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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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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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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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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