Antiquewatch used to be a well kept secret in Zurich: hidden on a bridge among fast food kiosks, one did not suspect to find such a strong selection of IWCs, Omega and Patek Philippe. The new location, in the centre, close to the historical café Odeon makes the place a lot more easy to discover, but the charm of its offering has been preserved. 

Since 1989, Beat Baumgartner has earned a strong reputation for offering quality at a very fair price, especially by Zurich standards. As you can see by visiting his website, it's all about the rigorous, simple and humble approach of its owner.

What you will find: "post 1920s" watches, as stated by the owner. You can expect to find most prominent Swiss brands as well as less known ones.

Price range: very broad, from the price of a Swatch to the price of a Nautilus.

Location: Torgasse 5 - 8022 Zurich (Google Maps)

Open Hours: 

• Monday to Friday: 10 am - 6.30 pm

• Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm

SWE Rating: Excellent

Website: antiquewatch.ch

SWE tips for any vintage / pre-owned purchase:

• Confirm whether the watch is in working order, and if it is guaranteed. 

• Ask whether there is a known service history on the watch.

• If the box has its original papers / warranty, that's always preferred, but it should not be a deal-breaker especially if it is truly vintage (30+ years).

• If the watch has luminescent material on the dial and hands, ask the seller if it is radium (typically until the 1960s), tritium (usually until 1999), or luminova / superluminova (to date). Radium and tritium are radioactive substances. While tritium has very low radioactivity and is considered safe on a watch, the Swiss government advises against wearing a watch containing radium. That said, many vintage enthusiasts actually value radium due to its aesthetically pleasing patina and consider the risk to be low.