Time Is Precious: Vintage Watches Are All The Rage

William Thomas is a house painter in Sacramento, Calif., who everyday wears the apparel of his occupation - white workman's pants, a white T-shirt, rugged paint-covered workman's shoes and a white cap. He also wears an inexpensive digital wristwatch so covered with paint the time is barely visible.

Thomas would be foolish to wear anything else. But as the owner of a business called Meticulous Painting, the businessman knows worlds far removed from his daily grind.

For years, the 58-year-old father of two adult daughters has maintained a steady interest in vintage automobiles and other collectibles. He rarely has the occasion to wear business clothes, but he appreciates fine apparel.

And he has been known to study catalogs at length while searching for such items as the proper shoes.

Thomas is the kind of consumer who knows what he likes. And when he finds it, he buys it.

Which is exactly what he did a few years ago.

Thomas spent several years searching for a dress wristwatch. But he was unable to find the brand, model and exact style that fit his wrist. Surprisingly, he found the perfect watch on a lark - a Cartier Buscalate, the elegant tank style timepiece.

While looking for the watch he originally desired, a jeweler showed him the Cartier. Within moments after he put the watch on his wrist, Thomas bought it. It costs $2,500.

"I went to my favorite jewelry store and I was looking for a particular Cartier that I had seen in an advertisement," Thomas recalls. "Sure enough, the jewelry store did not carry that style. But as I was looking around, the salesman brought out the Buscalate and said, 'this is one of my favorites.'

"Well, I immediately liked it. It was very unique and extremely handsome, and the size was perfect for me. I have small wrists. The watch is available in three different sizes and I got the middle size. I accept it as a piece of jewelry and it's one of the nicer things I own."

While Thomas isn't prone to impulsive shopping, his wristwatch purchase was a microcosm of an increasing trend.