Vintage buying
We buy your vintage watch — valued on how much of it is still original.
Originality decides, not condition: an unpolished case, an untouched dial, the correct hands and crown.
Please read first
The three most expensive mistakes before selling
Do not have it polished
Polishing removes metal. Sharp edges are then gone for good. Scratches cost less.
Do not have it serviced
Routine services swap hands, crown, crystal or rotor for new parts. If needed: after the sale, and demand the old parts back.
Do not refinish the dial
A reprint can halve the value. Patina and aged luminous material are sought after.
Assessment
What we look at first
Case & edges
Ever polished? Edges sharp, bevels visible, markings legible? Usually the largest single item in the price.
Dial & luminous material
Original or reprinted, evenly aged, lume matching the hands. Gilt and tropical command premiums.
Movement & calibre
Right calibre, untouched bridges and screws. We open the watch in front of you.
Provenance & papers
Invoice, service booklet, archive extract. Even fragments lift the price.
Through our hands
Pieces that were actually here
Patek Philippe
Perpetual Calendar
5140P-013
Patek Philippe
Annual Calendar
5056P-001 · 2007
Patek Philippe
Aquanaut
5064A-001 · 2007
Photographs of pieces from the Bonn Luxury stock.
Actively wanted
References we will take at any time
Patek Philippe
Nautilus
3700
First series, Gérald Genta case
Patek Philippe
Nautilus
3800
Original bracelet and clasp
Patek Philippe
Ewiger Kalender
3940
With archive extract
Patek Philippe
Ewiger Kalender Chronograph
3970
Complete set, additional caseback
Rolex
Cosmograph Daytona
6263
Dial variant decides everything
Rolex
Prince (Duo-Dial)
3937
Rectangular case, unpolished
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak
5402
Early A-series number
Eras
Three periods we assess separately
1920–1945
Early wristwatches, pocket watches, enamel dials. The movement counts for more than the case.
1945–1969
The most sought-after period: gilt dials, early divers, hand-wound chronographs on Valjoux and Lemania movements.
1969–1985
Automatic chronographs, angular cases, coloured dials. Long overlooked.
Makers
Including houses almost nobody remembers
Universal Genève, Gallet or Enicar reach collector prices you would not guess.
- Rolex
- Patek Philippe
- Omega
- Heuer
- Universal Genève
- Longines
- Audemars Piguet
- Vacheron Constantin
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Zenith
- IWC Schaffhausen
- Breitling
- Gallet
- Movado
- Eberhard & Co.
- Enicar
- Doxa
- Tudor
Common questions
What comes up most often with vintage
Dial, caseback and a side view are enough for a first opinion.
Please don’t. Polishing removes metal, a service swaps original parts, a refinished dial can halve the value. Bring it as it is — dusty and stopped is fine.
No. Both lift the price noticeably; their absence is never a reason to say no.
Yes. A stopped movement, torn strap, damaged crystal or water ingress lower the price but do not rule out a purchase.
Nothing. The examination and offer are free and carry no obligation, including if you decide not to sell.
Yes. For large collections we come to you by arrangement, in Bonn and within roughly 50 km.