When it comes to luxury watches, the devil is in the detail. It takes a trained eye or a real watch aficionado to know the difference between all the different styles. With a neo-vintage watch, you’re really getting the best of two worlds: vintage and contemporary.
In recent times, these watches have been overlooked. That is no longer the case. Watch lovers are beginning to notice the real appeal of watches from this period. They offer a middle ground between two periods in time, without compromising on style and function.
Neo-vintage watches offer a bridge between the charming allure of older watches and the efficiency and accuracy of contemporary watches. Let's delve into what differentiates watches from this period, and which ones should be on your wishlist.
What Is A Neo-Vintage Watch?
There is no clear answer on what dates make a neo-vintage watch. However, we can roughly work with the timeframe of 1990 to 2005.
Neo-vintage can be defined as ‘new vintage’, which in itself is a confusing term. A watch from this category is therefore one that isn’t vintage but isn’t contemporary either. That would make a neo-vintage watch roughly 20 years old.
You might be wondering why you haven’t heard this term much before. It is quite simply because until a few years ago, these watches were pre-contemporary but not old enough to fit in a different category. Now that time has moved on a little, they deserve their own category in the watch space.
These watches were produced before the offerings of today, but don’t quite meet the criteria of vintage. People easily confuse neo-vintage watches with vintage watches. They might be similar in appearance but actually have a more advanced anatomy.
If you are not interested in modern watches but don't want a true vintage timepiece either, this could be perfect.
The Best Neo-Vintage Watches
Looking to update your watch collection? You don't need to be a watch collector to delve into the world of neo-vintage watches. Whether you are looking to refresh an established collection or begin yours, there is a watch for everyone.
These are our top picks from women’s watches, men’s watches, and unisex watches:
1. Best Neo-Vintage Watches For Women:
Omega Constellation 1262.10
Current price at resale: $1,650
More Omega Watches
Bvlgari Tubogas BB 30 AT
Current price at resale: $5,850
More Bvlgari Watches
Cartier Trinity WG200258
Current price at resale: $8,500
More Cartier Watches
2. Best Neo-Vintage Watches For Men:
Rolex Datejust 116203
Current price at resale: $9,150
More Rolex Watches
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex W51001Q3
Current price at resale: $2,800
Rolex Submariner 16610
Current price at resale: $9,250
3. Best Neo-Vintages Watches Unisex:
Baume & Mercier Classima 15163
Current price at resale: $1,950
More Baume & Mercier Watches
Cartier Pasha C Reflex 1352
Current price at resale: $2,850
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 56175SA.OO.0789SA.01
Current price at resale: $14,250
More Audemars Piguet Watches
What Does A Neo-Vintage Watch Look Like?
There is no specific look for watches from this era. Some features of these watches may be that they have traditional case sizes and are made of materials that take on a patina as they age.
Some of these watches are made with acrylic crystals. You are also likely to notice that they are made of aluminum bezels instead of ceramic
However, many of these watches will look extremely similar to their predecessors. As they are mid-way watches between vintage and contemporary, you won’t necessarily be able to tell if they are vintage or neo-vintage.
Is It Worth Buying A Neo-Vintage Watch?
Yes! Thanks to advancements in development, neo-vintage watches offer the aesthetic of a vintage watch but with the quality and longevity of a more contemporary style.
Generally, the watches from this era offer a high quality, without the more advanced complexity of today’s contemporary watches. Sometimes, watch collectors may have an affinity for vintage watches or contemporary watches, and the period in between gets overlooked.
A benefit to watches from this period in time is that they don’t come with the complications of an older watch. Vintage watches may have rare movements that are not in production anymore and thereby harder to source. These older watches might also need more parts replaced due to the condition.
There are also benefits to vintage watches, as they have such a nostalgic feeling and are collectable items. It all depends on what you are looking for and what your needs are. If you want a watch that isn’t quite new or modern, but is not high maintenance, then this could well be the best choice for you.
It’s almost like the inner world of the watch is modern, while the outside still showcases a more classic exterior. It may look like its counterparts from the 1970s or earlier, yet functions just as well as a contemporary watch. Essentially, you get to have your cake and eat it.
While vintage watches offer an elegant, nostalgic air, contemporary watches offer innovation. Neo-vintage watches have the advantage of meeting in the middle of these two offerings.
