What It Is Really Like Working in the Luxury Watch Industry
AN INSDIERS PERSPECTIVE
I used to be that girl… The one who stared at a Rolex thinking it was the only luxury watch brand in the world. The one who always said I am going to work hard to buy myself my own Rolex one day. In my mind there was only one watch, a simple stainless steel black dial with smooth bezel and a jubilee bracelet. It was not until I started working for one of the best watch dealers in San Diego, Ca, that I understood how much more magical the world of luxury watches really is.
Don’t get me wrong, Rolex watches are a masterpiece, they are delicate yet bold, from the different dial colors, to the creative ceramic bezels each model is one to admire. Here are a few things I have learned. Watches are not only timekeeping machines, they are art, they are history, dedication and they are heirlooms passed down, recreated, reinvented and at time not even touched at all.
A FEELING LIKE NO OTHER
There is something so special about walking into the office, and your boss saying “you won’t believe what just came in today” and proceeding to showing you vintage pieces that were part of the transition from pocket watches to wristwatches.
There is something so special about walking into the office and hearing your boss say, "You won't believe what just came in today." Every watch dealer dreams of hearing those words because you never know what is about to be sitting on the table. It could be a watch that hasn't been seen in years, a piece with an incredible story, or one that collectors around the world have been searching for.
WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL
These are the watches that remind me why I work in this industry.
Imagine receiving a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 6300A-010. The only stainless steel example ever made, created for charity, it is one of the most complicated wristwatches ever produced. It isn't simply valuable because of its price. It represents the absolute pinnacle of traditional watchmaking and is considered by many to be one of the greatest modern watches ever created.
Or imagine opening a box to find a Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman' Ref. 6239. A watch that completely changed the vintage Rolex market, made legendary through its association with Paul Newman and now one of the most collectible wristwatches in the world. For collectors and dealers alike, it is far more than a Daytona, it is a piece of horological history.
Then there is the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 in Stainless Steel. Only a handful were ever produced, making it one of the rarest perpetual calendar chronographs ever made. Most examples were crafted in gold, so the stainless steel version has become almost mythical. It is the kind of watch that museums, collectors, and dealers all hope to see at least once in their lifetime.
IT IS NOT ABOUT THE DOLLAR VALUE
The thing here is that it is not always about the dollar value, it is about truly understanding that watches represent a moment in history that can never be recreated. Whether it is because the amount made is limited or because the watch represents an innovation that changed watchmaking forever or maybe because it has become a symbol of collecting itself, these are the pieces that fuel the passion of everyone who is lucky enough to be a part of this industry.
These are a few reasons why working in the luxury watch world is so special and exciting. Every phone call, every conversation, every package opened and every new collection has the capability of containing something extraordinary. It is the possibility of discovering one of these legendary pieces that keeps every watch dealer looking forward to coming into the office, no matter how many watches they have seen before.
If you are interested in the watches above or looking for your first or next purchase please explore our current selection below and/or browse through our website for more unique timepieces.
