Updated: Mar 4
We at WatchArtExchange think of watches as money or a stock. As a matter of fact we call ourselves an Exchange. We are trying to build stable watch prices. We see watches as valuable property. Our mission is to protect your watch investment. No one else can do what we do.
Confused?
Let me explain. When you buy a $10,000 or $50,000 watch, that is real money you are spending. When you try to sell that watch, you're lucky if you get 50% back. As a matter of fact, it's a common cliche that "you don't buy the watch as an investment, you buy it because you like it."
The watch manufacturers are very keen on having you pay top dollar for their goods, whether it's a Rolex, Patek, Vacheron, or an Audemars Piguet. The same manufacturers aren't really interested in the resale value, because they have already made their money.
Most high end watches are a status symbol. The businessman spends $15,000 on a Rolex so that he can get the $1,000,000 contract for his company. The luxury goods and fancy suits are just the cost of doing business.
WatchArtExchange is hoping to change this.
The luxury watch manufacturers make much money on the sale, but they actually lose money trying to repair or restore their watch. As a matter of fact, they lose a customer if they can repair or restore your watch.
Our mission is to safeguard your hard earned money. We want your watch to not only maintain its value, but increase its value.
Yes, we can make many watches like new again.
A watch in its original factory condition will command respect and have its highest value.
Imagine if you needed cash to invest in stocks or put an addition to your house, wouldn't it be nice to know that you could get your money back that you invested in your watch collection.
A dream?
Maybe.
Our rich friends often use expensive artwork for the same reason. For them a Picasso is like money in the bank. Why can't we recognize watches for what they are: desirable pieces of art that are valuable, like a Picasso or a Monet or a Rembrandt.
WatchArtExchange is in the business of helping you get the most out of your watch.
Yes for your personal pleasure, but also as a worthy investment. We do this by offering a complete watch company with world class restoration and advertising. Advertise with us for as little as $100 per year with no commission. We offer professional photos for as little as $100. The sale is directly between you and the buyer. We offer a certificate of authenticity for $100. You can relist your watch for sale after buying from us, for as little as $100 per year. Your watch is valuable. We want you to profit from your investment. Your watch is the ultimate bitcoin. Your watch is private wealth that can be handed down through the generations.
Every day in our shop we take old beat up watches and give them new life. It is not uncommon to increase the value of any watch by ten fold. A beat up Rolex that is worth $1000 can miraculously be transformed into a $10,000 treasure. Look at our website for over 1200 examples. Look at our brief video below of actual restorations. Read our blogs.
Our goal is ambitious. We put our customer first. It's the only way. We have to convince you that we will partner with you to get the most out of your watch.
Our hope is to bring the "watch" to a new level of respect as a work of art:
WATCHARTEXCHANGE.
In our hearts, we know this to be true.
Thanks
Dr. Joe
Updated: Mar 25
I was working last night and got into a conversation about watches with the nurses and doctors.
They couldn't understand why anyone would spend $1000 or more on any watch.
Maybe they are right. Maybe it is a waste of money. Maybe the Mona Lisa or that 1965 Ferrari is overpriced.
What makes anything valuable? Scarcity? Rarity? Beauty? Maybe all of those things.
Why does a Seiko at Costco sell for $159 and the Rolex next to it sell for $15,999. Both shiny and beautiful. It makes no sense.
Secret, the Seiko at Costco and the Rolex at Costco are machine made. Yes, Seiko and Rolex make over a million of those watches per year. Look it up! That's why the Seiko costs $159. Rolex, through clever marketing and artificial shortage, can charge $15,999. By the way, we love Rolex watches because with simple maintenance they are designed to last forever!
Vintage Watches as we call them were Hand Made. It took over two weeks to make a single watch. Some of our Rado, for example, only had a few thousands ever made. They are extremely rare.
Yes, but watch manufacturers frequently re-issue new watches based on their older counterparts. Not true. Any new watch made to look like the old one is machine made and has a modern movement inside. The new issue of the old watch looks similar, but is completely different. It is essentially a "fake''.
Speaking of fakes, the guy sitting across from you might have a genuine Rolex or Breitling, or maybe it is a true fake. Yes, because modern watches are machine made, they can be perfectly copied. Counterfeit watches are a big problem for Rolex, just like counterfeit dollars are a big problem for the Secret Service.
Vintage Watches by virtue of being handmade cannot be counterfeited. We know they are original. This is why they are valuable. A vintage watch in factory condition is very rare indeed and this makes it very valuable.
Watches are like cars.
A 1965 Ferrari fully restored is very scarce, rare, beautiful and quite valuable. It's probably a good investment. Someone out there with money will want to buy it from you. They don't make them any more.
If the same Ferrari was discovered on a farm, sitting outside in the rain since 1965, rusted, original paint all gone and the engine completely shot, you could probably get it for a very good price, but it wouldn't be worth much.
This is the current problem with most vintage watches. In unrestored condition, they're not worth much.
Experts ask us to look past all the scratches, all the water damage, and instead focus on the "patina" of the dial of the vintage watch. This is rubbish!
Why do the experts ask us to fool ourselves?
Because the experts know from experience that there is no one out there to properly restore a vintage watch back to its original condition, like a Ferrari. That's why.
Why not wear a vintage watch that is in its original factory condition?
We think you should.
We think you can!
WatchArtExchange is one of the best kept secrets on the internet because we are so incredible.
Oftentimes, the manufacturer simply throws generic parts
at your watch because they can't restore your original parts, thereby bringing the authenticity of your watch into question. What you get back is a mosaic of your original watch and generic parts, essentially a Frankenwatch.
Yes, many times the actual manufacturer doesn't have the correct parts or the expertise and time to restore your watch correctly. Unbelievable!
The manufacturer makes money selling you a new watch, not restoring your old watch.
Rolex will not even attempt to repair or restore some vintage watches. It's
simply not profitable.
WatchArtExchange is the only company that we know of that can restore your vintage watch or any watch back to its original near factory condition. Period.
Don't believe us?
Try to restore your vintage watch anywhere else and learn the hard way.
We have experts that specialize in the movement of your watch.
We have experts that specialize in the dial of your watch.
We have experts that specialize in the case of your watch even using LASER technology.
We have experts that specialize in gold plating of your watch.
We have experts that specialize in making any watch band for you.
We are a complete watch company with over 20 years experience. We can literally do anything with watches.
We specialize in Vintage Watches, specifically Rolex, Patek, Vacheron and Audemars Piguet, but we can repair and restore any watch both vintage and modern.
Vintage watches have a bad reputation because most resellers have no clue what they are selling. They just resell junk for the most part. Who wants to wear a beat up broken watch on their wrist. It's not going to impress anyone. This is why unrestored vintage watches like the unrestored Ferrari sell so cheap.
WatchArtExchange recognizes that there are literally millions of vintage watches out there begging to be brought back to life. eBay? Chrono24?
This is not only profitable for us, but it is also profitable for you. For a small price you can increase the value of any watch by up to ten times (10X) or more. Even a new watch loses a great deal of its value once it has been worn for a couple of years. We can make it new again.
The truth is, watches are very valuable. They are worth more than their weight in gold.
Watches are private wealth that can be handed down through the ages and enjoyed
here and now.
Many of our customers send us old watches that their parents or grandparents wore.
Watches become part of us. Watches are part of our precious memories. A broken watch becomes a valuable family heirloom when properly repaired and restored.
If you can afford a fully restored 1965 Ferrari, then go for it.
For the rest of us, maybe a fully restored 1965 Vintage Watch is the way to go.
Thanks for reading. Take good care.
Dr. Joe
P.S. Please visit our website. It's basically a Homepage and a Repair page. You will find a lot of reliable information about watches. All of our watch prices are negotiable. WatchArtExchange LLC stands behind all sales and repairs with a 1 year warranty.
P.P.S.
PAY NOW OR LATER. Watches are like cars. Oil changes are cheap. New engines are expensive. We offer LIFETIME WARRANTY if your watch is serviced by us every 3 years. Keep your watch like new forever for pennies on the dollar.
Watches are very much like cars, even quartz watches have mechanical parts.
If you want your watch to last forever, then we recommend basic servicing every 3 years. Just like your car, your watch requires proper tuning and lubrication.
A single Rolex replacement part can cost you $1000 or more if you can even find it. This is what happens if you wait for your watch to come to a grinding halt: the parts wear out and get damaged.
Don't be afraid to wear your expensive watch because of daily wear and tear. We got you covered. We can make your watch like new again, beautiful and valuable both inside and outside. Look at our collection. Many of our watches were restored to perfection.
Don't be afraid to enjoy your watch every day. Make it part of your routine. Make it part of your armamentarium to take on the world!
For as little as $300 make your watch like new again.