LIFESTYLE | WATCHES
Fine art , wine , classic cars – just some of the categories that spring to mind when considering the world ’ s most collectible luxury items .
According to recent research from Market Decipher , the global collectibles market is estimated to be worth around US $ 462 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach an eye-watering US $ 1 trillion in a decade ’ s time .
Clearly , demand for certain items – often at the lower end of the market – is largely dictated by pop culture trends , as has been seen in recent months with the revival of doll collecting following the release of the Barbie movie . Meanwhile , public appetite for Yeezy trainers has remained high despite Adidas severing its ties with the rapper formerly known as Kanye West .
It would be remiss , however , to explore this burgeoning market without giving weight to the trusty watch , collected for decades by enthusiasts obsessed in their pursuit of horological perfection .
Whether new or second hand , the very rarest , most sought-after timepieces continue to fetch astronomical sums , demonstrating their enduring appeal .
Early wrist watches a ‘ feminine pursuit ’ It seems almost hard to believe that wrist watches , worn these days with varying regularity by hundreds of millions of people , were once secondary to pocket watches .
“ Dating back to the 16th century , the first pocket watches were large , heavy and cumbersome by today ’ s standards ,” explains Rebecca Ross , VP and Head of Sale in the watches department at Christie ’ s , based in New York . “ But , as watchmaking skills improved , they became smaller .”
While the existence of wrist watches can be traced back to a similar point in
WHILE MEN PROUDLY SPORTED POCKET WATCHES , IT WAS WOMEN WHO WERE THE FIRST TO WEAR WATCHES ON THEIR WRISTS
Rebecca Ross VP and Head of Sale , Watches , Christie ’ s businesschief . eu 105