OPINION: Why I just can’t do vintage watches

Ricardo Sime

I remember my plane ride back from Baselworld 2019. I was still coming off the high of my first show and all the beautiful new pieces I was fortunate enough to handle. (Which was a good thing because I needed to stay up if I wanted to avoid the jet-lag) As I tried my hardest not to doze off, I happen to turn to my left and out of the corner of my eye I spotted a beaut. A young man, who couldn’t have been older than 25, was wearing a stunning Rolex 1675, on a chestnut strap. The way the blue and red bezel played with the brown reminded me just how beautiful that watch was and how the Pepsi motif is an absolute classic.

Sadly, It also reminded me that, when it comes to vintage watches, they were still a no-no for me.

Sounds a bit confusing? Well, let me explain. For years, I’ve contemplated buying a vintage piece. The thought of wearing a bit of history on my wrist does have quite a bit of appeal to it. Moreover, I’ve also played with the idea of a birth year watch that would present even more meaning to my collection. Yet, I always hit a wall before I can click on that buy it now button. And that wall can be divided into two parts; fear and necessity.

The fear, well, that comes from the risk associated with buying a vintage watch. In the several years I’ve been into watches, I’ve seen even the most “knowledgeable” collector get fooled by a great patination job. I’ve also seen the anger on what was once an excited buyer’s face as they open up a watch only to be treated to innards that would make even Frankenstein blush. The halls of vintage collecting are littered with these stories of deceit and fraud. And yes, I know a good amount of research goes a long way to addressing this issue but that leads to the second part of my reluctance to go vintage; is a vintage piece worth the squeeze of all that necessary due diligence?

In this modern era of watch brands producing a plethora of vintage inspired pieces, what is there to gain in going back in time for a look? Especially when that trip will probably cost me more and leave me with more doubt. Furthermore, why would I want to eschew the benefits of current manufacturing? The movements that are beings used nowadays are multitudes better than their predecessors. The cases have technology that can stand up to even the most active of lifestyles. There is really no need to go back.

Overall, I’ve realized that a vintage piece just doesn’t carry enough meaning to me for it to land in my collection. Of course, I would feel different if that vintage piece was something that was passed down to me from a loved one. However, right now, I’m the loved one who is going to be starting that process with my collection. With that being said, I have no interest in curating it with a vintage piece.