For more than 20 years, I have seen countless vintage watches.
I began collecting pocket watches at the age of 15, studying the construction of mechanical watches and becoming fascinated by movements and the skills of the craftspeople who created them. This has been my world ever since.
Today at Ante, we primarily introduce vintage Cartier watches.
The reason is not simply that I like the Cartier brand.
After spending many years looking at a wide variety of watches, Cartier has become a brand I cannot overlook.
My standards for evaluating watches have changed over more than 20 years of experience
When I first became interested in watches, I was drawn to movements and complex mechanisms.
However, as I have spent more than 20 years working with vintage watches, my standards for evaluating them have gradually changed.
Being reliable enough to wear every day.
Being repairable for many years.
And having a design that does not feel dated even after several decades.
I came to feel that watches with enduring appeal share these qualities.
And one of the brands whose appeal I have felt most strongly is Cartier.
The timeless design of vintage Cartier
Cartier's iconic Tank was created in 1917.
Even today, more than 100 years later, its fundamental design does not feel dated.
Its beauty from the front.
Its beauty when worn on the wrist.
The lines of the case when viewed from the side.
Few watches are beautiful from every angle.
It is a watch, yet also a work of art and a piece of jewelry.
This consistent design philosophy, which remains relevant despite changing times, is one of Cartier's greatest appeals to me.
Cartier is not a watch chosen solely for its movement
In the world of vintage watches, the rarity of a movement and the complexity of its mechanisms may be highly valued.
Of course, these are also major sources of a watch's appeal.
However, when we look at Cartier, we do not judge a watch's value based solely on its movement.
The design of the case.
Its beauty when worn on the wrist.
Comfort and ease of use.
And the ability to continue wearing it with ongoing maintenance for many years.
We believe Cartier's appeal lies not only in its movement, but in the overall refinement of the watch as a whole, including all these elements.
We discuss the relationship between Cartier and its movements in more detail in “Cartier is not a watch chosen for its movement.”
Why vintage Cartier can be worn for many years
A watch is not complete at the moment you purchase it.
Ten years later.
Twenty years later.
We believe that being able to continue wearing it with ongoing maintenance, even beyond that, is what creates true value.
Many vintage Cartier watches use movements with relatively simple constructions, and numerous examples have been cherished for many years with appropriate maintenance.
Even today, some vintage models can be taken to Cartier's authorized service network for advice on repairs and maintenance.
Even after many years have passed, you can consider continuing to wear the watch well into the future.
This is one of the things I value most when choosing vintage Cartier.
At Ante, we share this philosophy. We prepare each watch for sale with consideration not only for its current condition, but also for repairs and maintenance after purchase.
Why I continue to choose Cartier after more than 20 years of looking at watches
After spending many years looking at watches, what I consider important is very simple.
A watch should be:
Beautiful.
Easy to use.
Capable of being worn for many years with continued repairs and maintenance.
And have a design that you will still find beautiful decades from now.
To me, Cartier is a brand in which all of these qualities can be felt at the highest level.
That is why Ante currently focuses on introducing vintage Cartier watches.
It is not simply because they are popular or because the brand is well known.
After more than 20 years of looking at, handling, and continuing to learn about a wide variety of watches, these are watches I feel I want to continue introducing to our customers in the years ahead.
We also discuss in more detail what we believe is more important than price when choosing vintage Cartier in “What matters more than price: Criteria for choosing vintage Cartier”
Why Ante introduces vintage Cartier
An excellent vintage watch is not evaluated solely for its complex mechanisms or rarity.
A design that remains loved across generations.
The ability to be maintained for many years.
And the feeling that you will want to wear it decades from now.
With all of these qualities in mind, we want to introduce vintage Cartier watches that can remain a part of your life for many years to come.
