How to Buy, Sell, and Loan Your Jewelry & Watches

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If you’re looking to sell or loan your valuable accessories for cash, or if you’d like to buy fine jewelry and watches for a reasonable price, stop by Watch & Wares Tustin. We’re Orange County’s premium destination for all things luxury, including diamond and gold jewelry and watches. Whether you want to buy a secondhand Rolex, sell your family’s estate jewelry, or arrange a collateral loan, we will assist you while making the experience as convenient and stress-free as possible. We strive to create a warm and welcoming environment that will make you comfortable and confident in your experience with us.

The Buying Process

Established in 1991, Watch & Wares Tustin is a full-service jewelry store. We boast an extensive and varied inventory of fine jewelry and designer watches for competitive prices. We specialize in jewelry from the Victoria, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and Contemporary periods. No matter what time period or style you’re seeking, we can match you with a piece that you love. We also repair and restore all jewelry and watches before selling them, so you can rest assured that you are buying jewelry or any luxury piece in the best condition possible. 

The Selling Process

We have purchased jewelry and watches from Orange County residents for over 25 years, and all of our appraisers have decades of experience in fine jewelry sales and appraisal. We don’t just offer you the value of the gold or stones in your jewelry like many other buyers; we appreciate beautiful jewelry pieces and want to find them a new, loving home completely intact. We offer top dollar for your jewelry, gold, and watches and give you your money same-day in cash. When you bring in your piece, one of our expert team members will take time to evaluate it and determine its market value. For gold items, this includes determining the value of the gold based on weight and purity. All of our scales are certified by Orange County Field of Weight & Measure to ensure that all measurements are accurate to the industry standard and you are receiving the fairest offer possible. Once we’ve appraised the item, we’ll quote you the best possible price with no obligation to sell. If you do choose to sell the piece, we’ll give you your money right away. We are a fully licensed and certified buyer with extensive experience and the trust of Southern California.

The Loan Process

If you have valuable jewelry or watches that you don’t want to part with permanently, collateral loans are an excellent option for those who need quick cash. All of our collateral loans are four-month loans with a generous ten-day grace period. Our interest rates are all state regulated and based on the value of the loan. Once we’ve appraised your item, we’ll offer you a fair and non-negotiable value. If you choose to accept the loan terms, we’ll issue you a loan ticket with all of your loan term information so that the process is fully transparent. Once you’ve repaid the loan in full, we will return your items to you right away. If you fail to repay the loan within the four-month timeframe, we will keep your item as repayment for the loan. We also offer the option to renew your loan, which can be done by paying the interest owed on it. 

Watches & Wares Tustin is proud to offer a variety of services for those looking to buy, sell, or loan their valuable jewelry and watches. We are always honest and fully transparent, with unparalleled customer service standards. If you are looking to buy or sell one of your items, stop by our store to receive a free appraisal and browse our extensive selection of designer pieces. Our 25 years of success in Orange County is proof that you can trust us to provide you with a premium experience, no matter what you need.

Buy & Sell Luxury Handbags with Watch & Wares

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If you live in or near the city of Orange and you’re looking for a trustworthy place to buy or sell luxury handbags, look no further than Watch & Wares. We have been a reliable reseller of authentic designer handbags and other luxury goods since 1991. From Chanel classic flaps to Hermes Birkins, we boast an impressive collection of pre-loved designer handbags listed for sale at a reasonable price. We are always looking to buy your designer bags, and our thorough appraisal process results in some of the most competitive offer prices in the area. Here’s what to expect if you come into Watch & Wares for an appraisal on your luxury handbag.

Brand Value

The first thing we’ll consider is the designer brand name. Certain luxury brands are worth more than others, so bags by designers such as Chanel and Hermes are going to be worth more than those by brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Legacy, demand, and retail value are all considerations when assessing brand value and resale market price. Although we only purchase luxury brands, we’ll still consider the brand’s value within the luxury market hierarchy to gauge value.

Classic & Permanent Styles

Each designer brand has certain bags within its line that are considered classics and are part of their permanent collections. These classic styles never go on sale and, in fact, consistently increase in value over time. For example, the Chanel classic flap used to cost just $2,700 in 2009, and it now retails for more than $6,200 – that’s a 230% increase in value in the last ten years alone. Other classic styles include the Hermes Birkin, Hermes Kelly, and Louis Vuitton Speedy. Bags in classic styles can be resold for much more than trend pieces, and they are often even sold for more than their purchase price. If the luxury handbag you’d like to sell is a classic style, we will be able to offer you more for your item.

Color, Material, & Packaging

Details such as the color, material, and accompanying packaging are also factors in a bag’s resale value. Neutral colors such as black and nude tend to be worth more due to their wide appeal and versatility. Colored bags require a more specific customer and will have a lower demand; therefore they will be worth less on the resale market. The material is also a factor, with rare leathers such as alligator and ostrich skin being worth far more than lambskin or calfskin. Non-leather materials such as canvas and velvet are often worth the least and have the lowest resale value. The inclusion of original packaging and proof of authenticity can also increase the purchase value. If you have the accompanying box, dust bag, purchase receipt, and authenticity card, we can offer you more for your luxury bag than if you have the bag alone to provide.

Although many buyers know that a bag’s condition and level of wear & tear will be a factor in its secondhand value, many may not realize that several other factors must be taken into consideration. It all depends on a variety of factors that our expert appraisers will carefully assess. The combination of these will result in the offer price that we can provide following your appraisal. Bags can be worth virtually nothing, slightly less than their purchase price, or even double their purchase price. Our offers are always highly competitive and often unrivaled. We consistently offer more for your luxury items than other pawn shops and consignment stores in the city of Orange and the surrounding area. To schedule an appraisal or find out more about the inventory we have available, call Watch & Wares – Handbags & Couture at (714) 633-2030 today.

How to Find the Best Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

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How to Find the Best Jewelry Buyer in Orange County & Surrounding Areas

If you live in Orange County and you’re anything like us, you’ve got a passion for jewelry. It’s also possible that you’re quite attached to the jewelry you own. Because jewelry can hold such a significant sentimental value, we often wear it more for ourselves, rather than for others. It’s also extremely hard to part with certain significant pieces, and it’s not always due to their monetary value. Because of this, when it comes time to part with your beloved piece, it’s important to find the best jewelry buyer in Orange County.

Finding the best place to sell your jewelry in OC can be a daunting task. Due to the sentiment that certain items hold, you want to find an experienced jewelry store that pays top value. Furthermore, you want to ensure that the entire experience is safe, discrete and painless. Let’s explore how to find the best jewelry buyer in Orange County and how to get top value for your items.

Find a Trustworthy Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

We meet with hundreds of people who want to sell jewelry in Orange County each month. Initially, they weren’t looking forward to selling jewelry they loved. Whether selling a diamond engagement ring or a Swiss watch, each piece holds sentimental value. It probably took some time and a lot of thought to acquire your jewelry. We understand this. That’s why it’s important to find a trustworthy jewelry buyer in Orange County.

What makes a jewelry buyer trustworthy? For starters, they’re someone you feel comfortable selling your jewelry to. Furthermore, you want them to be respectful, understanding and honest. Finding an honest jewelry store that buys jewelry in OC isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’re going to want to start with doing some sleuthing. Start by searching for jewelry stores that buy jewelry in your area.

To begin, jump onto Google and try some different searches. For instance, you can search Best Place to Sell My Jewelry,  or try searching Where to Sell Jewelry in Orange County. Try a few different searches and make a list of the top jewelry stores to sell your jewelry to. Once you’ve got the list, head over to Yelp or other review sites. You can start reading reviews from other people who have sold to a jewelry buyer in Orange County.

Find a Jewelry Buyer in Orange County that Pays Top Dollar for Your Items

Searching reviews will give you a good handle on the way others view them and if the jewelry store has a good relationship with their clients. Remember to look for actual jewelry store reviews and not ones that seem over-the-top, purchased or fake. Also keep in mind that happy customers usually mean they got a great value when selling their pieces.

Perhaps for some, this is the most important factor. People want to sell jewelry for top dollar in Orange County. This isn’t a new or far-fetched idea; we get it. There’s a fine line for most jewelry buyers in Orange County because most aren’t buying your jewelry simply in order to collect it. In fact, most Orange County jewelry buyers are more concerned with how much they can make when they sell your jewelry.

Again, we come back to the trust factor here, because all jewelry stores that buy are in effect, businesses. That is, they need to make a profit in order to stay in business. That said, you’re going to want to find the best value when shopping for the best place to sell your jewelry in OC. This will come with some effort, but with the proper research and understanding the process, you’ll get it right.

What is the Process of Selling to a Jewelry Buyer in Orange County?

When selling your jewelry it’s important to remember a few vital things after the sale is complete. The jewelry buyer in Orange County will usually have to spend money and time after initial transaction as well.

  • The jewelry buyers will usually have to polish and clean the piece
  • If there are repairs to be made, a jeweler will have to return it to original specs
  • If the jewelry is engraved, it may have to be filled & removed
  •  The pieces takes space in the store, effectively making it one more item they’ll need to sell
  • It will also need to be graded/tested and physically entered into inventory
  • This includes initial research from more than one team member
  • Time for photography – pics for inventory, social media and online stores/channels

While this may seem mundane, it’s important to understand the process of what a jewelry buyer in Orange County must do after the sale.

Hopefully it also helps shed a little light on the time and money spent after you’ve sold your jewelry and left. Furthermore, it’s important to keep in mind that each jewelry buyer in Orange County has a budget. If they buy jewelry in Orange County regularly, they probably set aside a specific budget for purchases. It’s always smart to call and ask if they’ll give you a free estimate for your jewelry. Now would be the time to provide details including whether the piece is certified as well as carat weight, etc.

Why Watch & Wares is the Best Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

Watch & Wares has been collecting jewelry for over 35 years. It started with one man’s passion for all things luxury and grew from there. Watch & Wares has a reputation as the jewelry buyer in Orange County with the biggest buying power. We sell a lot of estate and pre-owned jewelry and thus need an incoming inventory every month. Because we have spent the last three decades as the best place to sell jewelry, we’ve acquired quite a collection. We’ve also helped thousands of OC & Los Angeles natives buy a piece that would have otherwise been shelved long ago. We think that’s special and that fine jewelry and how it makes people feel — that sentiment — should live on.

As the biggest jewelry buyer in Orange County, we’re also able to offer customers top-value for their items. We know that not every customer wants to sell their jewelry, and therefore we treat each case like anything but a transaction. Your comfort and security are paramount to us, and so we work hard, quickly and with integrity.

Items we Buy as the Premier Jewelry Buyer in Orange County

  • Swiss Watches, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Breitling & More!
  • Diamond Engagement Rings
  • Loose Diamonds
  • Colored Gemstones
  • Gold Rings
  • Platinum Rings
  • Vintage Engagement Rings
  • Antique Engagement Rings
  • Estate Jewelry
  • Diamond Earrings
  • Sapphire Jewelry
  • Necklaces & Pendants
  • Men’s Diamond Rings
  • Wedding Rings & Wedding Bands
  • Pins & Brooches
  • Designer Jewelry
  • Cartier, Bvlgari and Tiffany & Co.
  • Precious Metals – Gold, Silver, Platinum
  • Antique Jewelry / Vintage Jewelry
  • Art Deco, Edwardian, Georgian, Art Noveau, Mid-Century Moderne
  • Jewelry Collections
  • Contemporary Jewelry

Check out other items we buy on our site!

Call the Top Jewelry Buyer in Orange County & Get a Free Estimate Today!

Our experienced jewelry buyers will answer your questions and take time to learn about your piece. If you need help identifying the jewelry you’d like to sell, we can help! While it’s best to bring your jewelry into our Orange County jewelry store, we can also give you a free estimate.

If you’re looking for a safe and trustworthy jewelry buyer in Orange County, you’ve found us. We’ve been the best jewelry buyer in Orange County for over 35 years and it’s not by chance. Check out our 5-Star Yelp reviews or our 100% Feedback in our eBay & Etsy stores. We’ve got three locations to serve you, including our Tustin location where we buy jewelry from people throughout Southern California.

Call us at 714-633-2030 today or fill our contact form and a jewelry buyer will call you to set an appointment and answer all of your questions!

Where to Purchase Affordable Engagement Rings in Orange County

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How to Shop for the Best Affordable Engagement Rings & Get the Most Value for Your Money

If you’re like most people that are getting ready to pop the question, you are probably a little curious about how much you want to spend on a diamond engagement ring. While some people are set on buying a brand new ring, others opt for antique & vintage engagement rings. Regardless of where you fall in that spectrum, budget is usually a top priority. As such, most searches usually start with looking for affordable engagement rings in your area.

When shopping for affordable engagement rings, the most important thing to remember is you don’t skimp on quality. Whether your budget allows for a $350 ring or a $35,000 engagement ring, you’ll want to get your money’s worth. Another thing to remember is dealing with a reputable engagement ring store. One that has a history of treating their customers with respect and ensuring they’re happy long after their purchase.

Let’s explore some important factors to shopping for affordable engagement rings in Orange County. Together we’ll look at why Watch & Wares has been the best place to buy affordable engagement rings for over 35 years.

The Difference Between Affordable Engagement Rings & Cheap Engagement Rings

Now that you have a budget in mind, let’s talk about what makes an engagement ring affordable. Affordable engagement rings doesn’t necessarily mean the ring you choose has to be cheap. For instance, some engagement ring stores in Orange County and surrounding areas will allow you to make payments. Furthermore, other jewelry stores will let you put a diamond engagement ring on layaway. This method is great, because you’re dodging those pesky finance charges.

In the 1930’s America saw some lean years. In fact, we were in the middle of The Great Depression. At this time, there was a De Beers Diamond campaign that proposed people should spend one month’s salary on an engagement ring. In the 1980’s they upped it to two month’s salary, asking the question, “how else can you make 2 month’s salary last forever?”

Today, things have changed. With so many options when it comes to affordable engagement rings, you shouldn’t limit your thinking in terms of salary. Pick a budget for your diamond ring and stick with it. Do some online research and find the best place to find affordable engagement rings in your area. Once you’ve got a handful of places to check out, visit the stores and see how they stack up against one another.

Why Watch & Wares is the Best Place to Buy Affordable Engagement Rings in Orange County

Watch & Wares has sold more affordable engagement rings than anyone in Orange County for the last 35 years. With a stellar selection of affordable diamond rings and jewelry, we’ve been a part of more SoCal weddings than any other jewelry store in OC.

Just remember, affordable engagement rings will vary from person to person. What might be a fortune to spend for one buyer, may be just right for another. Weigh your options, find the engagement ring store with the best terms and merchandise and choose with confidence. The right engagement ring store will make your purchase stress-free, letting you know you’ve made the right choice.

Our Engagement Ring Selection & Reputation Speaks for Itself

Watch & Wares has 3 brick & mortar stores and has been selling online since the 1990’s. On eBay, our feedback is 100% and we’re a jewelry lover’s favorite on Etsy, where our customers rave about our affordable collections. Our flagship engagement ring store in the Orange Circle has a 5-star rating on Yelp. Customers love our attention to detail, mom & pop’s service and discreet/safe purchase process.

Affordable Engagement Rings for Every Budget

When you’ve been collecting as long as we have, you tend to have an enormous selection of affordable engagement rings. Multi-colored gemstones, colored diamonds, to platinum, white gold and antique settings — we’ve got it all! If you’re looking for an affordable diamond ring to present to the love of your life, call us first!

You can sit down with one of our engagement ring experts and walk through the following in detail:

  • Your Budget
  • Our Full Selection
  • Choice of Stones & Settings
  • Whether You Want White Gold, Platinum or Other Options
  • Antique Diamond Rings
  • Vintage Wedding Rings

Watch & Wares also has an In-House Jeweler, known for his expert jewelry repair & custom engagement rings. We can create a ring for you from scratch or recreate a cherished heirloom from a photograph. When it comes to vintage and antique engagement rings, we’re the experts. We’re the engagement ring store other Orange County jewelers bring their customers’ diamond rings to, to have them fixed or set properly!

Take Advantage of Our Layaway for to Make Your Purchase Even More Affordable

Want to space your payments out over 12 months? No problem! Watch & Wares offers layaway on all our affordable engagement rings, with 0% interest. Simply leave a 20% deposit, then make monthly payments. Pick up your diamond engagement ring once it’s paid off, with no fees or interest!

Call Watch & Wares & Let Us Help You Find an Affordable Engagement Ring She’ll Love!

Our Owner and Engagement Ring Experts are here Tues-Sat from 10am to 5pm. Walk-ins are always welcome, or you can give us a call at 714-633-2030 to set a one-on-one engagement ring consultation! If you’re in the market for affordable engagement rings and live close to Orange County, we’d love to serve you!

Our reputation speaks for itself and we’re eager to prove why we’re the best place to buy affordable engagement rings in Southern California. If you have any questions or concerns, you can also send us message using the handy contact form on this page! We look forward to serving you and helping you find the engagement ring of your dreams soon!

The Best Place to Buy Antique Engagement Rings in Orange County & Surrounding Areas

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Antique Engagement Rings – Why Are Vintage Diamond Rings So Special?

Everyone has their own taste, and lovers of antique & estate jewelry are no exception. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge and searching for antique engagement rings for your bride-to-be, you’re not alone. Antique engagement rings are back in vogue — you’ve seen them on your favorite celebrities’ fingers and in major fashion magazines.

But why purchase an antique engagement ring? At Watch & Wares, we like to ask, why not purchase one? Vintage and antique engagement rings are nod to historic style and values, but also incredibly chic and unique. With each vintage engagement ring comes it’s own history and a connection to the past… a time where bonds between lovers were not only sacred, but tough to break. From the Great Depression to the Roar & Bustle of Big Band, Classic Hollywood Stars & Cinema, and who can forget Prohibition? The 1920’s and 1930’s saw a lot of ups-and-downs, but there was a solidarity within the country as well.

As such, there’s been a huge upswing in all things vintage & throwback, antique engagement rings included. We’ve also seen a rise in custom wedding bands made to emulate vintage wedding rings and estate jewelry from the days where radio and newspaper ruled over social media and online videos.

How Much Should I Budget for Antique Engagement Rings in Orange County?

Shop the Largest Selection of Antique Engagement Rings in Southern California at Watch & Wares

Antique Engagement Rings at Watch & Wares. Photo c/o @isaiahvaldez.official via Instagram

While many people have caught the vintage engagement ring bug, there aren’t too many guidelines out there to help you shop for an antique engagement ring. Orange County and Southern California are both havens for estate jewelry and vintage wedding rings come in all shapes, sizes, precious metals and colors.

Some antique wedding bands and vintage engagement rings may look the similar on the surface. The truth is, while most antique engagement rings may have similar qualities, there’s a few things you should look out for. But before we go any further, you’ll want to figure out your budget for the engagement ring. Finding out what you want to spend on a vintage diamond ring is paramount to the process. It provides a guideline for qualifying different pieces and picking your favorite rings.

Budgeting your purchase properly also gives the antique engagement ring store or jeweler insight as to where to start. Since we’re talking about diamonds and precious metals, prices will vary. The great news is that vintage engagement rings can be extremely affordable or on the other end of the spectrum, lavish & expensive. Once you’ve got the budget out of the way, we can now begin shopping for the perfect antique engagement rings that fit your taste & bankbook.

What Should I Look for When Shopping for Vintage & Antique Engagement Rings?

antique engagement ring, vintage engagement ring, antique, vintageWhile some antique engagement rings feature a diamond as the main stone, others may incorporate sapphires or other precious gems. It’s important to buy from a reputable antique engagement ring store in your area. Go to a place you trust, or one that has great online reviews. Furthermore, look for a jewelry store that specializes in antique engagement rings. If you’re ever in doubt, simply ask.

If the jewelry store carries vintage or estate jewelry, ask them about their antique engagement rings. Find out about their selection and vetting process. Ask the vintage jewelry store if they have anyone on staff that inspects or certifies the diamonds. Look into whether or not they restore their antique jewelry and engagement rings. Finally, you’ll want to know about the vintage engagement ring’s appraisal process.

Some other important things to ask when shopping for antique engagement rings includes:

  • What era is the vintage diamond engagement ring from?
  • What is the diamond’s clarity, size and color rating?
  • Is the precious metal rated at 10k, 14k, 24k etc.
  • Where was the antique ring acquired?
  • Did the vintage diamond ring undergo any restoration?
  • Do you have a GIA gemologist on staff?
  • Will I receive an appraisal & certificate with my purchase?

If You’re Shopping for Vintage or Antique Engagement Rings in Orange County, Check Watch & Wares First!

antique engagament ring, vintage engagement ring, pear shaped diamondAt Watch & Wares, we hate tooting our own horn, but we practically wrote the book on vintage, estate and antique jewelry. Our history dates back 35 years with over a century of vintage jewelry experience between our entire staff. Our Owner, William Houchin, is a collector of fine jewelry and vintage & estate engagement rings and has been honing his skills for over 3 decades. We started as collectors and that’s why we only offer the best.

Our customers know us as the premier destination for vintage, designer and antique engagement rings in Southern California. Our selection of vintage diamonds and wedding bands is staggering, and we’re proud of that. We’ve earned a reputation as the best place to buy antique engagement rings for many reasons, but our commitment to our customers is our favorite.

We’ve sold thousands of pieces on eBay, where we hold 100% Feedback since the early 90’s. We cross-sell items on Etsy and have an immaculate 5-star rating on Yelp through all of our 3 locations. Our flagship jewelry store in the Orange Circle features hundreds of antique engagement rings and vintage settings. If you’re looking for a custom engagement ring or would like to replace a cherished heirloom that was lost, we can do that too!

Watch & Wares Has the Best Selection of Estate & Antique Diamond Engagement Rings in SoCal

Best vintage rings, vintage rings, vintage and antique ringsWatch & Wares has a GIA gemologist on staff and every vintage piece of jewelry we acquire undergoes a well-practiced restoration process. Not only is every antique engagement ring and vintage wedding band appraised properly, most look brand new.

We’ve served hundreds of beautiful couples that have tied the knot in Southern California. We’re proud to be a part of a legacy and tradition that keeps these beautiful antique engagement rings alive. We know that every customer is unique in terms of taste, budget and needs. We offer a 12-month layaway with no interest on all of our vintage wedding bands and diamond engagement rings.

Give us a call at 714-633-2030 or come by the store today! Speak with one of our Engagement Ring Concierges and let them walk you through some of our pieces. Ask us questions — we love answering them. In the end, we want happy & satisfied lovers making educated decisions. We want you to love the jewelry you wear and nothing is more cherished than an engagement ring.

Make the gift you give her on this special occasion one she’ll remember and covet forever.

 

*for more information about precious gems & diamonds used in antique engagement rings, visit the GIA Gem Encyclopedia.

*if you’d like to sell us antique engagement rings or other jewelry, you can come by or stop by our Tustin, CA location!

Do I Need to Wind My Automatic Watch?

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Do I Need to Wind My Automatic Watch?

Part of what draws many people to purchasing a watch with automatic movement is the belief that they will never need to wind the watch in order to start its movement or charge its power reserve. Do I need to wind my Automatic Watch? At Watch & Wares, we get this question fairly often. The short answer is yes, you do need to wind your automatic watch. We understand that part of the reason most people purchase or wear an automatic watch is because they just want to set it and forget it. Let’s explore how the automatic movement in a watch works and

Why Do I Have to Wind My Automatic Watch?

While an automatic watch doesn’t require you to wind it while you are wearing it, it definitely helps to understand how the movement functions, and how a watch mainspring works. As you may or may not know, there is weighted rotor, which is sometimes also referred to as a pendulum, which spins inside most traditional automatic watch movements. If your watch features a skeleton case back, you can view the rotor spinning or if you put your ear to it, you can hear your watch’s rotor moving inside the watch. The watch rotor’s job is to help charge the automatic watch’s mainspring through energy, not all watch rotors are built to work the same way.

How Does the Rotor Inside Your Automatic Watch Work?

Some rotors will wind your watch only when spinning in a certain direction, others will charge your watch when spinning either way. Some rotors are weighted in order to enhance their spin or add some energy to it to keep it going with each move of your wrist. Other movements are extremely light so that they can spin around with even the least amount of movement as you wear them throughout the day. This proves useful for people who are not as active and might be sitting at a desk for a long time, but still want to keep their automatic watch ticking.

Some automatic watch rotors are connected to heavy gear trains (which can all vary) with different numbers of wheels depending on the type of watch movement as well as how many hours the watch can run between windings. As a result, each rotor will charge the respective watch’s mainspring with a different amount of energy.

Do I Have to Wind My Automatic Watch Even with Regular Wear?

No matter what type of rotor you have in your automatic watch, keep in mind that a rotor will never be as efficient at winding your watch using the crown. So while wearing your automatic watch should keep it wound and running while it’s being worn, you’re basically relying on the energy you stored throughout the day to keep it ticking throughout the evening and when you take it off periodically. What this means, is that if your timepiece did not start out with a full charge (meaning a mainspring that is wound with full tension), then it will often not end the day with a full charge, simply because you were wearing it and kept the rotor spinning… eventually your mainspring will completely unwind and you’ll need to wind your your automatic watch in order to get the mainspring ready to get those wheels moving again.

How Does the Mainspring in My Automatic Watch Affect the Watch’s Power Reserve?

Every automatic watch movement’s mainspring is a little different from one another. On some watches, the first three quarters of its mainspring’s charge will often be the most accurate, keeping the best time. The final quarter of tension on the mainspring (25% of power reserve) will often cause the movement and watch to speed up slightly but this differs from movement to movement.

Because of this small tendency to speed the watch up during the last quarter of the watch’s power reserve, it is also important for your to ensure that your watch is as close to fully-wound every time you wear it… that is of course unless your timekeeping isn’t too important to you, but we have yet to meet a watch fanatic where this is the case!

If you don’t manually wind your automatic watch every morning using the crown, you really won’t know if your watch is at the last 25 percent of its power reserve causing it to speed it up slightly. Some watches have a power reserve window with a gauge in the movement indicating how much power is left in the reserve.

Check out the Panerai Luminor Marina 8-Days Acciaio. It’s also known as the PAM00510 and it features an 8-day power reserve!

Contact Watch & Wares with Questions About Your Automatic Watch

Why won’t my rotor wind my automatic watch for me?

While the spinning rotor on your automatic watch will buy you a little time between wear, for best results, wind your automatic watch a little bit each morning or when you have a break throughout your day. Believe it or not, many horology fans and watch collectors enjoy winding their automatic watches each day. For some, it’s a connection with an amazing piece of our past. It brings to light hundreds of years of watchmaking that has made the small miracle of the contemporary watch or vintage watch on your wrist possible. For others, winding an automatic watch can be a break from an otherwise mundane work day or long commute.

We’ve been working with automatic watches for the last 3 decades Watch & Wares. We love getting questions about their specific movement and the characteristics of each timepiece we sell. We have the largest pre-owned watch selection in Orange County, California and sell more pre-owned watches than any watch store in the SoCal. If you have a question about a particular watch or have your eye on a specific timepiece in our eBay store or in our shop in The Orange Circle, please contact us or call us at 714-633-2030 and ask for our owner, William. He’d be happy to walk you through our biggest pre-owned watch inventory in OC as well as answer any questions you may have!

 

 

 

Vintage & Antique Pocket Watches

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antique pocketwatch

Origins of the Pocket Watch (Pocketwatch)

While pocket watches (or pocketwatches) did not reach the height of their popularity until the mid to late 19th Century, pocket watches have been around since the mid-1400’s and crafted regularly by master watch makers in Europe in the 1500’s. The early pocket watch was crafted from a variety of metals, including nickel, brass, silver and gold. The high-end vintage pocket watch was often crafted from gold or silver, with gold or stainless steel gears, while more affordable pocket watches were crafted from brass or nickel, with a thin layer of gold or silver on the outer case. The number of jewels on a pocket watch dictated its movement and thus its lifespan and value. The more jewels on a pocket watch, the less grinding of metal-on-metal within its gears, thus also resulting in the pocket watch keeping better time.

railroad pocketwatch1

Early Use of Pocket Watches

Before wristwatches became popular after World War I, and prior to the development of the trench watch (which was a transitional design for a timepiece used on the battlefield), the pocket watch was the most common method of keeping time. Pocket watches were carried by aristocrats, noblemen, wealthy businessmen, traders, captains, and of course railroad engineers — who needed to carry a well-made pocket watch that would keep almost perfect time, in order to adhere to their rigid train & track schedules. Pocket watches soon saw their popularity decline during WWI, where the first trenchwatch was affixed with a wrist strap, and led the way for development of wristwatches which eventually replaced the common pocket watch. The very first wrist watches were produced by Girard-Perregaux in 1880 for the German Navy and During WWI, several well-known watch makers, including well-known brands such as Omega, Longines (and others) produced wrist watches for the military, which led to a streamlined design and the demise of popularity for the once-coveted pocket watch.

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The Collectible Antique Pocket Watch

Like all things that were once a world-standard and have now been replaced by other means, the antique pocket watch has solidified its place in watch making history. Pocket watches were the headmost method of timekeeping prior to the advent of the standard wristwatch, so it’s no surprise that high-end, classic antique and vintage pocket watches are highly-sought after by timepiece collectors worldwide today. Early pocket watches had a “hunting case” design, which allowed the front of the metal case to flip open when you pushed a button, usually at the top of the timepiece. As time wore on in the 1900’s, open-faced pocket watches became more common and later replaced the hunting case design entirely. Today, there are many factors that separate the high-end pocket watch from less collectible models. These factors include (but are not limited to): the number of jewels, precious metals used for the case, its general condition (whether it is complete with chain, grade of patina, etc.) and of course, its movement. Much like classic cars and other restored items of value, one of the final determining factors of a particular collectible antique pocket watch’s value would be whether the pocket watch is entirely made up of its own original parts.

antique pocketwatch parts

Where to Buy Antique Pocket Watches

Given that there are so many factors that can contribute to the value of a antique pocket watch, it’s vital to work with an industry professional that has the knowledge and eye to appraise and value the vintage timepiece and its components in its entirety. At Watch & Wares, we’ve spent the last quarter-century traveling and delving into antique pocket watches and vintage timepieces (and their respective parts), establishing a relationship with reputable dealers, well-known auction and estate houses as well as employing master watchmakers on our team. We have a rotating inventory of quality vintage pocketwatches for every budget in stock and know what to look for when it comes to making sure their history checks-out. As avid vintage and antique watch & timepiece collectors, we also keep a substantial collection of original, unopened stock from high-end, popular, vintage, antique and contemporary watchmakers. So whether you’re looking for an antique pocketwatch for yourself or that special someone, or you need your pocket watch repaired/restored to its original condition, using OEM certified parts, we hope you’ll stop by Watch & Wares in the Downtown Historical District of Orange, California (Orange County) and meet with our owner, William Houchin, who you can learn more about by clicking here.