Have you ever wondered whether those old dusty vintage Christmas decorations you store in the garage could be worth something? From glass-blown ornaments to Santa figurines, this post can help you identify what vintage collectible you might have in that Christmas box.
Want to know more about collecting cotume jewellery but don't know where to start? Check out ValueMyStuff's Buyer's Guide.
In our 'It's worth how much?!' blog series, we explore ten items that have been hidden away for quite some time to then be revealed worth more than what anyone could imagine. Could there be a priceless masterpiece lurking in your home? Lets take a look at these miraculous findings.
Auctionata acquires ValueMyStuff and pursues international growth trajectory
One of the most beloved members of the British family is making waves on the auction front this September.
ValueMyStuff sat down with our 20th century design expert, Robert Prescott-Walker, for a Q&A. Learn more about why Robert continues to love 20th Century Design and get insight into a specialist's valuation.
What do cool cars, synthesized instrumental music, Ray Bans, undercover cops and appealing attire all have in common? They are hallmarks of the iconic American network television program, Miami Vice. Now, one of the original 1986 Ferrari Testarossas featured in the series is up for auction.
Have you ever wondered what the top ten most expensive books were? Or teapots? Perhaps pianos? In this series of Is this the most expensive…ever sold? You will learn some weird and wonderful facts that might help you locate your own treasures!
Have you ever wondered what the top ten most expensive books were? Or teapots? Perhaps pianos? In this series of Is this the most expensive…ever sold? You will learn some weird and wonderful facts that might help you locate your own treasures!
Whether you want to get your father the perfect gift to thank him for all the years of support or just to show up that perfect sibling, the MyStuff team has compiled a list of unique collectables and items that would be perfect for any dad.
Have you ever wondered what a large pair of silk bloomers that belonged to Queen Victoria would fetch at auction? Or how much someone would pay to own dentures worn by Winston Churchill? There are answers to such imaginative enquiries since these objects have come up for sale at auctions around the world.
ValueMyStuff sat down with our Australian art specialist, Tim Pitcher for a Q&A. Learn more about why Tim continues to enjoy Australian art and get insight into a specialist's valuation.
Know your budget
First of all when you start collecting watches you have to know your budget. Watches are often compared to cars because of the mechanics involved, but the comparison could just as well apply to the amount of money you spend. A good Swiss watch can cost anything from £500 to £5m. So it’s a good idea to start your search based on how much you want to invest, and then stick to it. When you decided how much you are willing to pay for your timepiece, purchase the very best examples that fall within budget. Always opt for buying fewer but higher quality pieces. Keep in mind that the market for watches today demands that condition is as close to original as possible.
What to collect?
Fine watch combines craftsmanship, luxury, elegance and technology to create something that is both practical and beautiful. Here are watchmaker names that have always held their value. Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Breguet are magical. A tad behind these are the other great makers, Cartier, Breitling, Girard-Perregaux, Lange & Sohne and Vacheron-Constantin. From more recent times firms that have achieved special recognition are Franck Muller, Chopard, Baume & Mercier, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Movado, Piaget, Glashütte and Tissot. Classic watches from respected high-end companies are pretty much guaranteed to increase in value because they increase in rarity over the years. Stick with these brands for quality and appreciative value. The watches that sell for the most money at auctions have a number of factors in common. Rarity, maker, complication and material all contribute to the value of a timepiece. While the general market for watches has weakened in the last decade a historical watch sale was held in november 2014 when Sotheby's sold the unique Henry Graves Super complication, for a record breaking price of CHF23.2 million (approx. £15 million), making it the most valuable timepiece in auction history. It dates from 1932 and was completed by Patek Philippe. It is the most complicated watch ever made without the assistance of computers.
An expert will take the following factors in account when valuing a fine watch. The first item of note is the name of the watchmaker. Next is the quality of the metal used (steel, platinum, silver, gold etc.). He then will list all of the notations on the case and the movement. Complications, which are any features of the watch beyond basic timekeeping, are an important factor because they represent the intricacy and craftsmanship of a watch. Next he will examine if the case, dial and movement belong together or if there is an another form of ‘marriage’? Such a marriage devalues the watch. He then places it in a specific time frame regarding its manufacture. An other factor that determines value is the association with famous people, automobiles (Bentley for Breitling, or Girard-Perregaux for Ferrari), sporting events (Grand Prix races), etc.? When all of that is completed the final price determination is based purely on the marketplace. (Personal taste has no bearing in my valuation of watches.)
Where to buy?
Nowhere is there more faker and replication than in the field of watches. Technology has allowed continuous improvements, thereby making detection of fakes much more difficult. Reproduced dials are often almost indistinguishable from the originals. One needs to be able to clearly see the back case cover and if possible the movement to feel secure. This is why it’s incredibly important to buy your watch from a reputable dealer who should be a member of a professional trade organisation. A trusted dealer will give you a current certificate of authenticity from the manufacturer. For vintage watches, original documentation that came with the watch when it was manufactured, with serial numbers, can add enormous value. You can also buy your watch at auction. Watch auctions are held by the major auction houses, with the most important sales being held in Geneva, Hong Kong, London and New York.
Furthermore we advise all new watch and clock collectors to join the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), the British Horological Society or the Antiquarian Horological Society. These provide easy access to meetings with other collectors, horological education through their publications, and the accessibility of an inclusive library with a loan program.
Below we look at a further 5 items that were once thought to be worthless but have now turned out to be priceless. Perhaps its true, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
ValueMyStuff sat down with our Political & Royal Memorabilia specialist, Ian Shapiro for a Q&A. Learn more about why Ian continues to enjoy this genre of meorabilia and get insight into a specialist's valuation.
ValueMyStuff sat down with one of our Stamp specialist, Jean Lafortune for a Q&A. Learn more about why he continues to enjoy stamps and get insight into a specialist's valuation.
If you're new to antique clock buying, here a few handy tips to bear in mind. As with anything a little research into the items is an absolute must before making any kind of purchase.
