DANIEL BOURN

Developed a keen interest in collecting from a young age, with a particular bias towards cars and mechanical watches. His passion gained further momentum during his career as a banker in Switzerland in the late 1990s. It was during this time that he honed his focus on collecting vintage watches produced by leading Swiss manufacturers from the 1950s onwards.

This unique background equips him with not only an understanding and appreciation of his clients’ very specific requirements but also an expert eye for the intricate details essential for buying or selling the finest ‘investment-grade’ vintage timepieces. Over the past 20 years, Daniel has utilised his expertise to advise, guide, and curate some of the most exceptional vintage watch collections for private clients.

Recognized as a leading authority on the nuances of vintage Rolex sports watches, especially those issued for use in the dive exploration industry and to the UK Special Forces, Daniel has earned acclaim as ‘London’s leading vintage Rolex expert’ by UK-based curators, ‘Vintage Seekers.’ His expertise has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, The Financial Times, WSJ, Revolution, SCMP, and Hypebeast. Daniel regularly provides consultations, advice, and catalogue contributions to private collectors and international auction houses regarding collectible vintage watches.

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE THE EXPERT

As vintage watch specialists, we are here to help and provide expert advice & services as follows:-.

• We BUY vintage watches
• You can CONSIGN your vintage watch with us
• We SELL vintage watches
• We offer EXPERT ADVICE & provide insurance VALUATIONS
• We offer ONSITE INSPECTIONS
• We can assist you with SERVICING your vintage watch

Please refer to the text below for further information.

WE BUY

Looking to SELL or TRADE your vintage watch?. We are always looking to BUY, we pay the highest rates for the finest examples, particularly those from their original owners or vintage watches with provenance and/or the original box and papers.

If you have a watch that you would like to a SELL, exchange or just require a valuation for, please do not hesitate to contact us via any of the following methods:

Enquiries from the UK:

Enquiries from the CH/ROW:

We are always happy to hear from you.

CONSIGN

It may not always possible for us to purchase your vintage watch directly, however we are also able to assist you in finding a new home for your watch via our consignment service.

In this instance, you simply consign your watch with us for an agreed period to allow our sales team to inspect, photograph and then discreetly offer to our clients privately at the price you require plus our commission. This can often realize a higher price than you could achieve by selling yourself on the open market.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us on the numbers provided above.

WE SELL

With demand for vintage watches reaching unprecedented levels and supply for the best examples becoming increasingly limited, very often the finest or most Important watches are traded or sold privately without ever being listed online.

If you are considering investing in a vintage watch but cannot find what you are looking for either in our listed inventory or elsewhere, please do not hesitate to contact us with your exact requirements. We specialise in investment grade example, our knowledge, experience, extensive archive and network of contacts worldwide will provide you with the best opportunity to find the vintage watch that you are really looking. Let us do the work on your behalf. No one is better placed to find that rare and elusive vintage watch for you.

ADVISORY

With over 25 years experience in the watch market, as a collector and watch dealer, we are uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-the-minute market information and objective advice to our clients.

Its logical to assume that buyers will one day become sellers and vice versa, since the very beginning our approach has always been to work with our clients for the long term, that’s why we only buy, sell and trade the best examples. We are privileged to have built & placed watches into some of the finest vintage watch collections on the market on behalf of our clients.

Our opinion will never be influenced by whom we are advising; if you seek our assistance we will offer a frank, informed opinion based on our knowledge, experience, on-going research and analysis of the current market.

So whether you are looking to buy, sell, trade, hold, service or restore a vintage watch we are here to help. You don’t have to be the expert. You can leave that to us.

Thank you for your interest we look forward to working with you in future.

ONSITE INSPECTIONS

If you are considering making an independent vintage watch acquisition either from a private seller, private watch dealer, store or independent auction house and require an independent expert opinion before making that final decision, we are here to help.

Subject to an initial offline assessment we are if required available to travel to the sellers location to view, assess & provide a written report on your behalf regarding your potential purchase. Rates and expenses apply, however it could prove to be an invaluable investment when making a final decision on a high value transaction. Whilst the type of vintage watch you buy is a personal choice, having peace of mind, by knowing that you are buying an original and correct example, thus protecting your potential investment is essential.

VINTAGE WATCH SERVICING

Vintage watches of course need to be serviced, but probably not as often as you think. One of the most beneficial aspects of vintage watch collecting is that when compared to vintage cars for example, the storage costs and maintenance are relatively low.

Generally unless you are having waterproofing issues (due to humidity) or experiencing unacceptable time-keeping we suggest leaving your watch alone. A 5-10 year service to lubricate the movement is normally sufficient to keep it running. As collectors we all have a responsibility to preserve the past. Over servicing, changing external parts and over polishing watches will never add to their value or appeal. They should just be worn and enjoyed.

However when the time comes for you to service your vintage timepiece, we will be there to advise you and them on what should or should not be done to ensure that you protect both your vintage watches heritage and long term value.

ROLEX SERIAL NUMBERS & DATE OF MANUFACTURE

How old is my Rolex watch ?

The serial number on any Rolex watch enables you to estimate the approximate date of manufacture. On the majority Rolex watches the serial number is engraved between the case lugs at 6 o’clock just the bracelet end links. However on some earlier models (pre 1960) the serial number will be engraved on the case back. This 4-8 digit number be used to determine the date of manufacture. It is important to note however that final assembly, sale and delivery of the completed watch may be later. For example a case or case back assembled in 1967, may not have been used on a completed watch until 1970 or sold via a retailer until later still.

To identify the date of your Rolex watches manufacture, CLICK HERE for our Search facility.