When you step into a boutique, you can usually tell what quality of timepiece you can expect to find. However, on a website it’s not so easy. You’re reliant on pictures and whatever information the retailer deems important. Fortunately, there are many reputable retailers who have carefully curated their range of online vintage watches with only the most interesting, unusual and high quality timepieces. So here are 8 of the best online watch retailers specialising in niche vintage watches (have we missed any, let us know in the comments). Watches mentioned in this article are available at time of writing but stocks may and will change.
Goldammer
Marc Goldammer, owner of Goldammer Vintage Watches
Goldammer is a German online watch retailer who aim to provide vintage watches with unique dials, advanced age and mechanical hearts. Believing that only with those three elements do you have a wristwatch you can truly fall in love with. A quick scan of their available watches (something I do frequently) reveals an impeccable selection of classic dress watches. A Patek Philippe Golden Ellipses stands shoulder to shoulder with a 1950s Universal Genève Polerouter, a 1950s LeCoultre Wrist Alarm and a 1940s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Bubbleback, to name but a few.
More details at Goldammer.
A Collected Man
Daniel Roth C147
A Collected Man have a very significant distinction in the world of pre-owned and vintage watch retail. They are the only pre-owned approved retailer for Roger W. Smith, Philip Dufour and Kari Voutilainen, three of the world’s most influential independent watchmakers. It’s the world of independent watchmaking that really makes A Collected Man stand apart from other vintage sellers, with their stock featuring incredibly rare and highly sought-after timepieces. Pieces like the Daniel Roth C147.
More details at A Collected Man.
Kibble Watches
Rolex Cellini 5112/8
The origins of Kibble Watches prove how adept they are at understanding the vintage watch market, with the founder turning his hobby of buying and selling vintage watches on eBay into a fully fledge business and retailer. Now based in Clerkenwell, London, you are able to visit the watches in person, or rely on their high quality photography on their online platform. Their selection ranges from accessible modern pre-owned watches like the Seiko 2022 PADI diver, to older vintage models like the 1955 Longines Conquest and the 1970s dual-signed Certina Rado Diamaster. You can also see their British connection through the number of British brands represented.
More details at Kibble Watches.
Shuck the Oyster
Heuer Autavia 2446c GMT MK1 (1960s)
Shuck the Oyster is operated by a two person team with a specific interest in niche watches from the 1940s-1960s, particularly focussed on chronographs. So as you would expect with that preamble, you can expect to find a 1960s Zenith A273, a 1977 Breitling Chrono-Matic, a 1960s Heuer Autavia and more. Plus there’s also a broad selection of non-chronographs including an IWC Ingenieur and JLC Memovox alarm. Note that rather than operating an online sales program, they invite you to make purchase inquiries via email and negotiate price and product directly.
More details at Shuck the Oyster.
Analog:Shift
Omega Seamaster 300 Military (1960s)
Analog:Shift, similar to Kibble Watches, is a story of a retailer that has gone from strength to strength. Starting out with a shoebox of watches and now a Watches of Switzerland recognised retailer specialising in vintage and pre-owned watches. A large portion of their collection skews towards the 2000s and 2010s (while we think of this as recent it’s still a decade or two ago) as well as authentic vintage gems like a 1960s Omega Seamaster 300 Military and 1950s Blancpain Fifty Fathoms LIP.
More details at Analog:Shift.
Watch Brothers London
Breguet Classique Perpetual Calendar 3050 ‘Early Example’ (1981)
In the field of online watch retailers, Watch Brothers London focus solely on incredibly high end vintage watches that are extremely exclusive. A 1990s Blancpain Perpetual Calendar, a 1981 Breguet Classique Perpetual Calendar, a 2003 Vacheron Constantin Perpetual Calendar Skeleton. If the number of perpetual calendars on display doesn’t demonstrate the level of haute horology they deal in, I’m not sure what will. Additionally, you can hop on their dedicated whatsapp group to discover upcoming new arrivals before they hit the website for additional exclusivity.
More details at Watch Brothers.
Subdial
Universal Geneve Tri-Compax ‘Eric Clapton’ Ref 881101 (1960s)
Subdial is perhaps best described as a pre-owned watch specialist rather than an online vintage watch retail specialist, as the majority of their stock dates to the past two decades. However, hidden within their large selections of Rolexes and Tudors (often the more interesting models of those brands) are some gems. Watches such as the Universal Geneve Tri-Compax ‘Eric Clapton’ Ref. 881101/01 from circa 1964. An aviation inspired chronograph made popular by the Cream guitarist.
More details at Subdial.
Vintage Watch Room
Lemania Official Ordinance Watch (1939)
The Vintage Watch Room, aside from being one of the coolest boutiques to visit in London, have a well-stocked selection of watches available online too. They’re particularly interested in the niche of vintage American and wartime watches, with a large selection of military issued watches from World War 1 and 2, such as the 1916 Omega Trench Watch and the 1939 Lemania Official Ordinance Watch – part of the Tommy Watches series that were the predecessors to the better known Dirty Dozen.
More details at Vintage Watch Room.
Waecce
Waecce is the project of Tom, a vintage watch specialist and former player for the England and GB Deaf Football Team. It’s a platform that has been built from the ground up with nothing but grit and determination. Today they stand as one of the most trusted vintage retailers in the UK with a wide range of watches from CWC to Patek Philippe. One of their signature services is helping customers complete the legendary Dirty Dozen set of WWII military timepieces with watches like the 1945 Longines Dirty Dozen.
More details at Waecce.
Have bought many times from Tom and Waecce. Highly recommend. Great prices great watches and thorough and detailed descriptions.
Excellent all round.
Conrad
Can’t recommend James at Kibble highly enough, fantastic CS