A high-quality vintage watch is an investment: its value increases and multiplies over time. During the economic downturn of 2008-2009, prices for popular vintage watches fell by 30-40%, only to return to record highs when the stock market recovered. For investors looking to diversify their investments, valuable watches, like gemstones or precious metals, can be "safe" assets that retain their value and may even outperform others in times of economic crisis.

No watch has become as valuable as the Rolex Daytona, a timepiece that American actor Paul Newman made legendary in the late 1960s. In the 1960s, a model in good condition would go for about 680 euros; in 2020, we are talking about hundreds of thousands of euros for the same model. When Paul Newman's Daytona sold for 15.3 million euros in 2017 (500% above its estimate), setting the world record for a wristwatch sold at auction at the time, the model experienced a resurgence in popularity. For Rolex alone, 358,279 sessions were listed on Barnebys in 2020, compared to 229,033 in 2019, indicating a renewed interest and confidence in the brand in general.


Another factor is that the vintage watch market has particularly adapted to the digital age: buyers now have access to a huge selection of models from around the world. The web offers more transparency, allows to find rare watches and to compare different models, while shipping is facilitated by their small size. Buying authenticated watches from a reputable dealer or auction house presents minimal risk to the buyer. The high quality images and detailed descriptions provided on the platforms encourage more and more collectors to dare to buy with a click.

As can also be seen in several areas, including the world of clothing and furniture, retro is in vogue. Popular brands such as Rolex, Omega and Patek Phillippe are bringing vintage back into fashion by redesigning models from the 1960s and 1970s, hoping to capitalize on the trend and feed the burgeoning market for vintage watches. However, the "real" vintage pieces are unbeatable and highly coveted by collectors. Analog electronics, on the other hand, are appealing to younger generations (just look at the resurgence of vinyl): watches have a more authentic charm and appearance than a high-tech Apple watch, and benefit from current technology.


Owning a vintage watch is like wearing a piece of history on your wrist. The search for the perfect piece provides a satisfaction that retail does not, and retro models are available at all price points. Vintage watches tell a story, and unlike most other categories of objects, wear marks aren't necessarily a bad thing: small nicks or scratches simply show a life well lived. One thing is for sure, these classic pieces are valued for many reasons, and the market for vintage watches is not going away anytime soon. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)