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Collecting watches is like collecting time! While no one can actually possess time, watch collecting is like a holding time in the form of instruments, which measure it. When one thinks of watch collecting, most think of wristwatches. First a little watch history. Aside from the sun and stars, weight driven mechanical timekeepers were developed in Europe around the end of the 13th century. As early as 1465, wearable sundials were made. While some had hourglasses tied to their legs, real portable timepieces were not possible until the invention of the mainspring. With large debate, most credit of the first mainspring is given to a German clockmaker, Peter Henlein, from around 1511, while others say the earliest wearable timepieces were made in Italy in 1475 to 1488. Nonetheless the early clock-watches were large heavy drum shaped brass boxes, with parts made of iron and steel, and a hinged ornamented grill like cover so the single hand could be read without opening. These clock-watches were attached to clothing, or were worn around the neck on a chain. Later these cages took a round shape, and by the mid 1500’s, the wealthy had clock-watches shaped like books, animals, fruit, stars, flowers and skulls. Early watchmakers (also hour glass makers) derived from locksmiths and tinsmiths, and it would take them seven years become a jury master. It was not until 1556, that Taqi al-Din created a spring powered pocket watch, with three dials - hour, degrees and minutes. Swiss watchmaker, Patek Phillippe, made the first vintage wristwatch in the late 1800’s. And then, until World War I, only women wore wristwatches, as it was unmanly for a man to wear a wristwatch. During the war men were provided with “Trench” watches, which gave them access to their watch, while keeping their hands free. After the war, men switched from pocket to wristwatch 50 to 1.
Watches have been made by the hundreds of millions, and thus most watch collectors do not want one of every watch made. Most watch collectors select a theme, and have parameters and a budget to determine which watches to add to their collection. For some their theme is to collect a particular brand, while others collect a style or period. Some collect historical events, the space programs, sports, cartoon characters, Disney, or just some particular complication like chronometers, moon phases, or square faced watches. I have a lady friend that has to have a watch that matches, each outfit and pair of shoes, but that’s another story. One collector says “It is better to develop an understanding of the history of horology and development of movements first, then start a watch collection around a theme that gives you the most pleasure or intellectual stimulation”. Every watch is a combination of many elements – brand, color, design, functions, hands, jewels, material, movement, etc,. And thus, based upon what a collector is looking for, this is truly a collectible in which the collector determines what a watch is truly worth. No matter the value, if it’s a watch that doesn’t match his theme, it’s worth nothing to him. Some watches can be worth a few dollars, while others over $100,000. You need to find the right collector, and be well educated about the watch. Don’t just take the advice of a local jeweler, because he sells watches.
It is sad, but one has to be very careful of the watches he or she buys, especially over the Internet. You can’t just buy a watch because of the brand name is featured in a photograph. Short of your watch not being shipped at all, you MUST find and buy from reputable sellers, a reputable dealer who is willing to accept a return if you’re not satisfied. Every good brand has counterfeit watches often worth less then $10. From the outside, every detail looks like the real thing, font size, logo, and material all look the same. But when you hold them, or look inside, you don’t feel or see the quality or craftsmanship of the real watch. Instead you may find computer chips, or plastic parts. Many times these fakes are mass produced in factories, ran by organized crime rings, and by people that have no knowledge of the art and craft of real watch making. No high-end watch brands permit their retailers to sell via the web, that’s not to say you wouldn’t find one by a private party, but buyer beware. Factor in the inevitable disappointment as part of your watch collecting experience. If you buy enough watches, you will be disappointed now and then. Be sure to thoroughly read all descriptions, and look carefully at photos.
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