The vintage watch market enters 2026 with a renewed focus on originality, material value, and cultural influence. As gold prices rise and supply of poor examples shrinks, collectors gain clearer signals on quality. At the same time, shifting fashion trends—Piaget’s revival, stone dials, Cartier’s surge—are shaping demand in ways both cyclical and revealing.

Neo-vintage watches from the 1980s–1990s-2000s are finally gaining recognition. With better wearability, reliability, and character, these once-overlooked pieces bridge heritage and modernity, offering collectors both nostalgia and enduring craftsmanship.

Part IV of the 'I Wish I Had A Time Machine' series by @Auctionlytics. Here Nicolas takes the Time Machine back 15 years to 2008 amidst the worlds shake-up and recovery of the financial crisis. Check out some of the awesome watches that came up at the time!

Patek Philippe Ref. 5035: a modern classic bridging vintage roots. I recall 1996 Baselworld's buzz as Patek unveiled its first annual calendar. Powered by Caliber 315 S QA, it auto-adjusts months with one yearly tweak—practical elegance rivaling perpetual calendars at lower cost. Its case echoes the iconic 1950s Ref. 2526's Calatrava poise. Personal for me: I witnessed its debut, unlike my pre-1960s trades. Wearable history for collectors.

Nicolas Zalles, aka @AuctionLytics , shares his watch collecting journey from Instagram’s early days. Meeting Matt Bain in 2017, he admired iconic watches like the Rolex Submariner 5512. After a pandemic hiatus, he’s back with a new series, I Wish I Had a Time Machine, exploring historical watch prices and trends. Next week, discover what $100K bought at auction in 2000. If you love watches and nostalgia, join Nicolas for a timely ride!

Imagine $50K to spend at Matthew Bain, Inc.! Our Contributor Michael Fossner crafted a dream collection, checking off all of his boxes while browsing the online store at Mattewbaininc.com