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Men's Watches

Prior to World War I, men long preferred a discrete pocket watch to a wristwatch. As soldiers discovered the value of quickly being able to check the time on their wrist, wristwatches quickly dominated the market.

Most early wristwatches were made in Switzerland and the United States, followed to a lesser extent by the United Kingdom and Germany. After World War II, Switzerland and the United States dominated the watch making market until Japan introduced the first commercial quartz wristwatch in 1969.

Japanese manufacturers were able to build quartz movements of high quality in large amounts at low prices. They took over the global market for wristwatches entirely, shutting down mechanical watch manufacturing in the United States almost completely as the Swiss hung on by a thread. But renewed appreciation for mechanical wristwatches in the late 1980s and early '90s saved the Swiss watch industry and certain American and German watch brands.

Over the past 10 years, men's watch collecting has exploded, and continues to grow in both contemporary and secondhand markets. In high-end watch collecting in general, vintage styles from the 1940s through the '60s continue to command record-breaking prices at auction.

Recommended Items at Auction

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The Night Watch
May 28, 3:30 PM CEST
The Night Watch
by Tajan
Est: €5,000- €7,000
€4,4000 Bids
The Night Watch
Mar 31, 1:00 PM EDT
The Night Watch
by La Belle Epoque Auction House
Est: $5,000- $7,000
$4,5000 Bids
A Patek Philippe Calatrava automatic men's cocktail watch, in 18ct white gold and diamond
Apr 10, 10:00 AM EDT
A Patek Philippe Calatrava automatic men's cocktail watch, in 18ct white gold and diamond
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $12,000- $15,000
$9,0000 Bids
A Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium King Gold, ref. 521.NO.1181.RX, 45mm
Apr 10, 10:00 AM EDT
A Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium King Gold, ref. 521.NO.1181.RX, 45mm
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$7,5000 Bids
A Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34, Ref. 6564/5, yellow gold, weight 89,4 g
Apr 10, 10:00 AM EDT
A Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34, Ref. 6564/5, yellow gold, weight 89,4 g
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$3,5000 Bids
A Wemalux men's watch in 19,2 ct yellow gold, with a gold braider bracelet, weight: 75,2 g
Apr 10, 10:00 AM EDT
A Wemalux men's watch in 19,2 ct yellow gold, with a gold braider bracelet, weight: 75,2 g
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $1,500- $1,800
$8000 Bids
A Rolex Cellini Tank 'Khalid', 18ct yellow gold, 1970s
Apr 10, 10:00 AM EDT
A Rolex Cellini Tank 'Khalid', 18ct yellow gold, 1970s
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$9000 Bids
A 1964 Omega Constellation 'Pie Pan', Ref. 168.005
Apr 10, 10:00 AM EDT
A 1964 Omega Constellation 'Pie Pan', Ref. 168.005
by Asté Maison de ventes
Est: $1,500- $1,800
$1,3000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Men's Watches


Asté Maison de ventes

Asté Maison de ventes

Tajan

Tajan