Introduction to Infinite Breguet Substack

Your search assistant for vintage watches in public auctions around the world

Vintage watch dealer and IWJG member.

I save you time and sore eyes by searching and reviewing listings of vintage watches in lesser known online public auctions around the world. I will post once a week, and my goal is to find, select, analyze and alert you to about 400 auction listings annually, or approximately 5-15 listings per week. Each highlight will include a picture(s), commentary and link to the auctions and can be read in 5-10 minutes. Auction listings have varying bidding periods but I will do my best to highlight them at least several days prior to close so you have enough time to bid. All highlights excluding links are released to free subscribers after the auctions are finished. 

Important Note: I’m still not sure if this service is interesting enough for paid subscriptions, so currently there is no real time paid subscription option, only a pledge option. Links to auctions will therefore be unavailable and highlights will be posted after auctions are finished.

Search focus will be on rarer vintage watches from the 1930's - 1990's in strong condition that dealers do not usually carry and/or that collectors prefer to find themselves.  I highlight listings based on condition, rarity and design elements, rather than size, brand, or model. Please see my post titled “Strikezone” for details on my parameters.  Auction listings I highlight will be $0 start or low-reserve public auctions and I will avoid watches listed at market or optimistic prices. Hence no listings from Chrono24 or Instagram will be highlighted. No BuyItNow eBay listings unless accompanied by auction. Also out of scope are listings from sellers and/or auction sites that have subpar reputations or provide little or no protection for the buyer. Listings from well-known and specialist auction houses such as Christie’s and Phillips will also be out of scope as their marketing teams already do an excellent job of promoting their auctions, and their lots are usually bid above “street” or market price.

All watches highlighted in auction should fit in a portfolio of classic mid to high tier vintage watches with robust long term value and relatively strong liquidity.

I review 250+ auction listings from around the globe daily. I do spend quite some time searching and analyzing, so if you like my work please support me in the future by becoming a paid subscriber. The rationale for becoming a paid subscriber:

1. The time and sore eyes I save you searching and analyzing is well worth the subscription fee.

2. Because lesser known public auctions usually hammer at a discount to market value, the embedded value gained from winning say a single $2,500 watch in an auction I highlighted can more than make up for the annual subscription fee.

3. Bidding in auctions can feel lonely - if I highlight an auction you have already found yourself and are considering bidding, at the very least this Substack can serve as “another pair of eyes”, and the Comments section a place where potential bidders can discuss.

4. For paid subscribers I do my best to answer questions on all aspects of purchasing in auction, from logistics to specifics of a particular watch.

However there are inherent risks in auctions so please do your own homework and purchase at your own risk.  I will assume my readers have some level of experience purchasing vintage watches online and/or in auction. Many of my subscribers are professional dealers. All subscribers interested in bidding in one of the auctions I highlight should have access to a competent watchmaker.

I also post about vintage watch related topics, including a handy guide to logistics (paywalled), a list of collector sourcing strategies, etc.

I am not affiliated with any of the sellers of the auctions I post. I do not sell watches via this Substack, nor do I try to hype or promote any watches. All pictures in this Substack are either my own or posted with source credited.

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