Neo-Vintage Watchmaking Golden Age Overview

this_hobby_of_hours · 2024-08-26T05:52:55Z

Explore the 'neo-vintage' era (1990-2010) with WatchProSite. Discover Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, Minerva Pythagore, and Girard-Perregaux Laureato-Olimpico chronographs. A golden age of watchmaking.

this_hobby_of_hours

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

13 replies3508 views23 photos

In a compelling exploration of what he terms the 'neo-vintage' era (1990-2010), collector this_hobby_of_hours invites the WatchProSite community to reflect on a pivotal period in horology. He posits that this timeframe represents a 'Golden Age' for watchmaking, characterized by innovation and a resurgence of mechanical artistry following the quartz crisis. His detailed showcase of pieces from Audemars Piguet, Minerva, and Girard-Perregaux serves as a vibrant starting point for this fascinating discussion.

I’m curious to chat with other collectors that have been collecting neo-vintage pieces from various brands.

I consider the neo-vintage period to be from approximately 1990-2010. 20 years.

I collect neo-vintage pieces from Minerva, AP and GP.

Do share your pics and a few words about the history/provenance of the model. Production numbers (approximates are fine). What the appeal is and such.

Here is a sampling of some in my collection:

Audemars Piguet
Ref 25807ST
Royal Oak offshore
38 mm Tripple date
Approximately 1,000 pieces made
Production period: Circa 1996-2000

Minerva
Pythagore cal 48 and cal 49

38 mm (grande) cal 48
No exact production numbers but I estimate
About 100 pieces made
Production period: circa 1997-2000
Display back

36 mm cal 49
Time-zone 50 pieces made in white dial and black dial each.

Girard-Perregaux
Ref 8017
40 mm
Laureato-Olimpico Chronograph
Estimated that 999 pieces made in 3 dial colors so about 300+
Made in blue, eggshell, tobacco grey (antracite). Some reports say that a total of 500+ made in total as a LE.
Production period: circa 1996
This model is special (to me) as it marks the end of the Olimpico line and the birth of the Laureato Chronograph line.
It is also the only 40 mm laureato ever made.

Most of the pictures are mine. Some maybe from the internet that I have kept if I like the pic.

🤝

Key Points from the Discussion

The neo-vintage period, particularly 1990-2010, marked the Swiss watch industry's robust counterpunch to the quartz crisis, witnessing the rise of independents like Daniel Roth and Roger Dubuis, alongside established brands pushing boundaries with models such as the AP Offshore and Patek Philippe Aquanaut.
Many collectors feel a sense of nostalgia for the neo-vintage era, recalling a time when Baselworld novelties generated genuine excitement and acquisition felt more attainable, contrasting with today's market characterized by high prices, limited availability, and perceived saturation.
The early 2000s were a vibrant time for watch enthusiasm, with independent brands gaining wider recognition, partly due to the emergence of online forums like WatchProSite, and a less frenetic pace of new releases compared to the present day.
The watches from the neo-vintage period are remembered for their creativity, inspiration, and originality, often seen as products of genuine passion rather than being solely driven by shareholder interests.
A fellow collector shared images of a stunning collection of neo-vintage Minerva pieces, including original Frey family productions and Time Zone limited editions, highlighting the appreciation for these rare and historically significant watches.

The Discussion

amanico

Aug 26, 2024

They were creative, inspired, original, thrilling, they made us dream... They were not obsessed by share holders's interests;

Carlos22

Aug 26, 2024

Perhaps I am biased because it is when I started learning about watches and collecting, but the early 2000s were very vibrant with many independents breaking through to a larger audience thanks to forums such as this. The pace of releases was also much less frenetic!

Bruno.M1

Aug 26, 2024

Their Ionica and their chronograph from around 1995-2005 are absolutely gorgeous

The Swiss guy

Aug 26, 2024

I long back to those days when I was eagerly awaiting the Baselworld novelties...when I was filled with true excitement if I saw a new watch and realised that I 'really need' to buy it! When the novelty was constantly on your mind and your brain was figuring out a) how you could justify (to yourself....and to your wife!!!🤭) to buy this new piece...and which watch you might need to sell to finance the new release. Most of my watches are from that area. Nowadays the new release are either no longe

this_hobby_of_hours

Aug 26, 2024

Have some pics? How many were produced? 🤝

this_hobby_of_hours

Aug 26, 2024

For GP, I round it off to 1990-2010 … Macaluso ownership. But yes I agree with you as well. Independents were entering. Daniel Roth, Roger Dubuis … Chopard LUC … MB & F And the likes of AP was pushing out of their comfort zones with the offshore .. 1993. Not to forget the starwheel. Patek with their Aquanaut. This was the time of the Swiss counterpunch after their near knockout from the quartz crisis. Lemania chronographs being used by VC and Patek Even a few Venus 179 movements popping up and u

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Neo-Vintage Watchmaking Golden Age Overview

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