Time+Tide
Editor's Note: The other week I wrote an opinion piece on why I'm not so into vintage watches these days. We received a tonne of feedback on it, some of you thought I'd hit the nail on the head, others thought I was off my rocker. In short, it did what a good piece of opinionated writing should do divided our audience and started some conversations. In which case, it's only right that we present the other side of the picture. Stepping up to the plate is avowed vintage lover Julian Sack, who recently reported for us from the Geneva watch auctions. So, without any further ado, here's Julian.I'm a watch collector. I didn't know it when my father gave me an IWC after my graduation, but in the years and decades since, I've realised that collecting vintage watches is part of who I am. I've come to love the stories and history that live in old watches, as well as the challenge of finding the perfect example.The thrill of the chaseIn 2015 Zach Norris found a needle in the haystack, buying this Le-Coultre Deep Sea Alarm in a Phoenix thrift store for $5.99. Image via Hodinkee I don't mean to disparage people who buy new, but I find little joy in walking into a shop, throwing down a piece of plastic and walking out with a watch. For me, it's all about the journey. When I started collecting, the only information I could obtain about a watch was a picture and by that I mean Kodak not .jpeg sent in the post. I had to make a decision based on that single, flimsy piece of information.Nor could I tell you the number of times I drove my girlfriend (now wife) crazy, as we spent time on our precious holidays schlepping to obscure locations to inspect a watch. The internet has revolutionised collecting, and made it so much more accessible. But that hasn't diminished the thrill of the chase.They don't make them like they used toRolex 6036. Image via rolexpassionreport There's something about old watches that I find romantic. Even if there's no personal connection there, I love designs that capture the beauty of Art Deco or the fabulous spirit of the 1950s. It seems like every brand today is trying to capture some of that spirit with their endless re-interpretations. So why buy a copy when, with a little bit of detective work, you can buy the original? As for what Felix said about his watches evolving their own history I'm too impatient for that. Earned patina takes way too long!The perfect exampleThe elusive Patek Philippe reference 1593. Image via christies Over time I've come to be a very selective collector, and I've been on the hunt for a few specific pieces for a long while – not necessarily rare pieces, but difficult to find in the right condition. The case must be just right, or the dial must be original and not refinished. It should be of a certain metal and obviously it needs to be totally original. I've been looking for a particular pink gold Patek, reference 1593, and in the past few years I've passed up four or five examples because of case or dial problems.And yes, vintage collecting can be a minefield. Bad polishes, redials, incorrect parts and even completely incorrect movements you see it all. But for me this is the side of collecting I live for: the research, investigation and the camaraderie of like-minded collectors who frequently go above and beyond to help out a friend. This is what makes collecting great.It's not all about the moneyA Rolex 6263 that sold for a cool $1.4 million. Image via phillips Having a large bank balance doesn't always guarantee finding the elusive part of the puzzle. You've got to do the leg work. And yes, I believe the vintage watch market is currently experiencing an infestation of hedge fund managers and professional dealers, but these guys will get bored eventually and move on to the next big thing. This has given us some hyper-inflated prices but if you buy what you like does this really matter? You can't afford a Paul Newman or vintage Patek ref 1518? So what – there are plenty of other great watches out there.And servicing? Unless you need new parts made, it's usually not that much more expensive to have a vintage watch serviced than a comparable new one. I mean, a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar is going to be crazy expensive regardless of whether it's from 1956 or 2016. But I will grant that it can be more of a challenge to get your vintage watch serviced by the people who made it.The new stuff has a placeThough the majority of my collection is made up of old-timers, I do have a few new pieces, which are mostly reissues or special anniversary pieces. But on the whole they're exceptions that prove the rule. Ultimately, for me, old stuff beats new, no question.
06.07.16