I came across this vintage Certina Waterking online and thought it was a really appealing watch from a much-underappreciated brand. I had every intention of buying this watch after I had completed my research. What a frustrating effort that was! Despite all of the online resources at hand, the history of the Certina Waterking is…Read more
Diving into history: The iconic Rolex Submariner
The Rolex Submariner is often hailed as one of the most iconic watches in the world, and for good reason. It has a blend of robust functionality, timeless design, and history dating back to the early 1950s. All of this has cemented its status as a classic timepiece, desired by vintage watch collectors around the…Read more
Longines Admiral 5 star wristwatch, 1970s
This is a vintage Longines Admiral 5-star automatic wristwatch in excellent condition. The movement is signed with the Longines name, and the serial number dates back to the mid-1970s. Longines is one of the most underrated brands in the vintage watch world. In my opinion, it’s just as deserving of attention as other well-known Swiss…Read more
A guide to vintage watch patina
Over the past few decades, the vintage watch market has seen an interesting shift. According to Christie’s Auction House, the newfound appeal of vintage watch patina is a phenomenon that is here to stay. The appeal for “honest” patina has grown over the last decade. In the years preceding, many collectors were interested in acquiring…Read more
Art Deco, Cyma Watersport wristwatch, 1930s.
This is a classic Art Deco Cyma Watersport wristwatch in 9ct gold dating to 1937. The dial has a nice even patina, with no signs of restoration, which gives no doubt to its originality. The Art Deco Arabic numerals sit inside the outer-minute tracking, which is mirrored in the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock….Read more
Vintage watches, how to spot a redial
If you are buying a vintage watch because it is your passion and you enjoy wearing something visually pleasing on your wrist, this article probably isn’t for you. Buy what you like, and wear it. However, if you are buying a vintage watch as an investment or perhaps both an investment and your passion, then…Read more
Tudor cushion cased watch, 1930s
This particular vintage Tudor cushion cased watch is of great interest to me as it belonged to my great-grandfather, and it dates from the 1930s. The watch was passed to me by an uncle last Christmas, it was in a sorry state. It has since undergone restoration at J.J. Browne & Son, Caterham, Surrey, UK….Read more
Vintage watch condition ratings
If you are starting to visit the multitude of online shops that specialise in vintage watches, you are going to come across the term “condition”. This is where the retailers describe the overall condition of a vintage watch and this does influence the price. There is no standard listing and many retailers provide their own…Read more
Art Deco Omega T17 Tank, 1939
Recently, I have found the appeal of vintage Art Deco style watches to be distracting, to the point where owning one has become the focus of my watch collecting hobby. Art Deco emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the cultural and social outlook of the era. Art Deco design is characterised by its elegant…Read more
The history of watch luminescence
One of the limitations of early watches was that it was impossible to read the time without a reliable light source. In darkness, you would need to strike a match or light a candle to check the time. There were solutions, such as the braille watch or “montre a tact” developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet around…Read more