Vintage watches carry decades of history, and that's much of their charm. It also means more to check before you buy. These are the questions worth asking.
Is it original?
Ask whether the dial, hands, bezel and crown are original to the watch, or have been replaced during servicing. Replacement parts aren't necessarily a problem, but they affect desirability and value, and a seller should tell you.
Has it been serviced or polished?
Ask when the watch was last serviced and by whom, and whether the case has been polished. Heavy polishing softens a case's original lines, and many collectors prefer an unpolished case even with some marks.
Is there any provenance?
Original papers, receipts, service records or an archive extract from the manufacturer all add confidence and history. Many vintage watches have lost their papers over the years; that needn't rule one out, but it makes the watch itself, and the seller, more important.
Can you see it first?
Wherever possible, see the watch in person or ask for detailed photographs and a video. Buy from a seller who describes condition honestly and offers clear terms. Before we buy or consign any watch, we check it against The Watch Register, the international database of lost and stolen watches.
Browse the vintage pieces in our shop, from a 1959 GMT-Master to a 1965 Speedmaster, or tell us what you're looking for.
