Advice needed: trading LE Speedmasters for Jaeger-LeCoultre Tribute to Polaris

Posts
677
Likes
1,273
The JLC that I am looking at purchasing. The asking price is US$26 500

I had that very same watch in steel, limited to 65. Very nice watch, but very shiny and quite thick. But the biggest issue, you'll have is that if you want to sell it someday, then you will probably see that the market for that platinum divers is tiny.
 
Posts
677
Likes
1,273
The JLC that I am looking at purchasing. The asking price is US$26 500

I had that very same watch in steel, limited to 65. Very nice watch, but very shiny and quite thick. But the biggest issue, you'll have is that if you want to sell it someday, then you will probably see that the market for these platinum divers is tiny.
Edited:
 
Posts
996
Likes
1,862
That JLC is UAF if you ask me. Stick with your Speedies, they're beautiful and unique.
 
Posts
17
Likes
1
Dear Esteemed Members

I am refocusing my watch collection and to achieve certain objectives I am considering trading 3 of my limited edition Speedmasters (Apollo 13 25th Anniversary LE of 999 UNWORN, Apollo 13 45th Anniversary Silver Snoopy LE of 1970 BNIB and Apollo 11 40th Anniversary LE of 7969 MINT) for a JLC Tribute to Polaris LE of 165 in Platinum.

Hi, new member here, thought I'd chip in! The Polaris is a great watch but have you considered the steel version? Personally I prefer it plus it's cheaper and you could still keep the snoopy!
 
Posts
1,042
Likes
1,339
That JLC is doing nothing for me, so I would never do that trade, irrespective of the economics or investment upside. I guess that's the point though - everyone has different tastes, different means and different risk tolerance, so I'm not sure you are going to find a definitive answer here, because only you know your situation.
Edited:
 
Posts
28,048
Likes
71,604
UAF?

Ugly As Fu..

Calling any of those Speedmasters "unique" is actually pretty hilarious...
 
Posts
921
Likes
734
Ugly As Fu..

Calling any of those Speedmasters "unique" is actually pretty hilarious...
Haha! It's like learning a foreign language on here every day!
 
Posts
680
Likes
754
Nope nope nope. Would never even consider it. Snoopy has finally bottomed out, and I would never get rid of it at the current rate, especially as they're now starting to get into the hands of collectors that are going to hold them. It would be like selling AAPL when it's hit a low.

The Apollo XIII is even more rare (I think I've only seen 3-4 for sale in my years collecting, granted I don't pay a ton of attention to them), so I doubt I'd be selling that or trading that.

The Apollo XI is a pretty meh watch. I'd be fine getting rid of it, just not in conjunction with what you're going to have to let go.

How long have you been thinking of the refocus of your collection? If it's recent, I'd think some more before pulling the trigger. You shouldn't have to give up all three to get the JLC.
 
Posts
73
Likes
90
If u really like the style of the watch and a noble metal is not important then get the SS version JLC released which seems very similar. I also think that this is too much of trade for what u are getting. If this were for a Lange or Patek then perhaps but not for this JLC model.
 
Posts
1,306
Likes
1,456
I'd do the swap its just that it looks like the JLC has been a little close to the buffing wheel for something that expensive.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
Ree Ree
The hardest would be to let Snoopy go...
Totally agree. It was a huge mission getting the Snoopy. I saw a picture of it a couple of months after it was launched and had zero change of getting one. My AD went to great lengths to get one for me. I received the Snoopy in June 2016 and a week later I moved to the UK. The Snoopy has been locked in my safe in South Africa all this time.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
If u really like the style of the watch and a noble metal is not important then get the SS version JLC released which seems very similar. I also think that this is too much of trade for what u are getting. If this were for a Lange or Patek then perhaps but not for this JLC model.
Thanks. The precious metal is not my reason for wanting to buy the JLC. I prefer SS as I believe it ages better and takes the knocks in life much better. The dial of the SS JLC (also limited to 768 pieces) is different to the platinum model and I like the understated dial of the platinum. Having said that, the price difference of US$12 000 is substantial.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
Thanks @PvOmega. As I said in my reply to @jcs2000, it is not the precious metal that is attracting me to the JLC but the dial which is understated and different to the SS version.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
That JLC is doing nothing for me, so I would never do that trade, irrespective of the economics or investment upside. I guess that's the point though - everyone has different tastes, different means and different risk tolerance, so I'm not sure you are going to find a definitive answer here, because only you know your situation.
@arcadelt, I agree with what you are saying. Having reflected on the comments and having read a couple of articles about watch collecting and the selling to buy concept, I realized that I am at a crossroads with my collection. Not only in terms of what I should be keeping in my collection or what I should be collecting but probably more important, whether I have reached the stage where I stop altogether.

I am always looking for another watch, something different. I have a few watches that I wear regularly, but most are lying in their own little bag or watch warmer in a safe. I take them out once a watch to wind and look at, and then they go back into the safe. I recently bought a Seiko Diver's from a member, and although being the cheapest watch that I own, it has become the one that I wear most often. It is understated, wears very comfortably and keep time as good, if not better, than my COSC Chronometers.

I suppose the saying: when in doubt, do nothing - should prevail. Over a bottle of red wine and watching the Singapore F1 and SBK this afternoon, I will ponder this issue and hopefully arrive at a decision. Be it right or wrong I suppose only time will tell.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
Nope nope nope. Would never even consider it. Snoopy has finally bottomed out, and I would never get rid of it at the current rate, especially as they're now starting to get into the hands of collectors that are going to hold them. It would be like selling AAPL when it's hit a low.

The Apollo XIII is even more rare (I think I've only seen 3-4 for sale in my years collecting, granted I don't pay a ton of attention to them), so I doubt I'd be selling that or trading that.

The Apollo XI is a pretty meh watch. I'd be fine getting rid of it, just not in conjunction with what you're going to have to let go.

How long have you been thinking of the refocus of your collection? If it's recent, I'd think some more before pulling the trigger. You shouldn't have to give up all three to get the JLC.
The refocus is recent. I have added 5 watches in the last 3 months which have made me realize that I am buying more for the sake of having the specific watch rather than buying to a definite plan for my collection.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
That's a little high for the Batman GMT2. Here's one for $9,000 and probably negotiable: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=559890
And one listed for $8500: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=559890
Several $thousand less if you go for the all black bezel insert.
Thank you for the info @ras47. The actual Rolex RSP in South Africa is US$8 600, but you can't get hold of one. The other problem is that you pay a 10% customs value plus 14% VAT on the importation of a watch. Dealers/Traders in SA know that, hence the higher prices being charged, i.e. the US$9 500 is SA equals US$8 190 pre-importation price - shipping and exchange rate volatility excluded (our currency devalued by 3% against the US Dollar on Friday because of the IED on the tube in London.
 
Posts
833
Likes
1,777
Nice problem to have! And the JLC is a very elegant, distinctive watch. But I've a feeling that you might well find yourself as I have in similar circumstances - excited by the 'chase' for the JLC, and while this is so, underestimating how much, deep down, you love those three Speedies - after all, I bet you were just as excited when you were lusting after them? What then happens is you satisfy yourself by acquiring the JLC, but as soon as that's done, you regret parting with the Speedies; result: you have to go out and find three replacements, spending way above your original budget for the JLC. Like following your football club, this hobby is possibly just a form of masochism.
 
Posts
75
Likes
233
Nice problem to have! And the JLC is a very elegant, distinctive watch. But I've a feeling that you might well find yourself as I have in similar circumstances - excited by the 'chase' for the JLC, and while this is so, underestimating how much, deep down, you love those three Speedies - after all, I bet you were just as excited when you were lusting after them? What then happens is you satisfy yourself by acquiring the JLC, but as soon as that's done, you regret parting with the Speedies; result: you have to go out and find three replacements, spending way above your original budget for the JLC. Like following your football club, this hobby is possibly just a form of masochism.
You make a good point.