There is one tweak that almost any watch enthusiast can do which adds value, and enjoyment, to their vintage Swiss watch; get rid of scratched or damaged crystals and fit a new one. It improves the appearance instantly and you’re learning stuff that saves a long wait at most UK jewellers or independent watch repair workshops. It is relatively easy to do this job – … Continue reading How To Fit A New Crystal to a Vintage Swiss Watch
The new Classic Worldtimer Manufacture is a limited edition from the Citizen owned brand and it offers serious bling with that classic Worldtimer dial display. An 18ct gold case is quite rare these days and it has a tactile appeal, as well as the long term value of owning a little piece of gold on your wrist. OK, probably only £300 at scrap value, but … Continue reading 18K Rose Gold Cased Frederique Constant Worldtimer Mixes Old & New
You may be new to vintage watch collecting and totally baffled by the wide range of models and limited editions, different dial colours, hands, winding crowns, case designs, straps etc. There can sometimes be over 100 variations on a basic design like a Seiko 5, or an Omega De Ville can have an extended family of models, that evolve over 40 years. But there are … Continue reading How to Spot a Fake Jaeger le Coultre Vintage Watch
In my trade I get to see plenty of watches, including a few Rolex models, arguably the most faked watch brand in the world. Here are some typical differences between the real deal and a very nice replica. The Bracelet. Don’t start by examining the dial because dials are easy to manufacture by comparison to expensive bracelets. The metal should feel ultra smooth, polished and … Continue reading Real vs Fake Rolex? Show and Tell
There is one golden rule I follow with old watches, well actually there are two. First is the basic stuff; look at the watch closely under a magnifying glass, because the marks and scratches often tell a story of woe and neglect. How does it wind, cleanly, or like stirring a bag of rusty nails with an egg whisk? Even if the watch is running … Continue reading Watch Collecting: Don’t Be a Slave to Fashion, Buy Because You Like It
Chuck `em in a skip obviously! OK, I’m being flippant, but in reality, you often need to fit a new movement – assuming there is a compatible Miyota/Ronda. This can be pricey to do, which is why many people do bin old watches – a great shame as not all them are useless, some just need a battery and some TLC. Tip Of The Day: … Continue reading How Do You Solve a Problem Like Old Quartz Watches?
As a former jounalist and editor, I have very little time for most mens’ lifestyle magazines. Buzzword-infested copy, lavishly photoshopped tech porn pictures and page after page of thinly disguised press releases, sponsored by big brand advertisers keen to sell gadgetry to men with `all the gear and no idea.’ Wired is a classic of this genre, with cod-scientific articles predicting various prism-shifting vistas of … Continue reading Wired is Talking Garbage About Refurbished Vintage Watches & Here’s Why
