Vintage watches vary in price from ten dollars on up to over one hundred thousand dollars.  A vintage 1950’s Rolex recently sold an Ebay for $16,500.  I saw several listed at over ten times that amount.  Just because you don’t have a big budget doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the hobby.  Follow the guide below for a more satisfying watch collecting experience.

Where to buy – Vintage watches can be found almost everywhere.  Look in your local free shopper newspaper.  You’ll find them at local estate sales, antique malls, and auctions.  Pawn shops usually have a good selection.  On-line, check Craig’s List, Ebay and sites specializing in vintage watches.  You might consider running an ad in the “wanted to buy” section of you local newspaper’s classifieds.  Be careful, you may be swamped with offers.

Collect what you like – You may be interested in the Civil War or Railroading.  If that’s the case, you may consider collecting pocket watches.  Few people had the means or cared enough about the time to carry a pocket watch during the Civil War, but they were gaining in popularity.

With the expansion of the railroads timekeeping for rail safety became more important.  The American Pocket Watch and specifically Railroad Watches are very collectible.  Popular American Makers were Elgin, Hamilton, and Waltham.

The wristwatch became popular during WWI.  There have been thousands of different types wristwatches made during the Twentieth Century.  Wristwatches continue to be popular today and many are collectible.  You many be fascinated with mechanical watches, automatics, multi-functions or chronographs.  Since we can’t collect everything, choose a niche that interests you and follow that.

Caveat Emptor – (Let the Buyer Be Ware) The most convenient way to find a great selection of vintage watches is on Ebay.  At any given time there are over 15,000 vintage watches listed for sales.  You have to be careful, there are many fakes being offered as genuine.  The last thing you want to do is spend hundreds of dollars on a watch and later find that it is not authentic.  If your interest is in collecting Rolex watches, there are several guides on the Internet detailing how to spot a fake.  If you do decide to buy an expensive timepiece on Ebay choose a seller with at very high feedback rating, like 99.7 – 100%.  Over 1000 positive feedbacks, and A Powerseller.  Read their return policy.  Check the seller’s about me page and ask others on Ebay Forums.  Buy from reputable sellers or dealers.

Do your homework - Study the listing, the description or lack of, and the pictures.  Look for telltale signs that the seller is trying to pull one on you.  Many sellers take lousy pictures, I often wonder if they do that because they don’t know how to use a camera or they post blurry, dim pictures taken far away from the item to hide something. 

Many sellers take only one picture.  When buying a vintage timepiece on the Internet it’s better to have pictures of the case, front, back and sides, the face, and the movement.  This way you can get a better feel for the watches overall condition.  If you feel that you need more pictures, email the seller and ask for them.  Most honest sellers will not have a problem with your request.

Read up on the item you are considering bidding on.  Estimate the fair market value of the watch.  I use an excellent publication “Complete Price Guide to Watches”.  You should be able to find a copy on Amazon or Ebay.  This reference guide has over 1000 pages of information and pictures of pocket and wristwatches with information and recent prices paid at watch collector shows.  You need this information to make an informed buying decision.  This reference has valuable information about the history and technology of timekeeping devices as well. 

Visit websites devoted to horology, the study of timekeeping, to learn more about this interesting hobby.  Go to watch and clock shows.  The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors puts on several shows across the country every year.  They also offer several workshops as well.  Visit their website  for more information.  While you’re at it, join, the NAWCC.  You will receive the “NAWCC Bulletin” published bi-monthly and “The Mart”  both interesting and informative.

Always buy quality - Like collecting anything, the most important thing is quality. 

It is better to have one nice watch in your collection than five beaters. 
Look at it this way.  If your budget for the month is $200 for your watch collection look for that one $200 watch rather than buying five $40 watches.  What good is it to have five watches that don’t work, have missing parts, and have cases with scratches, worn plating, scratched crystals, corroded dials and movements? 

Never pay more than fair market value -You are always better off to pay more for a complete working timepiece with all original parts in fine condition or above.  That being said, study your price guide and don’t pay more than fair market value.  Don’t get caught up in an auction bidding war and end up paying too much.  There will always be another example come up for auction at a later date.

Conclusion – Watch collecting can be fun and enjoyable.  Follow these rules:
- Learn all you can about the hobby.
- Stay within your budget
- Find a niche – buy what you like.
- Buy from reputable dealers
- Always buy quality
- Never pay more than fair market value
- Have fun!

Doug Clark
17jewel