Are vintage watches easy to find and buy in today’s tough economy? The answer to the question is a resounding yes! And find better deals on better watches than ever. The problem, for most people, is determining where to buy that vintage watch. We will discuss some possible places to buy watches and give you my recommendation at the end of the article. So if you can’t wait, skip to the last paragraph now.
Are vintage watches a good investment? I am not an investment advisor nor do I claim to be on the Internet. However, there are good deals to be had on vintage watches which, in turn, can be sold for a good profit. Buying an antique watch is like any other endeavor you might undertake for profit. There are good deals and not so good deals. The first rule of watch collecting is don’t buy the watch if you don’t like it. But, Kelly, you say, I think I can make a nice profit if I resell this watch. If you’ve done your homework and know the value of the watch you’re buying, as well as the potential resale value, then go ahead. However, what if you can’t flip the clock as fast as you think? Wouldn’t it be better to have a watch that you really like? In fact, it’s easier to sell something you’re passionate about and if you didn’t like the watch to begin with… well, it may be harder to sell it over a longer period of time. Time to move on…
Buy an antique watch through classified ads
You can buy almost anything in the classified ads. Antique watches are no exception. There’s Craigslist, which is actually an electronic classified ad on the Internet and in your local newspaper or Thrifty Nickel. The thing about classified ads is that you have no way of knowing the trustworthiness or credibility of the person selling you the old watch. Also, it’s often someone who doesn’t really know what they have and may need to spend more research time just to figure out what they’re selling.
Another thing to keep in mind when using classifieds as a source for buying watches is driving distance. For local newspapers it may not be that far, but it could be quite far. With rising fuel prices that needs to be taken into account. One last thing to remember when buying through the classifieds…make sure the watch the seller is selling is yours to sell before you part with any money. Always obtain a signed receipt, which should include a description of the watch, clearly indicating any identifying marks, particularly the manufacturer’s name on the dial or identifying marks on the movement, the date of purchase, and the amount.
Buying an old clock at an antique store
Antique stores are often a good place to find vintage watches. You can usually examine the watch before you buy it. Also, in some stores, the owner may have some knowledge of the watch and be able to share it with you. Be sure to examine the quality of the watch when shopping at antique stores. Many times these watches come from “junk” type auctions where they sell everything from cheap racks to old clothes. This will often lead you to question the quality of the watch.
Local auctions: Can you get a quality watch at a local auction?
If you check your local newspaper or the yellow pages directory, you will find a list of auction rooms and auctioneers. You will often be able to find a good watch at these auctions; however, it is very unpredictable. Do you value your time? If not, then you can spend many hours browsing these types of auctions and you may or may not find an antique watch. Some of the larger firms might have specialty watch sales two or three times a year, some will have some sort of antique auction at least once a month.
Buy vintage watches at garage sales or tag sales
Ok, I know this might sound cliche, but you can really find some cool stuff in Garage Sales. I remember buying an Elgin pocket watch that didn’t work for a quarter. I brought it home, cleaned it up a bit, opened the back, wrote down the serial number, and put it up for sale on eBay. A day later, someone bought it using Buy It Now! for $50. I was ecstatic. However, that was as lucky as anything. I know people who have gotten fantastic pieces for fantastic prices at garage sales, however, just like the local auction; It takes a lot of time and a lot of patience.
Sale of Antique Clock Assets
You can find them in the classified ads of your local newspaper or check out the signs at neighborhood entrances. These are usually the heirs of someone who has hired a company to go through their loved one’s possessions to catalog all the items and offer them for sale to the public. Sometimes it’s someone older who has decided to downsize or move to a smaller house. In any case, you can find great items at these sales, including vintage watches. These can be a little less cumbersome and time-consuming than garage sales or local auctions because the service hosting the sale will often post or provide a list of all the items being sold. This will save you a great deal of time if you are looking for a specific item or a specific watch.
Buy vintage watches online
This is my preference for buying vintage or antique watches. It allows me to make the best use of my time and it also allows me to narrow down my search very quickly to exactly what I am trying to buy at the moment. A website that specializes in vintage watches provides good information on watches, background information on various watches and watchmakers, and of course a good list of watches with lots of images of the watches. Another thing I like about sites like this is that they often have rating systems or reviews that you can read about the sellers. Believe me when I tell you that if you sell someone a vintage watch online for $500, or whatever the price is, if it is not as described, there will be complaints or low ratings for the seller of the watch. These rating systems can give you a level of comfort that you won’t or can’t find at a local auction house or classified ad.
One question I often ask about buying watches online is regarding shipping. Remember this: you are buying a watch from a trusted seller who has shipped many watches to many buyers around the world. They know their watches and they know how to pack them. You will pay a shipping charge in most cases, however, the money you save on time, fuel, and research alone will more than pay for the cost of shipping. So, as you can imagine, my preference for buying vintage watches is online.