Rolex's ranking in vintage watch collecting?

[cruvon]

Hi, if we were to list the hottest collectable vintage luxury watch brands by number of collectors, which would they be from highest to lowest?

My guess of the the most popular by number of people collecting

1) Rolex
2) Omega
3) Patek Phillipe?
4) ?

[Paladin]

I think you need to be a bit more selective in the descriptive terms you use. I think " the most popular by number of people collecting" would have your ranking list most valid.

I think that Patek is probably the "hottest" if that means desirability and upward movement of value.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I think you need to be a bit more selective in the descriptive terms you use. I think " the most popular by number of people collecting" would have your ranking list most valid.

I think that Patek is probably the "hottest" if that means desirability and upward movement of value.

Done!:)

[cruvon]

The list so far:)

My guess of the the most popular luxury watch brand by number of people collecting

1) Rolex
2) Omega
3) Patek Phillipe?
4) ?

[Paladin]

I think that IWC, OP and JLC also have small but committed communities of collectors. Where they rank in your list, other than "4" and beyond, I have no idea.

[cruvon]

Thanks, we make it as we go along:)

1) Rolex
2) Omega
3) Patek Phillipe?
4) IWC
5) OP
6) JLC

[Paul]

I'm guessing that Omega would rank number one. Many 50's / 60's Omega references can still be picked up for chump change so a collector can build up a nice collection without going broke.

Not so easy to find a cheap Rolex and Patek jumps up a notch again. So, I'm thinking ....

1) Omega
2) Rolex
3) Patek Phillipe




.

[cruvon]

Thanks Paul, so

the most popular luxury watch brand by number of people collecting

1) Omega
2) Rolex
3) Patek Phillipe
4) IWC
5) OP
6) JLC

[UJU]

I guess there's probably quite a few Seiko collectors out there.

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by UJU

I guess there's probably quite a few Seiko collectors out there.

True but not sure if they could be classed as luxury watches though have seen some real beauties with some of us here.
To guys here, any opinions on Seiko being classed as a luxury brand? I do know it's a premium Jap watch brand though.

[SWIMPRUF]

I'd consider Grand Seiko in number 4.

[Clay]

There is Rolex and Patek.....And then there are all the rest....

[Clay]

There is Rolex and Patek.....And then there are all the rest....

[dsio]

Originally Posted by UJU

I guess there's probably quite a few Seiko collectors out there.

Agreed, Seiko's vintage autos are nothing to look down upon, a minty vintage 150M diver is a remarkably solid daily wearer for a man of taste.

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by dsio

Agreed, Seiko's vintage autos are nothing to look down upon, a minty vintage 150M diver is a remarkably solid daily wearer for a man of taste.

:)

Blessed enough to get one of each reference in its original form.

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by cruvon

The list so far:)

My guess of the the most popular luxury watch brand by number of people collecting

1) Rolex
2) Omega
3) Patek Phillipe?
4) ?

+1 I would say this is right, of course in terms of value, people still believe Patek has magical powers lol!

[red57]

Originally Posted by Clay

There is Rolex and Patek.....And then there are all the rest....

True..Because all the rest are eta's

[sierra11b]

I agree that Seiko and Omega take the 1 and 2 spots and trump Rolex in the numbers department just because there's more great affordable pieces available.

I also think Rolex might be in lower half of a top ten list if you consider Hamilton, Longines, Heuer, Breitling, Eterna, Bulova/Accutron, JLC/LC etc. THEN consider the movements which some go after: Valjoux, Lemania/Omega, El Primero, Bumper etc.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by red57

True..Because all the rest are eta's

Well not really, ETA didn't come to prominence as the go-to movement manufacture until relatively recently. Omega, Longines, IWC etc all produced in-house movements, often of exceptional quality (I'm wearing a 1960s Omega Cal 552 right now).

The vintage world is so much bigger than Rolex, and try to keep in mind, the vintage Rolex Daytonas, ALL contain Valjoux (now ETA) movements, so next time you see a Paul Newman go at auction, keep in mind the fact that its heart is not of blue blood, but straight off a Swatch Group member's production line.

[cgjane]

Don't forget Panerai. Some vintage Panerai pieces are astronomically expensive

[dsio]

Originally Posted by cgjane

Don't forget Panerai. Some vintage Panerai pieces are astronomically expensive

The trouble is _all_ vintage panerai's are astronomically expensive.

The reason Rolex, Omega, IWC etc vintage watches have a wide appeal is that you can buy in for under $5k, Panerai is too small a production run and too high a price, its like comparing vintage Ferrari to Vintage Bugatti, one has an entry point (308 etc) the other just doesn't. Even Patek has a very reasonable entrypoint for uncomplicated 33/34mm dress watches of the 50s and 60s.

[kyle L]

I think Omega is number one because there are so many in circulation and they are very affordable...this one was a couple hundred.

[adam78]

Originally Posted by cruvon

Thanks Paul, so

the most popular luxury watch brand by number of people collecting

1) Omega
2) Rolex
3) Patek Phillipe
4) IWC
5) OP
6) JLC

What's "OP"? I must be losing it. I know "AP" of course...

[harry in montreal]

what do those seiko 150s sell for ?

[red57]

Originally Posted by dsio

Well not really, ETA didn't come to prominence as the go-to movement manufacture until relatively recently. Omega, Longines, IWC etc all produced in-house movements, often of exceptional quality (I'm wearing a 1960s Omega Cal 552 right now).

The vintage world is so much bigger than Rolex, and try to keep in mind, the vintage Rolex Daytonas, ALL contain Valjoux (now ETA) movements, so next time you see a Paul Newman go at auction, keep in mind the fact that its heart is not of blue blood, but straight off a Swatch Group member's production line.

If you call the use of ETA movements for Omega and other major brands for over 30 years "recently" I don't know what to say in response ... Even in the 60's base movements were used by Omega and other brands.

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

what do those seiko 150s sell for ?

Like all vintage pieces condition and originality play a major role but depending on the model its can range from 200usd - 2k. My favorite are the 6105-8000 and the 62mas.

[Goose]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

:)

Blessed enough to get one of each reference in its original form.

Nice stable.
My Seiko SKX007J was my "Holy Grail" Seiko at the time.
It's a 200m and I wanted to have the J and not K.

Relative to this post, I wondered if a stock Seiko was luxury. I don't wonder such with the GS line.

I looked up the definition of "luxury". One is:
"Luxury goods are products and services that are not considered essential and associated with affluence." (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxury_good)

Disagree. ALL my watches are "essential" to me. I tell my wife and kids that every time I get a new one.

But my old Datejust is my most essential ;)

[hennabav]

Originally Posted by Frogman4me

:)

Blessed enough to get one of each reference in its original form.

That's a sweet collection you got going there David! I remember you showed me a piece you were going to acquire...did that ever come through? I hope all is well my friend!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by adam78

What's "OP"? I must be losing it. I know "AP" of course...

Officine Panerai