Romantic Rose Gold Vintage Watches
Written by drbob on January 27, 2012 – 4:04 pm -For decades, American watch buyers were enthralled by yellow gold, but in recent years that passion has largely shifted to pink and rose gold. Indeed, the rose-gold category has emerged as the leading precious metal available in today’s market. Its warm hues are derived by adding various amounts of copper to gold. The more added, the richer the tone. Depending on the ratio, the resulting color appears softer or richer, with each shade gradient assigned one of three specific codes: 3N, 4N, and 5N—from pale pink to deep, dusky rose. Rose gold experienced a wave of popularity during the 1940s, when pure gold was more difficult to come by. Postwar, watchmakers and jewelry designers reverted back to traditional yellow and white gold as the mainstays.... more
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About Vintage Omega Wristwatches
Written by drbob on January 27, 2012 – 3:46 pm -In 1848, Louis Brandt, the descendant of a watch making family and a resident of the Swiss clock-making center of La Chaux-de-Fonds, started assembling pocket watches out of parts from local clockmakers. By 1889, Louis Brandt & Fils, the precursor to Omega, was the largest watch manufacturer in Switzerland, producing more than 100,000 watches annually. The first Omega wristwatch — in fact, it was one of the first industrially made wristwatches in the world — appeared in 1900. It had a silver double-hinged case, fixed attachments for a bracelet-strap, a guilloché back, enamel dial, Arabic hour numerals, and pear-shaped hands. This was followed in 1902 with a men’s wristwatch for watch maker Edwin J. Vokes of Bath and the Kirby Beard... more
Tags: vintage omega wristwatches, vintage watches
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The Art of Curating a Watch Collection
Written by drbob on January 27, 2012 – 3:17 pm -Just over a year ago, John, a 40-something executive, was passing by a watch store as he had done countless times before when he suddenly stopped and went inside. For months he had been eyeing a certain timepiece in the window. Approximately $6,000 and one hour later, John emerged from the store, his wrist clad in an impressive piece by IWC. This first serious watch acquisition would be, he thought at the time, his only serious watch acquisition. Today John is the proud owner of more than a dozen important timepieces, each valued at well over that initial $6,000—and he admits he is nowhere near done. “I found that I just love watches. I love the mechanics of them, their design and their personality. Each one makes a statement about who I... more
Tags: vintage watches
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Time Is Money: Investing in Luxury Watches
Written by drbob on November 26, 2011 – 5:24 am -By: James Longman Special to CNBC.com Rarity, complexity and condition make all the difference when looking for a luxury watch. But while there are major gains to be made, it takes a good eye to know the difference between a clever investment, and a waste of time. In such a vast and specialist industry where prices range from $1,500 into the millions, it’s difficult to know where to start. But the prospective investor can head to auction to find some of the most lucrative deals on luxury time pieces. Geoffroy Ader of Sotheby’s says demand is highest for the best known names. "Most demands are based on the brands …the two ‘star’ brands are Rolex and Patek Philippe," Ader told CNBC. Alfredo Paramico, fund manager at Precious Times which... more
Tags: vintage patek philippe, vintage rolex watches, vintage watches
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Vintage Watches: The Lure of Luxury
Written by drbob on September 26, 2011 – 12:34 am -The world economy may be sitting in a ditch, but cashed-up collectors are still shelling out stratospheric sums for rare, vintage and collectable watches. This year's top ticket item so far is a 1928 Patek Philippe, which changed hands at auction for a cool SFr3.24 million ($3.81 million). Another wealthy bidder snared a 1942 Rolex for SFr1.04 million ($1.22 million); the highest price the make has ever fetched at auction. Australia has its share of high-end fanatics - those prepared to spend six figures on limited edition models from the big Swiss brands - and a bombardment of luxury watch advertisements in glossy weekend magazines aims to woo the rest of us. In fact advertising spend for watches in Australia rose over 20 per cent to $20.2... more
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The New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show to Open This Week
Written by drbob on July 20, 2011 – 12:22 pm -Glamorous antique show kicks off this Friday, featuring more than 100 exhibitors and spectacular collections from around the world US Antique Shows, a major producer of antique shows in North America, announced that it will open its doors to the public for its 5th Annual New York Antique Jewelry & Watch Show this Friday, July 22nd at 1:00 p.m. at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The show, which runs from July 22-25, will be celebrating five successful years and a sold out show. "Our location, in the jewelry capital of the world, makes this show extremely popular amongst dealers," stated Andrea Canady, Fair Director. "This show provides an intimate setting for dealers and buyers to converge and conduct business. The show sees heavy public traffic... more
Tags: vintage watches
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Geneva Vintage Watch Auctions net 38.9 million Swiss Francs
Written by drbob on May 20, 2011 – 10:41 pm -Auctions ticked through five centuries of watch making in Geneva. Sales at Sotheby's and Antiquorum on Sunday, followed by Christie's on Monday, spanned decorative antique pocket and pendant watches to today's icons of the trade, such as Patek Philippe and Rolex. In two days, the three auction houses sold timepieces for a total value of 38.9 million Swiss francs (€31 million). "The market is expanding," says Aurel Bacs, international head of Christie's watch department. "The number of bidders is growing from season to season." Christie's result of 23.4 million francs was a 25% increase from the Geneva auction a year earlier. A rare, oversized stainless-steel splitsecond chronograph from 1942 set a world auction record when the Rolex wristwatch... more
Tags: vintage patek philippe, vintage rolex watches, vintage watches
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Patek Philippe Ref 2419 Brings $710,500 At Auction
Written by drbob on April 10, 2011 – 2:14 am -Antiquorum conducted a highly spirited and extremely successful auction of modern and vintage timepieces on March 10, totaling $4,460,162. The auction of 275 rare and collectible timepieces drew a standing-room-only crowd, in addition to 301 registered Internet bidders and phone bidders from around the world. Aggressive international bidding came from countries such as China, the Russian Federation, Qatar and Canada, as well as from across the United States. Strong prices were achieved, resulting in 81 percent sold by lot and 125 percent sold by value. Patek Philippe Ref 2419 minute-repeating wristwatch retailed by Cartier in 1950 was the sale's top lot, selling to a Chinese bidder for $710,500. The competitive bidding for the exceptional... more
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About Vintage Rolex Wristwatches
Written by drbob on February 19, 2011 – 12:55 am -Founded in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis, the company that would become Rolex has British and Swiss roots. It was established in London as an importer of Swiss Aegler wristwatch movements, which Wilsdorf and Davis inserted into cases and sold to jewelers, who would then put their store name on the dial. The word "Rolex" was trademarked in 1908 so that Wilsdorf and Davis would have a name of their own to put on some of these watches. It is not precisely clear where the word "Rolex" came from. Most authorities say the name derives from horlogerie exquise, which is French for "exquisite watch making." Others, including wristwatch collector Jeff Hess, believe the name was simply made up. And then there’s the story of how Hans Wilsdorf’s partner... more
Tags: vintage rolex watches
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Vintage Watches Make Great Collector’s Items
Written by drbob on January 28, 2011 – 6:55 am -Timepieces have been developed for centuries. Starting as sundials and evolving to sophisticated pieces of machinery and technology, watches have been sought after and appreciated as functional and appealing accessories. Men in particular have been interested lately in the collecting of classic watches, since many vintage timepieces were designed for men and many women's watch models were not created until relatively recently on the horticulture timeline. Classic or vintage watches make amazing collector's items and gifts for collectors because of all they can bring to a collection, all of the experience and excitement that goes along with such a piece of history. Timepieces have long been not just functional as time-tellers, but also as indicators... more
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