Master This about Vintage Watches and you will never be Ripped off Again
In this time and era, if you need to keep track of your time, there is no better gadget than a phone. After all, it’s convenient, can handle a million tasks at the same time and is mobile. Also, it’s more accurate compared to mechanical watches.
But if you are the fashion-conscious person and need to make a statement, then a wristwatch is what you need. If you care what people think of you when you enter that board room, you need a vintage watch. However, business people know that such people exist. And most times, they don’t have the time to check every detail of the timepiece of their choice. As a result, they have ended up buying counterfeits.
We all want value for our money. Therefore follow these tips, and you’ll never be duped again. Let us dig deeper into this article.
Place where you buy
We all know how much vintage watches are on demand. Some of the brands are rare and therefore expensive. As a result, unscrupulous people have devised means to dupe the unsuspecting customer. Always know that the watch market is flooded with dodgy sellers, fakes and ‘Franken watches’. Before you pay handsomely for a fake Rolex, make sure you trust the place you are buying. Recommended options are auction houses, dedicated watch dealers, internet and retail stores. However, they each have their pros and cons. Hence do your due diligence first.
Consistency
If you are buying an 80-year-old watch, chances are it won’t look shiny and glamorous. When you find one that looks like it just got dropped from the factory, then it’s not old. Vintage means old; therefore, if it seems new, probably it has been tampered with. Let no one lie to you that it was taken good care of, and it just got serviced etc. Get a vintage watch in its original condition with scratches and old finish.
The reason why you are Buying a Vintage timepiece
First, know the reason why you need this watch. Is it an investment or you just need a cool vintage piece on your wrist? The answer to this question determines the type of vintage watch you purchase. If you just need to look cool, then probably you’ll want a shiny, smooth looking watch. You can even buy one with mismatched dials and hands. The serial number might not also be of significance. Tracking the watch’s age, history and movement number might not be necessary.
But if you want to make a real investment, you’ll look out for that old finish and scratches. If you are buying vintage, then it must show signs of old age. You will look out for any mismatched parts. Also, the serial number will help you track the watch’s age. It must even agree with the movement number. You know what, you are paying high for such a watch, so be on the lookout not to be ripped off.
Stick to the better Known Brands
Try to keep away from new brands. It might be hard to tell whether they are vintage or not. Many new brands are coming up every single day. Therefore, it is hard to differentiate between authentic and fake. Also, you might not have older ones to compare them with. Instead, the famous brands because even the internet will know about them hence will avail you with vast info about them. Also, there could be examples of older versions to compare them with.
Price
The price of a wristwatch can help you tell whether its authentic or fake. Also, if you are buying it as an investment, Patek Phillipe and Rolex will perhaps be the best brands. If you find these brands going for a few dollars, then maybe it’s fake. They are known to go for thousands of dollars, so if it is less, find out why. But also, fakes could be expensive, so do your due diligence.
Bottom Line
If you want to have a piece of history on your wrist, you have got to be careful before you buy any. There are many fakes on the market. Do not let the dodgy seller get you off-guard. Look out for somewhat shiny, smooth and appealing pieces. Chances are, they got tampered with. Instead, look for old signs of scratches and aged finish. Also, check for engravings on the casing and the serial number. They will help you track its history and age.