Care of Carl, in our opinion one of the world’s best online men’s clothing stores and fortunately based in Sweden, is now venturing further with vintage watches.
It was clear that there would be a new venture when Care of Carl bought Gripenbro, a small Swedish company specializing in the sale of used and vintage watches. The founder, Peter Rösehag, became responsible for the venture. And now came the launch.
The new section is called Pre-Owned and Vintage Watches. Here we find hand-picked models from classic watch brands such as Rolex, Omega, IWC, Cartier, Tudor and Panerai. The watches that are labeled pre-owned are generally new models, but second-hand, while vintage are significantly older and no longer in production.
The watches are both purchased by CareOfCarl, but customers will also be able to sell or trade in watches here, according to Care of Carl. The company says it checks all watches for authenticity, condition and any history of theft before putting them up for sale, and offers a 12-month functional guarantee.
Tre favoriter från Pre-Owned and Vintage Watches
We’ve selected our favorites from the range. Nota bene: While we love watches, we are not valuation experts – the purchases below are based on personal taste, not seen as investments.
1969 Omega Speedmaster “220”
The Omega Speedmaster is the watch that is more clearly linked to space than any other, and was famously the first watch on the moon in 1969. Still, there is something special about a lunar watch from 1969. This one also has a peculiarity in that the watch’s bezel is misprinted with the number 220, instead of 200. This was only done for a short period but still makes the watch unique in a slightly charming way in a modern age of computerized perfection.
So this watch is from the same year as the moon landing . But to avoid any misunderstanding: this is not the same model of Speedmaster as the one that bars on the moon . NASA carefully certified its watches, and the watches worn on Apollo 11 therefore belonged to the previous generation of Omega Speedmaster, which had already ceased production in 1969. Prices for the “moon version” caliber 321 are at least double.
2022 Cartier Santos
Cartier watches have a unique aesthetic – whether you love it or hate it, it’s personal. And the watches are quite rare (among men), which is probably why they are not more expensive than they are.
Louis Cartier created Santos back in 1904, for his good friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. Santos-Dumont was a pioneer in aviation, including making a big splash by flying his airship around the Eiffel Tower in 1901. Since then, the watch has gone through many iterations, but there is something bold and different about the design that has stood the test of time. Timeless is a word that comes to mind, but in a slightly retro-cool way.
If you are a collector, a new Cartier Santos is probably not what you are looking for, but if you want a personalized steel watch and are tired of diving, this Cartier Santos is a model you can wear with everything from tuxedos to polo and jeans.
Omega Constellation Pie Pan Caliber 551
If you absolutely do not want a watch that does not feel 2022, but love vintage, then this is the watch for you. An old Omega Constellation with its wonderful vintage style and a patinated dial feels like the watch you could have inherited from your grandfather (but didn’t).
Launched in 1952, the Omega Constellation takes its name from ‘constellation’ – hence the star on the dial and case. The stars allude to Omega’s many wins and the watch model was a commercialization of the limited edition gold watches that celebrated Omega’s first 100 years as a watch brand.
The box and certificate that come with it are beautiful as decor alone. Keep in mind that it is a small watch, which may disappear on your arm if you have rough forearms.
