Antiquing and Watch Repair
If you are anything like me, you like to go to junk fairs, antique shows, flea markets, estate sales, and other places where people gather to swap antiques. I do not think there is one antique show or flea market out there that doesn't have at least one luxury watch somewhere in its dusty anoles. The two questions collectors and amateurs alike often ask themselves are; is this watch valuable? And can it be restored?
The first thing you are going to want to look for when you find an antique watch is the brand. Rado, Rolex, Tag Heuer, and other well-known brands have the highest chance of being valuable. Especially if they are of a rare make or model. Brands like Audmars Piguet and Longines watch repair and restoration can be worth your while financially. It's a bit of a guessing game when you find a brand name watch at a flea market or antique store, you could find that it is valuable and worth restoring, or you may find that it is nothing more than an old watch.
Provenance is also important when dealing with pre-owned watches. If the owner can tell you the story of the watch you can more easily asses its value. It is a good sign if the story of the watch goes back far, and the owner knows a lot about how it came down through time. Another important thing to look for is engraving. Although an engraving can affect the value, the fact that someone took the time to engrave the watch in the first place is a good sign.
One thing that is constantly fooling people at flea markets or estate sales is the cosmetics of a watch. Grit and grime on the outside of a watch don't mean it's a piece of junk. A watch can be cleaned. You should check the inner workings of the watch because those are the hardest to repair and can have the highest effect on the watch's value. Even a watch that is missing its band can be a diamond in the rough.
It's highly doubtful that you will find that million dollar 1912 Rolex watch at a flea market anytime soon, but collecting watches at fleas and garage sales is a fun hobby. Often times getting a watch restored and then selling it will pay for the restoration fee with a small sum left over. It's also a fun way to learn about history and watch making at the same time!
About the Author
At http://www.WatchRepairNY.com you can enjoy expert repair on your luxury watches. Besides servicing your watch, you can purchase battery replacements, watch straps for sale, and add beautiful engraving.
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