Community Stories

Are today’s watch prices are control?

JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,981
Archer Archer
I see slight dulness on the finish of the mover, the indicator light showing on the mower looks brighter than factory- I'm guessing service part, I see over polishing on the steering wheel, and the grass is too green, obviously has been fertilized and not a natural patina 😉
 
Archer
Posts
29,141
Likes
75,305
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I see slight dulness on the finish of the mover, the indicator light showing on the mower looks brighter than factory- I'm guessing service part, I see over polishing on the steering wheel, and the grass is too green, obviously has been fertilized and not a natural patina 😉

What would you know - you are clearly not an expert since you missed the broken cowling...top right in photo...😉
 
Kmart
Posts
1,231
Likes
3,796
watchknut watchknut
Oh...another thread on the price of new Rolex.




This is why I focus on vintage.

Vintage Rolex has the same issue though... even run of the mill 5513s and 1016s are now ludicrously expensive compared to just a couple of years ago. To say nothing of the more valuable references.

I would argue that vintage is even less accessible than new. At least when it comes to stainless steel sports watches.
 
03Hemi
Posts
453
Likes
602
Your heading was:
Are today’s watch prices are control?
Did you mean: "Are today’s watch prices our control?"
Short answer is yes. Anything will bring only what the market bares. As long as there are people willing to pay more and more then the prices will continue to reflect this.
Edited:
 
ExpiredWatchdog
Posts
792
Likes
915
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
And yes @STANDY paying $3.50 for a cup of black coffee....are you fυcking kidding me?? That’s what the minimum wage was when I entered the working world!

Gee, you're just a kid.
 
Rumar89
Posts
810
Likes
1,652
Just gotta buy what is out of favor. Lots of value in vintage gold dress watches. Like probably 90% of us, I ride a desk anyway. Three handers fit my lifestyle just fine and I can get arguably much more interesting movements for a pittance compared to most ss sport models.
 
Mouse_at_Large
Posts
2,042
Likes
5,480
The two most accurate watches I have are radio controlled, solar powered Casios. They do everything I need (time, day and date) for under £250 for both. In terms of functionality, no other watch I own can compete. You could argue that the other 10 watches I own are redundant, but aesthetics and other intangibles come in. Then there is potential cash value increase (investment potential). When these factors are added to the value equation, things become complicated. There is no universal rule about when the cost is too high. That is for the market to decide, and the market is made up of individuals, all slightly different, with a differing mix of drivers and breakpoints.
 
O
Posts
6
Likes
22
saulgoodman saulgoodman
So what you are saying is that if a Rolex Sub climbs to $25,000 and someone with limitless resources pays that price he/she would not think twice about whether the item they had just purchased is worth the price? That is nonsense. I know plenty of people with limitless resources and they are very conscientious about where they put their money. That is how they got there in the first place.

What I am wondering is what the consensus is about the breaking point? When is enough enough?

Prices are determined by supply and demand. Watch manufacturers and sellers have some control over pricing but that control is not unlimited. Their goal is to get the maximum price, so we are always bumping up against the breaking point. 5 years from now you’ll probably be even more surprised that prices increased due to inflation.
 
STANDY
Posts
16,853
Likes
47,845
03Hemi 03Hemi
As long as there are people willing to pay more and more then the prices will continue to reflect this.


O OmegaNewbie317
5 years from now you’ll probably be even more surprised that prices increased due to inflation.

I think competition is a higher reason than inflation alone.

I see in the vintage game it’s more of numbers. The more people in the vintage watch game has pushed the prices up. Years ago you were competing against 2-3 people on eBay then it was 10-15 now it’s crazy
 
O
Posts
6
Likes
22
STANDY STANDY
I think competition is a higher reason than inflation alone.

I see in the vintage game it’s more of numbers. The more people in the vintage watch game has pushed the prices up. Years ago you were competing against 2-3 people on eBay then it was 10-15 now it’s crazy

As I stated in my post, prices are determined by supply and demand. This is basically what you are stating in you post above.

But at a minimum, prices will likely be higher due to inflation.
 
vacheroyale
Posts
177
Likes
147
S.H. S.H.
Watches are not watches anymore, this has been the case for some years (decades?) now. The watches you mention are luxury items, fashion items, social items, etc... not simply functional watches, used to tell the time. BTW, vintage or modern, it is the same boat. These objects degenerated from their primary function long ago, so it is somewhat "normal" to see their prices float around. Some watches are cheap compared to what they are (vintage pocket watches), some are ludicrously expensive regardless of their various qualities (or lack thereof)...

Personally I tune out north of 3k, my own limit. Anything priced more than that, enters the realm of dreams and theories... Veblen goods, smoke and mirrors.


that's right, they are not timepieces anymore, and in the last fifteen years or so they became luxury speculative items , where many people invest money and wait for a profitable return later. they are almost like stocks. some people they consider they collection as an investment portfolio, almost like a roth ira or so. who knows how it will change in the next twenty years!😟
 
03Hemi
Posts
453
Likes
602
STANDY STANDY
I think competition is a higher reason than inflation alone.

I see in the vintage game it’s more of numbers. The more people in the vintage watch game has pushed the prices up. Years ago you were competing against 2-3 people on eBay then it was 10-15 now it’s crazy
I remember years ago before the internet came along buying solid gold, vintage watches from vendors tables set up at various malls, those days are long gone for sure.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Aludic

Buying a Speedmaster 3590.50; by-catch still exists in today's watch world

Aludic Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
gbesq
gbesq
Posts
8
Views
3K