Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmymcgill8
The Watch market is based heavily on knowledge of moving market dynamics of these hard asset goods... invest poorly and you will get poor investment performance or even losses... even SIGNIFICANT losses. This is doubly so/true for the Vintage Horology Market which has it's own sub-genre rules.
This 'wise investment' philosophy is a non-sequitur if one does not really care... However, if your idea is to buy a timepiece, wear it for a period of time, then resell it at par or a slight loss, one should still choose wisely.
I am not specifically pointing at you, but having a look at what you have invested in, I am certain when I say... you did not choose wisely.
You are not alone in this situation as MOST who have entered the market over the last handful of years have experienced these losses when they have combined poor selections with a very soft secondary market... Even World class timepieces are deflating, albeit at a more controled rate, and when you combine that with a timepiece that no one really wants, you can see what will happen to your investments.
Shopping 'Brand' is ultra important and while a piece might be a good watch, a couple of those pieces are from less desirable Brands.
The Rolex Day/Date is your best piece by far, but I think those Vintage 18k D/D Rolex's are MUCH LESS desirable than are the Rolex 'Steel Sports' market over the last 5 years... The Precious metal market is just very soft. In addition, the condition of most your your pieces are <Good and that puts additional downward pressure for you on the secondary market. The price you initially paid is another issue here as it appears you paid top dollar or even Over value for most those pieces.
at any rate, you already know all this because you've got 'experience' now... this is a cautionary tale for others.
I agree that there are some good pieces in the low end of the market, but be advised that you wont be making money in that segment for the most part, you should be able to buy, wear and enjoy those pieces without value retention expectations... again, if you choose wisely.
The horology market is broken down into many segments... the entry level <$1500... the low end <$5000... the main market $7000-$15,000... the high end >$20,000.
If you buy a low end piece for $5000, you might be happy if you can get $3000 when you try and resell it in a couple years... if you're buying a $1500 piece, you are going to be lucky if you get anything for it... maybe $200-$300.
that opens another discussion... should you buy 5 $1500 watches, or should you buy a single $7500 watch?
That is a personal choice based on aversion to risk... Should you spend $7500 putting together a collection of low end pieces that might be worth $1500 used, if your lucky, after your done with them... or should you buy one $7500 watch that might be worth $5800-$6500, or even 'par' when you're done with it?
I come in at the later of those two choices... buy a single piece that you really love and cherish, and choose wisely when you do so.
Last edited by MSchu18; 04-01-2024 at 12:43 PM.