Keep Time in Style When You Start Collecting Vintage Watches

The clock is ticking, and it’s counting down to the moment you buy your first vintage watch. People around the globe dedicate their time, energy, and extra cash to collecting rare and stylish wristwatches from decades past. The good news? It’s so easy; anyone can do it!

Before you make your first purchase, it’s worth taking the time to get familiar with important vocab terms, learn about different brands, and determine what types of collectible watches you want to search for. Luckily, we’re here to help.

3 Reasons Why People Collect Vintage Watches

Whether they’re driven by their nostalgic love for the look of their grandfather’s old wristwatch or are newly obsessed with hunting down beautiful timepieces, there are countless reasons avid collectors devote their spare time to this hobby. Many credit their interest to these three reasons:

1. Vintage Watches Hold Historical Significance

To collectors, a watch is more than a unique accessory—every timepiece has a story to tell. While some designs are bought based purely on their beauty, others are famous for their historical connections.

The Cartier Tank, for example, was Jackie Kennedy’s go-to, while the Omega Speedmaster famously accompanied astronauts on their journey to the moon in 1969. When you buy vintage watches, you get to wear a piece of history on your wrist whenever you want!

2. Collector Watches Are Made with Expert Craftmanship

Anyone can buy the dime-a-dozen wristwatches at chain retailers, but if you want a timepiece that has stood the test of time and still will last you decades of use, a vintage watch is the only way to go. Antique clock and watch designers prioritized attention to detail, durability, and handcrafted builds that just can’t be beat. These watches are often heirloom-quality and praised for their artistry and dependability.

3. Many Vintage Watches Appreciate in Value Over Time

Some watch collectors buy pieces for their value—and with good reason! Many vintage watches can become a lucrative investment, especially if they’re bought and kept in pristine condition. If you intend to sell your watch collection down the line, rare and limited-edition watches are worth the high price tag.

What Affects the Value of a Vintage Watch?

When you shop at a Highland antique mall for a collectible watch, you’ll soon realize how big the price range really is. These values are determined by the rarity, condition, and overall design of the timepiece, as well as the reputability of the brand name. Other details can affect the price tag, like if the vintage watch has all its original parts, if any parts have a patina, or the current fashion trends.

Must-Know Watch Vocab to Ease You into Watch Collecting

If you’re only casually buying a watch for a one-off unique gift, you may not need to get into the nitty-gritty. But, if you intend to become a legit watch collector, understanding these important vocab terms for watch parts will help you feel like a pro:

• Case: the case is the protective metal shell that covers all the internal components of the watch

• Movement: the piece that powers the watch and keeps time; can be mechanical, automatic, or quartz

• Dial: the actual face of the watch that displays the hands of the clock and any extra information

• Crystal: the clear protective layer that covers the dial, typically made from sapphire, glass, or plastic

• Bezel: the decorative and functional ring that surrounds the dial

• Crown: the small knob on the side of the case that sets the time and date of the watch

• Lugs: the case-to-bracelet attachments, sometimes called the horns of a collectible watch

• Strap: typically made from leather or metal, a strap can have either a tongue buckle or safety folding clasp—experts rarely call the bracelet attachment a “band,” so make sure to stay away from that word as you shop

How to Start Your Very Own Vintage Watch Collection

After a bit of research and time spent familiarizing yourself with the appropriate terms, it’s time to get to shopping! As you plan your visit to the Indiana vendor mall, take these considerations into account so you can buy your first secondhand watch with a little peace of mind:

Establish a Budget for Your Watch Collection

It doesn’t matter whether you’re collecting antique pocket watches or limited edition Hot Wheels—every collection needs a budget. Luckily, there are designs at every price point, so your watch collection can be as over-the-top or affordable as you make it.

Before you start shopping at our antique malls, make sure you define a realistic budget that aligns with your financial status. Once you’ve allotted a certain amount of money you can spend on a watch, you can be honest about which timepieces you can afford to add to your collection.

Define Your Desired Watch Style

The first thing you’ll notice when peering into the glass showcase displays at a Melbourne antique mall is just how many collectible watch styles and designs there really are. Although purchasing the first glittery timepiece that catches your eye is tempting, take a second to consider when, where, and with what outfits you plan to wear the vintage watch. The design you choose should be wearable in either your everyday life or for special occasions.

Do you prefer sleek minimalism or statement sports designs? Will something embellished with gemstones pair well with your vintage clothing, or does plain metal work best? Ask yourself these questions and consider your wardrobe as you shop to build a collection you’ll actually reach for when you get ready in the morning.

Insider tip: If you plan to collect watches for value, rather than accessorizing, you may choose your timepieces based on brand or year rather than how they suit your style. This is also a valid way to collect vintage timepieces—feel free to skip this step in your process.

Design Elements to Consider When Buying a Vintage Watch

If you aren’t familiar with collectible watches, start by window shopping and take a closer look at the different ways designers feature these design elements in their timepieces to discover your style preferences:

• Case shapes

• Size

• Metals

• Gemstones

• Strap styles

Learn About the Different Collectible Watch Brands

For some watch collectors, brand matters above all else. These big, well-known names can determine initial expectations of value, collectability, and quality.

When you shop at Illinois antique malls, you’re bound to find a selection of vintage watches that are unattached to a name, as those will always have a time (no pun intended) in place in certain collector’s stock. Regardless of what type of collector you are, it’s worth learning the recognizable brands.

Designer Brands that Watch Collectors Love

If you’re searching for high-end vintage watches, you’re bound to find these sought-after names in the showcases:

• Rolex

• Omega

• Patek Philippe

• Longines

• Zenith

• Jaeger-LeCoultre

• Vacheron Constantin

Understanding Watch Authentication

The unfortunate reality of watch collecting is that sometimes, people will try to sell altered or counterfeit timepieces. To avoid this, you should only buy vintage watches from trustworthy sources, like our vendors, who provide professional authentication for each design. This protects you from being scammed and ensures that the wristwatch you’re interested in purchasing is genuine and appropriately priced.

Designer watches should always be sold alongside official documentation. This can include the original box, papers that trace ownership, and various other documents, such as service history, warranty cards, and more. If someone tries to sell you a high-end timepiece without these, you should proceed with caution and inquire about further proof it’s the real deal before buying.

How to Check the Serial Number on a Collectible Watch

Serial numbers are engraved into almost every watch to help the owner verify the authenticity and track ownership. If you’re curious about the history of a watch you find at an Indiana antique mall, you can always ask to see the serial number.

These numbers are usually engraved on the back of the watch case between the lugs. Grab a magnifying glass, write down the string of numbers, and use it to look up the watch’s history and information.

Take a Closer Look at the Condition of Each Watch

When shopping at an antique mall near Chicago, don’t let the initial attraction fool you into buying a wristwatch without checking the condition. Though a certain amount of wear and tear is expected when investing in secondhand timepieces, it’s important to look closely to determine the amount of damage. A few scratches and dents are considered normal and can even bring an authentic look to your vintage watch, but any mechanical issues or broken moveable parts should not be overlooked.  

What to Do With Broken Vintage Watches

If you do come across a broken watch you love, you have two options. You could buy the collectible watch and take it to a watch repair expert to see if it can be saved. Many watch parts can be repaired or replaced, making this a worthwhile last-ditch attempt for some watch collectors. Just be prepared to pay extra to bring it back to its former glory!

Watch collectors can also opt for more creative alternatives. Some continue to wear them as fashionable bracelets, not caring that the hands no longer tick as long as they add to their outfit. Others break them down for DIY projects like jewelry, wall art, or sculptures. Upcycling broken watches helps keep them out of the landfill, and who wouldn’t want that?

Make Sure the Collectible Watch Strap Fits Your Wrist

If you intend to wear your timepieces, you should make sure the collectible watch fits the way it was meant to. Watches should sit in the middle of your wrist, snug enough to stay in place without pinching your skin.

Vintage watches tend to have smaller straps than modern designs, so you should never assume something will fit the way you expect it to. If you can’t try it on in person, make sure you ask for exact measurements before buying.

Keep in Contact with Your Favorite Watch Vendors

Collecting vintage watches is about your relationship with your vendor just as much as it is about hunting down rare timepieces. Most watch vendors are specialists in their field and can offer expert knowledge about the hobby as well as help you track down your desired designs. Once you find a vendor you can trust, shopping at an antique mall becomes easy!

5 Expert Tips for Buying Vintage Watches

If you’re new to the hobby, consider taking these five tips to heart as you start your watch collection:

Tip 1: Set up alerts on your favorite online auction sites for watches to get notified when your dream vintage designs are put up for sale.

Tip 2: Avoid Frankenwatches and stick to designs that include all their original pieces.

Tip 3: Be wary of gold-fill watches as they will continue to fade over time.

Tip 4: Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions—any trustworthy vendor will be able to answer and provide documentation when prodded.

Tip 5: Research the different decades of watches to determine your dream styles.

Keeping Your Vintage Watch Collection Clean and Well-Maintained

Like any collectible you wish to keep in good condition, proper cleaning routines and care methods are key. Regularly cleaning your vintage watch will help preserve its value and keep it in good working condition. If you wear the timepiece daily, you should clean it once a week with a slightly damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Every couple of years, you should take it to a qualified watchmaker for a full service to extend its lifespan.

Day-to-day watch maintenance is also crucial. You should avoid wearing your collectible watches around water or while exercising and polish them whenever they start to lose their shine. If you are wearing a mechanical watch regularly, you will need to wind it by hand once a day to ensure it doesn’t stop unexpectedly. For timepieces that sit unworn in storage for a while, try to wind them once a month to keep them lubricated.

Tick, tock, tick, tock—it’s time to start your vintage watch collection. With a little guidance, vocabulary help, and tips, shopping for collectible watches is a breeze. Stop by America’s Antique Mall to begin your search today!