The Vintage Datejust Buyers Collectors Guide 1945-1990

August 10, 2016

As watch journalists, we do our fair share of writing about watches. In fact, its almost all we do. And though some would say that watch journalism is dead, here at Fratello, we feel that it s alive and well. And thats largely due to you, the Fratelli. It takes people who are interested in reading our work to keep us going. From quick reviews of new watches to detailed buying guides, or even deep dives into brand histories, we try to cover all the bases here. For us, its an expression of our interest and passion for watches. We are very lucky to get to express our views and opinions to such a receptive audience. And the ultimate expression of watch enthusiasm would be to use ones acquired knowledge, put the keyboard to work, and write a proper book on a watch-related topic.Well, this is exactly what Thomas van Straaten has done. Last August, we announced the Kickstarter campaign for his first book on watches, The Vintage Datejust Buyers & Collectors Guide 1945-1990. After an extremely successful campaign and the expected period of production, printing, and shipping, the first tomes started landing in the mailboxes of those lucky enough to have backed the project. Now that the book is finally out, we thought wed call attention to it once again. Especially as those who missed out on getting it through the Kickstarter campaign will now be able to get their hands on a copy directly from Thomas through his website. So, without further ado, lets take a look at the work of Thomas van Straaten, and his brilliant book on vintage Datejusts.The Vintage Datejust Buyers & Collectors Guide 1945-1990Some books on watches tell stories. Others serve to call attention to a specific watch, giving a detailed breakdown of its history, references, technical aspects, and everything in between. The latter is exactly the type of book that Thomas put together. When looking to buy vintage watches, even some as well known and documented as the Datejust, theres no such thing as being over-informed. With aftermarket parts, service dials, and frankenwatches trading in the market today, you can never have too much knowledge when it comes to a specific type of watch. That s especially true when looking for that one special piece, or even if you are a collector. Guides like Thomass book help break down everything you might run into in the secondhand market, detailing the differences between a correct example and one that you should steer clear of. The Datejust is a perfect starting point. It is still one of the most affordable and collectible watches out there. The Datejust is a perfectly versatile watch and one that every vintage collector should own in their lifetime. Van Straatens book is the perfect reference guide and coffee-table companion for those interested in this classic model. It dives into references ranging from (as the title indicates) 1945 all the way until 1990. Thomas covers the history of the Datejust itself, as well as other important and closely related variations.Heres a taste of some of what you will find in The Vintage Datejust Buyers & Collectors Guide:Historical context and the backdrop to which the Datejust was introducedAll generations of full-size, Lady, and Midsize Datejusts between 1945-1990, expansively described and picturedThe odd DJs: Turn-O-Graph, left-hand drive, and Oysterquartz Datejust modelsA complete list of all Datejust references from 1945-1990A buying guide with tips on what to look for and what to avoidDirect comparisons of the most popular (and similar) modelsBeautiful photography of common to extremely rare and exotic DatejustsMicroscope imagery of important details of vintage Datejust watchesReference lists for bracelets, calibers, dials, and other important variables you want to check before buying a vintage DatejustAbout the authorThomas van Straaten is responsible for marketing and sales at Amsterdam Watch Company (AWCo), one of the larger vintage watch dealers in The Netherlands. Besides his job at AWCo, he also has some side projects, such as The Vintage Datejust Buyers & Collectors Guide book. Van Straaten says, This book about vintage Datejust watches combines my obsession for vintage watches and the love for doing research and writing. In his work at AWCo, he realized there was a demand for a book like this, covering all those details on one of the best-selling vintage watches and helping collectors and enthusiasts alike in their search for a Datejust.#gallery-2 {margin: auto;}#gallery-2 .gallery-item {float: left;margin-top: 10px;text-align: center;width: 50%;}#gallery-2 img {border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;}#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {margin-left: 0;}/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */Thanks to his role in the AWCo boutique, he emphasizes that he has handled many watches, including his fair share of Datejust models. If theres one thing you really need when writing a book like this, it s access to as many different Datejusts as you can possibly get your hands on. Only then, Van Straaten says, can you truly appreciate all those small details and minor changes that made over the years. This hands-on experience with the watches also gives you an insight into issues that one might run into.Final thoughtsSo, there you have it! Thomas van Straatens The Vintage Datejust Buyers & Collectors Guide 1945-1990. Did you get yours via Kickstarter? If so, that s great! If not, dont worry. Its far from too late! You can still pick up a copy through Thomas s website here. In my opinion, this is a must-have book for watch enthusiasts. And probably something that wont get you in as much trouble with your significant other as buying a new watch! Check it out, and pick up your copy today.And finally, were happy to announce that Thomas will be joining us here at Fratello as a writer! Look out for his articles coming to the site very soon.Follow me on Instagram @ncgwatches