There is more big news for vintage watch fans this year, after Richemont’s announcement of a partnership between the Watchfinder, Net-A-Porter, and the Mr Porter online retailers. After the great news of the Vacheron & Constantin vintage watch boutique opening in NYC, this news is just one more reason to be excited about the vintage watch scene!
According to Watchpro, Richemont’s goal is to curate a capsule collection of some 100 second-hand and vintage luxury watches which will be readily available to customers in the U.S. – the first time ever that these retailers will have dealt in second-hand luxury timepieces. There will also be an opportunity for those in the United States and in the UK to take advantage of their new trade-in service, where customers can swap their own watches for ones in the collection.
The partnership involves big brands such as Tudor, Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Hublot, and Bregeut (among others!).
This agreement will likely make some serious waves in the vintage watch market, as luxury vintage timepieces are once again driven to the forefront of the fashion industry – you don’t get much bigger than the Richemont brands when it comes to luxury fashion. The project also stems from the retailers’ decision to become more sustainable in their practices, and is viewed as a way forward in evolving their business to adapt to the changes we see happening to our world.
Alison Loehnis, president, luxury and fashion for Net-A-Porter, Mr Porter, and The Outnet, said: “This collaboration represents an important next step in offering our customers a wide selection of quality timepieces from the growing pre-owned watch market, while advancing our commitment to circularity and sustainability.”
All in all, the market for vintage watches is moving in a good direction, although it would be nice to see some more focus of the vintage micro-brand scene which, let’s be honest, never truly gets the full attention it deserves.
Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co ‘VISITOR’ Watch.
We may not have cabinets crammed with shining vintage Rolex’s, but we do have a collection of truly unique, high-quality timepieces from the brands that you know and love.
Don’t believe it? Come down to Horological Underground in The Arcade, Bristol and find out for yourself!
Links and Resources:
Browse our Vintage Watch Collection.
Read About the Vacheron & Constantin NYC Vintage Watch Boutique.
