O.K., here's something I've always had in the back of my mind, and, after reading this, I'm sure many of you will think it should have stayed there...
How do you view, re-releases or remakes of classic watch designs? Hamilton has maintained many of its classic, history-making designs over the years. But, is a re-release, remake, or even a modern interpretation of a classic watch design somehow less legitimate because it's not one of the originals? Is a Ventura not really a Ventura unless it came from between 1957 and 1969? Are any of the American Classic series or the Piping Rock re-releases less legitimate than their forefathers, either because of their modern origins or their quartz movements?
Some of this is a very emotionally driven perspective. I'll give you that, from a strict collector's standpoint, an original, historical piece, will have greater value and collect-ability than a re-release. If watch collecting is anything like fountain pen collecting, then next in line would be certain, modern, limited editions (because not every manufacturer's limited editions are destined to become collectible).
But, from the standpoint of someone who wears and enjoys nice watches, where do the remakes, re-releases and modern versions fit into the food chain? After all, there has been a Dodge Charger and a Ford Mustang, almost since the original classics came out. They are staples of the industry. But, does anyone who buys one think of it as being less legitimate, or a pale comparison to the original?
Here's how I see it...
The historic original is the mother load for collecting OR wearing. If you can afford to buy it and maintain it, and are not afraid of the rare possibility that you might hurt it (how many watch lovers are that hard on their nice watches anyway?), then the original is the one to have. I will admit I am not one of those people.
Next in line for me is the limited edition. Somehow, a limited edition release of a classic design by a respected manufacturer makes it more legitimate. For instance, in my mind, the 50th Anniversary Ventura Quartz is almost like a direct link to the Ventura of the past (like the gold standard backing American currency). When I collected fountain pens, limited edition re-releases of classic designs were all the rage.
After that would be modern versions or reinterpretations of classic models. The modern Khaki or Ventura, even the Ventura Chrono, because they are like the modern Charger or Mustang of the day.
The ones I have the hardest time with are the American Classics. Historical designs that were originally mechanical but have been re-released as quartz. I think these are for "tourists" and are close to being "fakes". Again, this is just an emotional perspective. I have a modern Piping Rock. I always loved Hamiltons and it was my first. I fell in love with it when I saw it on a friends wrist and told him, when he was ready to part with it, which I new he would be, I would buy it. I didn't care that it was a quartz at the time, but I learned more about the model and became more snobby. While I am regaining my respect and appreciation for quartz, much in the way I did for ball pens after several years of fountain pen collecting, I still see old style watches with quartz movements as somehow less than legitimate. Mind you, I wouldn't want to see an automatic movement in them either. These were hand wound watches originally and I feel they should be re-released as such. To be fair, as I have mentioned in another thread, I see the automatic version of the Ventura 50th Anniversary the same way, because the Ventura was designed as an electric watch and the quartz is much truer to the original.
So, how about you all? Do you have an emotional barometer about this? Are you a purist? Do you have a flexible perspective? Do you just not care as long as it's good quality and looks pretty on your wrist?
Thanks for playing!
How do you view, re-releases or remakes of classic watch designs? Hamilton has maintained many of its classic, history-making designs over the years. But, is a re-release, remake, or even a modern interpretation of a classic watch design somehow less legitimate because it's not one of the originals? Is a Ventura not really a Ventura unless it came from between 1957 and 1969? Are any of the American Classic series or the Piping Rock re-releases less legitimate than their forefathers, either because of their modern origins or their quartz movements?
Some of this is a very emotionally driven perspective. I'll give you that, from a strict collector's standpoint, an original, historical piece, will have greater value and collect-ability than a re-release. If watch collecting is anything like fountain pen collecting, then next in line would be certain, modern, limited editions (because not every manufacturer's limited editions are destined to become collectible).
But, from the standpoint of someone who wears and enjoys nice watches, where do the remakes, re-releases and modern versions fit into the food chain? After all, there has been a Dodge Charger and a Ford Mustang, almost since the original classics came out. They are staples of the industry. But, does anyone who buys one think of it as being less legitimate, or a pale comparison to the original?
Here's how I see it...
The historic original is the mother load for collecting OR wearing. If you can afford to buy it and maintain it, and are not afraid of the rare possibility that you might hurt it (how many watch lovers are that hard on their nice watches anyway?), then the original is the one to have. I will admit I am not one of those people.
Next in line for me is the limited edition. Somehow, a limited edition release of a classic design by a respected manufacturer makes it more legitimate. For instance, in my mind, the 50th Anniversary Ventura Quartz is almost like a direct link to the Ventura of the past (like the gold standard backing American currency). When I collected fountain pens, limited edition re-releases of classic designs were all the rage.
After that would be modern versions or reinterpretations of classic models. The modern Khaki or Ventura, even the Ventura Chrono, because they are like the modern Charger or Mustang of the day.
The ones I have the hardest time with are the American Classics. Historical designs that were originally mechanical but have been re-released as quartz. I think these are for "tourists" and are close to being "fakes". Again, this is just an emotional perspective. I have a modern Piping Rock. I always loved Hamiltons and it was my first. I fell in love with it when I saw it on a friends wrist and told him, when he was ready to part with it, which I new he would be, I would buy it. I didn't care that it was a quartz at the time, but I learned more about the model and became more snobby. While I am regaining my respect and appreciation for quartz, much in the way I did for ball pens after several years of fountain pen collecting, I still see old style watches with quartz movements as somehow less than legitimate. Mind you, I wouldn't want to see an automatic movement in them either. These were hand wound watches originally and I feel they should be re-released as such. To be fair, as I have mentioned in another thread, I see the automatic version of the Ventura 50th Anniversary the same way, because the Ventura was designed as an electric watch and the quartz is much truer to the original.
So, how about you all? Do you have an emotional barometer about this? Are you a purist? Do you have a flexible perspective? Do you just not care as long as it's good quality and looks pretty on your wrist?
Thanks for playing!
