With collecting watches becoming more and more popular, more and more people are buying second-hand watches. Some watch collectors would rather wait a few years for a brand-new watch than buy a used one. Both choices have good points and bad points. Here are some pros and cons to think about when choosing between a new watch and an old one. There is no right answer, though. Many people who like watches have collections of both old and new ones.
Cost-benefit
Most watches and clocks made in the past are cheaper than those made today. Like a brand-new car, its resale value goes down as soon as you drive it off the lot. A brand-new watch rarely sells for the same amount as when it was first bought. Two notable exceptions are Rolex and Patek Philippe.
Condition
Timepieces that are brand new never break. You’ll be the first one to scratch it. Even if you take great care of an old thing, it will show signs of wear and tear over time. Many people have pointed out that this is what gives the watch its personality. It can start conversations on its own.
Usefulness, reliability, and accuracy
Modern watches are more accurate and reliable than the ones that came before them because they are made with high-tech materials like silicon in their movements. Timepieces from the past aren’t as accurate as those made today. Over time, mechanical watches have become more accurate. Because watch companies are always coming up with new ideas, newer models may have more features than older ones.
Selection
You might be in the market for a new collector’s watch. Putting money into old things could be a good idea. On reputable websites that sell used goods, you can sometimes find old models or brands that are hard to find.
Servicing
A new watch can go on for many years without being fixed. The mechanism of an old watch may need to be oiled more often.
Resistance
If you do a lot of physical activities, you might want a tough watch. Many modern watches can also take shocks and can stand up to magnetic fields. Vintage watches from before the 1950s are not water- or shock-resistant. Before you buy a new or old watch, you should think about how you’ll use it.
Warranty/Guarantee
A warranty or guarantee on a brand-new watch usually lasts for at least a few years. A vintage watch or clock isn’t guaranteed to work. Is this true? Can you put a price on something that’s brand new? Some people keep their watches in the boxes they came in in case they want to sell them in the future. Any new watch will do. A lot of old watches no longer have their original boxes because they were lost over time. But some antique and used stores do sell things in their original boxes.
Kindness
There is a chance that an old or used watch will need more maintenance than a brand-new one. Old watches don’t last as long as the ones made today. It’s beautiful, but it needs to be taken care of like an old car.