Wealthy fans of designer watches prefer worn-out vintage wristwear instead of shiny and brand new timepieces.
Watch enthusiasts around the world choose watches that are unique or special because of their age and originality rather than the glitz and glamour.
“I like to walk down the street with a watch that may not look special, but it is special,” said 62-year-old Jeffrey Binstock The Wall Street Journal.
The New York watch enthusiast and former media executive said some of his most beloved watches are decades old, and look like them.
Wealthy fans of designer watches prefer worn vintage wristwear to shiny and brand new timepieces (photo: Jeffrey Binstock’s Rolex 8171 from the late ’50s)
The account @TNSdiamonds on TikTok recently promoted a vintage Rolex from the 1950s, which sold for $2,000 — a bargain in the world of designer watches
“Scratches, dents, ‘cracked’ (visibly cracked) dials – those don’t bother me at all,” Binstock said.
Vintage watches that have stood the test of time usually have a story to tell.
An account on TikTok that specializes in buying, selling and trading luxury watches @TNSdiamonds explains the full breakdown of the pieces they sell.
The account recently advertised a vintage Rolex from the 1950s, which sold for $2,000 – a bargain in the world of designer watches.
It was a 1950s ‘bubble back’, reference ‘3, 3, 7, 2’ with a gold crown. However, the watch does not match a steel bezel, indicating that the crown was originally stainless steel and was replaced by gold, or vice versa. The 70 year old watch is for men, even though it is smaller than normal.
The watch’s quirks and imperfections make it interesting and give it character. Not to mention the cheaper than usual price tag.
Mike Nouveau, a specialist in vintage watches, has made a career of collecting and explaining rare and historical pieces.
Mike Nouveau is a vintage watch expert who stopped a man on the street to point out how rare his 1979 Rolex Day-Date President with a Greek day wheel and a wooden dial is
He even stops people in the middle of the street when a particularly rare watch catches his eye – as he did with Constantine Giavos – the proud owner of a 1979 Rolex Day-Date President with a Greek day wheel and a wooden dial.
The expert explained the rarity of the “very specific” watch — he said Rolex made 26 different languages, and Greek was “definitely one of the rarest” — and added that he’s never even seen one in real life.
Nouveau revealed that such a watch would sell for more than $20,000 today due to its rarity and historical value, despite being worn and outdated.
Fashionable and wealthy watch lovers will find pieces that are less pristine and more worn, stylish and cool.
Christopher Bastin, 50, the Swedish creative director of fashion brand Gant, wears a scratched but still elegant Rolex Submariner from the ’70s.
“The dial flew off while I was working in the garden last year,” he said. “For me, it’s pointless to have a watch that you have to be careful and squeamish about.”
The pristine condition of a Rolex can still be attractive, but a battered version is considered a more modest approach than a glittering timepiece.
Although watch enthusiasts choose shabby watches for style purposes, it is important that the piece still serves its purpose.
Dylan Lewis, founder of Goldfinger’s Vintage in Brooklyn, told The Wall Street Journal that there are several things to look for when shopping for a vintage watch.
He said scratches, subtle dents or discoloration can give the desired appearance, but cracked glass or a misshapen dial or hand “compromise the integrity of a watch.”
Experts suggest that if you want to achieve the look of a worn watch, find a reliable dealer to guide you in the right direction without overpaying or selling a doomed product.
Binstock has said that wearing a stylish shabby watch is a private luxury for him – only he knows its true value and interesting quirks. Plus, it doesn’t scream on the wrist.
