As a new collector I've been reading many different sources to both learn and decide how to focus and organize my collection and develop a "want list" to guide me in building my collection. I see many different ways. I found one (among many) pieces of advice confusing.

"Decide whether you wish to collect antique or vintage watches"...later it defined antiques as those over a hundred years old. Is that really a classification of collecting and correct terminology? Then in very short time a vintage 1916 Elgin will be an antique watch?

It strikes me that that the bulky 19th century KWKS watches are clearly antiques. The huge 18s 1894 Elgin GM Wheeler I recently acquired strikes me as antique or maybe a better description is "transitional" since it has many innovations over its forerunners.

By the time we get into post war shorter stemmed more sleek designs, the word vintage seems to fit essentially until late 30's after which the term modern might fit (neglecting the WW II military).

But is these any real clear line between antique and vintage in terms of American pocket watches?

Hey Gary, This is a question that will get 5 different answers from 5 different people. I have always heard that 50 years old makes it an antique. Wikipedia defines an antique as 50 years old,and collectible as less than 50 years old. The term vintage could be used I guess for any thing that falls into either catagory. Some folks use all these terms pretty loosely. Most of the things that I see described as vintage come from the 50s and 60s,and 70s,even though some fit the term antique.

I'm an Antique, so I consider everything else 'Vintage'....

Cecil is correct, Gary....ask this question from a group and you generally will not get the same answer from anyone....

It's a good question though....

Frankly, the term 'Antique' is not a term that I use in pocketwatches, however, I do use the term when referring to my 'Antique" Clocks.... Why? I have no idea....they are all about the same age with the clocks having the edge of being slightly older, early 1800's -vs- the pocketwatches in the late 1800's....

I use the term 'Vintage' loosely I guess....Vintage, to me, can be referred in any era, such as having a Vintage 40's or 50's watch or for that matter Vintage 1800's watch....I guess vintage to me would be more of a 'Quality' term than an 'Age' term....

I think anything over 100 years old, clearly, is an 'Antique', but I just don't use the term when speaking of Pocketwatches....

Let's hear what others have to say....

Regards,

Jerry

I believe there is a legal/tax difference between antique and vintage. I don't know what the specific number is, I think around 150 years to be antique, but I believe it affects import duties.

Complex

Not a bit

Jerry is an antique as are his clocks and watches

Vintage should be left to vinyards & wine

Here's to me and you

My definition? 'Antique' means it's hard to get parts for. 'Vintage' means parts are still readily available.

It's sort of like the old debate as to when it's considered 'patina', or just plain 'crud'.

Regards! Mark

There you go Gary. I hope we have cleared this question up for you.

Hey Mark, I thought "crud" was what cows chewed.

Gary:

A 50 year old watch might be "vintage" to us but may seem "antique" to someone in grade school. Loosely speaking, it may depend on your age....

Barry

You are pretty much confirming my initial concern; this is no way to define or classify your collection objectives. I see this distinction being made in many references, but to me its very fuzzy.

As I begin developing developing a want list, items like a nice Bunn Special, Hamilton 992 seem like obvious choices in terms of quality and style, but there are many variations there in. I just got an Amazon shipment of more refrence material...I'll keep reading.

Cecil, you are thinking of a cow's Cud, that which is regurgitated and re-chewed....

Gary, when you receive your new price guide from the office, you will have all the reading you need....If I had an extra copy of the 2010 Edition, I would send it to you....this book will explain many things for you....

BTW, don't overlook the many Grade's of Elgin while your at it....BW Raymond, Father Time, Veritas, Lord Elgin and then there is the Convertibles and many many other RailRoad Grade Elgin's to consider....

Regards,

Jerry

Drambuie is vintage.

Pocket watches are antiques.

Phil is a fossil.

A vintage fossil.