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I have been collecting vintage wristwatches for almost 15 years. I purchased my first vintage watch in 1983 in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It was a Gold filled rectangular Elgin which I have kept to this day. (You can see it in my collection.) The printing on the dial have already faded and the corners of the watch has been worn down to the brass. However, there was a certain feeling that the watch has given me that made me bought it. This is the first step that I have taken into the world of vintage watches.
My collection grow slowly in the next few years. In those days,
information about vintage watches were very scarce and books were not widely
available. I finally saved up enough money to buy my first Rolex
in 1986 and my collection begin to grow more rapidly. The mid-1980's
was a good time for watch collectors. The market has just become
active and many rare pieces were surfacing at quite reasonable prices.
Unfortunately, my resources were more limited at the time and also because
of the lack of information, many rare pieces have been passed over.
Some of the ones that have gotten away with great regret included a 18kt
hooded bubbleback, 18kt pink gold Oyster Empire, and a 18kt Patek Philippe
World Time.
The 90's was both a good and bad time for collectors. Compared
with the 80's, information was more readily available for the collectors
as Worldwide interest begin to grow rapidly. Record prices were been
set at auctions and many rare pieces begin to surface as people begin to
realize their value (or more accurately the value to the crazed public.)
We begin to see the same bubble that was created in the vintage car market
in the 80's after the death of Ferrari. Fortunately, the bubble in
the vintage watch market did not burst but prices has been in a slump during
the period from 1993 to the present. I think it is a good time for
the people who is interested in Vintage watches to get into the market.
Prices has stopped escalating for the time being and high quality and rare
pieces are still available for quite reasonable prices. As the economy
in Europe and America remain strong in the next few years, prices are expected
to rise again and rare pieces will disappear from the market rapidly into
private collections.
I am fortunate enough to slowly grow my collection in the past
few years. As you will see, a good concentration of my collection
will consist of Rolex watches. Rolex and Patek Philippe are my two
favorite watch brands. To me, they are like the Mercedes Benz and
Ferrari of the watch industry. I love the vintage Rolex for their
innovative styles and their durable case and movement. I love the
Patek for their elegant styles and the complicated movements which are
pieces of art. It is unfortunate that my financial limitations prohibit
me from acquiring more examples of Patek Philippe.
My Other Watch Collection (Under Construction)
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