Help me understand watches and value

[Metlin]

Originally Posted by ChicagoJohn

It's jewelry. Jewelry that men justify to themselves through complex mechanics because we normally don't accept that we should adorn ourselves with pointless expensive items. But that's what 'high end watches" are. They're the diamond earrings of the male world. Admit it and get on with yourselves. Just say; "It's jewelry". You sound ridiculous explaining the complexities of your rube goldberg device in a world that technology has deemed antique.
+1, but still, ouch.

 

[gazman70k]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

Me again... so where do pocket watches fit in this? Who's the go-to brand in this regard?


Check out the Breguet Marie Antoinette pocket watch

.

To be honest, pocket watches are not particularly popular these days. In fact, most of the brands don't produce a pocket watch line. Richard Mille released the RM20 tourbillon pocket watch, but its too much of a novelty.

http://www.europastar.com/europastar..._id=1003796517

Having said that, vintage time only pocket watches of big names can be found at affordable prices, including those by Patek, Breguet and IWC as well as good old American brands like Hamilton.

If I were in the market for a pocket watch, I'd be looking for a vintage American made pocket watch like Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Ball or Illinois circa 1920's. These are railroad grade pocket watches which are defined as:

Must be Open faced, i.e. no flip open cover
Size 16 or 18
Minimum 17 jewels
Adjusted to at least five positions
Keep time accurately to within 30 seconds per week (that's about gaining 4.5 seconds a day)
Be adjusted to temps of 34 to 100 degrees Farenheit
Have a double roller, steel escape wheel, lever set, regulator, winding stem at 12 o'clock
Have bold black arabic numerals on a white dial, with black hands.

Hamilton continued to produce pocket watches until 1969 and given their popularity, I suspect that a good negotiator could walk away from a vintage watch store or fair with one of these beauties at a fraction of the cost of a wrist watch.

Gaz

 

[username79]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

the Pagani Zonda, do you think it's worth 40 x Priuses?

Might be a bad analogy, because I certainly think so.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by gazman70k

Check out the Breguet Marie Antoinette pocket watch

.

To be honest, pocket watches are not particularly popular these days. In fact, most of the brands don't produce a pocket watch line. Richard Mille released the RM20 tourbillon pocket watch, but its too much of a novelty.

http://www.europastar.com/europastar..._id=1003796517

Having said that, vintage time only pocket watches of big names can be found at affordable prices, including those by Patek, Breguet and IWC as well as good old American brands like Hamilton.

If I were in the market for a pocket watch, I'd be looking for a vintage American made pocket watch like Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, Ball or Illinois circa 1920's. These are railroad grade pocket watches which are defined as:

Must be Open faced, i.e. no flip open cover
Size 16 or 18
Minimum 17 jewels
Adjusted to at least five positions
Keep time accurately to within 30 seconds per week (that's about gaining 4.5 seconds a day)
Be adjusted to temps of 34 to 100 degrees Farenheit
Have a double roller, steel escape wheel, lever set, regulator, winding stem at 12 o'clock
Have bold black arabic numerals on a white dial, with black hands.

Hamilton continued to produce pocket watches until 1969 and given their popularity, I suspect that a good negotiator could walk away from a vintage watch store or fair with one of these beauties at a fraction of the cost of a wrist watch.

Gaz

I rather prefer the high-grade English pieces. Nice simple gold cases with beautifully finished gilt-finish movements and a high level of technical prowess- freesprungs, karrussels, etc.

Certainly, one could get an exceptionally fine simple English pocketwatch for the price of a new mediocre stainless-steel wristwatch.

IWC still makes pocket-watches as do some other high-end makers. They are quite expensive.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by gazman70k

Check out the Breguet Marie Antoinette pocket watch

.


Gaz

Gaz, LK- thanks for that.

I have been looking at Vintage pockets, including some English and Swiss dating to the 1880's. Prices certainly stay low.

 

[Cary Grant]

LOL:

The RM Tourbillon pocket watch works best in the vertical postion and costs $440,000.

Is this about a watch or a really expensive hooker?

 

[savvyibd]

I have two Patek's (one was a gift) - they feel rather cheap for the price. They just don't have the "feel". Go into Torneau and try on various watches, and there's this book - I'll get you the name when I'm home - that talks about watch design. Read that.

 

[peezie]

Sorry for jumping in late.

Any item carries with it a certain cache, positive or negative. This includes wathces, cars, and college degrees. All aspects of perception that goes into the brand, also goes to the owner. It may not be fair to consider a Patek a resume on your wrist, but it represents what it represents.