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Time to buy some Watches.
- Thread starter Butcher82
- Start date
When I was looking into collecting those kinds of watches a few years ago, I decided to only buy from authorized dealers so I wouldn’t risk being scammed on authenticity or potential defects. Above all, the watch is more likely to retain its value if you don’t wear it.
As for buying truly rare watches, that’s not going to happen with the budget you’re talking about. 10K for a watch is nothing, especially not for the rare ones, which sometimes sell for 100K or even 400K and up.
As for buying truly rare watches, that’s not going to happen with the budget you’re talking about. 10K for a watch is nothing, especially not for the rare ones, which sometimes sell for 100K or even 400K and up.
Buying watches can be great but is it really an investment I guess it depends.
I bought some Rolex Models (2018 - 2022) nothing crazy, mostly their steel watches. Them telling you they don't have a watch is BS. (Pretty much every watch for Rolex is obtainable besides the Platinum ones they are actually rarely delivered to the retailers.)
It depends mostly where you live and how much "time" you got. You can stop by the store every couple of weeks and I'm certain they will sell you watch over time as long as you don't seem too interested in flipping it asap and make a good appearance. A good relationship to the retailer is essential, therefore I wouldn't start straight to flip but rather develop this relationship and then slowly you can start to "off-load" some of your "unwanted" pieces.
Within recent years Greece has been a good place to buy watches for retail. (Retailers often had good stock willing to sell to you even as a tourist)
I wouldn't buy watches for crazy grey market prices, a lot of people who bought into the "hype" market especially more expensive models lost a ton of money.
So if you can get your hands on one for retail great go for it, you have something nice you can enjoy and maybe make some money on the side but purely for investing I think other options are more suitable.
Unless of course you're really familiar with the market and run it as your "main" business.
Start with Rolex Steel Models (maybe some Datejust 41 or a Sub or GMT if you can get your hands on those)
As a "watch newbie" you can forget Patek and Audemars, they are way more selective and won't sell to you as a "beginner" for retail. Both brands are also way stricter than Rolex tracking down the watches you might have sold and tend to blacklist you fast. (AP mostly sells through their own stores nowadays and therefore track sales and serial numbers more precisely)
I bought some Rolex Models (2018 - 2022) nothing crazy, mostly their steel watches. Them telling you they don't have a watch is BS. (Pretty much every watch for Rolex is obtainable besides the Platinum ones they are actually rarely delivered to the retailers.)
It depends mostly where you live and how much "time" you got. You can stop by the store every couple of weeks and I'm certain they will sell you watch over time as long as you don't seem too interested in flipping it asap and make a good appearance. A good relationship to the retailer is essential, therefore I wouldn't start straight to flip but rather develop this relationship and then slowly you can start to "off-load" some of your "unwanted" pieces.
Within recent years Greece has been a good place to buy watches for retail. (Retailers often had good stock willing to sell to you even as a tourist)
I wouldn't buy watches for crazy grey market prices, a lot of people who bought into the "hype" market especially more expensive models lost a ton of money.
So if you can get your hands on one for retail great go for it, you have something nice you can enjoy and maybe make some money on the side but purely for investing I think other options are more suitable.
Unless of course you're really familiar with the market and run it as your "main" business.
Start with Rolex Steel Models (maybe some Datejust 41 or a Sub or GMT if you can get your hands on those)
As a "watch newbie" you can forget Patek and Audemars, they are way more selective and won't sell to you as a "beginner" for retail. Both brands are also way stricter than Rolex tracking down the watches you might have sold and tend to blacklist you fast. (AP mostly sells through their own stores nowadays and therefore track sales and serial numbers more precisely)
Yes, that was the only place where they told me they have "some stock". But they didn't want to say on the phone what they got and for how much. And they don't take cash. But they definitely have smth.
Unfortunately I am not. That's why I wanted to get Rolexes. Because everyone I know who has money and are not collectors or anything, just want Rolexes to flex with. So I was thinking they were easier to sell.
That's what I was thinking about myself. Are they possible to get at ADs or there's no way you can get them? And better to look for them at Chrono24? Or you overpay there too much?
Overall thank you for the valuable info on the topic!
Yeah, I know, but one should start with something, right? Plus it is not easy to get 100k-400k around the countries to pay for them. I have not dealed with such payments before.
the chart is not good. You need til 2025 (since it turned down sharply at the end of the chart).
Yes, that was the only place where they told me they have "some stock". But they didn't want to say on the phone what they got and for how much. And they don't take cash. But they definitely have smth.
Unfortunately I am not. That's why I wanted to get Rolexes. Because everyone I know who has money and are not collectors or anything, just want Rolexes to flex with. So I was thinking they were easier to sell.
That's what I was thinking about myself. Are they possible to get at ADs or there's no way you can get them? And better to look for them at Chrono24? Or you overpay there too much?
Overall thank you for the valuable info on the topic!
Unfortunately you really mostly have to visit stores, no-one will tell you their stock over phone. Mostly when you visit they will in the beginning tell you "no we don't have" but then open up the safe and offer you something nice if you're lucky
Rolex is indeed the best brand for "beginners" imo since the watches are obtainable for a lot more people than a Patek E.G (10 - 12k compared to 40-50K RETAIL). Rolex still has a huge demand and since most people are impatient and want to buy the watch ASAP (e.g IB people when bonus season is coming) Rolex is the way to go to get started!
Unfortunately if you're just starting out getting into watches (mostly steel watches) might be a bit difficult without any relationships, it's still doable but might take some time (realistically 6 - 12 months I would say with your local retailers, can be faster if you're lucky E.G on vacation).
Of course you can go the "fast route" with Chrono24 but you will pay premium, you can maybe find some good deals but all "professionals" will do their best to get their hands on those offers first. (Most good deals indeed don't take place on Chrono24 but B2B or in groups)
You can browse other platforms depending on where you live and make some good deals there but you really need to have some sort of expertise and do proper DD since fakes quality has significantly improved over the last years.
For 400-500$ from China you can get watches I probably couldn't tell the difference and I have had quite some authentic ones of them. (Even watchmakers have their issue and they need to open them up to check on the movement since this is still the "biggest" tell) Don't be fooled warranty cards and invoices can also be easily be forged nowadays.
If I were you and just starting out, I would visit all "stores" in my area and come well prepared.
Tell them precisely what models you're interested in (best case one model) and tell them you want this watch for yourself and you're aware of the market situation. (Making a good appearance and being genuine and nice to the staff will definitely help you)
See their reaction and get a "feeling" for your local market, then decide how to proceed.
the wrong analogy, these watches are mass goods and not a single piece of artwork. Compare it to diamonds.Well because it's cost rises. just as an investment.
I donno how much it cost Da Vinci to draw Mona Lisa, those paints didn't cost much. But it costs probably 1B now
Once again thank you for sharing this valuable info on buying watches.Unfortunately you really mostly have to visit stores, no-one will tell you their stock over phone. Mostly when you visit they will in the beginning tell you "no we don't have" but then open up the safe and offer you something nice if you're lucky
Rolex is indeed the best brand for "beginners" imo since the watches are obtainable for a lot more people than a Patek E.G (10 - 12k compared to 40-50K RETAIL). Rolex still has a huge demand and since most people are impatient and want to buy the watch ASAP (e.g IB people when bonus season is coming) Rolex is the way to go to get started!
Unfortunately if you're just starting out getting into watches (mostly steel watches) might be a bit difficult without any relationships, it's still doable but might take some time (realistically 6 - 12 months I would say with your local retailers, can be faster if you're lucky E.G on vacation).
Of course you can go the "fast route" with Chrono24 but you will pay premium, you can maybe find some good deals but all "professionals" will do their best to get their hands on those offers first. (Most good deals indeed don't take place on Chrono24 but B2B or in groups)
You can browse other platforms depending on where you live and make some good deals there but you really need to have some sort of expertise and do proper DD since fakes quality has significantly improved over the last years.
For 400-500$ from China you can get watches I probably couldn't tell the difference and I have had quite some authentic ones of them. (Even watchmakers have their issue and they need to open them up to check on the movement since this is still the "biggest" tell) Don't be fooled warranty cards and invoices can also be easily be forged nowadays.
If I were you and just starting out, I would visit all "stores" in my area and come well prepared.
Tell them precisely what models you're interested in (best case one model) and tell them you want this watch for yourself and you're aware of the market situation. (Making a good appearance and being genuine and nice to the staff will definitely help you)
See their reaction and get a "feeling" for your local market, then decide how to proceed.
And what about selling them? I am sure you have had an experience with that? Do you mostly sell to your private circle of friends/clients? Or you go online to Chrono or else? How does that work best for you?
So here is part of my useless “collection” of watches. Most of them are gifts, hence it wouldn’t be kind to sell them, and anyway I no longer have the boxes and paperwork.
None of these watches are any good at keeping the time
I no longer keep the watchwinder on, so they all stopped and I have no idea if they still work or if they can be resuscitated.
I only wear a smartwatch, even with formal dress (but well hidden under the cuff) otherwise the health stats would be messed up.
None of these watches are any good at keeping the time
I no longer keep the watchwinder on, so they all stopped and I have no idea if they still work or if they can be resuscitated.I only wear a smartwatch, even with formal dress (but well hidden under the cuff) otherwise the health stats would be messed up.
We were talking about the content of the items, not about the rarity. Of course mona lisa is one of a kind, nobody is an idiot to deny that.
You are just not in the target audience for lux watches, you don't care about them. Other people wear them openly to flex and show they are kind of "rich".
They only shout “I’m broke and stupid” - or “I’m stupid therefore I’m broke”.
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Btw I would happily spend some 5 figures on a good smartwatch, if it existed and it had a way for the tech components to be upgraded/replaced when they become obsolete. Like a full movement replacement while keeping the same chassis.
The best I could find so far is the Garmin Marq.
If you're on the seller side it's pretty much "easy" business.
You can work with Chrono24 (They charge good percentage of fees though, and your watch might be more traceable for "retailers" so might want to avoid that if you go for a quick flip)
List on "local" platforms and sell for cash. (Best profit wise I guess)
Sell to jewelers (Easiest process but probably end with a worse price compared to if you sell it to a "consumer" directly)
Friends and clients obviously has advantages but also disadvantages (The watch is still close to you so retailers might not make you so much "trouble" but obviously you probably offer your friends a better price than a random you sell to)
Regarding selling the watch you don't need to worry too much, as long you have nothing too crazy it will be easy to sell. (obviously if you have some sort of highly limited RM the potential buyer list looks way different)
So here is part of my useless “collection” of watches. Most of them are gifts, hence it wouldn’t be kind to sell them, and anyway I no longer have the boxes and paperwork.
None of these watches are any good at keeping the time
I only wear a smartwatch, even with formal dress (but well hidden under the cuff) otherwise the health stats would be messed up.
View attachment 8594
That's a really lovely collection also not something you see everyday!
Love the Offshore AP and your RG Daytona but I definitely get your point.
If you ever decide to wear them again you can definitely get them serviced and they should run like a charm again..
Thank you. Unfortunately I’m unable to see the beauty in these objects. However I appreciate the craftsmanship of highly complicated watches (not the case here), and can understand the collectible value of some unique pieces such as the Daytona actually worn by Paul Newman or the Omega that went to the moon.
I’m afraid they are rotten inside
corrosion destroys everything and I don’t think the mechanisms contain galvanized metal.
Thanks a lot. I am covered from buying and selling side now.
Will give it all a good thought and get down to practice.
Bought a yellow dial OP in 2020, wore it, sold for double price in 2022. It was about 20% down on Chrono the last time I checked.
I doubt you can make it a profitable hustle unless you already have an uncle with a jewellery shop.
I doubt you can make it a profitable hustle unless you already have an uncle with a jewellery shop.
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