There has been a luxury watch shortage in recent years, making the secondhand vintage watch market grow. At the moment, it’s up by $20 billio!
If you’re looking to buy a vintage watch yourself, there are a few things you need to know first.
Luckily, this guide can help. Let’s check out a few tips for buying vintage watches online!
1. Investigate and Research
When it comes to watch shopping, you need to make sure that you do your due diligence. That’s true whether you’re shopping at a brick-and-mortar shop or are looking to buy a vintage watch online.
The reason why it’s so important to do your research is that there are a ton of different traps you can succumb to if you’re not careful. You could spend more money than the watch is worth or you could wind up making a purchase that doesn’t come with all the bits and bobs you need.
Before you settle on a watch to buy, look around to see what companies offer them and what designs are in style. For example, browse the collections at this collection to see some truly stunning timepieces that you won’t find anywhere else.
When you shop around, what you’ll often find is watches that you didn’t know existed. That can change what you’re looking for and can sway you to make a different purchase.
As such, it’s important to do your research first. Look into every detail of the watches you’re considering so that you can choose one that has everything you want.
2. Talk It Out
Another pro tip for finding the best vintage men’s watches is to talk to others who are passionate about their watches. Doing so can help you get a good idea of what brands are reputable, what to look for, and what prices to expect.
If you don’t have any people who love watches in your social circle, don’t panic! There are tons of online forums out there where you can ask all your questions.
Better yet, many times people have already asked your burning questions. That means all you have to do is look for the right forum and start reading all the information you’re looking for!
One thing to note, if you’re going to ask questions about vintage watches it helps to have a few model names and pictures up your sleeve. That way you’ll be able to get more insight into your potential purchase!
3. Connect With the Manufacturer
We realize you’re probably thinking that connecting with the manufacturer will be expensive. But hear us out!
Many major watch brands have archives of the watches that they’ve made previously. That can give you an idea of what vintage timepieces they have on hand!
If you’re interested in purchasing a particular watch, you can consider getting in touch with the manufacturer to ask to see those archives. That could give you valuable information you wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Some websites also offer up contact emails, phone numbers, and live chat systems where you can chat with the manufacturer. You can take advantage of these resources to pick the creator’s brain there, too!
4. Get Educated
There really is no better way to learn about vintage watches than by speaking to a professional. And, when it comes to professionals in the watch industry, that means speaking to a watchmaker!
Look for a watchmaker who has been around for a while and who has good reviews. When you find him, you’ll have quite a few questions to ask.
You’ll want to start by asking the watchmaker if he works with a specific brand or if he has specialized knowledge about a certain watch movement. You can also ask about pricing, servicing, and repair.
The more questions you ask, the better because you’ll get more detailed information about the watch you’re looking for. And, even if you don’t end up purchasing from the watchmaker, he may be able to recommend some of his colleagues to you.
5. Compare Prices
The burning question in many peoples’ minds when watch shopping is what the price is. And, when you go hunting for vintage watches, you’ll likely find that the prices vary a lot!
When you start looking for the perfect vintage timepiece, get a couple of quotes and spend some time shopping around. That will help you determine what the average price is as well as what should be considered too expensive.
Keep in mind that some factors will affect your watch’s price, too. You might have to pay more for a watch, say, that comes in its original packaging than you would for one that doesn’t.
No matter what prices you come up with, make sure that you know all the details. The more information you have about a watch the easier it will be for you to find one that’s good value.
Our recommendation? Make a list of how much each watch you’re interested in costs and write down what it comes with. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision without leaving anything out of the picture.
Find the Perfect Vintage Watch
With this guide to buying a vintage watch, you’ll have no problem choosing the perfect timepiece. Whether it’s going to be a gift or you’ll be rocking it on your own, you’re now equipped to purchase the perfect device!
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