Addicted To :: Clockwork Universe

I won’t name names, but I know a few people who have a slight addiction to clocks. A clock fetish, if you will. I have no doubt in my mind that those individuals have already stumbled across Clockwork Universe, but for those of you who haven’t, this interview is for you. Let the drooling begin.

Q: Tell our lovely readers a bit about yourself. Is buying and selling vintage your full-time gig or a hobby? How and when did you get started in this business?

A: My name is Oskars. I live in Eastern Europe – in Latvia. Together with my wife, we have 5 shops here on Etsy. We both have a higher education in social sciences, but we are currently selling vintage things as our full-time job while also raising our little son.  I started to sell vintage clocks and watches only 4 months ago here on Etsy, but other vintage and antique items I have collected and sold from time to time for about 8 years.

Q: Do you have any favorite, never-let-you-down, treasure hunting spots? Would you like to share, or are they top-secret?

A: I buy my clocks in every possible way – in antique shops, flea markets.

Q: Is there a certain aesthetic you look for when you’re thrifting? How do you decide what to pick up, or just pass on? Do you wait for an item to speak to you?

A: No I don’t wait until an item speaks to me. When I started my shop, I bought almost all vintage clocks that I found. Now I’ve started to understand what kind of clocks my customers love more. It is most important criteria. Also I always try to find something unseen and rare.

Q: Be honest, do you keep many of your finds, or is it strictly business? And do you have any personal collections that you have built over time through thrifting?

A: It is strictly business. I stopped collecting vintage things, when I started to sell them on Etsy. But I hope someday I will have collection of things that are made in Soviet Union or diggers founded items.

Q: Are there any items you’ve regretted selling and wish you would have kept for yourself?

A: No, I cannot remember such emotions. There are so many beautiful watches, but I know, that I will find them again and again.

Q: Pick one and tell us about it: Weirdest, most valuable, or most satisfying find?

A: This nice antique wristwatch was signed Pavel Bure in Russian. It is a very old and very rare Imperial Russian watch. Possibly it is the last one on the world. I found only one similar design watch on ebay that cost $3000. I sold my watch much cheaper. I hope the new watch owner is happy for this watch.

Robin Eastwood is a treasure hunter and vintage fanatic. Visit The Fancy Lamb on Etsy to drool over some of her latest finds, and follow Robin on Twitter to hear about her latest thrifting adventures.