ABOUT

Vintage Contessa & Times Past is an internationally respected business located in the United States based in Houston, Texas. Our website caters to global collectors of vintage/estate fine watches, designer/signed jewelry, luxury designer handbags, GIA certified diamonds, loose diamonds and rare coins.

Vintage Contessa & Times Past team has built their international reputation utilizing their buying expertise, value, honesty, and integrity. They scour the globe in the quest to purchase the finest curated collection of authentic, timeless, luxury pieces. Each item they sell has been purchased personally and/or vetted by their team, rather than offering products on a consignment model like many other sites. They offer a 100% authenticity promise.

Throughout the year, the team travels the world to source the most beautiful items, all of which are 100% authentic with an authenticity promise, making The Vintage Contessa & Times Past the ideal destination for first time luxury buyers and collectors alike.

Authenticity – How do I know it’s real?

  • The Vintage Contessa and experienced specialists inspect every item purchased in our inventory and listed for sale.
  • We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every piece we purchase and sell.
  • We further attest to the authenticity of each piece, PURCHASING every item in our inventory as opposed to consigning them.
  • We will only carry brands that maintain the highest standards of quality, name recognition and craftsmanship.
  • Every piece will arrive on your doorstep in the condition described, and as seen photographed on our site.
  • We implement a ZERO-TOLERANCE, anti-counterfeit policy. 100% money back guarantee.
  • We procure from international sources that are experienced, trusted purveyors

 

Each luxury handbag and accessory undergoes a multistep inspection prior to being purchased and sold.

We compare the quality of workmanship in the overall piece and the following traits:

  • Symmetry of design
  • Stitching consistency and accuracy
  • Hardware finish
  • Consistency of authenticity stamp
  • Manufacturer’s serial numbers
  • Date codes and holograms
  • Smell of leather
  • Wear of the piece
  • Patina of leather in relation to the wear of the bag
  • Style and color of the bag was made by the designer represented 

Condition Reports

  • We use high-end photographic equipment to photograph all of our products. However, we do not guarantee the colors are represented accurately.
  • Every item listed by The Vintage Contessa is reviewed for imperfections, and reconditioned if necessary. Overall condition reports are listed within the itemized descriptions of each piece listed.
  • The following is a general guideline for the condition reports shown with each product description.
  • For pre-owned, vintage, estate or antique items, keep in mind that many items listed could be subject to shelf wear, nicks, dents, or scratches. We are not the original owners of the merchandise and make a special effort to identify any flaws or blemishes.
  • We make no claims or warranties as far as merchantability or origin of product other than what is described in the listing.

LIKE NEW – Product is new with tags, box, plastic or papers still attached.

EXCELLENT – Product is in exceptional condition, and shows no significant signs of wear, but is not new (direct from manufacturer). There are little perceivable flaws. 

VERY GOOD – Product is gently used or worn, but has been well maintained. There may be small markings, scratches or light signs of use. Leather, skin or metal may exhibit light signs of patina.

GOOD – Merchandise shows signs of wear, but overall appearance is still quality. Interior of handbags may have slight stains or spots but there are no significant flaws (ie: tears, abrasions or dark stains). Leather may show signs of creasing and/or patina especially at corners or bottom of bag. Metal may show signs of wear.

VINTAGE  – Handbag or jewelry may need reconditioning or repair. Flaws are showcased with photos. Items in this category are final sale.

About Rob Chramosta

Rob Chramosta, founder and owner of Times Past, is a true collector – at a young age, he began curating his own collections, gaining industry knowledge and expanding his expertise of luxury watches and jewelry. At just five years old, Mr. Chramosta started his first coin collection, at 13 he accepted his first job with a coin dealer and by the age of 15, he began buying and selling watches.

Utilizing his detailed and expansive product knowledge when curating collections of luxury goods, Mr. Chramosta remembers coins’ dates and watches’ model numbers with ease and loves the art of making a deal. A fluent Spanish speaker and extensive world traveler, his ability to negotiate is unsurpassed. Some frequently traveled destinations include France, Italy, Japan, China, Brazil and Argentina to curate collections for himself and his customers.

Mr. Chramosta is a part of the Professional Numismatists Guild, The International Watch and Jewelry Guild, National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and the American Numismatic Association. Apart from his affinity for luxury timepieces and opulent jewelry, he prides himself on being a philanthropic family man. He and his wife Donae have a passion for giving back to their community and he recently served as co-chair for the 2018 KnowAutism Gala. In his free time, Mr. Chramosta enjoys fishing annually in Alaska, skiing in Vail and traveling with Donae and their daughter, Bella. Mr Chramosta earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder and is accredited as a GIA Gemological Institute Diamond Essentials professional.

About The COntessa

The Contessa is a published writer, award winning business woman, style setter and commencement speaker who was recently named one of Houston Business Journal’s 2018 Women Who Mean Business as an Outstanding Leader in Hospitality & Retail and The Society Diaries’ Texas Top 50 Women to Watch. As an active member of Crime Stoppers of Houston’s Board of Directors, she was named 2018 Crime Stoppers Safe School Award for her steadfast dedication to the safety of children in schools, with special emphasis on stopping sex trafficking.

With a passion for fashion and lover of all things vintage, her family and friends christened her as “The Vintage Contessa.” Fashion aside, The Contessa is a respected influencer and philanthropist in Houston and beyond, using her voice and national charitable commitments to change the world around her for the greater good. She is actively involved with Youth Power 365 of the Vail Valley Foundation and The Scarlett Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering for pediatric cancer.

In her spare time, The Contessa enjoys traveling the world, staying active and snow skiing with her husband and their daughter (when school will allow). She received a Bachelors of Science in Journalism from Texas A&M University, with a minor in Marketing and serves as the president of her father’s nationally acclaimed marble and granite business prior to joining forces with her husband Rob. She is accredited as a United States Green Building Council LEED Professional and GIA Gemological Institute Diamond Essentials professional.

Connect

Exciting news from the Vintage Contessa family! We’ve launched a brand NEW show called #LivingtheAuthenticLife Podcast. This show covers everything you’ve been asking us for – interesting stylish personalities sharing authentic journeys of commitment, connection and authenticity. Please continue to join me, live on Thursdays at 10am on Facebook and available across all platforms, as my husband/business partner and I connect with tastemakers to share their unique stories that led them to answer the question, “How do I know it’s real?”

Connect With Us
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The Vintage Contessa &Amp; Princessa Book

The Vintage Contessa & Princessa Book

This is a Vintage Contessa exclusive written by Donae & her daughter Bella. 10 percent of every book sold will go towards pediatric cancer charities throughout the USA. The charities we are currently supporting include Heroes for Children, which provides support to families with children suffering from cancer, and the Scarlett Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which seeks to support research into pediatric cancer. If you would like to make an independent donation to the Scarlett Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center you can do so here.

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