Image Source: Unsplash
If you love the look and feel of fine pocket watches, you certainly wouldn’t be alone, and for many, that first pocket watch is the beginning of a life-long love affair. If you are looking to start a pocket watch collection, you can look forward to an interesting and very rewarding experience. Here are a few important aspects to bear in mind.
Investment
If your main goal is to create a collection that will grow in value, then you need to become deeply knowledgeable regarding antique and vintage pocket watches, which can be done with online research. You can learn how to identify timepieces by finding special marks and symbols, and as you are looking at a very long-term investment, the collection would not normally be worn on a daily basis and stored in the right conditions.
Value Variables
There are several variables that might affect the value of a pocket watch, which include the following:
- Maker
- Year of manufacture
- Conditions
Additional features
If you are looking to start your collection of pocket watches, there is a wide selection at Kalmar Antiques that’s genuine and affordable. When acquiring a pocket watch, always make sure you get a professional appraisal before making any decisions.
Popular Pocket Watch Brands
The following brands are very well known:
- Patek Philippe
- Breguet
- Vacheron Constantin
- Audemars Piguet
- Girard-Perregaux
Of the above brands, Patek Philippe is by far the most valuable, with a good condition watch fetching tens of thousands of dollars at auction. You can expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 for an antique pocket watch, and should you be looking for that first timepiece, make sure you have the item appraised by an expert.
Image Source: Pexels
Forging An Alliance With An Online Antique Dealer
The best way by far to gain access to quality pocket watches is to forge an alliance with a reputable antique dealer, who would have connections across Australia and can source any specific brand without too much difficulty. The online dealer is part of a nationwide network and he can send you images of watches for sale and should you wish to view a piece, he can arrange that, or he can inspect the watch on your behalf and send you a detailed report. There are some great guides you can find online that might help you find a great dealer who can also help you on how to repair your antique item.
Set Your Budget
When you are ready to add to your collection, you should decide how much you can afford to invest before you start looking at timepieces, which will help you avoid over-stretching yourself financially. Acquiring a pocket watch should never leave you short of money, rather the amount of money should be considered as a measured investment in something that will appreciate in value over time. Collecting fine pocket watches is a very rewarding hobby and over the years, you should amass quite a collection that will provide you with a nest egg for a secure retirement. There’s no rush to add to the collection, and with careful acquisitions, you will gradually build up an impressive collection of top-quality pocket watches.
