The evolution of prices ...

[unknown]

A week ago or so I made a post with some 'for sale' adverts from a 1999- 2001 Italian magazine. As most could expect, prices for secondhand pieces were much cheaper back then.
Not only due to the inflation .... but watches were just much cheaper in general

Now let's go a step further ...

Among probably 1000 books, magazine and so about watches ... I also have auction catalogs from the high houses ( sothebys, christies, .... ) starting from 1972 until today.

I can tell you that in the 1970's watches were just a small business for auction houses. Catalogs were thin, barely pictures an if they had pictures 90% was black and white
Watches that were sold were more like pocket watches, clocks, table clocks and wristwatches were only a very tiny part of an already tiny catalog

A very early example ... 1972 or 52 years ago




and 2 others from the 1970's
As you can see, including the auction results fees included.

This papers was send to you weeks after the auction took place



I won't post many pics from watches that were in the catalog cause as said before ... most are NOT wristwatches.

Here is an example of the pocket watches ... TOP quality but not really the wristwatches we're more interested in




Let's skip the 1970's and move to the end of 1980's and early 1990's cause THEN wristwatches came more into the picture.
Easy to see when I look at these catalogs. More coloured pictures, more wristwatches, much better quality catalogs and wristwatches took a big part of the catalog.

1987 and 1988



and some examples of what kind of watches that came up for sale
Defenitely recognisable today, the steel sport watches from the late 1980's
But look at those prices ....





Patek , and fr sure the high end pieces were always expensive
40- 45 K CHF might sound like a bargain today
Yes it's A LOT more today for that exceptional Patek but know that it was a HUGE amount in 1988








Stell sportswatches were NOT that sought after as today. People we more into real high end stuff.
And while I think there must be a world were both sportswatches as real high halter horlogerie fit in ... I must say I'm more for real high end watchmaking and definitely when I see how expensive some sportswatches became

Anyway, any takers for that vintage Daytona at 1750 USD ? :-)



And an example that top watches were always more expensive than cheaper made sportswatches



3000 USD for a Paul Newman :-)



or 10K for a gold PN



Och yes ... Beware of trends
Panerai .... In the 1985-1992 ... They were for free and nobody was interested in them
Look at this real vintage Radiomir ... A watch that sold for 100-200K in the early 2000's ....an estimate around 1600 USD



As said ... TOP quality had its price .... ALWAYS



On the other hand ... If you bought it even at 200.000 I'm sure its a couple of million today so 35 years or 40 years later it still was a good buy

Lets go back to steel sport watches ....
How about a REAL vintage Royal Oak or Nautilus

I put the result next to it ... Look at lot 212 and 214
That's about 3.000 USD all fees included




and thats more or less the same as a Daytona PN



and those real vintage panerai from the 1940's
an estimate around 2.500
Well look for the result on the list
You won't find it ... it skips the lot number ... Because it passed LOL ... not worth 2,5K



I bet today there would be more interest for this original VC 222
3K? Anyone ? :-)



A Patek 2499 around 175K .... yes it's definitely more today but not 30 times more






Hope you enjoyed it a bit.
Could post a million of these but this already says enough I hope

One thing I would like to add ....

Look at these prices Breguet fetched.
Today in some cases it's barely more ... Today is a ridiculous huge opportunity to add one or more Breguet in your collection.
IF you like them ... take your chance.
DON'T do it for the money or to make a profit ... but for the joy of haute horlogerie and admire the little work of art on your wrist

[TheHolyLuck]

Thank you for the nice post. I really enjoyed the pictures and the reminder of hypes that comes and goes.

[metallic]

Great informative post. Reminds me of the mantra buy what you love and ignore the hype.

[Moondoggy]

Fantastic post, thank you, agree with Breguet too.

[HL65]

Great post Bruno and great advice!

[Cru Jones]

Great post, thanks.