I came for those reversos (the hands!) but stayed for the lesson on watch design. I always think if you can reduce an idea to a very simple line drawing and it’s still special, then you’re onto something. Otherwise you’ve got to get the glitter out and start rolling…
When the "Problem with Provenance" popped up in my inbox I thought someone was taking shots at me! The relief that washed over me when I realised it was your newsletter!
I love provenance in watches, but I totally agree with your assessment. History is simply interesting and any impact on price should be minimal. I fear people often get carried away!
While I generally agree with you about this, I will admit to liking some categories of provenance when it comes to watches. I am involved in the motorsport world so I put some extra value on watches with motorsport provenance and especially watches awarded to or even just owned by drivers. I suspect that we all have interests, connections and involvements in our individual worlds which, if attached to a specific watch, might increase our interest. So, While Nassar's watch or the crummy low grade Waltham which sunk on the Titanic with Jacob Astor have little interest to me, a watch presented to a race car driver by a sponsor or a sanctioning body will light me up and make me part with my money. JohnCote
Haven’t finished reading the whole story yet, had to jump down here to the comments to say just how much this resonates with me “Vintage Heuer feels like the working man’s Rolex.2 Specifically the Carrera – it’s got a cleaner design than the Daytona and a better case than the Speedmaster.”. Of course I’m biased given that I own a late ‘60s Carrera, but your statement would land well even if I didn’t. Shoot me a note, would love to share more about that specific watch with you as I imagine you’d find the “provenance” (or lack thereof) quite interesting.
In my view, the 'Milgauss 6541 that passed' is the one to have. I far prefer this simple rendition that the mega-buck Rolex Museum purchase. Hopefully a wise fan offered closer to the low estimate post sale. Mr T is correct in sighting first gen Reverso's as being undervalued. Like driving an Alfa, everyone should own a Reverso in steel - for myself, that experience remains elusive (here in South Africa vintage anything decent is hard to find).
As a graphic designer of nearly 50 years standing, we won't go down the flag route - politicians and good design do not good bedfellows make. Also, I feel Bremont 2.0 have lost their way somewhat...
•Excellent post. The problem with provenance is that it is in the eye of the beholder. Let's examine the most pure and most accepted form of provenance and move further down the tree from there. Imagine a watch owned by a parent who died suddenly and unexpectedly. (Cue the Christopher Walken scene in Pulp Fiction if you like.). That provenance matters. How about a watch owned by a more distant relative or a friend? A coworker? It might be rather meaningful to you or not.
DId a certain author or artist create a work which has a lasting effect on you? Then owning a watch they wore pays homage to them and might remind you daily of their creative output which helped shaped you. That provenance might matter to one person but not to most other collectors.
Whether it will be a problem with provenance or an allure of provenance depends on the narrative which the collector creates in their individual mind.
•Onto watch design as borrowed from flag design. I absolutely love this paradigm. Thanks for sharing.
"Keep it simple
Use meaningful symbolism
Use two to three basic colors
No lettering or seals of any kind.
Be distinctive"
Hey SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED 1,000 ft = 300M BLA BLA BLA,
I'm looking at you!
•Excellent review of the Reverso. I am guilty for saying that every watch collector needs a Reverso in their collection, but I have yet to add one or more to my collection. Your review was helpful.
Provenance is important if you already like the watch. All by itself, I don’t really care. I do find it neat to think about watches’ lives before they came to me though. Mundane or exotic, there’s something about an object having a separate past from my own that’s fascinating.
I came for those reversos (the hands!) but stayed for the lesson on watch design. I always think if you can reduce an idea to a very simple line drawing and it’s still special, then you’re onto something. Otherwise you’ve got to get the glitter out and start rolling…
glitter dials, now there's an idea
When the "Problem with Provenance" popped up in my inbox I thought someone was taking shots at me! The relief that washed over me when I realised it was your newsletter!
I love provenance in watches, but I totally agree with your assessment. History is simply interesting and any impact on price should be minimal. I fear people often get carried away!
HILARIOUS -- though i'm not above starting a newsletter beef
Would it involve rap battling at any point? It's not my forte, but I'll try anything once.
While I generally agree with you about this, I will admit to liking some categories of provenance when it comes to watches. I am involved in the motorsport world so I put some extra value on watches with motorsport provenance and especially watches awarded to or even just owned by drivers. I suspect that we all have interests, connections and involvements in our individual worlds which, if attached to a specific watch, might increase our interest. So, While Nassar's watch or the crummy low grade Waltham which sunk on the Titanic with Jacob Astor have little interest to me, a watch presented to a race car driver by a sponsor or a sanctioning body will light me up and make me part with my money. JohnCote
if you're from Indianapolis you're entitled to feeling a particular connection to racing watches ;)
thanks for reading John
Haven’t finished reading the whole story yet, had to jump down here to the comments to say just how much this resonates with me “Vintage Heuer feels like the working man’s Rolex.2 Specifically the Carrera – it’s got a cleaner design than the Daytona and a better case than the Speedmaster.”. Of course I’m biased given that I own a late ‘60s Carrera, but your statement would land well even if I didn’t. Shoot me a note, would love to share more about that specific watch with you as I imagine you’d find the “provenance” (or lack thereof) quite interesting.
In my view, the 'Milgauss 6541 that passed' is the one to have. I far prefer this simple rendition that the mega-buck Rolex Museum purchase. Hopefully a wise fan offered closer to the low estimate post sale. Mr T is correct in sighting first gen Reverso's as being undervalued. Like driving an Alfa, everyone should own a Reverso in steel - for myself, that experience remains elusive (here in South Africa vintage anything decent is hard to find).
As a graphic designer of nearly 50 years standing, we won't go down the flag route - politicians and good design do not good bedfellows make. Also, I feel Bremont 2.0 have lost their way somewhat...
a vintage reverso is hardto find in any part of the world!
but yes, i really liked this milgauss. felt 'honest' - think it's ending up in a solid collection ;)
Chromakopia should get extra points for introducing the peoples to Doechii
true her tiny desk has been my soundtrack for the last week
Bless you Tony. It’s about the watches. And do you even want to wear the damned thing. You can’t buy a piece of somebody, or a piece of history.
exactly!
Didn’t know you were from Indy. I’m an Indy-raised NU Law grad who spent the majority of my adult life in Chicago, so I like your style!
ha, we might be the same person
•Excellent post. The problem with provenance is that it is in the eye of the beholder. Let's examine the most pure and most accepted form of provenance and move further down the tree from there. Imagine a watch owned by a parent who died suddenly and unexpectedly. (Cue the Christopher Walken scene in Pulp Fiction if you like.). That provenance matters. How about a watch owned by a more distant relative or a friend? A coworker? It might be rather meaningful to you or not.
DId a certain author or artist create a work which has a lasting effect on you? Then owning a watch they wore pays homage to them and might remind you daily of their creative output which helped shaped you. That provenance might matter to one person but not to most other collectors.
Whether it will be a problem with provenance or an allure of provenance depends on the narrative which the collector creates in their individual mind.
•Onto watch design as borrowed from flag design. I absolutely love this paradigm. Thanks for sharing.
"Keep it simple
Use meaningful symbolism
Use two to three basic colors
No lettering or seals of any kind.
Be distinctive"
Hey SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED 1,000 ft = 300M BLA BLA BLA,
I'm looking at you!
•Excellent review of the Reverso. I am guilty for saying that every watch collector needs a Reverso in their collection, but I have yet to add one or more to my collection. Your review was helpful.
Provenance is important if you already like the watch. All by itself, I don’t really care. I do find it neat to think about watches’ lives before they came to me though. Mundane or exotic, there’s something about an object having a separate past from my own that’s fascinating.
Tony, is so damn smart. Seriously, I truly appreciate the insights on the Reverso models. Still missing the one I shouldn’t have sold. Thank you.