Can you help me date these Swarovski binoculars?

[Jellytip]

I pulled these out of the wooden box from yesterday, I assume they belong to the same man! You've all been really helpful so I thought to ask here!







Swarovski-Optik Tirol



Habicht 10x40 136473



Made in Austria



This was taken through the lense with my cell phone, better quality than our new binoculars!

[frogpatch]

Swarovski is very well known for making crystal chandeliers and jewelry. Most people do not think of them creating optics, but they are some of the finest. Try looking through them backwards. If they are clear without any specs that means they are in excellent condition. I am not sure of the year but I see similar pairs selling for around 100.00 to 150.00.

[sapphire]

You might want to try listing them on the UK ebay site.......they must be well loved over there!!

Sold in May this year with 35 bids.........for 265 pounds!  ($412 US)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWAROVSKI-OPTIK-TIROL-10-x-40-Habicht-Binoculars-with-Rain-guard-and-Strap-/161025498903?nma=true&si=ISPHBCseNNgXYfanSvwrIxpbY6k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Haven't had a chance to check up on their age yet 

[Jellytip]

You might want to try listing them on the UK ebay site.......they must be well loved over there!!

Sold in May this year with 35 bids.........for 265 pounds!  ($412 US)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWAROVSKI-OPTIK-TIROL-10-x-40-Habicht-Binoculars-with-Rain-guard-and-Strap-/161025498903?nma=true&si=ISPHBCseNNgXYfanSvwrIxpbY6k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Haven't had a chance to check up on their age yet 

No no no, I'm not interested in selling anything we have, just like finding out as much about them as possible!

[mart]

You had better hang on to those !!

[Rauville]

The photos are not opening for me...but the binoculars would date after 1949 with those markings.
I believe a new pair would be close to $1000 retail.

[mariok54]

You may have already come across this brief history

http://www.swarovskioptik.com/about_swarovski

I've found five Optik Tirols 10 x 40, three have sold in excess of £260 so the are very much sought after, but most had later serial numbers to yours (18****) and only one slightly later than yours (15****)

I was trying to think who would use binoculars, and thought of 'twitchers' (bird watchers) and then found this forum. If anyone can help then I think this group should be able to ...

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2657153


Failing that, Swarovski are still going strong and you could always contact them and ask when the serial number dates from.

A very nice piece you have there

[bigwull]

over here these would fly off the shelf.....a friend of mine recently paid,£1,900....for a pair of 10 x 50 Swarovski,bino,s....and, that was with a 30% discount for cash....

[Jellytip]

over here these would fly off the shelf.....a friend of mine recently paid,£1,900....for a pair of 10 x 50 Swarovski,bino,s....and, that was with a 30% discount for cash....

Ugh, slightly frustrating as these are all the families so am unable to sell, but have just been informed the painting in my hallway is a Chang Dai-chien, so I may get to make a sale after all!!

[ghopper1924]

Oh, and since you asked for a date when you started this thread, I'd say 1960s or 70s.

[mariok54]

I don't intend to pour cold water over this, but a realistic price tag is around the £300 figure, based upon three similar (but newer) ones sold this year alone. Re the age, yours do have a much earlier serial number which you should easily be able to date. But that won't necessarily add to the value, the value is largely dependent upon the state of the lenses, which look good, only a little dusty. But be careful when attempting to clean them that you don't scratch them.

[Ipcress]

Yeah, these did $150

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/13403802_swarovski-10x40-habicht-binoculars-nr-13089

Probably put a £ there on ebay

[mariok54]

I am no expert on Binoculars, but there may be a big difference between the quality of different Swarovski models ... habicht v tirol ...


I still think the Bird Watcher's forum should be your next visit for these. they may even have a  'To Sell' section. I frequent a Fountain Pen forum, and that is a good place to sell quality pens at the right price, because the people who frequent that forum know the real worth.