I have a weird feeling watch collecting/repairing will increase in popularity in the near future? Along with an increase in prices? These brands I mention below, except Orvis, can be bought on eBay for under a hundred dollars. Most of the time they just need a service, or a new stem?
Names like Benrus, Elgin, Orvis, Oris, Hellbros, and a buch of ETA movements, with obscure names, are great watches, and one day just might become more collectable than they are presently?
These mechanical watches were worn by the working man. They all had great movements. I repair watches, and I can't tell the difference in quality between Rolex movements and most Benrus Movements on the older models.
Once you have a basic set of tools, and a little bit of knowledge on these old watches; you really start to see the beauty/value of old mechanical watches. With me--it started out as a hobby, to maybe a career? In the near future I am coding two websites devoted to watchmaking. One will be just about watch repair, and watch information. The other will be my personal business website where I will sell and service watches. I wish I got interested in Horology when I was younger? The bug didn't hit me until 10 years ago, when I got my first IWC cal. 89 watch. The guy who sold it thought it was a Timex. He sold it to me for $5.00. Well I got it cleaned, and oiled, and has been on my wrist ever since. It's so old the letters on the dial are completely faded, so it doesn't even look like an expensive watch. I wear it in the worst parts of town. I am the only one who knows it's a extremely well designed/machined piece of watchmaking history.
So yes, I think vintage watches will go up in value. I hope not for awhile--because right now I can still get good deals on EBay. I just got a Omega Seamaster for a little over $100 dollars. When I get it running it will make a great watch for someone? A watch that will never be thrown away? A watch that can be handed down to a loved one?
vintage watches, and hand-made hats, will go up in value simply because there are more people with more money than they can find things to spend it on. It's called Asset Price Inflation.
Names like Benrus, Elgin, Orvis, Oris, Hellbros, and a buch of ETA movements, with obscure names, are great watches, and one day just might become more collectable than they are presently?
These mechanical watches were worn by the working man. They all had great movements. I repair watches, and I can't tell the difference in quality between Rolex movements and most Benrus Movements on the older models.
Once you have a basic set of tools, and a little bit of knowledge on these old watches; you really start to see the beauty/value of old mechanical watches. With me--it started out as a hobby, to maybe a career? In the near future I am coding two websites devoted to watchmaking. One will be just about watch repair, and watch information. The other will be my personal business website where I will sell and service watches. I wish I got interested in Horology when I was younger? The bug didn't hit me until 10 years ago, when I got my first IWC cal. 89 watch. The guy who sold it thought it was a Timex. He sold it to me for $5.00. Well I got it cleaned, and oiled, and has been on my wrist ever since. It's so old the letters on the dial are completely faded, so it doesn't even look like an expensive watch. I wear it in the worst parts of town. I am the only one who knows it's a extremely well designed/machined piece of watchmaking history.
So yes, I think vintage watches will go up in value. I hope not for awhile--because right now I can still get good deals on EBay. I just got a Omega Seamaster for a little over $100 dollars. When I get it running it will make a great watch for someone? A watch that will never be thrown away? A watch that can be handed down to a loved one?