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
Omega Seamaster Reference 165-009, 1962
I have been searching for a vintage Omega Seamaster for a number of months. In my opinion, the Omega Seamaster is a must-have for any serious watch collector. I am looking for a vintage Seamaster, dating from the early 1960s. It should be in very good condition and a reliable timekeeper. I don’t expect the…Read more
Vintage Art Deco watches
In the modern world, there seems to be an abundance of devices that can tell the time, from smartphones and tablets to microwaves and even my washing machine. There seems to be no need today to bother wearing a watch, unless of course, it is a statement of personal style. However, it wasn’t that long ago,…Read more
Omega T17 Tank watch, 1935
Recently, I have been interested in vintage watches that have a distinct Art Deco style. The design is known for its use of geometric forms, vibrant colours and strong contrasts. Bold hues such as gold, silver, black, and red are typical and are often used to create striking visual effects. Overall, Art Deco watches have…Read more