Vintage watches, authenticated and serviced

Founded in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds before settling in Bienne, the House of Omega built its legend on a constant quest for precision. Seamaster, Constellation, De Ville, Speedmaster… So many names that accompanied the great moments of the 20th century, from chronometry competitions to the surface of the Moon.

These vintage Omegas combine the rigor of a great manufacture with an understated elegance, that of watches that have nothing to prove. They accompany every day with the same ease, and continue to captivate enthusiasts and discerning collectors alike.

At Vintage Watch Spirit, Omega holds a special place: a house of rare consistency, in which every era has left remarkable pieces.

Discover our collection of vintage Omega watches.

Since its founding in Paris in 1847, the House of Cartier has created watches that have become true icons of horological design: Tank, Santos, Panthère, Must de Cartier…

Even today, these vintage Cartier watches embody timeless elegance and appeal equally to fine watch enthusiasts and collectors.

Over the decades, these creations have transcended the boundaries of masculine and feminine. A Tank looks just as natural on a man’s wrist as on a woman’s, and that is Cartier’s true strength: a style so perfect it needs no definition.

It is a house we particularly admire: instantly recognisable lines, jewellery-like refinement, and a style that transcends generations.

Discover our collection of vintage Cartier watches.

Founded in 1832 in Saint-Imier, in the heart of the Swiss Jura, the House of Longines takes its name from a local area in the valley, "Les Longines", those long meadows where its first factory was built in 1867. Its emblem, the winged hourglass, has never changed since its registration in 1889: today it is the oldest brand registered in the international register of intellectual property.

Conquest, Flagship, chronographs… These names tell the story of a house that is both pioneering and deeply elegant, which has accompanied the greatest aviators as well as the greatest sporting competitions, without ever compromising on the refinement that is its signature.

These vintage Longines cultivate a classicism of rare precision, and appeal to both those discovering vintage watchmaking and the most demanding collectors.

Longines is a house that is close to our hearts: a heritage of great depth, finishes of beautiful quality, and that discreet charm that never goes out of style.

Discover our collection of vintage Longines watches.

Founded in 1865 in Le Locle, in the heart of the Neuchâtel mountains, the House of Zenith was born from the vision of a young 22-year-old watchmaker: to bring together under one roof all the expertise necessary to create a watch. Its name, borrowed from the highest point in the sky, speaks for itself of the ambition that has driven it from the very beginning.

El Primero, Defy, Pilot… These names tell the story of a house entirely focused on precision, to which we owe one of the most famous movements in horological history.

These vintage Zenith watches combine technical excellence with a distinctive style. In short, pieces that have lost none of their luster.

Discover our collection of vintage Zenith watches.

Founded in 1868 in Schaffhausen, on the banks of the Rhine, IWC was born from the boldness of an American watchmaker who came to combine the modern manufacturing methods of his country with Swiss craftsmanship. A unique origin that forged, from the very beginning, the character of a house apart in Swiss watchmaking.

Aviator watches, Portugieser, Ingenieur, Aquatimer… These collections bear witness to a house that has always conceived its watches as true instruments, combining precision, robustness, and sleek elegance.

These vintage IWC watches captivate with their rigor and strong character, and are among the most sought-after pieces, where each model bears the mark of uncompromising craftsmanship.

Discover our collection of vintage IWC watches.

Founded in 1874 in the small village of La Côte-aux-Fées in the Jura, Maison Piaget was initially a movement-making workshop whose expertise was quickly sought after by Switzerland’s leading brands. Throughout the 20th century, it established itself under its own name, eventually becoming the preeminent name in ultra-thin watches.

Ultra-thin watches, fine jewellery watches, cuff watches… Piaget has combined horological virtuosity and the art of high jewellery like few others.

Vintage Piaget watches embody a rare elegance and appeal to those seeking a timepiece that is as precious as it is refined.

We are particularly fascinated by Piaget: a watchmaking and jewellery house whose every creation reveals a rare delicacy.

Founded at the end of the 19th century by Dietrich Gruen, a German-born watchmaker settled in the United States, the Gruen company established itself in Cincinnati while entrusting the manufacture of its movements to Switzerland. This dual heritage allowed it to become one of the largest American watchmaking houses.

Vintage Gruen watches offer all the charm of American watchmaking from the Roaring Twenties and the post-war era, delighting collectors of unique pieces with an inimitable style.

Gruen is a brand we love to help people rediscover: a still-understated name in Europe, whose finest models have nothing to envy the great Swiss houses.

Founded in London in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, then based in Geneva in 1919, the House of Rolex has made reliability its founding principle. Oyster, Datejust, Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Day-Date… So many names that have become benchmarks, far beyond the world of watchmaking.

These vintage Rolex watches combine robustness and understated elegance, with the obvious appeal of timepieces designed to be worn every day. They appeal to both lovers of fine pieces and collectors, who find in them the design of an era and the patina of time.

Rolex is an essential house: a recognizable style and preserved independence, as the brand is still owned by a foundation created by its founder.

Founded in 1875 in Le Brassus, in the Vallée de Joux, by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, the House of Audemars Piguet was born in the heart of one of the cradles of Swiss haute horlogerie. Remaining independent, it made history in 1972 with the Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta: a luxury steel watch, at a time when gold reigned supreme.

These vintage Audemars Piguets combine technical excellence and bold design, from dress watches to pieces with complications. They appeal to those seeking distinctive timepieces, far from the most conventional paths.

Audemars Piguet is particularly fascinating: a house faithful to its craftsmanship, which dared to break with the conventions of its time.

Founded in Geneva in 1839 by two Polish watchmakers, Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek, the House of Patek Philippe took on its current name in 1851, following Patek’s partnership with Adrien Philippe, inventor of a keyless winding system. Since 1932, it has been owned by the Stern family, which has kept it independent.

Calatrava, Golden Ellipse, Nautilus, perpetual calendars… Patek Philippe has always placed horological tradition above passing trends, creating timepieces of exceptional purity of design.

Vintage Patek Philippe watches embody horological excellence at its most exacting, appealing to collectors as well as those seeking a watch built to last.

There is no official definition, but a watch is generally called vintage when it was made before the 2000s. This includes hand-wound mechanical watches, the first automatics, and a few quartz models that have become classics. What they share is careful craftsmanship and a design that reflects their era.

The safest option is to buy from a specialist dealer who inspects every piece, has it serviced and stands behind it. At Vintage Watch Spirit, every watch is authenticated, serviced by our watchmaker and covered by a warranty. You have 14 days after delivery to return it if it is not right for you.

Every watch is inspected and authenticated before it is listed: dial, movement, case and crown. The product page states precisely what is original. Original boxes and papers are rare on watches of this age; when they are included, we say so.

It depends on your style and budget, but the great watchmaking houses remain the safest choices. Omega is often the ideal starting point, with sturdy and elegant models. Cartier appeals with shapes that have become icons of watch design. IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre are renowned for the quality of their movements. Longines and Zenith combine fine craftsmanship with often more accessible prices. Our selection changes with each new arrival, but always follows the same principle: watches from great houses, chosen for their quality and character.

The price of a vintage watch depends on its brand, model, rarity and above all its condition. A watch that has remained original, with a dial that has never been restored, is generally worth more than one with replaced parts. You can find a beautiful vintage watch from a great house for a few hundred euros, while the most sought-after models reach several thousand euros.

In most cases, yes. Until the 1970s, a men’s watch rarely exceeded 36 to 38 mm in diameter, whereas today’s models are often 40 mm or more. This understated size is now a big part of the charm of vintage watches, which look just as good on a man’s wrist as on a woman’s. In our photos, each watch is worn on a 17 cm wrist to help you judge its size.

Yes, with a few precautions. A serviced watch runs reliably day to day, but because of its age it is no longer water-resistant: keep it away from water, humidity and dust. A service roughly every five years then keeps it accurate for many years to come.