Best Vintage Watches to Invest In (2024 Guide)

Vintage watches are a hybrid asset, wearable, beautiful, and capable of significant appreciation. But not every old watch is a good investment. This guide focuses on references with proven track records and strong secondary markets.

Best Overall Investment: Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675

Produced 1959-1980, the Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675 is among the most liquid and consistently appreciating vintage tool watches. Budget $15,000-30,000 for an honest example. Cleaner condition examples have doubled in value over the past decade.

Most Affordable Entry: Omega Speedmaster Professional Vintage

Reference 145.022 (1968-1988) gives you a true vintage Moonwatch, the same calibre 861 that visited the moon, for $4,000-7,000. The Omega Speedmaster Professional vintage market is liquid and growing.

Why These Two Win

• Liquidityboth have active auction markets at Phillips, Christie's, and Antiquorum
• Service supportRolex and Omega both service vintage references
• Authentication infrastructuremultiple specialist dealers offer guarantees
• Cultural significanceboth have decades-long collector communities

What to Avoid

• Refinished or service-replacement dials (50% value reduction)
• Polished cases (40% value reduction)
• Aftermarket parts (bezels, bracelets)
• Unknown provenance, always demand papers, photos, or auction history

Investment Strategy

Set a 5-10 year horizon minimum. Insure your watch (standard art insurance, not jewellery rider). Service every 5-7 years. Store with original boxes and papers. Avoid buying at peak market prices, the 2022-2023 vintage Rolex peak has corrected significantly.

Verdict

The Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675 is the best vintage investment for serious collectors. The Omega Speedmaster Professional Vintage Guide entry-level pieces offer the best risk/reward for newcomers to vintage collecting.