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fine jewellery

Vintage & Prestige Fine Jewellery Collection

We are delighted to announce the online launch of the “Vintage & Prestige Fine Jewellery Collection”, operating as a complement to our accessories line. This collection stands apart, curating and retailing exclusively selected pre-owned rings, necklaces, ear-rings and other items set with the world's finest and rarest stones.

We work with some of the most experienced valuers and appraisers in the jewellery business to assess and distinguish our items prior to retailing, and are delighted to launch with a wide variety. All of our products may come with an appraisal, likely exceeding the sale price, as we aim to offer value for money.

Looking forward to 2021, we are already delighted about our first overseas exhibition in Monaco, at the Monaco Classic Grand Prix as partner of the Historics auction. More of which to follow!

I hope that you find our Vintage & Prestige Fine Jewellery collection as exciting and compelling as we do. We have worked tirelessly to launch our initial collection, and we will be adding more as time goes by. Please be assured, our desire to select, acquire, and retail the most wonderful wristwatches and accessories remains unchanged.

Thank you for taking the time to share our news, we remain, as ever, open to assist with your requirements.

Warmest wishes
Andrew
On behalf of the team vintageandprestige.com


Choosing Limited Edition Watches

omega speedmaster ultramanIt seems as if another limited edition, or numbered edition, watch is introduced every other month, and very much the case with Omega Speedmasters.

Whilst the variety and choice of limited editions may seem bewildering, there really is scope to select a statement piece which differs from other peoples. The two key drivers for acquiring limited edition watches, regardless of manufacturer seem to be :

Individuality. There may be endless productions of regular Speedys or Seamaster, but choosing an Apollo or Ultraman distinguishes the wearer as a connoisseur.

Investment and the investment potential is certainly clear, with a significant number of limited editions gaining in value aggressively over time, note particularly the Alaska project.

What to Look For When Choosing Limited Edition Watches

Firstly, we suggest looking  for a watch that the wearer likes first of all. After all, they are intended to be worn! Taste, whilst subjective, combined with uniqueness is a great start, ideally inspired by or tributing a classic helps.

Secondly, a limited edition which is exactly that. 5007, 10007 examples isn't that limited really.

Lastly, a limited edition which means something significant and is attractive to other wearers.

We were fortunate enough to source, stock and sell two Ultraman Speedmasters “Speedy Tuesday", both ticked all the above suggestions and priced sensibly, both sold swiftly and found tasteful and lucky new custodians.

The next element to add a little confusion to the mix is collaborations and customisations. We’ll leave in-depth analysis for both for other articles, but we will flag up the most attractive and unique collaboration, which is also a limited edition, and which we have sourced recently (and available for sale at time of writing). And shock. It’s not an Omega.

In 2019, IWC, collaborating with The Rake and Revolution magazine, launched The Pilot reference IW324019.

We are not going to plagiarise the beautifully written description of the watch when launched but to highlight a couple of quite unique features which answer our ‘how to choose’ recommendations…

iwc x the rake and revolutionThe IWC Rake is same dimensions as the original Pilot, which also uniquely has a bronze case which will patinate over time to be a properly unique piece.

The military green dial (the first green dial IWC) is stunning and perfectly embodies the military heritage of the Pilot. With a choice of three extremely high quality straps, the icing on the cake is the George Cleverly leather.

Made from 1786 (yes really!) reindeer hide, found in the seabed and preserved perfectly. The aroma of the leather is quite something, think 1950s sports car but better!

IWC X The Rake X Revolution is a limited edition of 150 pieces. Yes, they sold out promptly!

This is an attractive watch, of classical dimensions. Arguably, there is a return to classically dimensioned watches, this is pre-empting the trend.


Tissot Ladies Watch

Elegant Tissot Ladies Watch

Tissot Ladies WatchA long established watch maker since 1853 Tissot have a fine reputation. This Elegant Tissot ladies watch is a classic timepiece.  This watch would make the perfect Christmas gift, a watch to take her effortlessly from day to night. Please contact us for more details.. Tel 020 070 0800
Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.
We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.
For 2017, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle.
All purchases between 1st December 2017 and 21st December 2017 with a value over £1500 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket.
The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen, VIP invites to our next event, the London Classic Car Show as well as a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.
We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.
Please note we will be unable to guarantee Christmas deliveries for purchase made after 21st December this year.
We will be open throughout the festive period until 22nd December. We close between 22nd December (1pm) and reopen on 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 27th - 29th of December 2017 and closed between 30th December 2017 and 3rd January 2018, although emails may be responded to. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2018.
Please contact us for terms and conditions of the V&P Raffle (also posted on our blog).
May we take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas.

wimbledon and watches

Wimbledon and Watches | Tennis and Time

Since 1978, Rolex have been the official timekeeper at Wimbledon. Possibly the most associated sponsorship in sports, the Rolex crown and clocks have become so embedded in the tennis championship’s televised coverage, it would be hard to imagine the timekeeping replaced by another manufacturer.

Rolex have strong associations with yachting, motorsports as well and we have considered what timepieces could add value to your summer wardrobe.

Wimbledon and Watches

Rolex Submariner gold or gold & steel (reference 16613 16618 116613 116618) with blue dial and bezel: Arguably the best summer watch (for V&P's Andrew) the blue dial evokes sun and sea, so this watch is perfectly at home on the water, in the water or propping up a bar near the water. Water resistant and durable, the gold Submariners exude practical glamour.

Rolex Datejust

Take a simple Rolex Datejust in steel, and you are following in Roger Federer’s steps, as he was spotted with a Datejust II on many occasions, likely owning to his ambassadorship for Rolex. Upgrade to a vintage Daytona for the evening as he does.

Omega Speedmaster

Ignoring the Moon Watch, and opting for a special edition or limited production run, such as this Rattrapante, with split second timing, and you are master of the race track, or the school sports day. The carbon fibre dial looks superb au soleil.

Tag Heuer

Beach watches needn’t be limited to Casio or Swatch (As admittedly we recommend) . Picking a pre-owned Tag Heuer, such as this 2000 Exclusive with polished case and bracelet, and you have your mobile mirror to reflect the sun as well as a grey dive watch. One which, incidentally, is just at home in the evenings.

Breitling Superocean

Take one vintage inspired dive watch, with modern day size, and you can evoke your own James Bond moment. This example is extremely keenly priced.

Need more inspiration? Give us a call, or subscribe to our Instagram feed… and please send us your holiday wrist shots, we always enjoy receiving these.

Whatever your choice, wishing you a sporting and enjoyable summer from all at Vintage & Prestige


Olympia Historic Automobile Fair & Auction

Olympia Historic Automobile Fair & Auction

Olympia Historic Automobile Fair & AuctionVintage & Prestige are proud to sponsor the Fine Watch Room at February’s Olympia Historic Automobile Auction & Fair.

The Olympia Historic is an exciting inaugural event focused on the luxury market in London. Vintage & Prestige will be exhibiting wristwatches together in the same space, Grade II listed London’s Kensington Olympia, and we would be delighted to meet you there.

We will be exhibiting an array of vintage and modern Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, as well as motorsport related chronographs and some select Heuer timing. We will also have a selection of stunning ladies watches and some vintage jewellery available for viewing and purchase on the day.

Coys Auction will see some exceptional Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche cars go under the hammer as well as the last Clarkson- era Top Gear celebrity wheels from “Star in a reasonably priced car”.

We will be updating our social media throughout the event.

We have a limited number of VIP invites for the opening champagne reception on Friday 17th February. Please contact us if you would like to attend.

For each purchase made at the event, we will be offering a complimentary watch winder.

Press release:

Vintage & Prestige curate and retail the finest pre-owned wristwatches and luxury accessories. Established in 2015 as a boutique e-retailer, the concept of Vintage & Prestige evolved from over twenty-five years as avid watch collectors and vintage luxury enthusiasts. Vintage & Prestige’s client base is worldwide and as a company pride themselves on selecting and acquiring the finest items of their type and travel to collect and to gain inspiration. Vintage & Prestige is proud to sponsor the Fine Watch Room.

Throughout the Olympia Historic, in the fine watch room, Vintage & Prestige will be showcasing a selection of hand-picked pre-owned fine watches for sale including the following categories:

•    Motorsport related and chronograph timing
•    Vintage Iconic watches
•    Dive watches
•    Watches of the decade (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s)
•    Ladies luxury watches


watches and cars 2

Watches and Cars Part Two – Sport

watches and cars 3The benefit of having a brand associated with any sport has its obvious benefit. To be intrinsically utilised by the sport has a different slant and is understandably a sought after marketing collaboration.

Take Wimbledon, which wouldn’t be the same without the prominent Rolex timekeeping. Motorsport is unquestionably the most historic allegiance and arguably is the root of, or at least catapulted the usage of chronographs into the mainstream.

I’d argue that Heuer is the most iconic motorsport watch, having pored over vintage 70s Chronosport catalogues that feature wonderful period Breitlings, Enicars, Seikos, Sicuras, Gallets, its is Heuer which stand out.

Partly the reason for this is Chronosports’ promotion of the Heuer brand, but mainly the reason is the iconic names for Heuer’s pieces: the Monaco, Autavia, Camaro, Monza, Carrera and the “other” Daytona.

Omega initially designed and launched the Speedmaster with racing in mind before it went to space and later collaborated with Michael Schumacher and has an eponymous range of watches, some signed on the back, some ‘known as’.

watches and cars 4Rolex are now the official timekeeper of F1, and the Daytona is the Rolex chronograph, but Heuer will always be the label on Steve McQueen’s sleeve in Le Mans, and on the many tribute jackets seen at motoring events across the country (and world).

Tag Heuer re-issued the Carrera, Autavia, Monza and Monaco and these are staples in many collections. Later non re-issue Tag Heuers are frequently chronographs, albeit with a diving slant, with a couple of very motorsport focused lines; the F1/ Formula 1, which debuted at the beginning of the 1990s as the entry level Tag Heuer, famously featuring a wheel influenced box and chequerd flag inspired bracelet (when not worn on rubber).

There’s a range of Senna, Hakkinen limited editions and of course the later Tag Heuer Kirium analogue / digital is called the F1, a more contemporary take on the company’s history.  So if a motorsport watch is what you crave, you can choose from a vintage look, like the Heuer Daytona, a modern take on a vintage look, such as the Tag Heuer Monaco, or root for a split second timing device at a superb price, the Kirium F1.

If you enjoyed this post you can read part one here.


Jaeger LeCoultre Tribute to DeepSea

Jaeger LeCoultre Tribute To Deep Sea

Buying for the watch collector in the family this Christmas ? Be inspired and inspire with a limited edition wristwatch, such as this beautiful Jaeger LeCoultre Tribute to Deep Sea, of which only 959 were made. We, at Vintage & Prestige, love a limited edition, so if you are looking for a particular make then please let us know.

Jaeger LeCoultre Tribute to DeepSea

The watch:
Jaeger LeCoultre Tribute to Deep Sea, box and papers, full set in outstanding condition, £6995.

See also:
IWC, Patek Philippe, Omega, Jaeger LeCoultre

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.


Chopard H

Chopard H

Diamonds are for a white Christmas with this most stunning Chopard H watch, with a white gold case factory set with the highest quality diamonds. At home as an everyday watch or for a very special occasion, this Chopard will be a gift to remember.

Chopard H

The watch:
Chopard H, 13/661, box and papers, outstanding condition, huge saving against list price, £8495

See also:
Chopard, Rolex, Pierre Kunz, Cartier

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.


vintage EBEL classic ladies

Vintage EBELClassic Ladies

Need inspiration this Christmas? This ladies vintage classic Ebel ticks a lot of boxes. Vintage! Manual winding movement! Yellow Gold! Classic! Under £1000! Do you like the blue strap? We do, but if you don’t, let us know and we can change it.

vintage EBEL classic ladies

The watch:
18k yellow gold ladies Ebel, circa 1980, leather strap £895

See also;
Rolex, Omega

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.


Tag Heuer Monaco Christmas

Tag Heuer Monaco Christmas Gift

The perfect Christmas gift for a man who likes motorsport and retro design. Made famous as the Heuer Monaco (before Heuer became Tag Heuer) and famously worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans. The Tag Here Monaco is a design icon and immediately recognisable with a curved square case and worn either on blue or black leather, a stainless steel bracelet or a racy Nato.

Tag Heuer Monaco Christmas

The watch:

Tag Heuer Monaco re-issue, reference CK2113 -0. Stainless Steel case and bracelet. Complete with box and instructions and in outstanding condition. Our price is £3295.

See also:

Omega Speedmaster, Tag Heuer Chronograph, Heuer, Rolex, Breitling.

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.


iwc portofino dress watch

IWC Portofino Dress Watch

Bring some timeless elegance to Christmas this year with a classic dress watch. The ideal gift for the man who wears a sports watch every day, pick a rare one like this IWC Portofino, and its the gift of investment as well as the gift of style. Read more about dress watches on our blogs.

iwc portofino dress watch

The watch: IWC Portofino 3204T, ultra thin, 18k yellow gold case, dated c 1979, £2795

See also: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Piaget

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.


Chopard Happy Sport (Red)

Wear your heart on her wrist this Christmas with this incredible Chopard Happy Sport which features a ruby set floating heart which contrasts the festive red strap. Ideal for the glamourous sportswoman, Chopard have created the ultimate Christmas gift with this Happy Heart.

Chopard Happy Sport

The watch:

Chopard Happy Sport, unworn with box and papers £3595

See also:
Chopard, Cartier

Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.

We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.

For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.

We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.

We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.


Porsche Orfina

Watches and Cars Part One | Collaboration

Its pretty understandable for those who like cars to also like watches and vice versa, given that both are mechanical (however they are powered), and that something can be determined, whether correctly or incorrectly by the wearer or driver.

However, collaborations between watchmakers and automobile makers has a long and potted history.

Porsche OrfinaFerrari, being one of the most desirable brands in the world has had the prancing horse added to Girard Perregaux and perhaps most famously Panerai but also Cartier, as well as the newer more modestly priced Scuderia watches. Corum produced a Rolls Royce grill watch. Perhaps, though, Porsche has the most interesting history. Porsche Design is of course a stand alone brand and the watches have been a mainstream spanning over forty years.

Initially the watches were made by Orfina, subsequently IWC and finally by Eterna. The earliest designs were so legible and of such quality that some were issued to the military.

Today, Porsche Design represents superb value compared to comparably storied and distinct watches, and we have sold and have for sale both recent and vintage Porsche Design.

The early Orfina are perhaps the most “Porsche” of all, and the design evolution has the spirit of the 911.

Breitling for BentleyIts interesting to note the popularity of the Steve McQueen Heuer and its forever attachment with LeMans, compared to the comparable lack of awareness of these early titanium and DLC (the first mainstream black watch) Porsche Design by Orfina.

The IWC versions took a new level of ‘80s style, rather like the evolution of the 911. Recent collaborations have included Jaeger LeCoultre for Aston Martin and the hugely successful Breitling / Bentley collaboration which has been a mainstay of the Breitling range for over a decade.

2016 sees no sign of collaborations abating with Ball massively promoting the BMW collaboration with some superb large sized watches and Zenith for Range Rover.

Will these watches, many of which are limited editions or unintentionally limited through age and availability, be sought after collectors’ pieces of tomorrow. More trend led than classic brand staples, such as the Navitimer or Luminor, we see potential, given the relative value offered in the secondary market.


vintage watches in film

Inspired By Film | The 1980s Part Three

Al Pacino made Scarface and the white suit and his little friend may make the most memorable scene, however during the height of his meteoric rise as a gangland boss, the detail makes the man. His ride was the Porsche 928 (there’s a theme here) and his watch was a wild Omega. If this is a little gauche for today’s wear, a vintage Omega Electronic would do the trick.

Vintage Watches In Film

Wall Street is perhaps the most iconic film of the Eighties, with more quotes and memorable scenes than any other, and referenced heavily in Boiler Room, the Wolf of Wall Street, and Money Never Dies, and all throughout it is Gekko’s costumes which frequently steal the scene. Perhaps unexpectedly, instead of the ubiquitous Rolex, he wears an eighteen carat Cartier Santos, and Bud Fox ‘earns’ his Cartier Panthere through his misguided and dodgy dealing. Interestingly, in the sequel, Money Never Sleeps, the Cartier features again before being replaced by a more zeitgeist IWC.

vintage watch in filmJames Bond predominantly wore Seiko throughout the Eighties but when Timothy Dalton entered the lead role in The Living Daylights he initially wears a black military PVD Tag Heuer in Gibraltar and then a Rolex Submariner Date in the latter part of the film, which he also wears in Licence to Kill. Given the era, its likely to have been a Rolex Submariner 16800, now known as the transitional submariner date.

In Summary, regardless of budget, living the Eighties dream never came cheaper. The cars may now be modern classics, with prices outpacing even the wildest expectations, but there are horological icons of the Eighties that can be achieved from £20 to £20,000. If you feel inspired, our picks would be;
Casio Digital (calculator optional) for the aspiring time traveller or streetwise cop.

Rolex DayDate or Yellow Gold Cartier Santos for the Eighties Wall Street Raider or Style Guru.
Rolex Datejust for the reward for the work you have done. Just don’t let the bad guy get a grip on it.

Cartier Must de Cartier for the fashionista who appreciates tradition and elegance.

Porsche Design for the all action hero who owns the Danger Zone.

Also consider these wonderful Ebels, the most underrated watch around today. Miami Vice’s crew seemed to like, once the Rolex was replaced.


watches in films

Inspired By Films | The 1980s Part One

It’s no surprise that we at Vintage and Prestige loves all things that evoke an époque and the 1980s, no matter how the vagaries of time has judged, had a fashion impact that far exceeds any other (to debate!).

We’ll cover the fashion element in another article, but as kids and teens of the eighties, we remember the films were… amazing. From Ferris Buller’s Day Off, Die Hard, Beverley Hills Cop, Top Gun, Cocktail, Weekend At Bernie’s, Back to the Future, Scarface, through to Wall Street, there really was something for everyone. We’ve left off most of James Bond, as really, this article will come soon… as expected.

Watches In Film

 

watches in filmsWith a degree of measured retrospect, and as avid watch spotters, its hard not to see the (borderline) genius of the wardrobe departments’ choices for the lead characters. The outfits were epic, no matter how crazed you might look today, trying to emulate the vest and sweat combo of Bruce Willis or even Gordon Gekko’s frankly amazing suits.

Finding a choice of watch which might nod to your love of all things Eighties is far easier and actually incredibly enlightening. Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane, with that all American cowgirl and shorts combo, was sporting a Must De Cartier Tank, the vermeil choice of all aspiring fashionistas.

If any ladies watch stands the test of time, and can accompany you during a daring getaway from creepy Ed Rooney to an art gallery, the restaurant your beau’s dad dines at, and on to a ball game, as well as a city parade (Von Steuben Day if we are really being pedantic) , the Must De Cartier is the go-to choice. Now rare to find in the condition that Sloane wore, we seem to sell these within minutes of them landing. This example, we sold in a day.

films in watch 2The Eighties were also remembered for being the decade that cemented brand awareness, reflecting the aspirations of the upwardly mobile generation.

When Bruce Willis’ John Maclean attends his estranged wife Holly’s work party, he is shown her new watch, gifted by the Nakatomi Corporation. “Its a Rolex” he is arrogantly told by her colleague Harry. I consider it likely the Rolex survived the fall better than Hans Gruber during the finale. The Rolex Lady Datejust is as much an item of beauty today as it was then. We have the same model for sale (albeit without the skyscraper fall damage).

To be continued...


high fashion watch brands

High Fashion Watch Brands | Ladies

Every fashion brand has a watch range from the high street to haute couture and has done for many years. With pieces for every budget, from Next and Karen Millen to Chanel and Ralph Lauren it's also interesting to note whether the watch is chosen through an affiliation to the brand, an aspiration to the lifestyle or simply for the design element.

Arguably Gucci could be singled out as the most successful high fashion watch brand with strong and unique designs dating from the 1990s. Gucci was often listed in period Watches of Switzerland or Tempus magazines alongside Raymond Weil and Tissot in the entry level price bracket.

Putting aside any (whether correct or not) snobbery about the movements, the designs  were excellent and certainly avantgarde and citing the Gucci 1500 alone, was one of the first integrated bangle watches achieving a popular following since the integrated bracelets of the 1970s.

It was a leap away from period Accurist and Rotary. The 3000 model used the Gucci red and green stripes and could be considered a cost effective alternative to period Cartier Must. Going further, the 1100 and 1200 had interchangeable bezels, introducing customisation well ahead of todays trend for strap alternatives.

Ladies fashion watchesIn recent years, Chanel introduced the J12 in white or black ceramic, and was at the forefront of the colour trend, collaborating later with Superleggera to produce some highly individual and distinctive statement pieces, filtering to the high street via Michael Kors and Toy Watch.

Dior’s Christal range we like immensely and have examples for sale, as they complement any outfit from daytime sports to evening chic. Some of the most stunning designs at Salon QP 2015 came from Ralph Lauren, utilising wood to evoke a racing car’s steering wheel. It worked superbly.

Pre-loved Ladies High Fashion Watch Brands

The secondary market, however, has a mixed response to pre-owned fashion brand watches, which can make for some superb bargains.

If you pick wisely, some of the icons of yesteryear and even the near past can be picked up, pre-loved for the same price as a new Armani Exchange or Michael Kors. The quality will, undoubtedly, be higher, given the lion’s share were and are fully made in Switzerland, and the likelihood of seeing someone else wearing the same watch would be unusual.

Chanel W1088_3Some examples would be Hermes Kelly watches, 1980s Yves Saint Laurent and as we mentioned, Gucci. Whilst a 1980s Rolex will without doubt have a value today near or in excess of the price paid by the original owner, Gucci watches can be bought for under £100 and one of the ‘90s heroes, the G watch, retailed at £775 new (according to our period catalogue) and today can be seen for under £200.

Chanel J12s are still popular new, but if you choose pre-owned, you will save almost 50% of the list price, enough to show it off, poolside or barside, in the sunshine, using the saving.

Our Dior Christals are also priced at less than half of list price. Whilst we wouldn’t press the investment route as the immediate value for money is quite clear, and there shouldn’t be a huge loss when or if you sell. If the price of vintage gilt Chanel jewellery is anything to go by, the demand is growing.

Our ladies high fashion watch brand choices for your budget would be:

£100-500: 1980s or 1990s Gucci, Hermes (also see Tiffany & Co)
£500-1000: recent Dior Christal, 1980s Chanel Premiere (also see 1980s Must De Cartier)
£1000-2000: recent Chanel J12 small, Louis Vuitton
£2000+: recent Chanel J12 large, Ralph Lauren


louis vuitton vintage jewellery

BBC’s Night Manager

louis vuitton vintage jewelleryThe Night Manager, on BBC1, screening on a Sunday at 9pm is a diary-blocker. We have been absolutely captivated by this adaptation of John Le Carre’s book.

Spotting the Vintage & Prestige link may seem obtuse at first, but let’s begin with our love of the most erudite of good guy / bad guy couplings for many years.

The acting is first class, as should be expected with the great Hugh Laurie’s return to the screen, in this least expected guise: the most charming and menacing villain imaginable, Richard Roper.

Tom Hiddleston is giving the longest audition to be the next Bond and he has our votes in abundance. If Jonathan Pine became James Bond, we’d be very happy.

It’s the details in this mini-series that we love as well, amply demonstrating the reported £3 million per episode budget.

The use of location is spectacular ranging from Cairo (well, the Es Saadi resort in Marrakech) to the glory of Zermatt and “that” house (fort) in Mallorca. The lavish Riva boat scene overshadows the gems sitting in Richard Roper’s fleet of classic cars; an Aston Martin DB2 and a Jaguar XK120 and Tom Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine rode a racy Triumph motorcycle in Devon.

Elizabeth Debicki plays Roper’s girlfriend Jed, who channels the Great Gatsby look with flair. Sitting on Roper’s wrist is a rose gold IWC Spitfire.

audemars piguet vintage watchThe wardrobe of Jed is a highlight, but the gentlemen hold their own, from the linen shirt, suit combos worn by Roper’s gang, to Pine’s impeccable suits as the Night Manager and later elegant summer wear and not forgetting David Harewood, as Joel Steadman in the CIA, who sports a suede jacket/ chino combo with flair.

Its a sumptuously prestige spectacle, with a peppering of vintage style. Have we justified our V&P link? Maybe, maybe not, but we love the series enough to shout about it!

Inspired by the Night Manager’s wardrobe, we’d suggest a designer necklace from LV? It would certainly bring a modern splash to a vintage ensemble.

Or an Audemars Piguet Edward Piguet Chronograph in pink gold? The villain may have a large rose gold timepiece, but good guys wear them too.

Or a Rolex Seadweller, perfect if you find yourself locked in a luxury mansion and needing to swim away?
We don’t have a sports boat or sports car for sale though…