Which Vintage Watch Do You Hope To Find in 2024?

By Charlie Dunne

Collecting vintage watches is always exciting. Even after a year of incredible finds, I am just as enthusiastic about what this next year holds! Sometimes finding a grail is as easy as pulling up windvintage.com, but other times searching for something more obscure requires patience and perhaps even a miracle. With all this in mind, I am always eager to hear what collectors are hoping to find in the forthcoming year.

I am pleased to publish the second annual article featuring friends and colleagues of Wind Vintage. More interesting to us (and probably everyone reading this) than their resolutions, I asked some of the most sophisticated collectors and individuals the question: Which vintage watch do you hope to find in 2024?

Luis Miguel Torres

“It has to be an early 1960’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Geomatic in rose gold! I believe it is reference E399.

It’s a true classic, its simplicity and the fact that the case back is so memorable makes it quite interesting to me. I also believe it to be undervalued and under appreciated. A great watch with a blazer and crisp white dress shirt by one of the most celebrated brands in the world.”

John Goldberger

“I would like to find a stainless steel Patek Philippe chronograph, ref. 1463 in NOS conditions!”

Josh Hendizadeh

“I would love to find a GMT-Master reference 1675! A matte 1675 would be a dream find for me as I believe they remain the most beautiful sports model on the market of any brand!”

Ming Liu

“While something I could never bid on myself, I’d love 2024 to be the year we see the John Lennon Patek 2499 finally come to market. Not only would I see this grail-of-grail watches in the metal, but just love the idea of properly plunging into this fascinating tale of mystery and intrigue, plot twists and turns, not to mention the stardust of rock royalty. Oh and to witness the exciting next chapter of this legendary timepiece? Priceless.”

Mitch K.

“That’s a tough one, especially after acquiring a few nice watches this month!

Having recently acquired from Wind Vintage what I consider to be a grail watch, I had to give a lot of thought to which vintage watch I hope to find in 2024. I would say either a triple calender complication or a gold Rolex Daytona!”

Daniel B.

“In 2024, while I won't be overly selective, there are a few pieces that captivate my interest. Primarily, a striking red 1680 featuring a captivating deep pumpkin patina on its dial and hands. Additionally, the allure of a 1930s Reverso with a sleek black dial is undeniable. In pursuit of elegance, a Cartier Tank Normale holds a coveted place in my collection for those extraordinary moments. Furthermore, although currently beyond my reach, the Patek reference 5065A remains an aspirational piece. For a touch of whimsy, the Girard-Perregaux 9034 'Moon Watch' would certainly add a fun twist. Here's to a fulfilling 2024 filled with exciting horological discoveries and cherished memories.”

Michael Stockton

“I’d love to find a nice Movado Curviplan! They’re overlooked, difficult to find and wear as well as a Cartier at a fraction of the price. Oh, and the movement is a multi-level gem!”

Barbara Palumbo

"Eric knows how I feel about Vintage LeCoultre Memovox watches, so that would likely be my first choice, but I will trust his recommendation should a different vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre come across his radar."

Henry Flores

“A [Rolex] Double Red Sea-Dweller MK IV. I Just love the history and profile of the DRSD as the ultimate tool watch of its era!”

Image credit: Hubert Kolka

Cam Wolf

“I’d like to track down the original Piaget Polo. I need a full-gold watch and nothing delivers on the idea of a hybrid jewelry-timepiece quite like the Polo.”

Rich Lopez

”I'm still hunting down an IWC Ref. 3521 - the original Gérald Genta Ingenieur!”

Matthieu Sauret

“The Jaeger-LeCoultre museum owns several thousand timepieces and each year we have the honor and joy to browse through hundreds of timepieces. And even though it seems we have seen them all I am sure that in the next year we are going to come across some pieces which are going to make our hearts race! That’s the beauty and the chance of our job!! I would also not be mad if I stumbled across the Steve McQueen Memovox or the Picasso Triple Calendar to be honest!!”

Rich Fordon

”A vintage watch I’m wanting to find in 2024 is a simple, 34mm, time-only Movado signed Tiffany & Co. on the dial. The specific watch sold in 2012 as a part of the collection of Pete Fullerton, the grandson of Henry Graves Jr. I have always had a soft spot for vintage Movado, have always wanted to own a watch with ties to the Graves family, and have always looked for this specific watch – maybe 2024 is the year.”

Larry Schechterman

“I am looking for a mint condition black dial Patek Philippe reference 96! My classic dream watch!!!”

Mike Nouveau

“I would love to find a Cartier-signed Rolex sports model (nearly impossible unless you’re Eric Wind!) or a nice first series Patek 3940 with strong hallmarks. Though I usually find the best stuff when I’m not looking for it!”

Gary Shteyngart

“I feel like having reached 30 watches I am in a scary place. But if someone were to force me to buy another watch I’d probably try something neo-vintage like a 16710 I could swim in or maybe a LUC 1860 where the date window was not so obtrusive!”

Jeff B.

“Though I prefer collecting vintage watches, lately I’m enjoying some of the fun, new watches coming from Rolex. My favorite watch is the Puzzle Emoji Day-Date.

I just love the colorful, enamel-painted dials with delicate gold wire surrounds around each puzzle piece. And I love the fact that it’s a Day-Date without a day and without a date. So unusual and crazy for Rolex to design and produce such a watch. Hoping Papa Wind drops one on my doorstep next year!”

Clavi (@fldx_clavi)

“Having focused my collector interests on Jaeger-LeCoultre production as a whole, and on the Memovox history in particular, I guess the ultimate watch I wish I could find to close this specific niche obsession would be a platinum example of a [vintage] Memovox.

Platinum had a small moment when the metal was launched for the manufacturing of wristwatch cases in the early 1930s, and LeCoultre was one of the early adopters of the metal, however, post WWII the metal had been pretty much abandoned by the manufacture (save for the exceptional miniature joaillerie pieces fitted with the small 101 movement, produced in extremely small numbers).

But in 2019, a previously unknown platinum-cased Memovox 3160 surfaced to the market for the first time, showing that the precious metal, though undocumented, has been used - well at least once - for the production of a model from the regular line-up.

We don't know if more than one was made and if so, if other models than the 3160 exist in the metal, but since that day it gives me hope that we might stumble upon one such unicorn, which would be the crown jewel of a Memovox collection.

But beyond chasing what could ultimately be a Moby Dick, I guess what I hope to find is a good example from one of the early 1930s strong design pieces from Ateliers Jaeger, like the parallelogram or the DuoPlan driver (both models more associated to Cartier but actually made by Jaeger). These might be as hypothetical finds as a platinum Memovox since they are definitely uber-rare, but at least we know they exist!”

Stephen Ringer

“I think my goal for this year is to take care of what I already own.”

Aly Michalka

“A Cartier Baignoire with mechanical movement!”

Adam Golden (Menta Watches)

“Whichever [watch that] gets Eric excited enough to answer my phone calls.”

Roni Madhvani

“There are many I would hope to find in 2024 including the Patek 3413, but honestly this would now be beyond my budget now so I think I would love to find a double-signed Patek Philippe reference 2552 that I don’t have already; I came across one signed Gumbiner that would be a dream come true!”

Herman @hurmen

“Lol, you know I’m no longer hunting for specific watches. But that picture [you tagged me in] gave me an idea. I have a Gay Frères JLC bracelet waiting to be paired with a watch for a long time. So here we go: a Memovox reference E855!”

Nick Federowicz

“In 2024 I’d love to find another watch that brings me the same joy as my 36mm Omega Seamaster I bought in 2023 does. It’s a design I’ve always been drawn to and the watch has surpassed my expectations  making me really-happy every time I wear it and look at it. Whatever my next watch is, it has to be from Wind Vintage!”

Virginia S.

“I would love to find a Universal Genève 881101/03 in great condition. I have been a UG fan since I began collecting and for me, this dial is fascinating, and I never get tired of looking at it. This reference is hard to find in good condition, so I’ll have to be patient. The hunt can be frustrating at times, but it’s also part of the fun.”

James Fisk

“2024? More like 6263! Haha! But really I love that reference, especially the silver dial big red variation. If you can find one in pristine condition with a mint bezel and strong case hold onto it for dear life! They seem to be rarer and rarer as the years roll by and I find them the perfect Rolex chronograph.“

Eric Peng Cheng

“For me in 2024 vintage watch find is not any one reference, but more so what I don’t know exists. Specifically in the double-signed category. In 2023 I got a few Cartier signed Rolex and APs and also a Hermes signed AP…. I would love to find more like it…. Like that Hermes signed JLC clock you guys have. And the VCA signed Rolex Eric sold me few years back!”

AJ Michalka

“That’s easy for me! JLC Duoplan Calibre 101 baby!”

Elias Marte

”A Piaget Polo - a square one in yellow gold - and any Boucheron that comes in my way!”

Scott (@10thwatch )

“Pretty simple answer - Steel Day-Date!”

Paige Reddinger

“Last year, I came across an Audemars Piguet Zebra—a rectangular watch with a thin manual wind AP Caliber 2003 movement—on TheRealReal. I hadn’t seen one before but there was something wonderfully cool about this weird and retro striped two-tone watch. Although this watch dates to the end of the late ‘70s, it screams ‘80s mom and dad vibes and, as a child of that era it feels like a fun revival moment. It was priced pretty reasonably at just under $5,000. I put it in my favorites folder and kept watching it for a long time until one day, when I was ready to pounce and found it had sold. Since then, I haven’t come across many. There was one that sold for $6,772. I’m kicking myself for not buying the one on TheRealReal. Dover Street Market is selling a Zebra that has been customized with what looks like an engraved pattern finish for…$58,000, which is insane. To me, however, the original is cooler.”

Bill Sohne

“An early 1960s rolex ref 1012 in white or rose gold. Yellow is just pedestrian.”

Brandon Frazin

“Ever since I wore that Fuchsia GMT to the party we went to, I’ve been thinking a lot about those. I hope 2024 is the year of the Pink Panther for me.”

Gabe B.

”I am hoping to find an obscure military-issued watch that tells a great story!”

Tony Traina

”2024 should be a big year for Piaget (150th anniversary), and I hope it’s the year I find a good one. The prices some dealers are asking – for what are really pretty simple watches – to manufacture hype is shameful (as are the “Piaget is the next Cartier” takes – no it’s not!), so I’m hoping I unearth something like a nice little Piaget Tank at a small auction, estate sale, or maybe even #OMBAS2024. “

J.J. Owens

“The vintage piece I am most excited to acquire in 2024 is between a rainbow gem-set Chopard St. Moritz or a white gold Cartier Navette, I’ve found both…it’s just a matter of making a decision!”

Max Braun

“The vintage watch I want to find in 2024 is whatever watch makes Charlie realize there remains far more to life than vintage Rolex.”

Ben Clymer

“2023 marked a return to my first loves, of sorts. Hand- wound Daytonas, 2526, etc and I expect that to continue in 24. This year I’d love to find a great Longines 13zn or Breitling Duograph. Or maybe a great 13 ligne AP. Hell, maybe even a gilt Sub!”

Eric Wind

”I love the Rolex Explorer reference 1016 and love all the iterations of the 1016. I recently realized I have not had a great, unpolished example with a gilt glossy underline dial and would love to own one, whether to resell or to keep it in my personal collection.

When we did the Reference Points on the Explorer 1, I borrowed a fantastic example from Paul Altieri of Bob’s Watches. After the filming was over, I shipped it back to him, only to see the watch listed on the Bob’s Watches website a week later for way too little of a price in my view. The devil on my shoulder said I should buy it while the angel said I should tell Paul Altieri and confirm he wasn’t selling it. Of course, I told Paul and, of course, he said that was a mistake and he didn’t want to sell it! Now I just need to find a better one!”

Paul Altieri (Bob's Watches)

“My dream reach: A Rolex 6062.

Realistic hunt: A black dial reference 6234”