![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/dd30d64077ed92edf28bf277743c4462ace4cc08.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
November 3, 2026 \u2014 6:01pm<\/p>\n
Save<\/p>\n
You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n
Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n No gift articles left<\/p>\n You’ve used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.<\/p>\n Close<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin \u2013 names that come with cach\u00e9 and value, well into the thousands. Those who collect vintage watches are a secret society, trading them behind closed doors or following them on the secondary market.<\/p>\n When one comes up for sale, it\u2019s not dissimilar to a flock of seagulls fighting over a hot chip. Some keep their watches in bank safes, others proudly display them in glass-topped cabinets in their dressing rooms \u2013 a joy to look at as much to wear.<\/p>\n Patricia Kontos, from Leonard Joel\u2019s Fine Jewels & Timepieces, has a wealth of experience when it comes to valuing vintage watches, having worked at Sotheby\u2019s and Christie\u2019s over her 30-year career.<\/p>\n Her focus is directed to vintage watches from the mid-20th century to the early naughties. Six years ago, Kontos was a catalyst in the purchase of a Rolex Pulsometer which was knocked under the hammer for a client in Geneva, Switzerland, for $1 million. Kontos estimates the same watch would be worth 30 per cent more if sold today.<\/p>\n A recent sale at Leonard Joel included a number of vintage watches by Patek Philippe, including a Nautilus with an estimated value of between $65,000 and $85,000, which sold for $95,000 (plus buyer\u2019s premium).<\/p>\n The Patek Philippe Nautilus ribbed champagne-toned watch, circa 1996, was also produced in stainless steel. \u201cWe find that the difference in price between the two (gold as opposed to stainless steel) is nominal given the gold one is generally worn for more special occasions and the other more for every day,\u201d says Kontos.<\/p>\n \u2018You could compare buying watches to buying shares. You need to be prepared to lose at times.\u2019<\/p>\n Chris La Galle, owner of The Watch Gallery<\/p>\n Other standouts in the recent timepieces auction included Cartier, with a number of the Cartier Tank watches being strong performers. One priced between $4000 and $6000 sold for well above the reserve: $17,000 plus buyer\u2019s premium, an additional 25 per cent.<\/p>\n Another watch, a Cartier Tank Solo from the early naughties, which had an estimate of between $2800 and $4800, sold for $8500 plus buyer\u2019s premium.<\/p>\n Those venturing into the world of vintage watches should, according to Kontos, look at watches from the 1950s and \u201960s, particularly the Chronograph watches from Amega, Rolex, Longines or Tissot \u2013 selling on the secondary market for upwards of $2000.<\/p>\n She recommends a manual winding mechanism rather than quartz (battery operated). But importantly, she suggests \u201clooking at a watch that holds appeal, whether for its aesthetic, its function or both\u201d.<\/p>\n Chris La Galle, who owns The Watch Gallery in Little Collins Street, Melbourne, has been selling vintage watches for 22 years. For those starting a collection, he suggests watches, such as Longines from the 1960s, with one of these recently selling for $1295, including GST.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a simple winding watch but this, along with say, an Omega from the same period, are a good starting point,\u201d says La Galle, with many of the entry point vintage watches generally being north of $2000.<\/p>\n He also sees the cyclical nature of vintage watches and notes that people should not expect a sudden windfall. \u201cYou should also factor in the cost of servicing, and you need to be prepared to lose if there\u2019s a sudden rush for new models,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n Editor’s pick With the opening of the new Patek Philippe boutique in Collins Street, Melbourne, formerly a flagship store for fashion designer Paul Smith, there may be a slight dent in price for vintage watches, at least on the local scene.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could compare buying watches to buying shares. You need to be prepared to lose at times,\u201d adds La Galle.<\/p>\n Expert tips on how to save, invest and make the most of your money delivered to your inbox every Sunday. Sign up for our Real Money newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n No gift articles left<\/p>\n You’ve used all of your gift articles. 3 more will become available on the 1st of every month.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/eb8d84213d36ff461dab2e09ff61dbf79a511b22.jpeg\")
A 5726\/1 Nautilus Annual Calendar luxury wristwatch, produced by Patek Philippe.Bloomberg<\/p>\n![\"Vintage](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/87ba2b04b29dd18508720e8ab120465c51463306.jpeg\")
Vintage Omega brand watches can be good value.<\/p>\n![\"Jamie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/20d2579513efb379230ba2957c71ff9c4bc39f15.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Stephen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/1793707576_992_dd30d64077ed92edf28bf277743c4462ace4cc08.png\")