Investment Watches

[F10CPROG]

What do we all think is a good investment watch?

Budget of £5-10k... Can be new or used?

I keep looking a Rolex Deep Sea Dwellers...

[VeloF1]

Oxymoron (watch and investment like jumbo shrimp). Buy stocks or real estate as investments. Buy a watch because you like it whether looks, mechanics or otherwise. Yet, yes, Rolex tend to keep value like Daytona, Subs, etc.

[Murf993]

My .02 cents, watches aren't where I'd park my money for a return. Buy a watch because you like it. I have an Rolex Sea Dweller I bought almost 30 years ago. I think I paid $3000 for it and it's now worth somewhere around $10-12K from what I can see on line. Except those are sellers prices from an AD or used watch specialist, I don't know if I'd get that much privately. Then there is the sentimental value, I'll never sell this thing but leave it to one of my kids. Regarding the Deep Sea Dweller, I'm not sure that's the Rolex I'd invest in for long term return. It's an interesting watch but IMHO doesn't really fit the product line so might not appreciate in value as much. I'd go Daytona or Sub if I was hoping for a return. If you want a Deep Sea Dweller because you want one then by all means that's what you should get.

You may find this interesting if you're looking for investment/collecting time pieces.

https://www.bobswatches.com/auctions

[David70]

Same as above. At 7% return (mediocre), it will double in value every 10 years. Good luck with cars, watches, jewelry and art doubling every 10 years and with these you often have to also figure in maintenance and insurance into your return.

Buy something you like.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by David70

Same as above. At 7% return (mediocre), it will double in value every 10 years. Good luck with cars, watches, jewelry and art doubling every 10 years and with these you often have to also figure in maintenance and insurance into your return.

Buy something you like.

Good point on the maintenance. I've probably spent $3000 on my Rolex over the years on the routine cleaning/maintenece.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by F10CPROG

What do we all think is a good investment watch?

Budget of £5-10k... Can be new or used?

I keep looking a Rolex Deep Sea Dwellers...

I've been out if the serious watch hobby for a long time. When every B celebrity was a watch brand ambassador the hobby jumped the shark for me. (kidding).

Good question.
The preowned watches. if buying at auction or jeweler or collector the sale value has usually been maximized.

The Deep Sea (James Cameron) is great looking great tactile extreme built. One issue is that it is thick (and of course still currently in production).

Will any Nomos watch have real values in 10, 20 or 30 years ?

Is there a watch flying under the radar now that in the future will be highly desirable ? I'd read watch guys talk about 1990's IWC Pilot watches{boring ( was there a certain movement that they should have, I don't know)} increasing in value. Any Gerald Genta designed watch may have a chance of enormous potential.

For discussion I think in the future. Yellow gold cases and enamel dials of any (particularly Swiss and German) brand. Movements with, incabloc, glucydur, swan neck regulator. Those will be almost prerequisites for value.

Watches with perlage/perlée and watches known to use real ruby bearings. There may be some cartiers (maybe even early Bvlgari) and other jewelers (used patek and Jaeger movements) these timepieces with incredible movements that the very knowledgeable are aware of could be the real gems over the next decade.

If I were to start researching a watch, not necessarily investment potential, but definite desirable, it would be an early IWC Portuguese. Porsche/IWC's have pretty much been grabbed up. I have a thing for IWC.

5-10k pounds and a good investment ? in new watches probably a diving steel submariner Rolex. What else ?


(3/4 way down page) Auction house's have invaluable info.
https://www.christies.com/features/C..._lang=en&lid=1.

[F10CPROG]

Nice info guys, thanks.

I usually buy watches because i like them, but they might hold money or go down in value. A guy i speak to locally always buys a rolex every few years and just stores it and tells me tales of watches doubling in value in 3-4yrs.

Wondered if there was a hidden art somewhere?

[TheWatchGuy]

the only watches to buy as "investment" pieces are either limited edition rolexes, which you will spend a pretty penny on unless you have a great relationship with a rolex AD, or a steel sports model rolex (sub, GMT, Daytona), which you will spend a pretty penny on unless you have a great relationship with a rolex AD.

And with all of this, there is no way to know what the rolex market will be like in a couple years from now. 3-4 years ago, the rolex market was flooded and you could buy damn near any rolex you wanted for close to or under msrp. Now, the market is still flooded, but watches are "limited" from the ADs so they sell for over MSRP in the secondary market. Now, if Rolex goes back to its old distribution model, or something close to it, you will see the secondary market drop back down and all those people who bought at the premium prices will lose money.

[AlexFL]

I highly recommend Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Rare and relatively inexpensive.

[ASAP]

the what to buy has already been answered so i'll say what not to buy-

definitely not hublot, breitling or omega

[Burnsey]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I highly recommend Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Rare and relatively inexpensive.

Super watch, but drops like a stone from new.

Yes, you can get a discount, but it's a no in terms of investment.

I don't think rarity is available these days, so stay with a recognised brand of a watch you want to wear and wear it. I don't think we'll ever see the Rolex sports situation occur again.

[AlexFL]

Another great inexpensive watch that I really like, even though I don’t know if it’s a good investment, is the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Chronograph.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Mr Burns

Super watch, but drops like a stone from new.

Yes, you can get a discount, but it's a no in terms of investment.

I don't think rarity is available these days, so stay with a recognised brand of a watch you want to wear and wear it. I don't think we'll ever see the Rolex sports situation occur again.

If one could find a Vintage 1950’s 1960’s fifty-fathoms in original condition - real collective piece.
The recent fifties are also noted for their pricey service fees.

[hooligan_G01]

I'll paraphrase an old car racing adage to apply to watches:

How do you make a small fortune collecting watches? Start with a large one....

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by F10CPROG

Nice info guys, thanks.

I usually buy watches because i like them, but they might hold money or go down in value. A guy i speak to locally always buys a rolex every few years and just stores it and tells me tales of watches doubling in value in 3-4yrs.

Wondered if there was a hidden art somewhere?

That could be right regarding the SS Rolex sport models in recent years.

It would require you buying below-market-price 2nd hand watches, however. A neat trick if you can manage it.

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by TheWatchGuy

the only watches to buy as "investment" pieces are either limited edition rolexes, which you will spend a pretty penny on unless you have a great relationship with a rolex AD, or a steel sports model rolex (sub, GMT, Daytona), which you will spend a pretty penny on unless you have a great relationship with a rolex AD.

And with all of this, there is no way to know what the rolex market will be like in a couple years from now. 3-4 years ago, the rolex market was flooded and you could buy damn near any rolex you wanted for close to or under msrp. Now, the market is still flooded, but watches are "limited" from the ADs so they sell for over MSRP in the secondary market. Now, if Rolex goes back to its old distribution model, or something close to it, you will see the secondary market drop back down and all those people who bought at the premium prices will lose money.

Indeed. I wonder how many speculators lost their shirts on trying to flip Panerai watches back in the late 2000s when the secondary market cooled off?

[GenXer]

I wonder what a 2003 GMT Pepsi stainless steel is worth now?

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I wonder what a 2003 GMT Pepsi stainless steel is worth now?

https://www.watchrecon.com/?query=rolex+pepsi+gmt

$10-12K, maybe more depending.

[jsf721]

I own several high end watches and a Casio ocean magma rangeman. That Casio was purchased for 600 ish and sells on eBay for between 2700 and 3k. Wish I bought the whole showcase.

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by F10CPROG

Nice info guys, thanks.

I usually buy watches because i like them, but they might hold money or go down in value. A guy i speak to locally always buys a rolex every few years and just stores it and tells me tales of watches doubling in value in 3-4yrs.

Wondered if there was a hidden art somewhere?

Not anywhere near reality from my decades of experience. Unless he's a pawn broker and is buying watches at 1/2 price. Otherwise, you're not going to make much money after standard maintenance and wearing them. The only real "appreciation" from buying anything expensive is the personal enjoyment from owning and using/wearing/driving it.

[TexasEd]

By investment if you mean retaining value and/or the ability to increase in value I would recommend Rolex, especially in today's climate of shortages, including Rolex.

[VAcurler]

If you are buying a new watch and expect it to go up in price you better flip it as soon as you get it (i.e. buy it at MSRP from your AD and then sell it to someone who doesn't have a relationship with an AD and therefore cannot buy it as MSRP). If you buy something with the expectation that it will go up in price after you buy it, then buy something that isn't being made anymore so that the price isn't artificially constrained by the price of something new. Think of it as the Porsche 911 market. Buy a 2021 GT3 and flip it or buy a 1998 and watch it increase in value but don't buy a 2018 and expect the price to go up anytime soon.