOOKING FOR ??
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES
WHAT BRANDS HAVE WE BOUGHT ?
This is not an exhaustive list , I am always finding new /old brands of watches that are of interest.
A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF HOW WE WORK
This fantastic Omega Constellation was offered to us last year by a lady in Oxford ( who searched for a UK Vintage watch buyer) no box or papers and the watch was running slowly.
We received 3 pictures and gave a quote within 12 hours. That quote was accepted so I drove up to Oxford and we met at their home ( outside in the garden in fact ), following a quick check of the watch I paid the agreed figure using the mobile banking app ( set up as described above ) which went straight through into her bank account. The whole process took 15 minutes !
So if you are looking for a UK vintage watch buyer and want the smoothest service available in the market simply get in touch and we can complete the sale without hassle and quickly.
WoWadmin February 20th, 2021
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Im am not saying you can actually save time if you buy a watch but it will lead to you getting some Zen time in your life .
For the last couple of days I took a break from the watch business and went to help a very old friend (from the early 80’s ) who had a total boiler failure in his grade 2 house . In fact it was not a failure but just a cack handed non completed install but it ended up as a 2 day pipe alteration and radiator hanging exercise.
Fact is my friend is a life long Rolex fan / wearer and even when we were handling big rads he was still wearing his Submariner and I was wearing my Zodiac GMT quartz a watch I have really become attached to. He even gave his Daytona to his son !
Needless to say they were both taken off once the blow lamp came out.
Anyhow during the evening break and after a “few beers ” I just came up with the phrase “Save time , buy a watch ” when I was being asked about how and why I got into the watch business. The why was more about a Ducati dealership I started. The how is much easier to explain.
The first thing I did was a watchmakers course at the Epping Forest School of Horology.
What a great place that was , I loved it . Every Thursday from 6 till 9 and our tutor Richard was just a fascinating guy to listen to and very helpful and super patient.
I also have to say that the people I met on the course were just super nice and decent ie not salespeople ( as much as I know they have to exist ). About 2 thirds of the way through the course I was just getting out of my van to go in and my sister rang me to tell me my very ill father had just died. There’s no greater shock you can have in life but I went into the class and finished it the best I could it just seemed the right thing to do .
The big point is we are all time limited. We all like wearing something interesting ( who didn’t have the Brut bangle back in the 70’s ) ??
Our lady ( clever ) friends have always known the pleasure of wearing something metallic and shiny it goes back to the beginning of person kind .
I love wearing watches and owning them. Once you can understand how they work but more importantly the mind numbing precision that is needed to make them ( easy now in the CNC world of machining ) keep time to 10 seconds or less a day for a hand made ( by eye almost ) collection of cogs the process becomes more complex than the Apollo missions although they were over a shorter period ( dont mention the war ( yes an old joke but I know a vintage watch collector will understand some of the joke ))
So back to my point “Buy a watch save time ” – sounds like something Omegas marketing company would come up with but really / actually most people do or would like to wear a nice watch or just even a watch they were given by a friend or loved one. I was given a Breitling Bentley many years ago and to this day it means as much ( in fact even more ) now as it did then.
A good quality watch will last a lifetime and more. A really good quality watch will never lose its value and will be something you can pass down with history to your kids and whilst they may not understand it now they will later.
Check our watches for sale page
Or if you have a watch to sell simply visit our valuation page.
WoWadmin December 8th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
It’s a good question and there are many answers depending on a number of factors. Most people have got an old watch lying around not always working and generally not of great value ( that quartz Boss watch a girlfriend gave you many years ago was probably a nice thought but just like the girlfriend , any value it had is long gone !
It’s true to say however that 99.9% of people know very little about vintage watches and why would they ? They are not a subject matter most of us need to know about on a day to day basis. until of course you ask yourself the question “how do I sell my vintage watch” or any other type of watch for that matter.
I buy a lot of vintage watches as I am a collector and a retailer and whilst many of you may think selling a vintage watch is difficult I can assure you buying one is even harder until you get the hang of it.
So here are the top 10 ways to sell your vintage watch
Once you have made contact and I have received some details ( a decent picture of the front and back would normally be enough but if you are not tech savvy I can initially work on a description and the name of the brand ie ” it has Longines written on the dial , it was given to me in the 1960s , its a mens watch , I know it is solid gold but when I wind it it does not run “
Watches Of Westminster specialise in making the sale of your watch simple and quick and we can often travel to you for the right watch , meet you in central London or send you a postal pack.
2.Contact one of the large High St watch buying firms such as Watchfinder
https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/
They operate a very slick set up but their overheads are high and the process takes a while ( I have tried it as part of my research for this article. You need to make initial contact , send in details of the watch then have a valuation booked , go to the shop with the watch and then leave the watch with them for a week or so whilst they work on a offer.
I quite often find that when buying watches customers have contacted the High St buyers but found the process too complicated and lengthy so when I offer to come and visit them either at their home or nearby they are very relieved.
In fact I am actually just about to drive 200 miles ( each way ) to collect a watchI have just bought as the buyer was not keen to post.
3. Send your watch to a auction house specialising in vintage watches.
Fellows are one of the well know watch auction houses and they offer a very professional service . I used to buy watches from them when I first started the business but whilst the hammer price seems reasonable you then have to add 24% commission on top which is not great for the buyer and of course depresses income for the seller. The other issue is that you have to again send the watch in and let them assess it. If they are happy with it it will go into the next auction which could be a month or 2 away!
4.Advertise the watch yourself on Chrono 24. This is a large watch selling site but the process can be complicated if you are not used to putting watches on the web and needs some decent photography.You will also need to be able to describe what your watch is and its condition. Its really a site for professionals and they are quite expensive.
5.Ebay
A well known selling web site that sells almost everything and has a lot of vintage watches. You have a choice of putting the watch on as a auction or as fixed price with or without offers. You will need a Ebay account and there are fees to pay. Again you need to know how to present and describe the watch. As it is effectively a anonomous platform and whilst you have the protection of Paypal there are a lot of very clever scammers out there and you need to be very careful when selling high value items. You must follow the rules !
6. Watch fair
There are a number of these in the UK but they are not very frequent. There are a lot of dealers who attend ( Covid permitting ) and they would be happy to give you a valuation
7.Hatton Garden
There are number of shops in Hatton Garden ( central London ) where you can literally just walk in and show them your watch but any you have to leave the watch with them . Most of the shops only deal in high end makes like Patek Philippe so the chances are you will get a low offer if any at all.
8.Watch Forums
The World Wide Web has literally thousands of specialist forums where you can get good advice on your watch .Generally speaking they are a great source of information but of course there is no guarantee that advice is correct !. They do have for sale pages but will will have to join up as a member and again be aware of the less than honest people finding behind that keyboard !
9.Sell to a friend
This may seem strange but most of us wear a watch and more people than you think may be interested in buying the watch. The problem here is that if the watch stops working you will feel obliged to take the watch back. You may also end up selling the watch at the wrong price which could be awkward
10.Gumtree
Another well known selling platform but its really best for low value household items. It does of course suffer from scammers but worse of all it seems to attract people who dont seem to have a grip of reality
WoWadmin December 4th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
The History of the Grana watch and brand is as interesting as it gets ( in the world of watches ) and in many ways typifies the ups and downs of the watch manufacturing industry and why certain brands hold more Kudos than others.
Here at Watches Of Westminster we are passionate about vintage watches
Read about us here ;
H1 A Brief History Of Grana Watches
Above everything Grana watches were always produced with quality in mind and whilst you may not recognise the name now the name Certina may ring a bell as that is the name the Grana brand formed into !
The first inclings of the brand early life started in 1888 in a small town called Grenchen in Switzerland their first premises being a spare room in the family house ( the original working from home concept ! ). With only a few employees ( 3 ) the brothers Adolf and Alfred Fréres quest for originality and quality soon became evident.
The original output of the business was not completed watches , they made movements and various other parts for other manufacturers to add parts and assemble ( a bit like the modern car manufacturing business !
In 1906 the founding brothers manufactured and released their first in house watch and this was also the year the brand name Grana was conceived , the latin name for Gretchen ( being Granacus ) although some of the early watches did haveKurth Feres on the dial as it must have been so much of a temptation to see your name on a watch you have produced. Oddly enough as Hand Wilsdorf found , back in the day the retailers name would often be on the face of the watch rather than the actual maker.
Anyone finding a vintage watch with Kurth Fréres on the dial will have found a rare watch indeed !
H2 Military Watches
Military watches have a practical and interesting history and have always been about tactics and gaining an advantage.
https://manofmany.com/fashion/watches/best-tactical-watches
Come the 1920s and after all of the tribulations of the first world war Alfreds sons Erwin and Hand came to work for the business and in 1924 ( Feb ) the new brand name of Certina was lodged as a trademark.
Its not quite sure exactly how and why the Grana name fully died out but the name Grana was still going strong in the early 1940’s and its a well known fact that the British army commissioned ( amongst many other manufacturers ) a standard WWW ( actually stands for Watch ,Wrist . Waterproof ) watch for the troops and they are now considered some of the finest mass produced watches made at the time . Rugged , accurate, easy to read whilst being shot at . What more could you want from a watch !
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterproof_wristlet_watch
The Grana brand made a number of different types of wrist watch as well as pocket watches.
They were best known for rugged medium sized wrist watches which would literally last a lifetime
Along with their hard wearing well made models Grana also produced more complicated Watches also for the military in the form of black faced chronographs ( you may note that most military watches have black faces and for very practical reasons ie keeping hidden at night ! ).
If youre interested in Grana watches or have one to sell just contact us we love to talk about vintage watches especially Grana .
You may have noticed the Broad arrow on the back of the pocket watch and this denotes that the item is the property of the government ( actually it dates back to when it signified the monarchy and was taken from the arms of the Sydney family who were linked to the Board Of Ordinance or if you take another view the arrow originated from the navy where it denotes upside down anchor ).
Here is a much more interesting and in depth article on the whole subject.
https://manofmany.com/fashion/watches/best-tactical-watches
WoWadmin December 4th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Military watches Grana , Buren , Cyma , Eterna ,JLC , Lemania , Longines , IWC , Omega , Record , Timor and Vertex to name but a few are a fascination for me.
The biggest driving force behind the development of the modern “chronometer” wrist watch as with many useful things we have in our complicated lives is of course money.
Back in the day those who ruled the waves pretty much ruled everything else and that’s why there are few forests left in the UK. They were all chopped down to make gun toting ships that allowed Great Britain to rule the waves. The biggest cost of all of this was the continual loss of ships which ran aground especially at night as they really did not know where they were !
This was solved with the introduction of super accurate clocks ( without pendulums ) created by no not the Swiss but by the British good old Mr Harrison. The father of the accurate timepiece . If you know the time you know where you are .
Oddly enough this is also the whole reason sat navs can work ie super accurate clocks.
Having sorted out their own sinking ships the military then realised that having everyone on your side knowing the same and accurate time was also pretty handy . If everybody attacks at the same time then you can be more effective. If your going to send a 1000 bombers over a target they will all need to have their watches set at the same time ( that’s where the hacking feature comes in ) so they can gather, travel and bomb at the same time.
The history of military watches is a s long and as fascinating as it gets but the most interesting bit is that whilst the watches had to be super accurate they needed to be rugged , long lasting and not too expensive.
It is that quality of military watches that makes then so interesting ie they are “pure “ and functional not too complicated and always carrying a bit of history. Some would say they are the best looking but give me a E type Jaguar over a Willy’s Jeep any day . Having said that I would prefer a XJ8 !
However getting back to the military watches , my favourite military watches stem from WW2 and shortly thereafter and one of the best exponents of these watches are the A-11 military spec watches issued by the Americans not only to their own forces but all of the Allied forces. For many in the ranks this would have been the first timepiece they had and it was a necessary tool in staying alive and in touch. If you don’t arrive at a point on a map by a certain time all sorts of bad things can happen especially if those thousand bombers were planning to bomb where you should not of been at a certain time !
As with the A-11 many military watches were not produced to a particular design but to a rigorous performance specification which had to cater for dust , heat/cold , water/humidity and shock whilst keeping time to plus or minus 30 seconds a day and a power reserve of of 30 to 56 hours between winding. Oh and don’t forget they had to be read in the dark !
The American A-11 is often called the “watch that won the war” and indeed it was the most produced watch of WW2 this fact being a testament to its popularity is however also the reason they are not so collectable .
American A-11
The British army also had a similar process of issuing a specification to manufacturers and then buying in various quantities ( probably depending on price and availability ) and many of these watches were produced in Switzerland who remained neutral. Put this fact together with the decimation of the British watchmaking industry ( lack of materials , being put over to making timers for those bombs etc ) and you may figure out why the Swiss watchmaking sector eventually took over.
The Grana , Buren , Cyma , Eterna ,JLC , Lemania , Longines , IWC , Omega , Record , Timor and Vertex all had the same specifications but were not identical military watches there were minor variations in case sizes but the dials had to stick to a pretty rigid design.
Here is a favourite of mine the Buren military watch.
There’s no doubt this watch has seen many battles and had been worn on a daily basis until recently by the gentleman I bought it from. Unfortunately it was his fathers who I was told wore it on active service but alas was no longer with us.
In common with and long before the Omega Speedmaster all of these watches utilised a internal dust screen comprising of a thin metal plate ( in the middle of the picture ).
The case on this watch is plated brass ( cheaper ) but some utilised stainless steel.
All of the watches utilised a sub dial seconds hand ( a throwback from pocket watches ) as the seconds hands were less prone to getting knocked off as they were much smaller .
Unlike most of the pictures detailing these watches , they were not “shod” with NATO straps as they had not been invented then but by the long forgotten A.F.0210 spec strap which was the forerunner to the NATO nylon strap and these straps are now available as incredibly accurate copies from
If you have anything similar you would like appraised please feel free to contact me.
WoWadmin October 28th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
H1 TUDOR ICONICS MODELS
VINTAGE TUDOR SUBMARINERS NOT JUST ANOTHER COLLECTABLE WATCH (H2)
I often find myself explaining to people ( when being asked if I know something specific about a watch or vintage watch ) that “ if you spent every day of your life studying watches by the time you retired you would not know half of it “ and I think I am about right. Vintage Tudor Submariners are however a interesting and manageable subject as is the general topic of vintage Tudor watches.
Having spent the last five years buying vintage watches and quite a few vintage Tudor Submariners , I have had to spend a lot of time researching all brands of watches and even today I am being sent details of watches of which I have never heard of and I have no doubt that this will carry on for the rest of my career.
Ask me about the Tudor brand and I would actually know a fair/little bit as it has a close association to Rolex and stands for the same qualities and indeed is just as collectable.
Tudor were just one of many brands that Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf came up with in the early 20th century whilst he was working up his great empire in London and was intended to be a less expensive version of his new Rolex brand which was the premium range.
His actual quote was
“For some years now, I have been considering the idea of making a watch that our agents could sell at a more modest price than our Rolex watches, and yet one that would attain the standard of dependability for which Rolex is famous. I decided to form a separate company, with the object of making and marketing this new watch. It is called the TUDOR watch company.” – H. Wilsdorf
Now having spent his early career in sales Hans was good at marketing ( he was not a watchmaker ) and knew that high quality watches would always sell but that the majority of the watch buying public could not afford high end watches.
EXPERIMENTING WITH BRAND NAMES FROM ROLEX (H2) (links to one page from your website)
Hans experimented with many names including Omigra which was soon abandoned the penny having dropped in relation to Omega but I suspect he was trying to steal some of the kudos attached to the long established Omega brand.
The now world famous Rolex name was nearly “Rolexis” which may seem odd now but maybe not at the time and certainly not when you are experimenting with a brand new for a new watch brand.
It is true to say that the Swiss watchmaking industry is littered with once great brand that have died out ( many to be resurrected to have their names placed on watches of somewhat dubious origin ) and even more not so great brands that hopefully will never see the light of day or for that matter the shine of lume.
MARCONI
Of all the brands that did not quite make it Marconi is one of the more interesting as Hans used the name from the Nobel prize winning inventor/developer of wireless transmission. There was a lot going in the early 1900’s especially in terms of innovation and invention and plenty of the new techniques in manufacturing were being applied to watchmaking quickly bringing down the cost of good quality time pieces.
As mentioned earlier the key difference between the various and now abandoned brand names and the Tudor name was that Hans Wilsdorf kept a close association between the Tudor and Rolex brand. The Tudor Submariner proudly boasts on the case back “ORIGINAL OYSTER CASE BY ROLEX GENEVE “ whilst on the inside it clearly states it is a Tudor and of course the movement is in house.
Hans Wilsdorf was effectively trying to sell the Tudor as a lower cost option to the Rolex but retaining many of the more important qualities ie as long as the watch was as rugged as a Rolex and just as waterproof ( same Oyster case ) so what if it was a few seconds a day faster or slower !. The digital age would put pay to all of that argument.
The 7928 was not the first Tudor diving watch , this was the 7922 launched in 1954 and developed in association with the French Navy ( probably because their ships kept sinking ! ). It followed one year after the Rolex Submariner and was cheaper but I am sure you will agree it has all of the allure !
Tudor 7922
In 1958 the Tudor submariner 7924 was released affectionately nick named “big crown” this as you would guess refers to the larger than normal 8mm diameter winding crown ( not that you were expected to wind it under water !! ).
The Tudor 7922 and the model 7924 are distinctive in that they do not have the crown guards and as these watches were “tool” watches ie primarily designed to perform a function , catching the winding crown on something solid at 200m depth was somewhat inconvenient as that could mark the end of your possibly very expensive dive and your watch.
1964 saw the introduction of the Tudor Submariner 7928 and here are some pictures of my current daily wearer recently purchased from its last caring owner who had alas been persuaded by his kids to spend a small fortune on a puppy !
Tudor 7928
The first thing that strikes you with this vintage Tudor Submariners ( and this one is no different ) is the almost black lume which is normal . I was in fact offered another identical watch today with the same colour lume ! . I am just waiting for a phone call back to see if the offer is accepted or its down to the dogs home .
Caseback
9315 bracelet with 380 end links + movement
Clasp
Although the watch came with a “recent service” I have not done anything to the watch as yet and you will see it has had plenty of use. The strap however was something I had “in the collection” and from what I can read on the various expert web sites this is the correct model number (9315 with 380 end links ) if a bit grubby but then I do like vintage cars and houses as well .
Tudor’s History have some great pictures and text relating to their own story
I am always keen to buy vintage Tudor watches so please feel free to contact me via the Watches Of Westminster web site especially in regards to Vintage Tudor Submariners.
WoWadmin October 28th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Just above is a picture of 10 of my favourite watches which I wear on a regular basis . They are not all stock watches on the Watches Of Westminster site , they are my personal watches and I thought I would share them with visitors to the web site rather than leave them hidden away.
I’ll start at the top left with one of the most recognisable watches being the Omega Speedmaster Professional ref 145022 76 ST the serial dating it to 1975.
I actually bought this through a wanted ad in Gumtree and for a reasonable price.
It does however have a strange smear slightly fading the left hand side of the script “Omega Speedmaster Professional” and when it arrived one of the pushers was totally seized. Otherwise the Speedie just needed a good service.
The Type B2.861 movement is present and correct and running nicely after its service.
I’ve been wearing the Speedie most of the week and it does sit very well on the wrist as its not a big heavy watch . The Speedmaster is definitely a every fay watch with huge character. Add its history and you have one of the most collectable watches at a affordable price.
Next up is a Pulsar Quartz Chronometer which was a Nato issue watch I believe to the RAF and looking at the serial numbers it was issued in 2008.
As you would expect it keeps perfect time and with its 39mm case it is not too small and not too large.
It times to one tenth of a second but for some reason the minute counter does not reset to zero. Its not a expensive watch and I tend to wear it when Im out and about doing other things not related to watches and which might end up damaging the watch ( I have many other interests ! )
Heres an intersting web site with more information
https://anordain.com/blogs/news/100-years-of-british-military-watches-part-3
It has a lot of useful information on British military watches and as we have a couple on the web site take a look at this rare Jaeger LeCoultre
Next up on my list of 10 favourite watches is a particular favourite of mine and whilst I don’t wear it too often ( for reasons that will be obvious ) when I do Its a real treat.
As you will see its a marriage watch that I put together about a year ago . After buying a Omega marriage watch a few years back I thought I would have a go at ” creation “. I had started to buy pocket watch movements on Ebay if I liked the dial.
This to my mind is a very nice silvered dial and with the case it weigss in at a very healthy 47.5mm diameter but you may have noticed by now that there is no crown . Well there is a way round that !
You just need to pop off the crystal back and wind it with a key just like in the old days !
Its not a high grade movement , its not a high grade anything but with the suede leather strap I really do enjoy wearing it and it makes a really pleasant ticking noise you can hear from across the room.
MY FOURTH FAVOURITE WATCH
I bought this from a dealer at a good price and I had never seen one before . I actually bought 2 from him and kept this for myself . The Lemania Elvestrom has a long and interesting history and Paul Elvestrom was a Danish yachtsman who won multiple Olympic gold medals and many world titles on top.
There were many different models of this watch including a titanium version and movement was used by Omega. The basis of the design is that on pushing the timer button the five discs turn blue and then every 2 minutes the discs turn red so you have a 10 minute timer.
This is pretty handy when you are bouncing around on the deck of a racing yacht and need a very quick visual reference as to when to tack.
If you want to know more on the timeline of this favourite watch take a look at this link.
http://www.regatta-yachttimers.com/brands/lemania/
My 5th Favourite watch
The good old “hummer” known as this because if you put the watch to your ear you can literally hear it humming and it is certainly close to the top of my 10 favourite watches
The watch contains a unique movement in many ways and its very accurate ( one minute a month i.e. 2 seconds a day ! )
The watch is effectively a electro mechanical device and was the worlds first fully electronic watch ( the mechanical bit being the drive to the hands.
A electronic oscillator turns power on and off to the 2 wound copper coils and these in turn drive the mechanical section of the watch at 360 times per second .
Being very accurate it even found its way to the moon as a cockpit instrument in the Apollo lunar missions ( you would be surprised how many watches actually went into space ! )
This is the space view model which was only actually produced to be displayed in dealers shop fronts but after a lot of customers asked to buy the demonstration watch Bulova then made many versions of the space view and have recently come out with a fascinating new model concept model which is run with a electrostatic motor the power being generated in a similar way to a automatic watch.
The Vintage space view watches can be picked up for between £400 and £1100 and its pretty much up to you which model you go for.
Ive put in the middle of my 10 favourite watches as I’ll wear it for a week and then put it away for about a month .
Im going to put the next five on the next blog !
WoWadmin May 6th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches, Sell My Watch, Sell my watch during Covid, Watches For Sale
Watches Of Westminster have linked up with JTM watches in Japan to help our respective customers buy and sell directly between the 2 great watch loving countries so if you are in Japan and need some help and advice in the UK regarding modern or vintage watches or vice versa just get in touch.
There are some considerable differences in the 2 watch markets and there are may more models available in one country rather than another.
If you are after a rare watch in Europe it may well be readily available in Japan so its always worth a visit to JTM.
Steve is the founder and owner of JTM and has provided the following information about his business .
Tell us a little about your background?
I came to Japan back in 2002 to work as an English teacher. I got interested in watches around 10 years ago and started a collection based exclusively on Japanese domestic market watches. That includes mostly Seikos of course, but also watches from a wide range of brands who have released watches only for sale in Japan over the years.
Why did you start JTM watches?
Originally it started as a way of selling my own watches without listing them on Auction sites like Ebay and losing out to their high fees. As time passed, return customers started to ask me if I could get watches for them, and I have slowly built up a small, but loyal clientele. Building up a relationship of trust with customers, especially when dealing with used and vintage watches is key as you well know.
What differentiates JTM from the competition?
We specialize in exceptionally rare and limited Japanese domestic market watches aimed at serious collectors. Most of the watches we sell are simply not for sale anywhere else. Take the Hajime Asaoka “Kurono Tokyo” or the Grand Seiko AJHH limited edition snowflake for example that we currently have listed. It’s the niche watches like these that we are in the unique position to be able to source and provide at a competitive price.
What is the future of JTM?
Just to keep sourcing the hard-to-find JDM models and listing them on www.jtmwatches.com. I will also be adding new content to our Youtube channel when I get the free time. It’s a great way for me to showcase our inventory and share knowledge with the online watch community.
You can email Steve here: jtmwatches@protonmail.com
His Instagram handle is @Jtmwatches
WoWadmin April 29th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: buy a watch from Japan, buy Japanese watches, Japan Watches, olympic speedmaster, rare seiko watches, seiko watches, sell my seiko, watch dealers japan, watches in Japan
If you want to sell Your Vintage Watches Or Modern Watches during The Covid Lockdown then it could not be any simpler than contacting us.
At Watches Of Westminster we specialise in buying vintage and modern watches from around the world.
If you want to sell your modern or vintage watch simply contact us via the free valuation page or simply give us a call on 07768316371. You can even send us pictures of your watch via Whattsapp or text messaging.
We just need some decent pictures of the watch and any information you have in terms of boxes and papers . It really is that simple, we ensure it is !
Once the sale is agreed we can send you a free postal pack so all you need to do is post the watch to us.
We can pay you on receipt of the watch or via Paypal before you send it. Depending on where you are we can even pick the watch up whilst adhering to the social distancing rules ( permitted by government rules) and pay by any means you prefer.
If you are thinking of changing your modern or vintage watch we can also offer the same service for Part Exchange watches.
Take a look at our website we have over 100 vintage and modern watches for sale and feel free to call us at any time to discuss and modern or vintage watch you want to buy or sell.
WoWadmin April 24th, 2020
Posted In: Lockdown, Second Hand Omega, Second Hand Rolex, Second Hand Watches, Sell My Watch, Sell my watch during Covid, Watches For Sale
Tags: Second hand Rolex, second hand watches, see my watch, Sell my heuer, Sell my old watch, sell my rolex, sell my rolex hatton garden, sell my rolex today, Sell my vintage watch by post, sell my watch, sell my watch Devon, sell my watch during Covid, sell my watch during lockdown, Sell my watch from home, Sell my watch London, sell watch
We buy broken watches !
Most of us have a old broken watches sitting in the back of a drawer or that was left to us by a relative. Like most things mechanical however watches need to be serviced and repaired and unfortunately this is not a inexpensive process . For most cheap watches the cost of repair is simply more than the value of the watch ( unless it has sentimental value ) but there are plenty watches around that are worth repairing but quite often the cost of repair ( £600 for a decent service on a high end watch ) is not something a owner will want to fork out.
At Watches Of Westminster however we have a in house watchmaker who loves the challenge of getting a watch running properly so sell us your broken watch and we will give it a good home .
Having done the first year of a watchmakers course believe me mending watches is a very tricky job which does explain why its a rather expensive process. I went to the Epping Forest Horology centre and vey much enjoyed my course so if you fancy a go check this link out
If you want to move your watch on to a good home then contact us with a couple of decent pictures ( front or back ) and we can give you a fast valuation and either pick the watch up or arrange a free postal package so you can post the watch to us.
You can go to our valuation page or just send the pictures direct to me on 07768316371 via text or Whattsapp and you will get a fast response. No need for a visit and a wait, it can all be done remotely.
Even if your watch is missing parts such as the glass or winder it can be repaired and we are keen to repair it .
We have bought hundreds of watches this way and have proven track record in keeping customers happy.
Your broken watch could be worth more than you think so get in touch with us and we can complete the whole process quicker than you think.
We buy broken watches from around the world so don’t be put off if you are abroad.
Find out more about us here
https://watchesofwestminster.co.uk/wp-admin/post.php?post=157&action=edit
WoWadmin April 23rd, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: broken watch, sell my broken Breitling, sell my broken omega, sell my broken watch, Sell my heuer, Sell my old watch, sell my rolex, sell my rolex hatton garden, Sell my vintage watch by post, sell my watch, Sell my watch London, sell watch, what is my broken watch worth
Second Hand Omega Speedmaster Professional
The Omega watch company have been in existence since 1848 and have built up a very fine reputation throughout the world for high quality watches.
Some of the history of the Omega watch includes:
Today watches are not only an item to be worn for the practical purpose of telling the time but they have become so much more than that. Quality watches are now a fashion accessory and are now regarded as a status symbol giving some perceived indication of the wearer’s style and wealth.
The watch brands, models, material used in the construction, exclusivity of the watch, reputation, age and the movement all contribute to establishing if a watch will appreciate in value in the coming years.
Throughout Omega’s watch making history, their main competitor has been Rolex and although Rolex watches are highly desirable and collectable, they generally have a different set of clients; maybe younger with a not so ostentatious look. Omega has in the last 50 years focused a huge amount of its attention on the branding and marketing of their watches using high profile celebrities to promote their watches worldwide.
Omega is, without a doubt, a very fine luxury watch brand that originated in Switzerland and is now owned by Swatch. Their watches are highly regarded in the watch and collectors market place and if you are sensible with your choice after doing some research, then you will have a purchased a luxury watch that will appreciate in value year on year.
Omega Seamaster
Omega watches are a well-respected and high quality stylish timepiece brand that over the years has moved with the times developing its range but not compromising in anyway on its quality and desirability.
In order for the purchase of an Omega watch to be a sound investment, it is important to understand that if you are purchasing a new watch from a retail showroom, the value of the watch will disintegrate immediately. This is not a poor reflection on Omega watches but it is just the norm on generally all watch sales. Vintage watches are where you will earn your money. Firstly before you purchase a vintage Omega watch, do your research. An original vintage Omega watch is what all self-respecting watch collectors are looking for. Along with the watches original box and papers and the watch being in good condition. These are all the hallmarks of a solid investment.
Here at Watches of Westminster, we specialise in Vintage watches of all brands and have a number of vintage Omegas for sale. Feel free to browse our second hand and vintage watch sales page and if you have a watch to sell or Part Exchange just get in contact.
WoWadmin April 23rd, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Omega
Tags: Buy my watch Dorset, Buy my watch fast, Buy my watch Hampshire, Buy my watch London, Buy my watch Muswell Hill, second hand watches, Sell my heuer, sell my rolex hatton garden, Sell my vintage watch by post, sell my watch, Sell my watch from home, Sell my watch London, Where can I sell my watch
You can sell your vintage/modern watch today without moving home !
Whether your stuck at home or just don’t want the hassle of travelling , Watches Of Westminster offer a totally remote watch buying service.
Al you need to do is send us some decent pictures of your watch ( front and back ) via our valuation page of our website or by text or Whattsapp to 07768316371.
We will give you a fast and fair valuation and once agreed we can then send you a pre paid postal pack. We recommend this is via Royal Mail Special delivery which is tracked and signed for. We can also arrange collection but this will depend on where you are and the value of the watch.
We can pay you up front via Paypal ( it’s very simple to set up a account ) or via bank transfer as soon as the watch arrives. If we are able to collect the watch we can also pay cash or by bank transfer ( we normally send £1 initially just to ensure the funds transfer without any issues once we arrive )
We have carried out this process may hundreds of times and it has always gone smoothly with happy customers.
We are open 7 days a week and are looking forward to your contact. If your not too sure about uploading pictures then just give us a call to run through the process.
WoWadmin April 23rd, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Buy my watch Dorset, Buy my watch Essex, Buy my watch fast, Buy my watch Hampshire, Buy my watch London, Buy my watch Muswell Hill, Buy my watch North London, buy vintage watches london, By my watch, postal watch buying, Sell my old watch, Sell my vintage watch by post, sell my watch, Sell my watch from home, Watch buying by post
If you live anywhere between Devon and London ( a route I often travel for work purposes) ie Devon , Dorset , Hampshire and South/West London and you want to ” Sell my Vintage Watch” simply go to our valuation page.
Send us some decent pictures and a description and we can give you a same day valuation.
If you prefer you can simply send me some images by text or Whattsapp on 07768316371 and I can get straight back to you.
Any valuation will be subject to seeing the vintage watch you want to sell but the valuation rarely changes once the watch has been inspected.
The whole inspection process takes no more than 10/15 minutes and you can be paid by bank transfer , cash or Paypal. We can even send you postal pack.
It really is as simple as that and a process we have carried out almost a thousand times since 2015.
We love buying vintage watches check this article
If you have a Rolex , Omega , Breitling , Cartier ,Jaeger LeCoultre , Longines ,Breguet , Vacheron Constantin , Tudor, Patek Philippe , Rado , Tissot , Universal Geneve , Elgin , Enicar , Gruen , Heuer , Lemania , Nivada , Wittnauer , Yema , Bulova , Panerai, Blancpain , Girard Perregaux , Doxa or indeed any similar brand then we are interested in making you an offer.
Vintage generally means anything up to the mid 80’s but we also buy high end modern watches , early digital watches and any military issued watches. Selling your vintage watch has never been easier.
Watch memorabilia and old stock can also be of interest including old shop window displays . In fact anything connected to vintage watches is of interest.
Contact us now and you will be surprised how quickly things can be completed even if getting around is difficult for you .
WE specialise is making selling your vintage watch as simple as possible and if you feel nervous about meeting up we are more than happy to pay you via PayPal which is a very safe means of payment. Here is an article on it.
https://www.thebalance.com/is-paypal-safe-315818
Find out more about us at our home page
WoWadmin April 22nd, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Buy my vintage watch, Buy my watch Devon, Buy my watch Dorset, Buy my watch Hampshire, Sell my vintage watch, Sell my vintage watch by post, Sell my vintage watch from home, Vintage watch sales Devon, Where can I sell my watch
Times are going to get tough and that is for sure , I have been through 3 recessions and this is my 4th but now is the time to invest in vintage watches.
Luckily I stopped investing in the stock market on the second crash ( not black Weds ) and have not even thought about buying shares since , they are simply too volatile and frankly the returns are too low ( and taxed ) and a lot of smart and fast computers are going to take the big profits at your cost..
Property has always been a good investment for me ( being a Chartered Surveyor handy with tools helps ) but when in 2015 I started buying vintage watches I really have not looked back.
I don’t know anybody who has not made a decent margin on vintage watches ( and a number of new ones ) and if they are personal watches i.e. you are not engaged in a business theres no tax to pay of any sort.
This is an excerpt from the government website….
Possessions with a limited lifespan
You don’t have to pay Capital Gains Tax on personal possessions with a lifespan of less than 50 years. This covers all machinery, and includes things like antique clocks or watches.
Hmm I don’t know of any watch that won’t last 50 years but HMRC sets the rules !
Now the tricky part comes when you come to actually invest i.e. buy a vintage watch !
My best advice is to go to a well known auction house like Fellows. I used to buy from there in the early years and my watchmaker still does but then he tends to go for the cheaper watches i.e. up to £1,000 and needing work which of course he does for free !
If you have done your research and have built up a good knowledge of a particular brand or model then Ebay is always worth looking at and I have bought a few watches on Ebay but the margins are not so good but you do have the protection of Paypal !
You may be asking yourself at this point why Im not suggesting you buy from me when you invest in vintage watches .
You are more than welcome to and I offer better than high street prices and supply a warranty and certificate of authenticity but if you want the thrill of the chase and a bit of a hobby then there’s a massive world of vintage watches out there to explore but as ever profit is the reward for risk !
I would also generally steer clear of the more expensive watches i.e. over £5k as at this level they become of interest to the high end fakers ( The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Rolex Sub Kermit are very well faked and numerous ) and believe me there are many out there so always buy watches you personally like when you invest in vintage watches as you will build up a knowledge of them and you get to wear your watches and really enjoy your investment.
Im currently writing this blog wearing my Bulova Accutron which I absolutely love wearing , its a nice light watch and has a fascinating technical history. Put it to your ear and it sounds totally unique which is why they are called “hummers”.
I think they are quite undervalued but of course once they stop working repair is not so simple !
The bottom line is that if you like watches and want to invest , watches are a perfect solution . I have 5 classic cars but as much as I love them they do take a lot of maintenance luckily which I do myself but in terms of long term “profit” they don’t work so well.
Watches do !!
WoWadmin April 11th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Best investment, I love vintage watches, invest in watches, tax free investment, tax free watch investment, vintage watch investment, why invest in watches
If you have ever wondered “What is my vintage watch worth ?” then read this article and get into contact with us.
I love buying vintage watches and every purchase is a little bit of a triumph filled with excitement and some trepidation and then the pleasure of giving a fantastic bit of history a new life ( after a clean and service ).
Whats your vintage watch worth ? I’m afraid the answer to that is anywhere between nothing and hundreds of thousands. There really is that much variation in the prices and valuing watches is not always an exact science.
I will often pay a bit more for watches I “want” to have in stock simply for the pleasure of owning them.
Of course if you have a well known brand and model a quick check on the net will give you the asking prices but there is a big difference between asking , selling and trade and then that is all qualified by the condition of the watch. A nice vintage Submariners value can be halved if later hands and dials have been fitted.
Original boxes and papers will also add a significant sum to the value especially for sought after models. Any interesting documented history will also help. Picture of your grandfather wearing his watch whilst storming the beaches really does excite collectors and me . Inscriptions on the back generally hurt values but not if it relates to a historic moment or person.
What is my vintage watch worth ?
Can you sell it today ?
Yes you can !
Unlike the “big” firms who want you to book a meeting and travel to them only to find you have to leave them the watch for 2 weeks , We have a policy of a fast turnaround and personal to your door service whenever possible. If you can give me good quality pictures of your watch in the morning I can get funds to you via Paypal that same day. If your not too far away we can often meet the same day and I can pay by mobile phone banking or with cash.
It is really that simple just check out the valuation page on our web site or Whattsapp me ( Simon) on 07768316371. I am the owner of the business and I love buying watches !
Find out more about us here
The value of vintage watches can vary widely even for the same model. What most people dont understand is that originality is everything including the strap . Unlike classic cars its not recommended to add lots of new parts to vintage watches unless of course they are need to get the watch functioning.
The Buren watch shown above is very well worn but its value would not be helped if it was restored .What Is My Vintage Watch Worth is therefore a very complex question. Take a look at the link below.
WoWadmin March 20th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: buy tudor, buy vintage watches london, sell my rolex, sell my tudor, sell my watch, sell watch, value my tudor, value my watch, vintage watch, what is my watch, whats my watch worth
Here at Watches Of Westminster we are always seeking to buy interesting vintage watches and we specialise in fast completion with Payment in Cash , Bank Transfer , Paypal or even a Part Exchange for one of our stock watches of which we have over 140 so if you want to sell your vintage watched the rest of this article. We buy Vintage Watches 24/7 !
If you have a vintage watch to sell visit our valuation page
We make a point of ensuring the sale process is a fast and simple for the seller and we can either travel to you or meet you at a public pre agreed location.
If travelling is an issue then Paypal is always a option and we are happy to pay the fees .Vintage watches bought is our catchphrase.
Just contact us through the web site and send some decent close up pictures of the front and back or if you prefer contact us via Whattsapp 07768316371.
The watch does not even need to be working or in good condition / completes we love rescuing watches that most people think are at the end of their life.
Watches with a interesting history are always a bonus ! We buy Vintage Watches for a living and love doing it.
Heres a nice Omega we have just part exchanged.
A Omega Speedmaster , my favourite watch !
Having the right watch strap is always important for your vintage watch most of which will have long lost their original strap and the good news is that there are plenty of companies out there making great replicas , much better than the originals
We buy from this firm
https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com
If you need any advice or have questions on how to best sell your vintage watch to Watches Of Westminster simply contact us at the link below and we will be able to answer any of your queries.
WoWadmin March 20th, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Buy my watch fast, fast cash, heuer vintage watches, pawn my omega, Sell my heuer, sell my rolex, sell my watch, Sell my watch London, vintage watch pawn, vintage watch repair
I am the owner of Watches Of Westminster please read the about me Section on my website. I really do like buying and selling watches especially vintage models/ old watches anything up to late 90s ) even more so when they need some rescue / repair . Its not about the money ( thats a very long story ) and you do meet the most interesting people / customers in this business .
Sadly the most prominent company in this market Austin Kaye the cornerstone of vintage / high end watch retailing for over 60 years sadly closed their shop on the Strand central London. So many people ( even me ) have now have to forgo that lunchtime browse of gorgeous want to have watches ( I even went into the shop last year and nearly bought a Speedie at retail !!)
If your heading to London and want to look at a few of my watches just let me know and I would be happy to meet you at your hotel or any other (public ) location to suit in or around London and talk watches especially if that include a PX. Old watches are a passion for me.
Its just what I do and it is for the fun of it
WoWadmin February 22nd, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: pawn my watch for free, sell my datejust, sell my gmt, sell my rolex, sell my rolex hatton garden, sell my rolex london, sell my rolex near me, sell my rolex today, sell my rolex turnograph, sell my submariner, sell my vintage watch today, watch buyers muswell hill, watch shop north london, whats my rolex worth
We specialise in buying Rolex GMT watches and we pride ourselves in doing it quickly and professionally so if you want to sell your Rolex GMT today just contact us via our valuation page
As part of our service we will travel to you and pay via Bank Transfer , Paypal or even cash or we can meet you in a neutral location and again pay via cash or pre arranged bank transfer ( you will need mobile banking ).
We also realise people just like to change their watches ( perhaps for something vintage ) so we also offer a part exchange service.
We don’t mind if the watch is missing its box and papers or even not working as part of our service comprises a evaluation of the watch in front of you during our meeting.
Whether you have a modern or vintage GMT we are interested just contact us via the website or simply call us on 07768316371 at anytime for a chat.
There are many models of GMT starting in 1954 with the 6542 followed by the 1675 and in the early 1960’s , the 16750 came along in 1981. The 16700 and 16710 appeared in 1989 and the later models were named the 116710LN and 116713LN. There a huge range of variations on these models and of course its one of the most copied watches in the world ( something that only experts can determine) so if you need to sell your watch or just have it checked out just get in contact and we will get straight back to you.
Here is a very interesting article on the Rolex GMT
https://www.fratellowatches.com/fasten-your-seatbelts-rolex-gmt-master-history/#gref
The cost of servicing these and indeed any Rolex tool watch is now becoming very expensive especially if any refurbishment is needed so if you were thinking of selling your Rolex GMT its not always a good idea to get it serviced first !
WoWadmin February 1st, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Seel Rolex London, sell my rolex, sell my rolex gmt, Vintage Rolex GMT, whats my GMT worth
We specialise in buying vintage watches that are in need of some TLC. so if you have a broken vintage watch please let us know.
A broken vintage watch has often been left in the back of a drawer or handed down through the family but have not been serviced for many years or are in need of repair.
Sometimes these watches do make it to the local repair shop who can’t repair them ( watchmaking is a dying art ) or they ( the so called watch repairers ) simply want to send them away for a very expensive overhaul. This can often cost as much as the watch is worth and quite often the watches value is ruined by the original hands or dial being changed ( DONT DO IT !! ).
We are happy to look at any interesting or high end vintage watch you have in any condition even if not running as we love rescuing once great time pieces and giving them a new home.
We can also look at your old watch and PX it against one of our more modern watches or even a newly serviced vintage watch. Theres nothing we won’t consider. Just contact us via the web site or even call us on 07768316371 and ask for Simon.
This is an interesting watch I recently bought from my watchmaker ( he is great at vintage watch repairs ) ! he had to change the glass and free up the bezel but other than that its now become my daily wearer and is in effect a rescued broken vintage watch. Yes even quartz watches can be vintage and asI forget to wind my watches up wearing this watch is not a problem.
Not all broken vintage watches can be repaired as many of the parts are not available ( Rolex will not stock or sell parts ) so its often a waiting game until the parts come up normally on Ebay.
WoWadmin January 21st, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: Buy my watch Dorset, Buy my watch fast, Buy my watch Hampshire, Buy my watch London, buy tudor, buy vintage watches london, PX my watch, second hand watches, Sell my heuer, Sell my old watch, sell my rolex hatton garden, sell my rolex today, sell my watch, Sell my watch from home, Sell my watch London, sell watch, vintage watch pawn, vintage watch repair, Where can I sell my watch
At Watches Of Westminster we pride ourselves on our fast and personal service.
Unlike all other watch buyers we will travel to you for the right watch and can meet you at your bank to arrange a transfer or we can by prior arrangement pay cash or even by Paypal if you live a great distance from us .
We can inspect the watch when we meet and then and confirm our valuation and make price and payment.It is very rare that having seen a watch our valuation changes in fact , I cant remember the last time that happened other than when I met a chap with a watch that was working when he left home ( and I believed him ) but just didn’t want to run when we met. In the end I could see that the watch was just needing a good service and was vey gummed up inside so there was no problem in completing the deal.Just below is the watch I bought and I even drove 200 miles to pick it up as the seller preferred p
British army watch
Some good quality pictures are usually all we need although our valuations are based on being able to inspect the watch at a place of your convenience. We travel all over the UK.
Here are some pictures of watches we have recently purchased , if you have anything similar please let us know by visiting the web site or simply calling us on 07768316371 and ask for Simon.
Theres no risk and no obligation !
Grana watch
WoWadmin January 21st, 2020
Posted In: Second Hand Watches
Tags: 1946 Rolex, 321, buy my rolex, Buy my watch fast, Buy my watch London, cash for gold watch, fast cash, heuer vintage watches, Original watch, quick watch sale, sell my rolex, sell my watch, Speedmaster Professional, watch buyers london
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