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Good evening everyone!
This column talks about mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective. This is the 46th installment.
"What is 'Part Consistency' in Vintage Watches?"
I will be talking about this topic here.
In the world of vintage watches, one word that almost always comes up is "originality of parts."
Commit Ginza customers often ask questions like, "Are these hands original?" or "Has the bezel been replaced?" To be honest, some beginners may find it difficult to follow the conversation.
However, once you understand this "consistency," you will immediately understand why prices vary so greatly for the same model, and you will find looking at vintage watches much more enjoyable.
So, this time I would like to explain in an easy-to-understand way what "part consistency" means in vintage watches.
What is consistency?
"Parts consistency" means whether the manufacturing date of each part matches.
Specifically, parts such as the dial, hands, bezel, crown, case, and movement are checked to see if they are the specifications used for that model at the time of sale.
The important thing is that "old" does not necessarily mean "correct." The most important criterion is whether it "fits the era." Even if a part has once been replaced with a later part, if it has been replaced again with a part that fits the era, it is considered to be in a "matching" state.
Why consistency is important
The reason for this is simple: although vintage watches are "industrial products," they are now treated as "cultural assets."
For example, vintage Rolex sports models.
The type and composition of luminous paint on the dial and hands varies depending on the year of manufacture. The font on the bezel changes depending on the year of manufacture. The bracelet design varies depending on the year of manufacture.
As you can see, each part serves as evidence that they have lived through the same era.
That is why watches with all the parts in perfect order are valued as "watches (cultural assets) that retain their history intact."
Part replacement = all x?
So, does that mean that a watch that has had parts replaced is a bad watch? Of course not.
- Later service dial - Luminova luminous hands - Non-stretch hard bracelet
Vintage watches with these parts attached are less valued as individual pieces, but if you look at it from another perspective, you can also see it as an individual piece that has been well maintained by the manufacturer to ensure it is usable.
In addition, if any parts have been replaced, this will of course be reflected in the selling price, making this a great choice for customers who want to purchase a vintage watch at an attractive price.
*Ref. 1016 with replaced dial, hands, and bracelet
What's important is not whether the watch is a perfect original, but whether it is well-balanced as a watch and meets the needs of each individual customer.
Additionally, for advanced watch owners, it is recommended to purchase a watch inexpensively and then replace the parts to suit your tastes. Replacing parts that have been replaced with later parts with matching parts to bring the watch closer to its original appearance is one way to enjoy vintage watches.
summary
What did you think?
Vintage watches are often perceived as difficult to get into, but once you get hooked, it's a deep world that's hard to escape from, so if you're even slightly interested, please ask a Commit Ginza staff member first. We'll be happy to explain to you how wonderful and fascinating they are.
It's not a question of which is the best, but rather the value of a watch changes depending on which era you want to enjoy it from and how you want to enjoy it. We hope you will choose one that suits your preferences.
We hope that this article has been useful to you and has sparked even a little interest in luxury watches! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us directly and we will be happy to answer them. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.
Please look forward to the next one!
