Most watch buying guides introduce you to new watches, but here at Levy Jewelers, we love older watches, too. So, we wrote this article hoping to answer all your questions about buying and selling vintage watches!
-
What Is A Vintage Watch?
-
Do Vintage Watches Really Work?
-
Pros Of Buying Vintage Watches
-
Are Vintage Watches Valuable?
-
How Do I Know If My Vintage Watch Is Valuable?
-
Should I Buy A Vintage Watch?
What Is A Vintage Watch?
A vintage watch is any watch that is at least 20-25 years old. Most watch sellers agree upon this timeframe, though some may disagree slightly. For instance, some watch sellers might say a watch must be more than 30 years old to qualify as vintage. In general, at least two to three decades old is a safe bet when determining whether or not a watch qualifies as vintage.
Watch sellers may use other terms to describe old watches, including antique, estate or pre-owned. Antique watches are watches over 100 years old. The terms estate and pre-owned are often used interchangeably. They describe any watch that has had a previous owner. These terms are similar to those used to describe vintage, estate and antique jewelry, which you can read more about here.
Do Vintage Watches Really Work?
If you buy them from a trustworthy watch seller, then yes! You can find watches in perfect working order at a place like Levy Jewelers in Savannah, Georgia. Local jewelers who offer older watches put them through extensive testing, and perform any necessary repairs, to ensure that they are fit to be given to an interested buyer.
We do not recommend trying your luck with watches from other sources. Only jewelers and watch technicians (like the ones here at Levy Jewelers) have the expertise needed to properly assess and care for older watches. Make sure you invest in a watch that will last you many years by purchasing through a reputable source.
Pros Of Buying Vintage Watches
There are plenty of compelling reasons to buy a vintage watch! We especially love them because they’re sustainable, come at great prices, and are fascinating pieces of history.
These days, we all recognize the importance of sustainability. We do our best to make sustainable purchases, and there are few things more sustainable than purchasing pre-owned goods. Vintage watches can offer many more years of usefulness, and it would be a shame to let them go to waste. By buying a vintage watch, you’re keeping it where it belongs: on a lucky person’s wrist, not in a landfill or gathering dust in an attic.
Vintage watches often come at a bargain compared to new watches. At a store like Levy Jewelers, you can find vintage luxury watches for a fraction of the cost. New watches from brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex and Omega can cost tens of thousands–or even hundreds of thousands–of dollars.
By buying older watches, you can attain all of that name-brand luxury for a much more manageable price. What’s more, a well cared-for vintage watch can look just as good as a brand new one!
People love watches not only for their usefulness and attractiveness, but also because they impart a touch of classic style. For hundreds of years, watches have been associated with refinement and taste. Vintage watches are a piece of that history.
Each pre-owned watch carries a story–not only the story of its previous owner, but the story of the time in which it was first made and worn. These watches give you all the modern convenience of an accurate timepiece, plus all the unique charm of a historical object.
Are Vintage Watches Valuable?
It depends on the brand and condition of the watch. Some vintage watches may only offer sentimental value, but name-brand watches in working condition can fetch high prices.
How Do I Know If My Vintage Watch Is Valuable?
You can start determining your watch’s value by answering a few questions.
First: Is it a recognizable brand? The most valuable vintage watches are name brands. If you recognize the brand, that’s a good sign your watch may be worth something. If you aren’t already familiar with the brand, look it up online and see what comes up. It may turn out to be quite popular!
Second: What is your watch made out of? A watch made of stainless steel will have less monetary value than a watch made of gold. You may be able to find your watch online and see what it’s made of, or it may say so on the watch face. If you can’t find any information, you can always bring it to an appraiser.
Finally: Is the watch still in working order? And if it isn’t, are its problems fixable? If you aren’t sure, you can always bring your watch to a jeweler or watch technician.
Once you have answered these questions, if you believe your watch is still valuable, it’s time to give your local jeweler a call. Here at Levy Jewelers in Savannah, Georgie, we offer watch repairs and appraisals. Let us take a look at it and, if we like what we see, we can offer you a great price for your vintage watch!
Should I Buy A Vintage Watch?
If you’re interested in getting a watch, buying vintage is a great idea. Regardless of your style, there is a pre-owned watch out there for you. There are plenty of vintage men’s watches and vintage women’s watches awaiting a new owner.
You don’t have to be a watch enthusiast to break into the world of vintage, antique, estate and pre-owned watches. A little research goes a long way, but you don’t even have to do that to find the right timepiece for you. Your local jewelry and watch seller, like Levy Jewelers in downtown Savannah, is a great resource. The experts at the store will ask what you’re interested in and pair you with a watch that’s right for you!
Buy And Sell Vintage Watches At Levy Jewelers In Savannah, Georgia
Hopefully we’ve convinced you that vintage watches are a great investment, whether you’re a casual watch wearer or a true timepiece enthusiast. Sustainable, historical, and stylish, vintage watches are for everyone! When you’re ready to buy a watch of your own–or bring in a watch to sell–make an appointment at Levy Jewelers in downtown Savannah. Our friendly experts are here to answer all your questions and help you find the watch for you!