A Testimony Of A Watch Industry Professional

I have the great fortune to have been one of those people that turned their hobby into their profession. In my late teens, I got fascinated by watches and was able to turn it into a career. As I always enjoyed writing, it started with reviews on then popular message boards, which were soon picked up by a major auction house, who invited me to write for them.

Although I had never heard of the term in those days, I became a watch journalist, and that I am still today, serving as Editor-at-Large for the popular US magazine WatchTime, as well as the Swiss haute horlogerie blog Quill & Pad. While this gives me quite some insider information, I am also still, like you, a watch enthusiast with a modest collection of his own.

Over the years, I have learned that collecting watches is a dynamic affair, with watches coming and going. Even after all this time, buying and selling timepieces is not my favorite part of my hobby. There is great truth in the saying that you are actually buying the seller. While I had a craving for a Rolex for quite some time, even buying one as an industry insider is challenging. My preference for a vintage model ruled out my regular contacts, which only focus on the latest and the greatest. While I have a solid knowledge of the brand, its history, and models, the vintage Rolex watch scene is such a minefield that even I am hesitant to maneuver it. With anything from complete fake movements with all the hallmarks to Frankenwatches and even renowned auction houses offering dubious watches with the coveted crown.

While being very careful where I put my money, I came into contact with Farid, one of the owners of WatchWorks Haarlem, and while I was impressed with what he had in stock, I was even more taken by his knowledge and honesty, both which he shared generously. Watches with him, Rolex or otherwise, are exactly what they look like, with Farid pointing out the different aspects that contribute to its valuation and sharing all the details that make this watch special. With his easygoing and comprehensive knowledge of the matter, as well as a straightforward sense of doing business, I finally had found my place to buy a Rolex with peace of mind.

Disclaimer; the images are only to illustrate the article, and no payment in any form whatsoever has changed hands for me to write this. This is just my honest, personal experience.