Vintage has a unique role and in the watch world when compared with other objects. Watches of the past give you no limitations when it comes to wear and inspiration. To make a comparison, just look at fashion: Yes, vintage inspiration comes back in 20-year-old cycles – this has even been mathematically proven in a scientific study at the Northwestern University. But to go all in into the, say, 1920s is rarely the way fashion styling is done. One reason is that wearing hundred-year-old garments is complicated at best, since the aging of fabrics is rarely forgiving. Or, let’s take a look at cars: Very much a contemporary product. Yes, of course there are exceptions like the clearly yesteryear-inspired Mini, but in general, cars develop with their times. (And, interestingly, become more and more homogenous.) To drive around in and keep up vintage automobiles you must have a lot of time, knowledge and a very deep wallet. Look at music: very much a constant development. Of course, a lot of songs are evergreens, but new songs rarely come with the feeling that they could have been made 50 years ago; they tend to carry a twist of today.
But with watches it is different. It is easy to wear timepieces of the past. The secondary market outperforms the primary market in monetary value. The longevity of watches is unique. Unlike with vintage cars, it is also easy to have it in perfect shape if that’s what you want. If not, a bit of wear and tear only adds to the qualities of the watch. It is also for watchmakers perfectly OK to make relaunches of old pieces. Or to have the days of the past as more or less the only inspiration for the aesthetics, but with a contemporary movement, contemporary materials, and contemporary measures. Of course this is not to be considered vintage, but as a sign of the importance of vintage in the watch world.
Last but not least, vintage tend to be an affordable approach to watchmaking, as long as you choose other brands than the “Big 5” Patek, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, and Richard Mille. (The latter of course only if you agree that 25 years is old enough to be vintage.)
So, wearing a vintage watch is stylish, it is environmental, it stands for sustainability, it makes for a unique statement that shows your personal taste and knowledge, it is affordable, it is easy. It can be, if you do the right choice a great investment. What is not to love about vintage?
