Family history in gold: will the pocket watch live up to its value?

Family history in gold: will the pocket watch live up to its value?

A very special contribution to the popular ZDF program “Bares für Rares” recently caused a stir. Tatjana and Jens from Hesse appeared with a women's pocket watch that has remained in their family for 50 years. The watch, previously owned by Tatjana's father, was never worn to avoid possible damage. There was great joy when moderator Horst Lichter and the expert Dr. Heide Rezepa-Zabel examined the watch and expressed her enthusiasm for the exquisite piece from the 19th to 20th centuries. Der Westen reports on the high appreciation of the watch, which was manufactured by the renowned Swiss luxury brand Girard-Perregaux.

The two candidates wanted an impressive 10,000 euros for the family heirloom, but the reality is different. Dr. Rezepa-Zabel estimated the pure gold value at only around 400 euros and the artistic painting of the watch at a maximum of 1,500 euros. This understandably led to disappointment for Tatjana and Jens, who noted the discrepancy between their expectations and the expert's estimates. Ultimately, the watch remained in the closet at home and never found a new owner.

The story of Girard-Perregaux

What makes this watch so special? Girard-Perregaux, founded in 1791 by Jean-Francois Bautte, has built an excellent reputation for precision and craftsmanship over the years. What is special is that the company initially produced pocket watches and complex timepieces. In 1852 the name was changed to Girard-Perregaux. Since then, the brand has produced numerous innovations, including the Gyromatic in the 1960s, which introduced self-winding mechanics to the watch world. The Laureato, a sporty and elegant model with an octagonal bezel, was also introduced in 1975, which secured Girard-Perregaux a place at the forefront of the watch industry. Carters describes how the brand continues to be valued for its luxurious designs.

The roots of Swiss watchmaking run deep. As early as the 16th century, Huguenots brought their knowledge to Switzerland, making Geneva the center of luxury watchmaking. The industry developed rapidly, particularly in the 18th century, with a clear focus on pocket watches. Exiting highlights that the Swiss watch industry still plays a significant role today. In 2015, Switzerland exported watches worth CHF 21.5 billion, demonstrating the country's prominent position in the global watch market.

In today's world, when digital technologies play an increasingly important role, many watch manufacturers, including Girard-Perregaux, are faced with the challenge of combining mechanical precision with modern functions. But the high demand for Swiss luxury watches, especially in emerging markets such as the USA and China, speaks for the future viability of this traditional brand.