Is vintage ever a good deal?

[jguerrad]

My 2 cents:

a) Buying vintage is dangerous and costly, if your going to get into the game assume that no matter how much you learn you will make mistakes, I have yet to meet one collector that hasn't made one.

b) I have no doubt GOOD vintage will absolutely hold its value and with time appreciate (you may have ups and downs with an inflated market, but long term if you buy GOOD quality they will hold). Just because they are vintage doesn't necessarily makes them a good buy, in today's market it is more about the specific watch that about the specific reference.

c) Vintage era is over with the inclusion of modern materials, sapphire, ceramic, laser printing, engraving, lume technology etc etc etc, in other words you can take a submariner from 2015 put it in a box for 50 years and I believe it will look identical, therefore the only vintage are those watches in which older materials, printing technology, paint quality, etc etc has made those watches special and become "living" watches that evolve.

If you don't believe A, B, C are true, dont buy vintage.

Cheers.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by Rob519

So how is vintage ever a good deal? If you want the watch to be all original, you're going to avoid servicing. Yes it's cool, but for the same amount of money you get better reliability/accuracy. Especially, if you plan on keeping it for life.

Vintage is a personal preference...it has nothing to do with a good deal. If you are happy with a new watch, then thats probably whats best for you. It really just comes down to what you like.

Regarding reliability and accuracy...well Ive been wearing a nearly 50 year old watch every single day for many years. Its just as reliable and accurate as anything made today...and its worth a considerable amount more today than when I bought it. But I wasn't looking for a good deal when I bought it, I was looking for something to enjoy.

Originally Posted by Rob519

If you want the watch to be all original, you're going to avoid servicing.

I have never avoided servicing any of my vintage watches.

[Fabrice M]

The problem with those type of questions. Is that only you can answer it. People who buy vintage will convince you they are better, more rare, that newer watches will never get that type of return, etc... People who prefer new watches or think they will go up on value will argue the opposite. The truth is that nobody knows, and that except for very few rolex watches, such as the comex, none of the actual models are rare. Even the red. Subs were made in great numbers... the real value of a rolex is what it means to you and what you are willing to pay, and maybe, let's face it, for some, bragging rights.

[Wesley Crusher]

OP, from your posts in this thread, it seems very clear that vintage is not a good deal for you. Stick to a newer watch. I think you'll be happier.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

.. the real value of a rolex is what it means to you and what you are willing to pay,

Well said, my watch speaks for me. I have no concern what it's worth, what it will be worth, as I just enjoy the vintage diving history and the look of it...

When I am done here, my son will enjoy it just as much...