[Thomas Carey]

I am planning on purchasing an Atmos clock. My question is how does the current production version stack up with the vintage models? I have heard that the best ones were made before 1978. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

[Bromo33333]

I am also looking to acquire one at some point. here are some good resources:

http://www.atmosclocks.com/
http://www.atmosadam.com/
http://www.atmos-man.com/
http://atmosclock.net/

From what I have been able to tell, if you get one which has been serviced (and had the bellows replaced) recently, you will have a nice 20+ years before anything has to be done, so I figured this was the biggest issue. Younger than 30 years, you are getting closer to the first repair job. This service is expen$ive, too, I understand.

There are people who claim the more recent ones movements aren't as good as earlier ones - I don't know whether that is the case or not as I am still researching the Atmos. It certainly has changed.

New it is ~$4850 and used is below $2k so there is a lot that could be saved, but the service is quite expensive, so it could quickly make it a penny wise and pound foolish decision if one isn't careful, I understand.

I am planning on purchasing an Atmos clock. My question is how does the current production version stack up with the vintage models? I have heard that the best ones were made before 1978. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

[Shundi]

I LOVE the atmos... my grandparents had one from the 1950s... truly beautiful... wish I could help :)

[Boomertime]

I am planning on purchasing an Atmos clock. My question is how does the current production version stack up with the vintage models? I have heard that the best ones were made before 1978. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

Thomas,
As I have stated in the past, clocks are not my forte'. However, I have indeed managed over the past 35 years in the watch & jewelry business to wind up owning a few LeCoultre clocks in "quantity or group" watch purchases. The Atmos clocks somehow just happened to be in the "group" of timepieces that we were buying.
The point has already been brought forward that the new ones are around $4000/$5000. The nice classic 1940's/1950's models are trading around $2000/$3000 at the retail consumer level. Now,,,,,, here comes the good ole Boomer logic again. Those 1940's & 50's Atmos clocks were only a few hundred dollars when new! I state over and over that medium and high quality vintage timepieces ALWAYS hold their value, and appreciate in value the older they get. This example of questioning a new or vintage Atmos clock is yet more evidence and proof that vintage, classic and collectible is a far better way to go than new or modern.
Please do not get me wrong however. If a person was to buy a brand new LeCoultre Atmos clock today,,,, or a brand new Rolex watch today,,,,,, they would always be worth more than what you paid for them in about 40-70 years. "BUT" who wants to wait that long for a timepiece to start appreciating in value?
The originals and the classics are always the best way to go!