The proliferation of fakes, Franken watches, and fraudsters in the pursuit of a noble but more expensive hobby are one of the most aggravating elements of collecting vintage timepieces.
Vintage watch case for men is popular throughout the West. The novelty and romanticism of wearing a little engine on your wrist as a timepiece and a fashion accessory appeal, especially to men.
All kinds of creepy crawlies have emerged from their hiding places in response to the revival of the mechanical watch. In the pursuit of antique watches, one is sure to run into a slew of shady characters, including repairmen who overcharge for shoddy service, people who sell counterfeits as the real thing, "Doctor Frankensteins" who assemble new watches out of spare parts, and the usual assortment of crooks and con artists looking to separate cash from the pockets of the credulous and unwary.
To give you a sense of what collectors are up against, consider that more than half of all postings of classic Omega Constellation watches on a prominent online trading site were of watches that were inauthentic in some way, according to a survey and follow-up I conducted over seven days.
The three tenets of "caveat emptor," "know your product," and "buy from people who know what they're talking about" guide the decisions of savvy collectors in any collecting sector, but they are especially crucial when buying vintage timepieces from either online or brick-and-mortar dealers.
Frankenwatches are timepieces whose movements are 'created' by combining components from multiple models with the same caliber number. There are several European countries where these timepieces are referred to as "Wedding" watches. This is most common in collector-prized watches priced in the middle to upper price ranges.
Several other purposeful and unintentional scams occur alongside the blatantly dishonest practice of selling "Frankenwatches."
Using a previously owned case to house a different movement; re-dialing an existing model. Learn the caliber numbers of the movements within the watches you're interested in collecting if you have a particular brand in mind. The best way to differentiate caliber numbers from serial numbers is to think of them in terms of the specific engine they identify (similar to cars: eg. 2.5-litre DOHC V6 describing the engine in a current X Type Jaguar). If you're interested in collecting a specific brand, it's in your best interest to learn about the differences between the many grades available for that brand.
By reusing the rest of the same series of movements and just swapping out the caliber-designated piece. This is typical of watch companies with a wide variety of models, especially those where the top-tier pieces command a premium over their entry-level counterparts. Color contrasts or the freshness of the component housing the caliber number are common giveaways of a counterfeit of this type.
Mismatch the watch's casing with its high-end dial and mechanism. The case back numbers of many collectible vintage timepieces can be cross-referenced with the serial numbers to verify authenticity.
Using counterfeit hands and crowns to make a watch look genuine when the originals have worn out. A typical issue that lowers the value of vintage models. To avoid being duped, it is a good idea to amass a collection of photos of authentic timepieces before making a purchase. Images can be easily acquired and traded through online forums.
Poorly implemented dialing and re-dialing. Inquire for enlarged photos so you can inspect the print quality and see where the text is placed. An improper re-dial can reduce the value of a watch by as much as 30 percent. Just like with watches, images and the advice of fellow collectors are crucial when trying to establish the genuineness of a timepiece.
Substituting original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components for worn original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components on several vehicles. Although this is not necessarily wrong, it does suggest that the mechanism was injured or neglected at some point in its history. Watches with more than one color in their movement are frequently avoided by knowledgeable and picky collectors.
Check the unreplaced components for signs of wear and tear such as scratches, gouges, corrosion, and so on. A well-maintained watch is a sign of quality, so be sure to inquire about the watch's service record and current condition. If the seller is unable to provide this information, it is best to pass on the watch rather than risk the disappointment of owning a piece that has been abused in the past and dealing with the continued effects of that abuse.
Referring to a venerable warrior as though he were a dashing prince. Words like "minty," "100% real," "extremely clean," "this one is a keeper," and so on are common among sellers. In the absence of supporting proof, most of these descriptions are meaningless.
Check for discoloration on the plates and bridges when inspecting a high-quality photo of the watch's movement, which you should always request when making an online purchase. Inspect the rotor bridges and the case back (where the model and serial numbers are located) for corrosion and discordant coloring. It's a good idea to keep an eye out for any shiny new additions. All of these things point to a fake, a part exchange, or at the very least, extensive maintenance.
Check the movement for signs of incompetent work, such as burred screw heads, scrapes, and damage to the movement plates or bridges. This could be an indication that the movement was separated from the case for some time before a matching case was found. Examines the plates of the movement for any signs of discoloration, blotches, corrosion, or spots that don't fit along with the rest of the patina.
Verify the watch's durability by looking at the inside of the case back. Over-polishing the watch case to the point that the edges are no longer crisp is another sign of extensive use that will lower the value of the timepiece.
10. A worn-out watch is a sign of neglectful ownership and infrequent servicing. It is easy to spot a neglected mechanical watch since the telltale indicators are visible to the naked eye, even if the watch hasn't been maintained in three to five years as is the recommended maintenance schedule.
Watches showing obvious traces of an amateur watchmaker's handiwork, such as blotchy coloring, scratches, gouges in the movement, overly polished case backs, and poorly refinished dials, should be avoided. They can also indicate an old, stale trend that has been repackaged and sold to the uninitiated with a lot of buzz on the Internet.
Check the dial closely for any signs of significant or minor indentations that could have been made by screws. This suggests that the screws in the mechanism are not genuine.
If the dial has corrosion or flaking, it may be time for a replacement. This is a possible sign that the watch was not maintained as often as it should have been while it was in the tropics. Submersion is also a possible interpretation.
Regularly serviced watches will have their seals replaced during service, so there shouldn't be any visible evidence of water damage. Keep in mind that rust under a dial cannot be seen and that a dial that is flaking or peeling could be an indication of a more serious issue.
In most cases, rust on watches cannot be eliminated but can be neutralized. Corrosion on or around the case back's threads or the seam where the case back and the case meet is a telltale indicator of carelessness. These indicate that the movement has not been serviced regularly, which could lead to premature wear.
Thousands of hobbyists around the world can attest to the satisfying nature of collecting watches. Thankfully, they frequently convene in online communities where they are more than willing to talk shop about the products they love. Learn as much as you can about the market worth of timepieces so you can make informed decisions about your collection.
When compared to its war-scarred poor cousin, a watch with a uniformly colored mechanism that has retained most of its original luster and shows signs of regular service commands a higher price and increases in value.
