Watches of Westminster are one of the UK’s Premier vintage watch buyers , we specialise in making selling your vintage watch as easily as possible and totally stress free.
If you are reading this blog your are probably considering the sale of an old / vintage/antique watch.
For many people this is a complicated and nerve wracking experience but selling a vintage watch can be quite simple , you just need to send some decent pictures of your vintage watch ( just one of the front and back ) via our valuation page on this site or even via Whattsapp ( 07768316371- Simon )
Is my watch a vintage watch ??
There are no hard and fast rules on when a watch becomes vintage but the general rule of thumb is around 20 years although I would consider a vintage watch to be at least 30 years old . However certain watch models like the Omega Speedmaster started life in the late 1950’s and are still in production to this day so the watch model could be considered vintage but you could not call a 2018 Omega Speedmaster itself as vintage.
It may well be best to consider the exact watch model rather than when it was made so whilst we only buy vintage watches you will note from my website that there are watches for sale that you may not consider being a vintage watch or a antique watch . The reason is simple in that I buy watches that I like the look of and if they look vintage then I like them !
The watch below is made by Omega and was a special edition for the Montreal Olympics in 1976 !
At the moment I am wearing a 1992 Zodiac GMT which is quartz !. Given that the first quartz/digital came out in the very early 70’s it would be a mistake to say you cant have a quartz/digital vintage watch. The Hewlett Packhard HP01 looks like a modern watch but is in fact 35 years old so definitely a vintage watch
What if my watch is damaged or not running?
The actual condition of vintage watch can actually be enhanced if the vintage watch has some “patina” .
Watch collectors oftentimes prefer a watch that can display signs of its age and that has been worn, especially military watches as this is evidence that the watch was used in active service. Over polishing a watch is likely to lower the value of a watch.
I have seen many watches that have been sent back to the manufacturers for a service and many of the original parts have been renewed and not returned with the watch such as hands and dials. This process ruins the value of the watch and the old parts often get resold !
Often signs of age like a tropical dial ( simply means the dial has lost colour as a result of being in the sun ) or a dial that has been damaged from the radio active effects of the lume can be a benefit to your watch’s possible value . This is simply how the market works. An old watch with a newish looking dial could be a indication of non originality.
A damaged watch that has been badly repaired will lose a lot of value and restored watches are a bit of a no no for collectors. Originality is everything even if the vintage watch looks a bit worn out ,. Its better to have originality over newness or anything else for that matter.
What is considered to be the oldest watch in the world ?
The Pomander watch ( made in Germany ) is credited with being the oldest known watch in the world. There was a specialist panel appointed to determine the age of the watch and they agreed that the watch was manufactured in 1505 by Peter Henlein. Its thought that Peter trained a s locksmith but at some point in his youth he was involved in a fight in which a fellow locksmith was killed. Peter asked to be committed to a asylum which was actually a monastery known for its scientific work. It was during this time he picked up the skill for making clockwork mechanisms.
This is the most famous and most recognizable watch brand in the world. They are also one of the oldest watch brands, ranking in at number 10 on our list. Rolex was founded in London in 1905 and moved to Geneva in 1919. This is a powerful Swiss watch brand that in 2012, posted sales of over $7 billion dollars, and has 2,800 employees. Its famous “crown” logo is known throughout the world.
3 Legendary Vintage Rolex Watches
VINTAGE ROLEX 6084 14KT GOLD CHAMPAGNE DIAL ON RED LEATHER STRAP
Yes, Japanese watchmaker, Seiko traces its history to 1882, although it didn’t make its first clock until 1892 and its first watch until 1924. In 1969, Seiko made news by producing the world’s first quartz watch. Today they are actively involved in sports sponsorships which helps keep them ticking.
SEIKO DX 6106-7729 GOLD PLATED GENTS VINTAGE WATCH
In 1875, this watchmaker was founded by 23-year-old Jules Louis Audemars and 21-year-old Edward Auguste Piguet. Since then, there have been members of the Audemars and Piquet family involved in the company in some fashion. This longevity has led to a consistency of quality many other brands can only hope to emulate. AP is easily one of the most iconic of the oldest watch brands.
AUDEMARS PIGUET CLASSIC DAY-DATE MOONPHASE 18K YELLOW GOLD WATCH
Waltham Watches were produced in Waltham, Massachusetts starting in 1850. The company set up a Swiss affiliate in 1954 that still produces watches today even though the Waltham factory was closed in 1957. The factory building has now been converted into stylish Boston area condos. Abe Lincoln was given a Waltham Watch after his Gettysburg address.
GOLD TONE WALTHAM POCKET WATCH
This watchmaker started this high-end watch producing company in 1839. Famous watches produced included the multi-time-zone “Complication” and the extremely intricate “Calibre 89”. Patek Philippe still produces some of the finest watches on the planet and is always an anticipated participant in Baselworld. Moreover, Patek Philippe is super popular and famous among all generations in the modern day. They’ve done a great job at staying superbly relevant for an old watch brand. It’s hard for newer watch brands to compete with this.
PATEK PHILIPPE 18K YELLOW GOLD VINTAGE WATCH
Although this family’s foray into watchmaking goes back into the mid-1400’s it wasn’t until 1826 that the company’s name was registered by Julien Gallet. Today, the company produces timepieces that use modern technology and style to keep it ticking along.
Founded by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1775, the company is credited with inventing the first wristwatch in 1810. This is a fact that makes Breguet one of the most special of the oldest watch brands. The company has created pieces owned by Marie Antoinette and Bonaparte. Today, the company is privately owned by the Brown Family, and continues to produce fine watches. [Update, Breguet was acquired by Swatch group in 1999]
BREGUET NO 1773 YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC MENS WATCH 5157
Vacheron Constantin is one of the most well run businesses of on this famous oldest watch brand list. It was founded in Geneva in 1755, when Jean-Marc Vacheron, a master watchmaker, began his business. Almost 260 years later, the watchmaker keeps ticking by staying relevant and building world-class quality timepieces. Vacheron is the longest continuously operating watch company in the world.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN 18K YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC VINTAGE WATCH
Favre Leuba watches go all the way back to 1737. This old watch brand stayed in the same family for eight generations. Its troubles began in 1969, when inexpensive quartz watches came on the scene. Classic watches from the company included the Bivouac, a watch with an altimeter, and the Bathy, which was a diving watch. This old watch brand is now being revived.
Blancpain is the OLDEST WATCH BRAND in the world. Founded by Jehan-Jaques Blancpain in 1735, the company built its success by producing a limited amount of watches per year. The company was out of business for a period of time and is now owned by watch giant Swatch.
BLANCPAIN SPLIT SECOND CHRONOGRAPH DIAMOND MOTHER OF PEARL DIAL WATCH
Thanks to reader Frank, for adding Longines to this list! Now owned by Swatch Group (like luxury jeweler Harry Winston), Longines was founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832, in Saint-Imier, Switzerland.
LONGINES WHITE GOLD DIAMOND DIAL VINTAGE WATCH
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