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Because their greatest faults are ironically their greatest strengths.
common : widely desired / large market
boring : continuity of designA few years ago it was almost mandatory for a man's watch to be 42mm. Now everyone is lusting after "heritage pieces". Unless he has some sort of unique expertise in consumer trends, picking the equivalent of a Tudor sub will be luck.
Just to confirm is he going to wear it or put it in a safe?
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Watches aren’t good investments as a general rule. New means he’s likely to lose money in the short term. Vintage means the cost of a service every 5 years. If he wears and damages it he’ll lose value. Future prices are highly unpredictable, so there aren’t few guarantees and he could lose quite a lot.
Suggestions:
- Buy a new £2-3k watch that he loves to wear. Speedmaster, railmaster, Tudor, there are plenty of choices. Then invest the remainder in other assets that will appreciate.
- Put a deposit down on a Daytona or a new Rolex SS sports. In the years he’s waiting he’ll work out what he likes and he won’t lose money on the option. Sell it new to someone who doesn’t want to wait.
- Buy 3-5 vintage watches at around the £2-£2.5k mark to distribute risk. Tastes change and this would be a decent future hedge against that.
If he decides on option 3 I can help him out.
- Buy a new £2-3k watch that he loves to wear. Speedmaster, railmaster, Tudor, there are plenty of choices. Then invest the remainder in other assets that will appreciate.
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He’s not really into the sporty dive watch types.
He likes the look of this
http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/Cellini/50519/28955/item/103583
I totally get that they’re not a good investment and he does too. It’s a bit of an indulgence but he has the money. ISA’s all filled up and other real investments on the go.
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Common and Boring could be attributed to several of the iconic watches from various brands. Maybe I'm wide of the mark but I always understood that whilst a new Speedmaster/Black Bay/Luminor etc would initially drop a bunch of money after purchase, an equivalent Rolex would retain it's value.
They must be made in similar quantities with similar specs so why would it be that one is more valuable than the others even though the others are also classic designs from brands with a similar heritage.
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In a word, demand.
The market views Rolex as the definitive luxury watch. That maintains demand to a degree that totally surpasses all other watches. Unlike something like a Patek they're also fairly achievable price wise.
(I think you can also include a Speedy)
They're also fairly good about controlling their value and grey market. It's not like a Zenith which can always be bought at a discount.
I'm sure a brand new Rolex would hold its value as % slightly better than the alternatives you mentioned, but it will still depreciate to start.
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It’s a bit of an indulgence but he has the money.
Then tell him to enjoy it and just buy what he likes.
I'd be less inclined to get a Cellini as an investment. If he wants what Americans would call a dress watch, then go for a brand that's renowned for them. Freddo's VC suggestion is good, although I'd go second hand as for some reason of the big 3 they have awful depreciation.
What about JLC, or the more traditional looking Audemars Piguet? I think his budget would also put him in the lower end of A. Lange & Söhne... which would be pretty special and would follow the rule, buy the best you can afford.
Edit: actually 2nd hand he's firmly in the non-complication Lange range.
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he should buy some Facebook stock
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That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.
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I’ve been holding off my watch investment while I waited for something to come along I absolutely love and isn’t too expensive.
I think we might have a winner. Out later this year apparently and about €1k. Do any of you have tips on how I can get one before they’re all snapped up by the horological illuminati? Is there somewhere I can put my name down?
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Bit harsh. It has the same protection as the original.
Which is more than could be said about my old Sinn 556 which used to magnetise every time I farted.
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I guess its down to how much it is worth to you.
Looking at previously sold ones on eBay, the price range is about £60 to £250 depending on condition. A solid gold one sold for £241 in January.
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I'm looking for a dress watch. I like the idea of an old seamaster. Like this
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123042309448What should I be looking to pay? Any hints on where to look for one?
hugo7
Heldring
freddo
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ricky2slicky
Tenderloin
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%~}
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Stonehedge
Ordinata
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About
What time is it? Watches and horology
Posted by
@coppiThat
I think that was me who dumped that million sub figure here. Turns out that I was wrong and that figure relates to their most popular models including subs.