GMTKorea: Eric Wind Interview

Eric Wind was recently interviewed by GMTKorea. Read the full transcript below.

1. As one of the world's leading experts on vintage watches, you are well-known to anyone who loves watches. But could you please give us a self-introduction for Korean readers?

I grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and have always been interested in collecting things, starting with sports cards, coins, and stamps when I was little and later moving onto watches as a young professional. I love watches: they operate at the intersection of science and technology, science, history, and art. They are multifaceted objects that really tell humanity’s story. I began writing about watches for HODINKEE in 2010 and then joined Christie’s New York as Vice President, Senior Specialist of Watches in 2015. By 2017, I decided I wanted to start my own business and launched Wind Vintage.

1. What made you become interested in vintage watch collection(or just watch itself)?

I realized that I love the aesthetics and history of vintage watches. There is nothing like them. I love the patina and look of vintage watches versus the more sterile look of modern watches.

2. Could you share the memories of the first watch that you have ever purchased?

The first Rolex I ever purchased was a gilt Submariner with a “Bart Simpson” dial on eBay. I studied Rolex a lot through the web at that time and felt I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t really understand condition until I owned that watch for a while and was irritated by the polishing of the case, particularly that the lower right lug was thinner than the others. I later sold it at Christie’s and then spent years looking for an unpolished No-Date Submariner.

3. When did you start working in the watch industry?

HODINKEE was my start, but it was unpaid at first and truly a hobby. I never thought I would be working watches in full-time.

4. What motivated you to continue your watch life for a long time?

I loved watches – I sometimes can’t sleep because I am so excited to see a watch that is going to come perhaps the next day, or sometimes not for weeks. That is when I know the watch is something special!

5. Besides watches, do you collect anything else?

I have loved putters since I played golf as a kid and recently became more serious about collecting putters, particularly those made by Scotty Cameron.

6. What does 'vintage' mean to you? (or, what is the unique charm of vintage?)

I love the patina and stories of vintage watches. They look different than new watches and are honestly a lot more charming. They have stories to tell versus the more sterile modern watches.

7. What is the most unique or rare watch you have come across in your collecting journey?

I had John Lennon’s Patek Philippe reference 2499 retailed by Tiffany & Co. on my wrist. If that watch ever came to auction, it could be a $40 million plus watch.

8. Could you introduce two of your most beloved collections among the watches you own and the reasons why you love them?

I have a Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675 with a gilt glossy dial that is absolutely spectacular. I bought the watch planning to sell it, but my wife knew I really loved it and said: “Eric, I would love to give this to you for your 35th birthday if you would like. I really think you should have it.” It was very special and meaningful.

Second, I have a Vulcain Cricket that has a Vice Presidential seal on the dial from the 1950s. I think it was possibly Richard Nixon’s watch, but I am not certain. I found it on eBay and it was one of the first vintage watches I purchased. It inspired my love for Vulcain Cricket and other alarm watches.

9. Wind Vintage is a well-regarded company specializing in the curation and sale of vintage watches founded in 2017. What motivated you to establish Wind Vintage?

I saw a real gap in the market for dealers that were focused on top condition watches and I wanted to be my own boss, so Wind Vintage was the product of those things! We try to bring scholarship to what we do and are at the forefront of vintage watches today.

10. As the pre-owned luxury watch online market and auction market are gradually growing, how do you think these markets have changed compared to the past, from an expert's perspective?

Condition, condition, condition is really the mantra for most collectors today. There is a much great understanding of condition among watch collectors today, which is a positive.

11. Are there any personal tips you would like to share when buying vintage watches?

Buy the seller and buy what you know. Of course, we recommend people buy from Wind Vintage whenever possible.

12. What advice would you give to someone just starting to be interested in watches?

I would say watch my two talks to the Horological Society of New York on YouTube, at the very least the 3 hours of content will help you sleep! And then watch my Reference Points videos with HODINKEE on YouTube. Then watch the videos we did with Clicky Bezel and Chrono24 on YouTube. Then read, read, read the Wind Vintage blog.

13. If you have a dream watch, what would it be?

I love the Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona and would love to own a spectacular one in steel one day, but until then I am happy to borrow any I have for sale or borrow ones I have sold in the recent past.

14. What does a watch mean to you?

A watch is one of the most personal objects we can own. A great watch should last 500 years and will far outlive any of us. It can tell our story to our descendants and others, while also telling its own story about human civilization.