Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

Watch Buying Tips from 1stDibs.com

By

1stDibs Watch Buying Tips
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Every once in a while we all like to splurge on something a that we can hand down to our kids (and maybe even make our best buds jealous of). Watches are one of the best accessories men can collect and sport without looking like Liberace, well depending on the watch.  But the new and vintage market can be daunting so we gave a shout out to our friends at 1stdibs and their watch experts shared some tips for buying a vintage watch with Manual. Read their advice on researching, finding and negotiating for the right timepiece.

1. Know Your Style – 

Recommended Videos

If you’re dressed down most of the time, then consider a diver’s watch or a watch with a cloth or slightly distressed band. If you wear a tie to work every day then a nice metal bracelet, leather or reptile strap will work best.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

2. How to Research – 

  • Auction Houses. If you know the type of watch you want then use auction house websites to research most recent auction prices. There you can learn more history on the piece and get a sense of the watch’s market value.
  • 1stdibs. If you don’t know what kind of watch you want, 1stdibs has one of the largest vintage collections of watches, all in great condition. Plus, if you find something you like on the site, you can buy it right then and there.

3. How to negotiate – 

Metal: With all watches, the type of metal affects the price. Generally speaking, gold watches are more expensive than steel watches. Research the fair market price for any metal to determine if the watch is accurately price. (Keep in mind, you shouldn’t pay “gold prices” for a steel watch.)

Complications: A “complication,” anything the watch does aside from pure time-telling, will increase the price of a watch. Chronographs (stopwatches), date functions, calendar functions (including month and day of the week), and alarms are some of the most common complications. Keep in mind whether you’re buying the complications to use or just for the look, they’re great indicators of a quality watch.

Movements: The “engine” of a watch is the movement—what keeps it running. There are three major kinds of movements: manual-wind, automatic and quartz. Quartz watches were developed in the 1970s and are generally the cheapest; automatic movements are the most desirable and generally the most expensive; manual-wind watches are a nice middle ground, however you will have to wind the watch 10-15 times when you put it on.

Box and Papers: Watches have always been sold with original papers including: Certificates, marketing and information booklets and boxes. But with vintage watches these elements are frequently missing as they’ve been lost over time. It’s not a big deal if a 60-year-old watch doesn’t have these accompaniments, however if it does, that’s a bonus… and might come with an extra cost. Don’t forget to keep all these materials somewhere safe — you’re generally paying for them and if you were ever to re-sell the watch, having them will help you get a better price.

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Topics
Cator Sparks
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Rare Birkenstock sale knocks up to 18% off the iconic sandals
birkenstock sale gilt april 2024 milano sandals lifestyle

If you’ve checked out the best Birkenstock alternatives and your heart is set on true Birkenstock sandals, there’s a great sale going on at Gilt right now with up to $30 off select Birkenstock sandals. If you’re looking for new footwear for the summer, this is your chance to do so while saving a little cash along the way. With many different sandals in the sale, the best thing to do is tap the button below to see the full options available. If you want some insight and recommendations, keep reading while we take you through our suggestions.

What to shop for in the Birkenstock Gilt sale
Responsible for some of the best sandals, Birkenstock is a brand to rely on. A straightforward option for many people in the sale is being able to buy the for $90 instead of $110. At 18% off, the sandal has a buckle closure with an original Birkenstock suede-lined natural cork footbed which molds and shapes to your foot. It has pronounced arch support with a deep heel cup, and roomy toe box. The color will suit pretty much anything you wear.

Read more
What exactly are limited edition watches?
Know the buzz word before you buy
Citizen watch in ground beans

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered why the rare piece of art could ever be worth the obscene amount of money the debonair art thief claims it's worth? It is simple, really. It comes down to the fact that it is rare. A truly original piece of art masterfully created by the very hand who conjured it up in their mind is something that cannot be recreated. The same kind of rare value exists in the watch world, too. There is an entire industry of limited edition watches that claim rarity rivaled only by the masterful artwork of Renaissance artists who can no longer create original pieces.

But what does it really mean to say that a watch is a limited edition? Does it truly mean that there is little chance of you walking into a party or a bar and running into the ever-embarrassing moment when your "rare" watch sits on the wrist of another...in the same room? Or does it mean they just want you to buy it quickly because they have numbers to make before the shareholders' meeting? Both are possible. As usual here at The Manual, we did the legwork to make sure are armed with the information you need before you click the BUY button and invest in a limited edition watch.
The parameters of limited edition

Read more
A day at the races: How to dress for the Kentucky Derby
Let your colors and patterns fly at the Kentucky Derby
Men's Derby Fashion with Bowties

Thanks in no small part to social media, The Kentucky Derby has become more than a horse race, becoming a major annual fashion event. Horse races have historically been social events that encouraged spectators to dawn their most spectacular finery going back to Victorian England. That tradition carried over to the States, and three races of the Triple Crown have been fashion events for America's upper class for well over a century. As a social engagement, the greatest of the three big races is The Kentucky Derby, and the greatest part of the race is the Kentucky Derby outfits. Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, becomes the fashion capital of the South for one weekend every May.

The rise of social media and "fit" culture have led to a boom in Kentucky Derby parties across the country over the past ten years. An event that used to be a niche interest to horse racing and gambling enthusiasts, along with the few people wealthy enough to attend the event, has become a national fashion event. People who have no interest in horse racing and will probably not even watch the race (there are a number of races happening all day, culminating in the actual headline race) gather together over their shared love of dressing up and partying. It has become an occasion to be seen, both #IRL and on every social media platform.

Read more