From long hikes to long tent-based naps, the Beagle Scouts have celebrated the wonders and delights of nature for five decades and now, for their fiftieth-anniversary, find themselves the focus of much-deserved celebration in the newest batch of retro-tech inspired gear from Retrospekt and Peanuts. The Beagle Scouts collection includes a new Polaroid instant camera as well as new versions of our own FC-11 35mm film camera and CP-81 portable cassette player.
The Peanuts gang was already much beloved when, in 1974, Charles Schulz introduced readers to the Beagle Scouts — Snoopy’s eager group of outdoor adventurers whose exploits and antics continue to embody the optimism of exploration and the beauty of the outdoors. Fast forward 50 years and the magic of Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang continues to resonate with people of all ages around the world.
To honor the continuing legacy of the Beagle Scouts we've joined up with Peanuts to create three new retro devices and two new bags to celebrate the sense of wonder and possibility instilled by the eternally-inspiring artwork of Charles Schulz.
The Polaroid 600 Beagle Scouts instant film camera is built with refurbished photographic components from vintage Polaroid cameras released in the 1980s and ‘90s. Faithfully restored to work just like new, these original parts are housed inside a newly designed and molded green, tan and orange plastic exterior with official Beagle Scouts graphics. To build on the camp feel, each camera comes with three different Beagle Scout patches that can be applied to the back of the camera. The patches are mounted with a fabric fastener so the patch can be changed to match the vibe.
The collection also features two new versions of our own products inspired by the form and function of classic retro tech: the Retrospekt CP-81 portable cassette player and headphones bring all the essential functions of the cassette tape experience to a new generation; and the FC-11 35mm camera with a fixed-focus lens and optional flash is a direct result of the increasing demand for approachable, easy-to-use film photography products. We love that the aesthetic of both devices is pure Beagle Scouts and seamlessly blends with the rest of the collection.
To complement each camera we also created two unique camera bags — one to fit each camera style in the collection — clad in deep forest green and clean tans traditional of the uniforms and accompaniments of outdoor organizations the world over. The bags are lined with a bold interior graphic composed of classic Peanuts comic strips featuring the Beagle Scouts and proudly display the Beagle Scouts 50th Anniversary patch on the exterior. The bags are available independently from the cameras and are flexible enough to fit similar-sized cameras and/or other small treasures.
Check out the collection and grab your favorite Beagle Scouts items today!
To celebrate the launch of our newest artist collection — Break Out — we’re taking some time to talk to the artist himself, Minneapolis-based Evan Weselamnn. Evan, whose trademark style features whimsical cartoons dripping with vibrancy and expression, created a new graphic package specifically for “Break Out,” tailoring each illustration to the specific product.
The collection is anchored by the official Polaroid 600 Break Out instant film camera built by Retrosepkt with refurbished photographic components from vintage Polaroid cameras released in the 1980s and ‘90s, faithfully restored to work just like new. These original parts are housed inside newly designed and molded plastic exteriors featuring a wonderful array of pastel and neon plastics. Each camera comes with a decal sheet, illustrated by Evan, which can be used for further customization.
In addition to the Polaroid camera, Retrospekt also produced a new “simple-use” 35mm film camera. These cameras come preloaded with 27 exposures of color film and are designed to provide both new and experienced photographers alike with an easy-to-use film photography experience.
The collection also features an instant camera bag and a limited edition apparel line, all of which complement the overarching artistic theme.
The entire collection is available now!
Can you share some insights into your artistic journey and how it has shaped your creative style?
I was fortunate and grew up in an artistic household, both my parents studied art but never pursued it as a career, my sister is a jewelry designer and painter. Creativity was encouraged and I remember crying at the dinner table struggling to draw cars and my dad helping me slowly figure it out. In high school I wanted to rebel so I thought I was going to pursue science but a year in Japan after graduation taught me the importance of art, specifically illustration, as a means of communication. I couldn’t speak the language but found that making funny little drawings helped me make friends in my class. I studied abstract painting in college because I had grandiose visions of being a studio painter, all the while drawing what amounted to cartoons/sketches throughout that time. Illustration came after graduation as a means of making money and not having a job, but it was a struggle to get there.
What motivates you to create art?
So many reasons, it fulfills so many needs for me. It can be fun, it can be meditative, it is always challenging and rarely boring. It helps me work through problems outside of the studio. It gives me a space to explore and fail. And I fail a lot.
Who or what are your biggest artistic influences?
Peter Saul, Willem De Kooning, Jay Howell, Victor Moscosco, Piet Parra, the list goes on and on and on and on.
What excites you about this collaboration
The blank slate of it all! At once overwhelming but also the ability to do literally anything was really freeing. I am used to people coming to me with very specific visions and then I have to fit myself into that vision. Kinda like that Japanese game show with the wall that moves towards people and they have to quickly cram themselves into that shape. But with this project, it was total freedom which took a while to wrap my head around honestly. And the embossing on the box is sick.
How do you think your artistic vision compliments these pieces?
They are ultimately about fun, which tends to be a through line in my work. Nothing too serious, but also sharply done. Ride the wave between High and Lobrow, I guess.
Are you using any retro tech in your life right now? If not, are there pieces you find nostalgic?
I have a turntable? Does that count? I just made a painting that has a Nintendo Gamecube in it because I find old video games to be heavily nostalgic of a simpler time. So stuff of that nature? Objects that I have very specific memories of. The Sony Walkmen, Nokia flip phones. Digital ephemera that was prevalent in my childhood. I really want an old truck too, does that count?
Are there new projects happening in 2023-2024 that we should watch for?
A couple fun things I can’t share in specific, but they involve sports! One that has hoops and the other has clubs. Stay tuned folks!!!!
Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken in this summer's "Barbie" movie, and director Greta Gerwig where photographed for the LA Times hanging out with our Malibu Barbie Polaroid camera. Read the article (accompanied by excellent photos) or maybe check out our Malibu Barbie Polaroid camera!
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It doesn't matter if you're shooting on a vintage Hasselblad or an expired, disposable point-and-shoot — there's magic in film. There's a place and a style for digital, but no matter what new technology shows up on the scene there will always be a place for good old-fashioned analog photography.
Obviously we really like film and wanted to celebrate that. So we put together a shirt for all the lovers of film out there (actually, two shirts). A little, wearable mantra for the film-obsessed.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing on film.
This new batch of shirts where printed on 100% ringspun cotton shirts right here in Milwaukee.
Check out the short-sleeve tee — or the slightly different long-sleeve version.
Shop the shirt: Short sleeve | Long sleeve
]]>Our team of analog experts have worked tirelessly to formulate a new, restorative treatment for vintage Polaroid cameras, leaving them glowing with a pearlescent luster. It enters the world today as the Polaroid 600 Pearl Instant Film Camera — a limited release of 500 units.
The Pearl uses the classic Polaroid 600 camera shape from the 1990s. While the internal components are interchangeable with earlier 600 camera designs, on the outside it has softer edges and a much larger Polaroid logo than its 1980s-style counterparts. This softer design is the perfect compliment to our new coating system that reconditions original Polaroid parts with a brand-new, matte pearl finish. And speaking of those interchangeable insides — the camera uses vintage 600 internal parts, painstakingly deconstructed and restored through our tried and true refurbished process. Fully refreshed inside and out, each Pear camera is gently slid into a fresh box, ready to provide an ageless instant film experience.
Refurbished camera components wrapped in rejuvenated externals — the Polaroid 600 Pearl Camera by Retrospekt is out now.
]]>We have a long history creating products with Sanrio and are thrilled to see these two new camera designs — one featuring Sanrio poster-child, Hello Kitty (with her cousin Mimmy!) and the other with breakout star Kuromi.
The characters adorn a newer addition to the Retrospekt product line, the FC-11 35mm film camera. As opposed to our refurbished items, the FC-11 is a newly manufactured product — a 35mm point-and-shoot stipped down to the ecesntials to provide a pure film experience without the need to make manual adjustments and fiddle with controls.
The cameras will be available exclusively through Sanrio.com this winter.
]]>After restoring thousands of original Sony Walkmans and still not satiating the demand, we’re launching our own audio device — the CP-81 Portable Cassette Player. It offers a classic cassette tape experience with wider availability and a lower price point than refurbished vintage models.
The Retrospekt CP-81 features a minimalistic design aesthetic anchored by its clear, plastic body and has all the core cassette player functions — play, fast forward, rewind, stop. It also has something seen far less on the common vintage models. The CP-81 has a mono line-in record capability allowing you to record directly from any audio source via an AUX cable. Add in a few blank tapes and your smartphone and suddenly you’re the new master of the lo-fi mixtape. The player comes packaged with Retrospekt’s exclusive Koss headphones featuring an adjustable, stainless-steel headband and orange foam cushions.
To celebrate the release, every CP-81 purchased before the end of the year will also include a free cassette tape. Customers will be able to choose from one of our exclusive tape releases from She & Him, Waxahatchee, Conor Oberst and The Head and the Heart.
While our core mission is to save and restore vintage devices — a mission we’re still faithful to — the demand for cassette players continues to exceed the ability to source the parts and materials necessary to restore vintage models at a larger scale.
“We had to move to a weekly drop model where we released all our refurbished cassette players at once,” said Retrospekt owner Adam Fuerst. “Our repair techs were working nonstop, but our inboxes were still filling up with requests for out of stock models. Releasing them all at once seemed like the fairest way to give everyone a shot at them.”
Because replacement parts are no longer readily available (and most haven’t been for decades), oftentimes several different devices must be sourced to build one fully-functioning cassette player. Once all the necessary parts are in-house, a time-intensive repair process is completed by trained technicians. Added together, these cause the price point of refurbished vintage models to climb, while leaving no easy path to increased output.
While we’re still refurbishing any vintage model we can source, we also saw the need for a new model that was easier to get into the hands of our audience. The new CP-81 can be produced to match demand and offered at a lower price to the end consumer.
“We have no intention of moving away from vintage cassette players — we have a team of people who are trusted experts when it comes to these devices and it’s important to keep that expertise alive. Plus, the Sony Walkmans we repair were, and still are, truely top of the line.” said Fuerst. “These new players are really meant to be a compliment to the other things we do. It allows people who are interested in getting into music on cassette to have a readily-available option at a lower price than some of the vintage Sony players.”
The CP-81 Portable Cassette Player is out now!
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We've teamed up with the Boston-based, all-natural pickle brand to release our juiciest collaboration yet — a Polaroid x Grillo's Pickles instant film camera!
Retrospekt restores vintage internal camera components and then re-cases them with new exterior housings. This camera features Sam Sam, Grillo's lawn-chair-lounging mascot and other Grillo's Pickles branding.
This is an extremely limited edition camera, with only 125 Polaroid cameras in existence. This is one of several Grillo's Pickles collaborations launching today in celebration of National Pickle Day. Polaroid collectors and pickle connoisseurs will both find something to love about this crisp collaboration.
"Grillo's has always been more than just pickles. It's a lifestyle. So chill out, eat a pickle and capture a moment in time with this limited Polaroid camera. Enjoy!"
We're excited to team up once again with Parks Project to release a newly designed Polaroid camera — the Parks Project Shroomin' Polaroid 600 Instant Film Camera — as part of their latest "Shrooms" collection. This official Polaroid camera is made from refurbished, vintage internals combined with a redesign exterior. It uses 600 film and comes with a sticker sheet for further customization.
Available now, directly from Parks Project.
]]>On stage at Polaroid’s annual company meeting in 1972, founder Edwin
H. Land pulled a folded SX-70 camera from his suit pocket and took five pictures in ten seconds.
For the first time, an audience witnessed an instant camera eject photos automatically with nothing to peel apart and no chemical residue. The camera was a hit from the start, quickly selling out in test markets after its launch in 1972. By 1973 it was in space, brought by NASA astronauts for use on the Skylab space station.
The Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera was the first single-lens reflex instant camera ever made and the first to use integral instant film which featured the Polaroid Classic Border format — the white frame now considered the quintessential icon of instant photography.
The camera’s collapsible body, focusing system and exposure adjustment options give it the perfect blend of form and precision still highly sought by photographers more than 50 years later.
To create this very special, limited edition 50th anniversary piece, original vintage Polaroid SX-70 cameras have been completely disassembled, cleaned, stripped of their original chrome plating and electroplated in 24K gold, before being reassembled with freshly refurbished internals and then repackaged.
There are only 50 of these cameras in existence and each is individually numbered.
The DMs started rolling in before I even realized Season 4 of Stranger Things had come out. We started getting daily questions about re-stocking Walkmans, and specifically the Walkman — the WM-8 — that Max has clipped to her belt in nearly every scene. After finally watching the first episode, I was hooked too and started digging around to see if we had any here at Retrospekt.
We have a ton of Walkmans and other cassette players stashed away in storage. It's not that we can't repair them, the limitation is in the amount of replacement parts available. If an internal piece (which are often plastic and therefore brittle) is broken, we have to find donor parts from another model. And as you can probably guess, taking two (or three, or four) to yield one working unit isn't a very sustainable process. So we often let certain models accumulate until we have enough of them to invest in R&D and sourcing replacement components.
For the WM-8, the consistently failing component is the rewind (REW) mechanism. I had to chat with Bryan, our Head of Repairs, to understand this better. In his professional opinion, the drive assembly was designed in a way that facilitates an early failure of the rewind function as certain parts age. In his words:
"When the REW button is pressed, an idler tire is swung into position to bear against the flywheel and reverse the direction of the tape travel. Problem is, that idler tire mechanism is also attached to the reel sprocket claw via a belt. If the belt is too tight, the idler tire cannot travel the appropriate distance to interact with the flywheel. Too loose, and there is not enough tension on the belt to drive the reverse claw. Very goldilocks in nature; since belts tend to stretch as they are used and age, this makes this function of the player susceptible to early failure, even soon after servicing."
Since our goal is to refurbish items for another lifetime of use, the knowledge that repaired models could soon fail if the belts loosened (which will happen by nature of use), we have been hesitant to sell these until we can be more confident in their longevity.
But hey, we are excited about Stranger Things too, and sometimes this is just the spark of inspiration we need to lurch forward and come up with innovative ideas to solve a problem. Until then, our WM-8s will stay with us in the shop.
]]>Ah, January. Amid the dregs of winter, the skies are grey and the cold ground is covered in a patchy layer of snow. There’s no better way to embrace the gloomiest time of year than by pressing play on a cozy, comforting album. We’re here to help you do just that with our first exclusive cassette release of 2022: Conor Oberst’s eponymous 2008 release Conor Oberst.
If you’re a fan of indie and/or emo music, chances are you’re already familiar with Oberst’s vast body of work. The Nebraska native is best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He’s also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, The Faint, Commander Venus, Park Ave., Monsters of Folk and Better Oblivion Community Center. The prolific songwriter has also made guest appearances on tracks with Jenny Lewis, First Aid Kit, alt-J and Phoebe Bridgers.
We’re huge Conor Oberst fans here at Retrospekt, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Merge Records (for the third time!) on this exclusive release. Upon its debut 14 years ago, Rolling Stone said Conor Oberst was one of the best albums of the year. “The Bright Eyes frontman headed down to Mexico to record this freewheeling ramble-tamble, and he came back with melodies so indelible, they sound like they were born in the dust left behind by country legends,” said the magazine. “Tracks like ‘I Don't Want to Die (In the Hospital)’ feel like lost Hank Williams demos.”
Along with the Hank Williams comparison, Conor Oberst has another classic rock connection. The album’s cover image and album artwork were created by the revered designer Gary Burden, whose Grammy-award-winning work can be found on covers for Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Doors and The Eagles, among many others.
Upon Burden’s death in 2018, Oberst had this to say about the legendary artist: “As times changed in the music industry, he adapted to the new formats and technology, but the LP was always his favorite — he said because it felt the best to hold in your hand and was the easiest to roll a joint on.” (While it may be difficult to do that on a cassette tape, we also carry this album on vinyl and CD.)
The only place you’ll be able to find Conor Oberst on cassette is right here at Retrospekt. Perfect for combatting the winter blues, the album is now available exclusively on our website. You’ll also find countless other physical releases from Oberst’s plethora of other projects to complete your collection!
]]>Even die-hard film junkies occasionally find themselves in the digital world (you’re not reading this in the newspaper, right?). As you creep across the web, through the various photo blogs and feeds and profiles, you’ll no doubt come across a few oddly flickering images. They look like they were shot on film, but they’re doing something different. They have an added element of movement and dimension you can’t quite explain. These images are indeed the product of a film camera, but it’s no ordinary point-and-shoot — it’s a triple-lens camera that lets you capture a series of still images which later can be digitally converted into animated GIFs. Behold, the RETO3D camera.
Until now, the RETO3D has only been available in a lone black colorway. That changes today. We’ve teamed up with the folks at RETO to create an exclusive Retrospekt Edition RETO3D camera with a beige body and orange accents — and the only place you’ll be able to find it is directly from us. We’re always eager to partner with exciting brands who adore analog technology as much as we do, and we especially love collaborating on vintage-inspired products.
Originally released in 2019, RETO3D’s multi-lens design takes inspiration from cult favorite 3D cameras from the 1980s like the Nimslo 3D and the Nishika N8000. While the ‘80s cameras look super cool, unfortunately, they’re not the most reliable vintage cameras out there — and even in less-than-working condition they're not cheap, either. The high resale price and low quality can be off-putting to photographers on a budget. At $109 USD, the RETO3D camera is an affordable alternative to its vintage predecessors.
So, how does this compact camera create larger-than-life 3D images? Each of the camera’s three lenses captures the subject at a slightly different angle simultaneously, creating three slightly different images across 1.5 frames of 35mm film. When the film is developed and scanned, users can combine the three images in Photoshop or upload their photos to the RETO mobile app and voilà! — those three images transform into one moving image. Once exported as a GIF or video, it’s perfect for sharing digitally. Since each click of the shutter uses 1.5 frames of film, a 36-EXP roll of film yields 24 3D pictures while a 24-EXP roll of film yields 18 3D pictures.
The RETO 3D photos certainly look futuristic, but 3D photography — also known as stereoscopy — has actually existed since the mid-1800s. Before smartphones, apps and triple-lens cameras, 3D photography required viewers to look at two regular photos and cross their eyes until they “snapped” into place, creating a third image in the middle. Of course, technology has come a long way since the nineteenth century, and 3D photography has evolved with the ever-changing times. You may remember Magic Eye books from the ‘90s, and who could forget when 3D movies were all the rage in the late aughts?
These days, 3D photography continues to get more and more popular on Instagram and other digital platforms. It’s not surprising that the #RETO3D hashtag has over 21,000 posts and counting — the camera combines analog technology with digital convenience for a totally unique film photography experience. It’s also super easy to use, making it a great way to introduce digital natives to film photography.
Right now, you can grab the RETO3D Retrospekt Edition 35MM Film Camera on our website. Don’t forget to grab a roll of film!
]]>One of Retrospekt’s best-selling products is our Polaroid 600 Barbie Throwback Instant Film Camera. Released early last year, the pink, purple and green camera takes inspiration from the original Barbie Polaroid camera released in the late ‘90s. Following the great success of our most fun and feminine camera yet, we were eager to create a second Barbie camera with a whole new look and feel inspired by the ultimate California girl herself. Meet the Polaroid 600 Malibu Barbie Instant Film Camera.
Released in 1971, Malibu Barbie was a departure from her 1960s counterparts. Some may say the demure dolls of the prior decade were a bit cold, with their pursed lips and mysterious sideways glances. Their coiffed hairstyles and formal fit-and-flare dresses reflected the structured styles of the decade worn by housewives and working women alike. But as the swinging ‘60s came to a close, it was time for Barbie to change with the times. After all, she is known for always being on-trend!
Upon her debut, Malibu Barbie had a brand-new face sculpt with a wide smile and — for the first time ever — eyes that were facing forward. Malibu Barbie’s modern makeover was inspired by the budding feminist movement and the ongoing fight for women’s equality. Along with her fresh face, Malibu Barbie also had sun-kissed tan skin and long, blonde hair going down her back. After taking a trip up the Pacific Coast Highway, Barbie became a certified California girl with a brand new attitude and style to match.
Though many people believe Barbie is a Golden State native, that’s actually not the case. In fact, Barbie and Retrospekt have something in common: both are from Wisconsin! Retrospekt is located in Milwaukee, while Barbie is from the fictional town of Willows. (Yes, this is actually canon.) We can only assume that Willows is located near picturesque Door County. Released in 2014, the Cherry Pie Picnic Barbie from the “Willows, WI Collection” is dressed in a cherry-print blouse and has a plastic pie that looks good enough to eat.
Speaking of plastic, each officially licensed Malibu Barbie Polaroid Camera is housed in a colorful new body featuring a warm color palette inspired by the ‘70s. The camera’s gorgeous gold, peachy pink and sky blue hues will have you yearning for some fun in the sun. Meantime, the camera’s internal parts are from original Polaroid cameras first released in the 1980s or 1990s. They’ve all been carefully refurbished by our team of technicians to ensure everything is in working order.
Right out of the box, this sun-soaked camera is guaranteed to help combat the winter blues — and the included sticker sheet gives you the perfect opportunity to make the camera uniquely yours! Ornament the camera of your California dreams with over 20 stunning stickers featuring retro Malibu Barbie graphics, including a groovy van, a radiant rainbow and of course, Barbie herself.
Party like its 1971 and experience the magic of instant film with our Polaroid 600 Malibu Barbie Instant Film Camera — available now!
]]>Nearly every holiday gift guide since the dawn of the millennium has featured a “Best Tech Gifts” section loaded with the latest innovations from Google, Apple and Amazon. While very few people would say no to a new pair of AirPods, here at Retrospekt, we like to take things old-school. Our idea of a perfect present is something vintage-inspired that will immediately catch the eye (or ears!) of the lucky recipient.
If you’re looking for a gift that’s guaranteed to invoke serious 20th-century nostalgia, you’ve come to the right place. We have plenty of affordable, analog options for everyone, including picky teenagers, dads who have everything and moms who say they don’t want anything. All of these gifts make perfect stocking stuffers priced at $40 or less - and shipping is always free in the U.S.
It may seem obvious, but there’s no better gift for an instant photographer than a pack of instant film. Just make sure the person you’re shopping for has a Polaroid 600 camera, not an SX-70 camera.
A great gift for budding film photographers, this easy-to-use camera is ideal for those who have never shot on 35mm. All the user needs to do is load the film, point and shoot. When the roll is complete, it can be dropped off at a photo lab for development. (We also offer 35mm film processing thanks to our friends at Murray Photo.)
Looking for some film? We suggest these affordable, tried-and-true options for beginners.
Celebrate Christmas on cassette with our third exclusive release. A Very She & Him Christmas is the perfect soundtrack for gift wrapping, cookie baking and decorating Christmas trees — and the glittery red tape will add some festive flair to any cassette collection.
Keep those precious rolls of 35mm film safe in this vintage-inspired film storage case from Kodak. Each plastic case holds up to five rolls of film and easily fits inside a camera bag. (Tip: Keep the case in your fridge or freezer!)
Take classic arcade games to go with these handheld versions from Super Impulse. No wifi connection is required to play Pac-Man, Oregon Trail, Dig Dug and several other iconic ‘80s games. We especially love the nostalgic sound effects, and we think your gift recipient will too.
Of course, Polaroid photos look great displayed on desks and refrigerators, but they look even better inside this luxe photo album. With room for up to 160 photos, this album turns single analog snaps into a gallery of mini masterpieces.
This is a smaller version of the photo album mentioned above. It’s almost the same size as a Polaroid photo and fits up to 40 snaps. This compact album fits just about anywhere but looks extra cool on a coffee table.
This reusable point and shoot camera comes preloaded with a roll of Lomography Color Negative ISO 400 film. It doesn’t get easier than that! Plus, the camera comes with three gel flash filters to create bold, one-of-a-kind shots.
The Polaroid Book from Taschen adds some analog awesomeness to any bookshelf or coffee table. Featuring more than 250 instant photos from photographers both known and unknown, this book will get those creative juices flowing and inspire Polaroid photographers to make the most of their eight frames.
The Photodarium 2021 tear-off calendar celebrates the art of instant photography, showcasing 365 Polaroid photos from both well-known and obscure artists. There’s no better way to start the day than with some analog inspiration.
We’ve teamed up with Koss to create the ultimate vintage-inspired headphones. These lightweight, on-ear headphones don’t just look cool — they also offer state-of-the-art sound reproduction and intensity for unmatched sonic richness. They pair perfectly with Walkmans, CD players and laptops.
Perfect for the loud and proud instant photographer, these embroidered patches look great on jackets, jeans, backpacks and hats. Best of all, they’re super easy to apply — all that’s needed is an iron.
If you’re shopping for someone who can’t decide what they want, don’t sweat - we have digital gift cards available starting at just $10 — the denomination is up to you. With analog items for just about every taste, they’re guaranteed to find something they love from Retrospekt.
]]>Whether you’re a Christmas connoisseur or a total Grinch, you can’t deny it: the holiday season is here. While you’re busy making your list and checking it twice, here at Retrospekt we’re getting in the Christmas spirit with our third exclusive tape release. Just in time for Black Friday, A Very She & Him Christmas is available on cassette for the very first time — and only from Retrospekt.
If you’re a big fan of indie music, you’re likely already familiar with She & Him. “She” is actress and musician Zooey Deschanel. “Him” is M. Ward, a prolific Portland rocker with an enviable repertoire. The two met in 2006 on the set of The Go-Getter when the film’s director asked the pair to sing a duet for the end credits.
Even before the duo met, they already had a Christmas connection. Ward first heard Deschanel sing in the holiday classic Elf, and he was surprised to learn she wasn’t already pursuing a music career. Little did he know that while Deschanel was becoming a well-known face in Hollywood, she was also recording demos at home. When Deschanel sent Ward her songs, he said he’d like to record them properly. It was then She & Him was born. When talking about her musical aspirations, Deschanel said, “I met Matt, and everything seemed to fall into place.”
A Very She & Him Christmas is the band’s third album, featuring twinkling, twee covers of Christmas classics like “Little Saint Nick,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and a gender-swapped “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Though the tracks are about snowy weather and cold winter nights, bright ukulele melodies and ‘60s-inspired harmonies give the album a sun-washed warmth. A Very She & Him Christmas will have you yearning to open your gifts under a palm tree, even if you’re watching the snowfall outside your window.
Upon the album’s release, Alex Young at Consequence said, “On tracks like opener ‘The Christmas Waltz’ and ‘Christmas Day,’ [Deschanel’s] vocal vulnerability lends an undeniable layer of sweetness.” A Very She & Him Christmas is the perfect companion for all your favorite holiday activities, from baking cookies to wrapping presents to picking out the perfect Christmas tree. Just pop it into your favorite Walkman or boombox to start spreading holiday cheer!
Our exclusive release also makes a great stocking stuffer. The vintage-inspired packaging will have you thinking of other Christmas classics like A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector and Elvis’ Christmas Album. Meanwhile, the cassette tape itself will compliment all of your Christmas decorations. You’ll instantly feel the Christmas spirit as the tiny specs of red and silver glitter catch the light of your fireplace (and your vanilla-scented candles).
Check out A Very She & Him Christmas on cassette, along with our other Christmas records and tapes!
]]>The collection is launching 11/08/21, exclusively through 1XRUN.
Here at Retrospekt, we’re continually pushing the envelope, working on special collaborations with fashion brands, nonprofits and even the United States Postal Service. This fall, our refurb technicians have been busy building not one, not two but FIVE new custom cameras from 1XRUN and Polaroid. Each instant camera’s daring design is inspired by a different contemporary artist and their bold body of work.
What is 1XRUN? Based in Detroit, 1XRUN (one-time run) is a leading publisher of modern fine art. They’ve been shipping artwork to collectors around the world since 2010 and have published more than 3,000 unique pieces. With each exclusive, limited-edition release, 1XRUN brings together a community of artists, curators and fans, helping collectors support the creators they love.
This is one of our most ambitious collaborations yet, and we’re very honored to showcase original artwork from so many talented creators. Let us introduce you!
Born in Philidelphia, Anhia Zaira Santana (aka Distortedd) is a visual artist, illustrator and animator. With a pen, paintbrush, canvas or sketchpad, Distortedd creates her own original characters along with twists on pop-culture fixtures. Her work has been featured in the Philidelphia Inquirer, Complex, The Fader and The Source, and she’s worked with brands like Reebok, Foot Locker, Champs, Mountain Dew, Adidas and Nike. You can see more of her original creations on Instagram.
Greg Mike was born and raised on the East Coast. He says childhood trips to New York City inspired him to reinvent public spaces through art and design. With deep ties to skate culture and the fashion world, Greg Mike has become known for pieces that incorporate color and pop art. His world is unsettling, mischievous and uniquely captivating and his murals can be found all over the world. For more information about Greg Mike’s background, check out this sweet YouTube documentary!
Swedish-born André Saraiva (known as André) is a prolific street artist recognized by his pink graffiti alter-ego, Mr. A. Conceived in 1989, Mr. A’s signature round face, big smile and mischievous wink can be found all over the world. In fact, André says he’s drawn over 300,000 Mr. A characters since the start of his career! André is also a filmmaker, entrepreneur and creative director. You can view more of André’s work on his website.
Since the 1980s, Ron English has been a prolific street art pioneer. He’s created countless illegal murals and billboards that blend striking visuals with biting political commentary. His original character MC Supersized was featured in the 2004 film Super Size Me, and he’s collaborated with musicians like The Dandy Warhols, Daniel Johnson and Pearl Jam. He’s even been a guest star on The Simpsons! You can view Ron English’s latest work over on his Popaganda website.
Michigan-based creator Sheefy McFly is a visual artist turned musician whose artwork can be found all over the city of Detroit. His eye-catching, colorful street art sometimes references artists like Pablo Picasso and Keith Haring — but with his own Motor City influence. His eerie, bass-driven music is released under the name Edward Elektro. He’s currently working on his next EP. Hear his music and check out his most recent creations on his Instagram.
Each 1XRUN camera started out as an original Polaroid camera first manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s. Each camera’s internal components have been carefully refurbished by our team of technicians to ensure everything works like new. The cameras are then rehoused in brand-new bodies, and boom — they’re ready for another lifetime of instant photography!
The collection is launching 11/08/21, and is available exclusively through 1XRUN. Remember, these are a one-time run — and when they’re gone, they’re gone!
]]>When creating a list of legendary American brands, it’s hard to not immediately think of Pepsi. Cola fans have been drinking Pepsi for well over 100 years, and thirsty people can find it in just about any grocery store, gas station or soda machine in the U.S. Pepsi’s red, white and blue logo is instantly recognized all around the world — and the cola’s cool, crisp taste is instantly energizing.
Whether you’re a die-hard Pepsi drinker or not, we promise you’ll find our latest collaboration refreshing. We’ve teamed up with Pepsi and Polaroid to create the Polaroid 600 Pepsi Instant Film Camera, a vintage-inspired instant camera created by our team of camera connoisseurs here at Retrospekt!
Built using refurbished internal components — sourced directly from vintage Polaroid instant cameras made in the 1980s and ‘90s — and wrapped in a freshly molded blue exterior designed to the exact same specifications as the original Polaroid 600 camera bodies, the Polaroid 600 Pepsi camera features a brand new design that celebrates the joy of Pepsi's iconic branding from years past.
Believe it or not, this isn’t Pepsi’s first time in the instant film spotlight. “In the 1980s, Polaroid produced a limited number of cameras that made use of the then-current Pepsi branding,” says Michael Kempen, our Creative Director. “As the years go by, they’re becoming increasingly difficult to find — but demand is still high.” The ongoing interest in vintage Pepsi Polaroid cameras is just one reason we’re excited about this collaboration. We’re also eager to work with Pepsi because of the brand’s extensive history and unmatched place in pop culture.
Pepsi was created by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in 1893 to soothe stomach aches, but its popularity really took off during the Great Depression, when it was sold in 12-ounce bottles for just five cents (twice as much soda as competitors offered in their paltry six-ounce bottles). Touting Pepsi as “twice as much for a nickel,” Pepsi scored a major hit with its “Nickel, Nickel” radio jingle in 1940. It became the first-ever radio jingle to be broadcast coast to coast.
During the second half of the 20th century, Pepsi refocused its attention on the younger crowd, dubbed “the Pepsi Generation.” In the 1980s, Pepsi began a series of successful partnerships with some of the biggest names in entertainment, like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Michael J. Fox. Celebrity partnerships would soon become a major part of Pepsi’s brand identity.
In 1992, Pepsi released a now-iconic Super Bowl commercial featuring Cindy Crawford drinking from a redesigned Pepsi can. As Crawford takes a sip, one of the commercial’s pint-sized protagonists asks, “Is that a great new Pepsi can, or what?” With their name rendered in bold, oblique characters and an energetic red band propelling the classic circle logo upward, Pepsi once again signaled they were the forward-thinking cola brand.
When designing our updated version of the Pepsi Polaroid camera, we took inspiration from Pepsi’s 1992 logo redesign to ensure the new camera wasn’t just a carbon[ated] copy of its 1980s counterpart.
“When we went to create a new camera with a throwback feel, we didn’t want to rehash what the original camera had already done,” says Kempen. “Pepsi has always had a really strong supporting graphic style that goes beyond just soda cans. For us, the period in the early-to-mid ‘90s stuck out as a prime example of this. And, since Polaroid was still producing this style of camera into the ‘90s, it means these logos and brand elements are an authentic fit for the camera’s original era.”
Retrospekt’s new Polaroid camera features authentic, throwback Pepsi and Polaroid graphics layered on a striking blue body, true to the original color specified by Pepsi’s vintage brand guidelines. The camera comes in a fresh, new box designed to look as if it fell straight out of an early ‘90s Pepsi Stuff catalog.
For a refreshingly authentic instant film experience, choose the Polaroid 600 Pepsi Instant Film Camera — available now!
]]>Not one, not two, but THREE new colorful camera collaborations are coming your way, courtesy of Sanrio and Retrospekt! We’ve partnered with the iconic Japanese brand several times in the past, and we’re very excited to work with them once again to bring you a timeless trio of Polaroid cameras.
Up first, we have a ravishing red and yellow camera featuring none other than Hello Kitty herself. While we’ve seen Hello Kitty on Polaroid cameras a few times in the past, this is a brand-new design and color scheme inspired by early Hello Kitty designs from the 1970s. On the camera body, you’ll find two Hello Kitty characters hanging out near a rainbow — and along the film shield, there are adorable illustrations of tulips, apples and milk jugs. Every time you grab the camera, you’ll feel nostalgic for the calm, carefree days of childhood.
Making her Polaroid camera debut is Kuromi! Born on Halloween, the spooky cutie is sporting her signature jester’s hat, and her spiky tail is peeking out behind her. The purple, pink and black camera body is the perfect balance of girly and goth! Kuromi fans will also notice her favorite pink skull located right next to the flash. It will make your subjects smile every time you shoot!
Finally, if you can’t choose a favorite character from Hello Kitty’s world, you can have your cake and eat it too (yum!) with the Hello Kitty & Friends Polaroid camera. The pastel pink and baby blue Polaroid body has Hello Kitty, Pom Pom Purin, Bad Badtz-Maru, My Melody, Tuxedosam, Kuromi and Kero Kero Keroppi all together next to the lens. Plus, the film shield features a timeless piece of advice: Enjoy the little things. We couldn’t agree more.
Every camera is assembled right here in Milwaukee, WI. Like all cameras created at Retrospekt, each Sanrio Polaroid camera is made with vintage internal parts that are deconstructed and restored by our skilled team of repair technicians. The revamped internals are then covered in new plastic shells, and the camera is ready for another life of photo-taking.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on one of these camera cuties, head over to Sanrio’s website.]]>From cameras to cassette tapes, we’re committed to bringing you plenty of analog awesomeness here at Retrospekt. We got our feet wet with our first-ever exclusive tape release — Waxahatchee’s Saint Cloud — and now we’re super excited to tell you about our second Retrospekt exclusive cassette: Let’s Be Still by The Head and The Heart.
When The Head & The Heart released their self-titled debut album in 2009, the band found a fervent following almost overnight. They burned their own CDs and packaged them in DIY denim sleeves, selling thousands of copies at their first string of shows. In the band’s hometown of Seattle, famed record stores like Easy Street and Sonic Boom couldn’t keep enough copies in stock.
This impressive word-of-mouth marketing caught the eye of Sub Pop, who signed the band in 2011 and subsequently re-released their debut. The Head and the Heart is one of the label’s best-selling debuts of all time, joining the ranks of Nirvana, The Postal Service and The Shins. It goes without saying the band is in great company!
Two years (and lots of touring) later, The Head and The Heart released their sophomore album with Sub Pop, Let’s Be Still, recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle. The band later traveled to Bridgeport, CT to mix the album with Peter Katis, a producer known for his work with The National, Interpol and The Swell Season. Upon the album’s release, frontman Josiah Johnson said Let’s Be Still is “imbued with the experiences of traveling the world.” Before forming The Head and The Heart, Johnson performed with other indie icons Iron & Wine, Death Cab for Cute and Dr. Dog. Johnson credits his extensive touring background with inspiring The Head and The Heart’s folksy, subdued sound.
In 2013, Henry Hauser at Consequence wrote, “Throughout [Let’s Be Still], The Head and the Heart stress that, although nothing is permanent and life in 21st century America is a hectic blur, we can prolong what’s worth cherishing by taking our foot off the accelerator, if only for a moment.” As the album celebrates its eighth birthday, the U.S. continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, Let’s Be Still serves as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the small things.
You’ll only find Let’s Be Still on cassette from one place — right here at Retrospekt. We’ve partnered exclusively with Sub Pop and the band to create this exclusive release. Perfect for a cozy night at home, the album is now available exclusively on our website. You can also check out our other cassettes and complete your collection!
]]>For the past decade or so, vinyl records have been the analog audio format of choice for music fans with a vintage flair — but now, cassette tapes are making their very own comeback. Even though we may be a little biased, we don’t think it’s surprising that tapes are getting popular again. They take the whole analog experience and wrap it up in a simple and compact package that’s easy to store and endlessly more portable than your vinyl collection. Plus, tape releases offer the chance to support your favorite artists while still giving you a little piece of physical media to hold.
Retrospekt is proud to be part of the ongoing resurgence with our first-ever exclusive tape release: Waxahatchee’s Saint Cloud. Pitchfork says Saint Cloud is “all lilacs and creek beds, Memphis skylines and Manhattan subways, love and sobriety, the sound of a cherished songwriter thawing out under the sun.” The album -- written immediately after Katie Crutchfield’s decision to get sober -- details her journey through sweeping storytelling and lush guitar melodies. Straight from the streets of Philadelphia, Waxahatchee’s signature Americana sound is as enchanting as ever.
The only place you’ll find Saint Cloud on cassette is right here at Retrospekt. We’ve partnered exclusively with Waxahatchee and Merge Records to make it happen. We’re over the moon about collaborating with other folks committed to preserving retro audio formats, and eager to introduce cassette tapes to a new generation of music fans.
Saint Cloud may be our first exclusive tape release, but it’s not going to be our last. We can’t give away too many details just yet -- but trust us when we say there’s a lot more in store! It’s no secret we love analog audio here at Retrospekt. We can’t wait to partner with even more indie record labels and bring you exclusive tape releases. Stay tuned!
Check out Waxahatchee’s Saint Cloud on cassette, or explore our entire collection of cassettes!
]]>As part of their FENDI Summer Capsule 2021, the Italian luxury fashion house released a custom Polaroid 600 camera featuring their iconic multi-colored logo pattern — created by the team here at Retrospekt as a perfect compliment to the wearables of the collection.
Drawing from FENDI's vision we built a unique custom run of Polaroid cameras featuring extensive graphic applications. Each camera started its life as an original Polaroid camera first released in the 1990s. Our team refurbished the internals for each device and then housed them inside the custom FENDI bodies. Once restored and assembled, each camera was packaged using FENDI's classic yellow box material. The camera is available now, directly from FENDI in select markets.
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Calling all adventurers, trailblazers and those who love to live in the moment. As part of Teva’s summer 2021 collection, the beloved footwear brand has paired up with Polaroid to create a colorful instant camera perfect for capturing all of your outdoor memories — built by our team here at Retrospekt.
A little bit of background: Teva sandals were born in the Grand Canyon nearly 40 years ago. In 1984, a river guide named Mark Thatcher rigged two Velcro watchbands to a pair of old flip flops, creating an outdoor shoe that wouldn’t float away. Today, Teva sandals remain popular with outdoor enthusiasts, and they’re also a favorite among fashion fans seeking a comfortable, eye-catching option.
Both Polaroid and Teva are brands that invoke serious 20th-century nostalgia — making this a prime pairing. Each custom-built camera was originally released by Polaroid in the ‘80s or ‘90s. Each custom-built Teva camera uses the internal photo components of cameras originally produced by Polaroid in the ‘80s or ‘90s. Our team of camera connoisseurs carefully refurbished the internals for each device before housing them inside the new colorful Teva bodies.
Taking inspiration from Teva’s adventure-seeking legacy, the camera exteriors feature rich, earthy brown accents complemented by Polaroid’s instantly recognizable rainbow Color Spectrum. The cameras also come with a Teva x Polaroid camera strap made with the same Repreve recycled yarn found on Teva sandals. It’s easier than ever to take your Polaroid anywhere and everywhere.
Image Source: Teva
If you’ve ever wanted your shoes to match your camera -- you’re in luck! Teva has released two new pairs of all-gender sandals made from water-resistant and recycled materials, finished with the Polaroid Color Spectrum across the heel. You’ve heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve — and now, you can wear your camera on your feet!
Image Source: Teva
This limited-edition collection celebrates capturing instant memories sustainably. You can check out the full collection on Teva's website.
*Update: As of 9/21, the camera is already sold out! However, the sandals are still in stock.
]]>Here at Retrospekt we're all about reviving the best tech from years past — returning it to like-new condition and preparing it for many more years of use. But certain objects don't always lend to their success in our refurbishment process. This is often true of headphones, as decades of use, misuse or disuse take their heavy toll. Once-flexible cords stiffen and crack, foam ear pads breakdown and crumble. Combine that with years of the previous owner's ear-related oils and grime and it's often easier to say "Let's just start fresh with these."
So we did. Retrospekt joined forces with fellow Milwaukee company, Koss Corporation, to design a pair of headphones with a retro-inspired aesthetic that provide exceptional, modern sound quality. In 1958 John C. Koss created the original stereophones — the first headset to offer stereo sound — and the company he founded has specialized in cutting-edge audio technology ever sense.
The Koss x Retrospekt P/21 Retro Foam Headphones feature an adjustable and flexible metal band and state-of-the-art Koss sound drivers wrapped in the perfect shade of orange foam. Primed for acoustical and visual delight, you no longer have to choose between high-quality sound reproduction and classic styling.
]]>Just a few days ago, Lacoste released their latest clothing collection inspired by Polaroid. We're excited to play a part — creating a custom Polaroid 600 instant film camera for Lacoste to support the collection.
The camera, as conceptualized by Lacoste, uses their defining green color as its driving characteristic. It turns key elements of the camera into visual cues causing it to resemble a crocodile — a nod to their iconic logo. At Retrospekt we brought this concept to life, molding new plastic exteriors to house the original internal components we source from vintage Polaroid cameras and carefully refurbish.
To include a pack of film with each camera, we added a custom film sleeve, wrapped with the camera in a clear plastic container.
The camera is exclusively available through Lacoste, at their stores around the world.
Select images from Lacoste of their official Polaroid clothing collection. Available via Lacoste.
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From Michael Kempen, Retrospekt's Creative Director:
One of our main goals with this design was to create a final camera that looked like it could have been a standard issue item from the United States Postal Service of the past. As part of our design process, we dove into the rich history of the United States Postal Service, drawing from the organization's most iconic visual elements—from logos to uniforms. The camera’s decals even use a reflective, hi-vis base material inspired by the striping commonly seen on USPS jackets and pants.
We went back and looked at the whole USPS brand ecosystem over the years—the trucks, the uniforms, the signage and promotional materials—to produce an object that has a certain sense of timelessness. The design of the Polaroid 600 camera itself originated in the ‘80s, and was in production through the early ‘90s. By combining this form of the camera with visual elements used by USPS over a similar time, age becomes ambiguous. It doesn’t look like a new item with retro-themed graphics. It’s more like a true artifact fresh from the past.
The Polaroid 600 USPS Instant Film Camera, officially licensed by both Polaroid and the United States Postal Service, uses Polaroid 600 film (sold separately) and is powered by the fresh batteries built into each film pack. You can get it directly from us starting today!
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Our newest custom camera pairs us up with the renowned streetwear brand, Chinatown Market, for a limited release that captures their unique style. The CTM Polaroid 600 Camera starts off as all our custom models, with refurbished and restored vintage Polaroid internals from the 80s and 90s. We loaded those into brand new plastic shells decked out with graphic treatments specifically made for this camera.
Their drops are known for selling quickly and so far these things are flying out the door over at Chinatown Market. Swing by their shop if you're interested.
*UPDATE 12/3/20* The Chinatown Market X Polaroid clothing collab is already sold out, camera stock is limited.
An awesome part of this collaboration for us has been the parallels between the crew at Retrospekt and Chinatown Market. And it goes beyond our similar business approaches that embrace unique products and collaborations. We both have teams made up of people who are passionate and engaged in the concept behind the products being created. When you can get those kind of people together, and tap into that authentic energy, they can really make some big things happen.
The icing on the cake — CTM tapped into their classic streetwear know-how and designed a Polaroid-inspired hoodie and sweatpants combo to be released as part of the collaboration.
The collection drops on 11/30 over at Chinatown Market.
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In honor of Yosemite National Park’s 130th anniversary, Retrospekt is teaming up with Parks Project, a group dedicated to protecting America’s parklands, for another eye-catching Polaroid 600 instant film camera. Built by our skilled team of technicians, this camp-y camera pays tribute to the park and its extensive past.
So to celebrate, who’s ready for a quick history lesson?
The Northern Sierra Miwok people were the primary residents of the Yosemite Valley for thousands of years until the gold rush of 1849 brought droves of miners and settlers to California. The state’s stunning landscapes quickly attracted tourists and subsequent damage to the environment. In 1864, a group of passionate conservationists convinced President Abraham Lincoln to declare Yosemite Valley a public trust of California. This was the first time ever the U.S. government protected land for public enjoyment, and the move laid the groundwork for the National Park System. Yosemite Valley was declared a national park on October 1, 1890.
Over 130 years later, the park remains popular among campers, hikers, artists and those seeking the park’s sublime scenery. Over three million visitors flock to California each year to see Yosemite National Park’s giant sequoia trees and granite rock formations. The park’s stunning natural beauty certainly influenced the camera’s design. You’ll notice cliff-like shapes with peaks and valleys complemented by a sunny yellow body and rich, earthy brown accents. The camera’s design also takes inspiration from Yosemite National Park’s gift shops during the 1970s. Pretty groovy, man.
Our Polaroid camera is not Yosemite National Park’s only connection to photography. One of the most renowned photographers in American history, Ansel Adams, immortalized the park’s lakes, waterfalls and mountains in his unforgettable black-and-white portraits. Like Adams himself, we hope you’ll feel inspired by the great outdoors and fall in love with photography. Unlike Adams, you won’t have to wait weeks to get your photos developed!
The Yosemite Park Polaroid instant camera, like all cameras created here at Retrospekt, is made with vintage parts from the 1980s and 1990s. They’re taken apart and carefully restored by our repair team. The camera’s renovated insides are then covered in new plastic shells, and the camera is ready for its new home and another generation of photo-taking.
Proceeds from every Yosemite Park Polaroid camera sold will go to supporting Parks Project’s mission which, to date, has contributed over $1.5 million to park preservation projects and conservation efforts. The camera is available directly from Parks Project!
]]>When you account for our base-level fascination with all things retro tech, it was probably a given that curiosity would eventually push us into the world of vintage timekeeping. The whirl of a flip clock, the impeccably crafted workings of a vintage mechanical watch, or even the 90s nostalgia of a radio alarm clock, there's a lot to pique your interest.
The world of vintage watches can be vast and complex, which is why we rely on our friend Justin Vrakas, founder of Watchsteez. While our selection of vintage mechanical watches have been chosen (with Justin's help) for their blend of vintage quality and value, some of the watches Justin has handled may put the value of an average car to shame. We've asked Justin a lot of question over the years, but here are a few basics that get right to the heart of the vintage watch experience:
My family is in the jewelry business and my great grandfather was a highly-skilled watchmaker, so I've always been fascinated with watches. I owned several novelty watches as a young child and I even saved most of them after all these years (my digital G.I. Joe watch being my absolute favorite).
I remember buying my first "real" watch when I was 14 years old - It was a two-tone Casio Quartz model for $51.15 and I still have it complete with its original boxes, paperwork, and receipt. My collection was focused entirely on new/modern watches going forward until I inherited a beautiful 1950s Universal Genève Polerouter Automatic that was owned by my great grandfather. I wondered how he came to own that particular watch, what he did while wearing it, and what it meant to him. I was immediately hooked on the concept of vintage and sourcing/selling rare vintage watches would eventually become my full-time career. Ironically his UG Polerouter needed repair, but that got me interested in the mechanics behind these old time machines and ultimately led to two semesters of watchmaking courses at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Each vintage watch comes with its own story and while most stories are lost with time, some stories can live on through these watches. There is also something really charming and aesthetically pleasing about the way each individual watch ages uniquely with time. It is very easy to get addicted.
It may seem like magic, but mechanical watches are already hundreds of years in the making. To simplify it as much as possible, a mechanical watch runs on stored energy inside of a mainspring that must be wound periodically by hand or by automatic movement on the wrist. Stored energy within the mainspring is released through a series of gears that power the balance wheel, which oscillates back and forth at a constant rate. As the balance wheel swings back and forth, an escapement device releases wheels within the watch to move forward at a constant rate. These wheels advance the watch's hands to measure the passage of time.
That is a very difficult question to answer as I've owned so many interesting pieces with incredible stories over the years. If I had to pick the most interesting watch in my collection right now, it would be my 1960s Mido Powerwind Diver. As a child growing up in the early 1990s, I absolutely loved reading Dr. Seuss books (sometimes just for the illustrations). The exotic "rainbow" dial on this watch reminds me of the cover from Oh, The Places You'll Go. The first time I saw a photo of this watch, I knew I had to have it! It was easier said than done though because it is an extremely rare watch...
Originally developed by Mido in cooperation with world-famous skin diving authority D. L. Jayet, it was self-winding and waterproof to 1,000 feet. More importantly, it featured decompression tables printed in pastel colors on the dial. Before the invention of digital dive computers, deep-water divers needed to manually time their decompression stops while returning to the surface. This useful tool watch would help them avoid decompression sickness as a result of returning to the surface too quickly. As a side note, Mido just released a limited edition re-issue of this watch that is available to purchase brand new today. It's a fun alternative for collectors that cannot find or afford the original.
In my business, condition and originality are king. These two factors pretty much solely drive the value of a given vintage watch along with its general desirability in the marketplace. Over-restoration is a big problem today and truly exceptional vintage watches are becoming exceedingly more difficult to find. For example, the vast majority of top collectors DO NOT want their vintage watches to be polished up and artificially made to look new again. Preserving the watch in its original state is paramount to retaining its overall value. I am constantly looking for honest, original watches that have preferably never been restored in any way aside from maybe prior movement servicing. For this reason, I much prefer purchasing vintage watches directly from original owners whenever possible. That way I can control watches from the source as well as learn the specific history of each piece.
In some instances, patina or aging can drastically enhance the value of a vintage watch. For example, some original black dials had a tendency to turn brown over time due to unstable paint mixtures used in the dial production process and intense UV exposure after the fact. We call these "tropical" dials in the collecting world and they can worth twice as much as standard black dials in the same watch. As I mentioned previously, each watch ages in its own unique way based on a variety of environmental factors. For instance, a vintage Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 with a blue/red bezel insert that has naturally changed to a blue/fuchsia color can bring thousands of dollars more. Also, collectors typically pay a premium for watches with yellow aged luminous material on the dial (as opposed to white). It can get a little tricky because two watches that look nearly identical to the untrained eye can be worth drastically different amounts. The subtle details matter in a big way and that's where I come in.
I believe there is a place in every watch collection for both new and old watches. However, it is truly special to look down on your wrist and see a rare vintage watch with real age and history. The "been-there, done-that" look is hard to replicate on a new watch. Just like vintage clothing, each piece is different. You won't run into anyone else wearing the exact same vintage watch, which is quite appealing to me. On the flip side, if you walk down Wall Street in New York City, you'll probably see a brand new Rolex Submariner on the wrist of at least one stockbroker per city block. While a brand new Rolex Submariner is a fantastic watch, it will not age in the same way as a vintage Submariner because of the modern materials used in the current production process. It's just not quite as exciting to me personally. Also, anyone with money can buy a new watch. It takes more patience and skill to hunt down a proper vintage piece in top condition, and I enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Exceptional vintage watches have continued to increase in value in recent years, so they can also be a good place to park extra money. However, I always tell my clients to buy what they love and to enjoy what they own. And if they can make a little extra money on the side while doing so, that's great too.
Thanks Justin for once again taking the time to answer our questions. For those of you who want to dive a bit deeper, you can follow Justin on Instagram @justinvrakas.
Then, feel free to check out or very own collection of vintage mechanical watches.
]]>When we had the opportunity to put this sleepy little egg with a yolk butt on a Polaroid 600 camera, we were thrilled. Per our usual format, we paired vintage camera internals with the new Gudetama themed exterior shell, blending both old and new which has become our signature recipe for breathing new life into these retro electronics.
Which, by the way, if you're new here, we do all the repair, refurbishment, molding, assembly, packaging, and fulfillment right here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An anomaly in the consumer electronics world, we at Retrospekt have crafted our entire business to be, well, in our control.
We are obsessive about quality and presentation, and Gudetama was no exception. The packaging for the camera (also printed locally) features our little egg pal being snagged by some chopsticks and laying in a bed of yummy foods with a bacon blanket (goals).
And the icing on the cake (or should I say the egg yolk on the rice) is the back of the Polaroid camera, which features the cutest egg yolk butt you've ever seen. Take Gudetama with you on all your instant film adventures. You won't regret it.
Available on Sanrio.com while supplies last!
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