Forums Latest Members

How come Bucherer is generally un-loved?

  1. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514
    Watch enthusiasts enthusiastically bid up prices on any and every chronometer (not named Bucherer).

    Over my many years of "collecting" I've bought Mint+ Bucherer Chronometers of all sorts; many are true NOS which keep time to a second or two and nobody cares. I never start out looking for Bucherer but once in a while I can't resist the siren song.

    Vintage Bucherer is a lazy, completely unmotivated market. Good thing you buy these watches for the price of a carton of cigarettes or I'd be bust-o.

    I wear many of these and enjoy them and that really should be all that matters. But, I'm a human bean and sometimes get frustrated at...reality.

    Did I miss the memo on Bucherer? Was the company part of an international conspiracy for kiddie porn or human organ trafficking or something?
     
    Edited Sep 30, 2017
    sheepdoll, Lonestar, Thommas and 2 others like this.
  2. Darlinboy Pratts! Will I B******S!!! Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    8,727
    Likes
    69,007
    You didn't miss the memo... it just hasn't been written yet.

    Will it ever?

    I have no idea, but in the meantime, buy and wear what you like. And enjoy the value.
     
  3. Traveler Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    2,055
    Likes
    14,479
    Pics ? :whistling:
     
    Benbradstock and Northernman like this.
  4. CdnWatchDoc Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    1,806
    Likes
    7,113
    My understanding is that Bucherer is a Swiss jewelery company best known for selling watches, not necessarily making them, although looking at their site, they have been in the watch making game for more than a centrury. I think they started out with bespoke watches, using ebauches and other parts, as well as branded watches from other manufacturers-I have seen a few double logo pieces. They now are getting deeper into the watch game with their Carl F Bucherer lines. They also have developed their own movements, including a tourbillon piece. Nice watches to my eye, both new and old. I would be interested to see what's under the hood of your chronos.
     
    Edited Aug 9, 2015
    Bernhard J and citizenrich like this.
  5. Time Exposure coordinates his cast with his car's paint job Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    1,597
    Likes
    1,067
    I think it's kinda like Tiffany & Co. in the U.S. There are some Tiffany branded pieces that used whatever ebauche to complete the watch (mostly ETA from what I've seen). Being a reputable jeweler, Tiffany put some well-constructed and finished watches out there with accurate movements that make for fine watches.
    So I think Bucherer offers the same value: a vintage piece at a lower price that has a good quality movement and superb finish that reflects well on its reputation as a fine jeweler.
    I certainly appreciate the pieces. They just don't reach an audience that recognizes the value, and you end up being the guy with all the Bucherers that can't find a buyer (if you have flipperitis like I do).
     
  6. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514
    I'm at work right now and I'll post other examples when I get in front of my laptop.

    I think I paid 240 USD for this particular example. She was built in '72 or '73 so, it's a very early automatic chronograph. These are sellers photos - I have better pics @ home.
    This is a serious watch (she keeps good time to 1 or 2 secs a day). 39mm and heavy as a brick.
     
    image.jpg
    Bernhard J, kkt, Thommas and 15 others like this.
  7. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514
    I've accumulated (not sure there's a better word?) 12 or 15 of this particular watch. Most times I get the original watch case, sales receipt, etc., etc.

    I'm always like - "Score!!!!...an automatic chronometer for XX bucks..."

    Then,
    like a year later...same watch, same price.

    The sellers always ask like 300 to 500 and I always bid $100 and more times than not I wind up with a new to me Bucherer. I'm starting to wonder if 100 is too much?!?


    This one is kinda beat up - like a 4 out of 10. The ones I have are 8, 9 and 10's. No matter, still the same prices lol
     
    image.jpg image.jpg
    Edited Aug 9, 2015
  8. dougiedude Carpe horologium! Aug 9, 2015

    Posts
    7,118
    Likes
    73,405
    That's pretty cool that you are a Bucherer conneissoiur.

    Someone I knew and respected long ago had one; I was very young, but I never forgot that watch (just forgot who it was!); so, I've always thought they must be good quality watches...

    ... and you've found a relatively untapped market! :thumbsup:
     
    Benbradstock and citizenrich like this.
  9. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Aug 10, 2015

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514
    Here's the last the one I bought a few weeks ago. 8 out of 10, all the original...well, basically everything included. This one is really nice.

    90 bucks plus shipping.


    Please, please don't think I'm shilling - I just get a little frustrated at the disconnect between these automatic Swiss chronometers...
     
    image.jpg image.jpg image.jpg
    Edited Aug 10, 2015
    valery70, GandOsDad, Foo2rama and 4 others like this.
  10. dougiedude Carpe horologium! Aug 10, 2015

    Posts
    7,118
    Likes
    73,405
    Very nice-looking!

    Do you know the ID of the chronometer inside?
     
  11. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514

    Hi dougie! You've been en fuego lately - I've been busy (for a change) so, more lurking than posting but here I am. By en fuego I mean hot building a kick a$$ watch collection!


    Anyway, here we go: 800 quid this guy must be huffing paint AND sniffing glue.


    This is the model chronometer I was referring to in my earlier comment. There's a date references a well. It's a nice watch but, this is what happens all the time - the seller asks a high price but will eventually accept defeat and a fractional price. Someone might even offer the seller like £200 and they'll be insulted and decline. Months later, they'll relent and pray for 200

    It's a freaking script.
     
    image.jpeg
    dougiedude likes this.
  12. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    12,168
    Likes
    15,629
    As stated above, Bucherer is a Swiss jewelery retailer. Many of their branded watches were made for them by some of the more famous Swiss manufacturers, including Longines, Omega and Vacheron & Constantin. Some are generic movements (i.e. ETA) placed in cases of Bucherer's design.

    All are of excellent quality,
    gatorcpa
     
  13. Jones in LA Isofrane hoarder. Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    4,706
    Likes
    40,485
    I thought everyone loved Blucher...


    ......Ovaltine?
    Frau_Blucher.jpg
     
    sheepdoll, Thommas, Professor and 2 others like this.
  14. oak1971 Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    26
    Likes
    29
    I think all that formerly unknown stuff is getting hotter, as evidenced by appearances and prices on the Bay.
     
    citizenrich likes this.
  15. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514

    Thank you :)

    I get the analogy or whatever the right word is but most vintage Tiffany watches are worth big bucks with a very active secondary market.

    Not so for Bucherer. Perhaps it's a market inefficiency which will self correct as vintage watch buyers become educated? Possible.

    You're uber experienced and a lot of this stuff is both native and obvious to you.

    I'll tell you what: if Hodinkee wrote a couple variations of exactly what you just wrote and presented facts as you did, I have a feeling the demand curve for quality vintage Bucherer would steepen right quick.
     
    Edited Oct 9, 2015
    Benbradstock likes this.
  16. Time Exposure coordinates his cast with his car's paint job Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    1,597
    Likes
    1,067
    If this happens, then I will have all the evidence I didn't want: Hodinkee scans forums for their name, picks up a storyline, and has just enough power to create a "bubble" of interest by collectors.
    If I see a Hodinkee feature on Bucherer, it will be too late to buy them. But it will be proof that Hodinkee has the power to create the bubble. To me, this artificial boost in interest would signal me to sell everything they've ever spotlighted, just to stay ahead of the bubble bursting.
     
    adi4, gatorcpa and citizenrich like this.
  17. valjoux72 Oct 9, 2015

    Posts
    510
    Likes
    1,892
    Bucherer made quite a lot of Chronometers in the 60´s and 70´s, solid good quality.
    A chronometer shoud be part of every collection (my opinion), therefore i picked up one.
    Dial has some"patina" ;), but I liked the case design.
    From my point of view an underrated brand, they even made some nice looking chronographs with Valjoux movements too.
    I think a lot of US tourist brought them back from Europe trips...
     
    wrist.jpg 20141111_125252.jpg
  18. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Jun 4, 2016

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514

    ^^^^ bingo

    Yes, that's the most common anecdote when I purchase any vintage Bucherer..."I don't know much about watches but our father bought this watch @ xxxx airport duty free coming home from a business trip circa 19xx".

    It's the only watch sale story I believe because it's believable and almost always true (and, many times the children have the original receipts).

    I've been on a little bit of buying binge the last 10 days. Not sure why - perhaps the Equinox or something.

    This one is from Japan - it's a freaking Vacheron and was ~200 bucks. :) If it said Vacheron on the dial it would be 4 grand, easy. A lot of vintage watch for 200. Only real negative: 34mm. I'll post movement photos after I get the watch.

    Something to look out for, for those who care: many mid 50's Bucherer's are made by Rolex and some w/ Singer dials (just like Tiffany). I find this...interesting?
     
    image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
    Edited Jun 4, 2016
  19. Privateday7 quotes Miss Universe Jun 4, 2016

    Posts
    5,753
    Likes
    2,903
    Well if you have access to Hodinkee and got your collection reviewed then who knows? They basically had streak of success in inflating many obscured vintage brand chronograph value in the past 1 or 2 years
     
  20. citizenrich Metal Mixer! Jun 4, 2016

    Posts
    2,617
    Likes
    5,514
    What up, homie...my bruva from another muva?!?

    I wouldn't really call it a collection as the entire value of 14 or 15 watches is less than a single gold capped Connie. lol

    Which, I guess, is sort of the point. Nobody is going to invest any effort hyping up 100 or 200 dollar watches. Even if they're widely successful, it's still only 300.

    Much better economies of scale to pump a Sea-Sub cal. 95 from 2g's to 8g's. (((Boing)))