Stylish and Vintage Watches: It’s all about Fashion, not Time

“Excuse me, what’s the time?” asks a passing stranger at a train station. The woman standing on the platform doesn’t glance at her wrist, but instead pulls a phone from her pocket. “Almost noon,” she says. Even though she’s wearing a watch, she’s not thinking of it as a way to tell time.

With a vast array of electronic devices at our disposal —a watch is no longer a necessity. The watch’s more practical purpose of keeping time has faded to near obscurity as its popularity as a collectible statement piece and fashion accessory rises. The advantage with vintage, is in finding a watch with timeless design, that stands the test of time and looks just as fresh and modern today as it did the day it was designed, giving your piece longevity and desirability for years to come.

Acquire Timepieces Online

There are a great many watches to be found on reputable reseller sites like 1st Dibs and through reputable auction houses like Fellows and Christie’s, available for purchase through auctions and private sales.

Modern Vintage is a Great Choice

Stylish, modern, and vintage watches are now, more than ever, a fashion statement, and certain watch styles are gaining in popularity. One trend worth noting is that women are putting away their dainty watches for oversized men’s style watches with large faces. The Ballon Bleu watch by Cartier, released in 2007, with sleek metal styling and solid gold incorporated into every model, a popular Cartier style.

Bejeweled and Bedazzled

Another popular style in women’s watches that has continued through the decades is the bejeweled timepiece. Women love watches decorated with diamonds and precious gemstones. One great example is an Art Deco Chopard Gold Diamond Emerald Watch by Chopard. This watch was designed in 1920s in the Art Deco style, in 18k white gold, this Chopard lady’s dress watch features diamonds and emerald on case and lugs with a satin black band. Ever elegant and timeless, the Art Deco style is very collectible and desirable.

Women Wearing Men’s Watches

It’s likely that men collect fashionable and vintage watches because a fine watch is one of the most distinctive fashion accessories aimed at men like this handsome Girard-Perregaux 18ct yellow gold wrist watch, 33mm. And of course, no discussion of fine watches can neglect to mention Patek Philippe, one of the finest timepiece makers in the world, offering a great many fine timepieces suitable for any woman to add to her wardrobe that blends well with dressing styles casual for everyday, work and less dressy occasions.

Vintage, Collectible and Rare

Patek Philippe watches are highly collectible and can bring high prices at auction, especially if the watch has quality details, complexities or is rare. The perpetual calendar wristwatch was first introduced by Patek Philippe in 1925. This extremely rare Patek Philippe Art Deco watch with original dial is available from 1st Dibs was purchased from the original family and has not been restored or polished. Rarity is a characteristic highly preferred by collectors.

Consider Auction Houses for Stylish and Vintage Watches

When looking to an auction house for your next watch, there are many to consider. The traditional houses offering online bidding that has sprung up in response to consumer changes due to the pandemic and in our increasingly digital driven world. The watch market is very strong, especially at auction.

What classic or vintage watch would you most love to take home from an auction? Do you wear a watch for fashion or for the time?

Auction Houses for Fine Watches

Christie’s

Christie’s is a world-renowned art and luxury auction house that was founded in 1766. Christie’s is known and trusted for skilled live and online auctions, as well as tailored private sales, and it provides a comprehensive range of global services to its clients, including art assessment, art financing, international real estate, and education. Online bidding and an app are available. Visit christies.com

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is one of the world’s largest, trusted, and dynamic marketplace for art and luxury since 1744. They enable their global community of collectors and connoisseurs to find, buy, sell, and consign fine art and rare things. Online bidding and an app are available. Visit sothebys.com

Phillips

International collectors come to Phillips to purchase and sell some of the most important twentieth-century and contemporary pieces of art, design, jewellery, watches, photos, and editions. They have distinguished themselves as an active and forward-thinking auction house by focusing exclusively on the defining aesthetic movements of the last century. Online bidding and an app are available. Visit phillips.com

Artcurial

Artcurial is a newer player, having been created in 2002, just as the French auction industry was becoming more competitive, and it swiftly rose to become the country’s biggest auction house. Since then, the company has continued to innovate. Online bidding is available. Visit artcurial.com

Fellows

Fellows, established in 1876 is a renowned auction house in the United Kingdom, with over 100 auctions per year covering antiques, coins, medals, jewellery, silver, and watches. Online bidding is available. Visit fellows.co.uk

Bonhams

Bonhams, founded in 1793 is an international auction company, one of the world’s largest and highly recognised auctioneers of fine art and antiquities, as well as automobiles and jewels. Visit bonhams.com

Featured image: Patek Philippe Annual calendar Ref. 5396G-001, via Christie’s private sale.