A great watch is a true style statement of the modern time. A functional piece turned into a style accessory can’t be anything else but a great statement, as, with all the gadgets we carry around today: tablets, phones, etc., we can all know permanently what time it is. This is why timepieces have become the ultimate style statement. The watch you wear speaks volumes about you and is an indicator of your taste, lifestyle and personality.

 

A lot of people prefer to purchase a watch that has already been owned by somebody and they do it for different reasons: the rare design and the price are just some of the reasons. There are a lot of benefits of buying vintage as vintage pieces have their place and value in our culture, but when you purchase a vintage item, you must always know how to make the difference between old pieces and authentic vintage style.

Let’s take a look at what the advantages and disadvantages of buying a preowned watch are.

 

 

Timeless style

A quality watch is a timepiece that presents many characteristics that recommend it as a style statement and a great craftsmanship item. A good watch features a combination of advanced, sophisticated technology that make it work perfectly and a design that is the reflection and result of a long design process, in which a lot of expertise and experience have been put. A watches’ design has the role to transmit a message and to evoke emotion. It does not serve only as a case for a function; it never has. A great watch is a wonderful combination of style, elegance, functionality, heritage, and an indicator of that fact that the wearer appreciates and enjoys great craftsmanship.

 

A sophisticated watch is balanced; it conveys emotion and elegance through its material, color, shapes and overall construction. The watch case as well as the band should be at the highest standards, they need to be comfortable and to be part of a cohesive product, as well as to incorporate a story and a message within it, which should be expressed through these physical details.

 

To exemplify, let’s take a look at the men’s Rolex presidential, a collection of timepieces created by Rolex that features many great characteristics.

The Rolex day-date President was uncovered in 1956 and is manufactured only in precious metals such as 18k white, yellow and rose gold and platinum. This model was named after US president Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a big Rolex fan. This collection is very sought-after by collectors who consider it an iconic Rolex model that will increase in values in the years to come.

The reason why the watches from this collection are called “day-date” is because instead of the “12” indicator, they show what day it is in a very elegant manner.

 

All these features make this watch a timeless piece, which does not go out of fashion. In some cases, a good watch is like wine: the older it gets, the better it is. You might not find any 1956 pieces at your local Rolex store, but you might find one in a store or in a website that sells preowned watches.

 

 

History and uniqueness

There are a lot of men who prefer buying preowned watches, as these come with a history, a personal story behind them and sometimes with more than that. Some watch models cannot be bought from authorized dealers anymore, as many high-quality pieces are made in limited editions which sell out quickly. If you are looking for a watch that is no longer in stock, or for a great vintage piece such as the Rolex Presidential, you should keep your eyes on stores or websites that allow you to sell your Rolex or other watches in the hope that you will find exactly the timepiece you are looking for. There are many reasons why people sell their watches: they either want a change and know that there is going to be a long wait until their watch gets broken, or they simply want to sell their watches and buy something else.

 

One might think that if you want to buy a preowned watch, you are only going to find no-name, broken pieces. That is an issue many people have with buying preowned watches or vintage clothes. Usually high-quality products differ from mass-produced goods in that high-quality pieces are made to last for a very long time, which is what makes the difference between vintage and junk. A quality piece from a trustworthy brand is going to work well even a lot of years after it has been purchased by another owner. If you know where to look, you can even get yourself a preowned Rolex.

 

 

Financial benefits

The market for vintage watches has been growing a lot during the last years. Some vintage watches have even made headlines such as the Panerai 6145 model, which in 2013 was sold at Christie’s for $326,500, making this the highest price ever paid for a Panerai watch.

Buying preowned watches has financial advantages as well. Of course a preowned watch will cost less than a brand new one, therefore making available more quality pieces within your budget.

 

Of course, not all vintage watches are that expensive. Most of them actually cost less than what it would cost to buy a new watch. And since we are talking about high quality timepieces, you should know that most watches created by big brands are usually just as good 50 years after their release date as they were new. However, this does not mean that you should not check the quality of the watch and make sure that it works well. Always check that the store you buy from has a return policy or a quality guarantee service. If the watch you buy still works just as well as it did when it was brand new and you are paying a lot of money for it, you should definitely make sure that your seller can guarantee its maintenance.

 

When it comes to mass-produced watches, there are not many cases in which it is worth buying an older watch. It might work and still look its best, but since it’s a mass-produced model, you should make sure that the price is really low: less than half the initial selling price is what we would advise you to pay for a mass-produced preowned watch.

 

To conclude, if you purchase a preowned watch from a trustworthy source, this is something you should definitely do! Enjoy your watch and display it proudly, as not many people carry the same model as you do!

 

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

How to match your watch to your clothes

A guide to choosing a watch

How to express your sporty personality through style

Emotion and design: The aesthetics of watches

The guide to dive watches

P.S. What do you think of preowned watches? Do you prefer a watch that has a story or a new one? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!