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Clean House and Consolidate...Does it Make Sense?

tyrantlizardrex
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GBTRIUMPH GBTRIUMPH
I have not been wearing some of my older Seikos which are still in excellent condition, so I have been giving them to family.
My goal is to regularly wear the watches I retain...either in rotation or for particular reasons. To not wear a watch is a waste to me. But to attempt to sell them tends to be a frustrating, disheartening, depressing experience. (not to mention sometimes insulting) I therefore very much agree with whittling the collection down to a useful fewer number...either by sales, trades, or gifting.

You hear that Matt?

No need to put a bow on it! 馃槈
 
GBTRIUMPH
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Taddyangle Taddyangle
I left the GTG last month thinking that I am pretty normal when it comes to watches. And that I should not associate with people that are not watch people. This solved a whole bunch of the issues I semi worry about when it comes to the crazy amount of money I spend on watches.

There are enough of us in San Diego that I think we can meet on a regular basis to work though this....
A family member who shall remain unnamed, but goes by "Dad", spent MANY DECADES spending money on country club memberships. Most of that spending was for camaraderie and because the career expected it. But besides the golf clubs, there is nothing to show for the tens of thousands of dollars spent. "Crazy"? If I sold all my expensive watches for 50% (a VERY reasonable number) of what I bought them for...I'd still have something to show for my fun. Enjoy life...you only get one chance.
 
watchknut
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Darlinboy Darlinboy
In the end, only you can decide what works for you.

If you do go down the route you've outlined, you will certainly need more funds, because "On the chopping block" won't pay for "watches to potentially buy".
Not planning on buying all, most likely a combo of those listed...
 
U
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I horse traded my way up from Benrus & Bulova through Longines, IWC & Omega to AP & JLC (with a side of VC). Trust me when I say you're never done. A vintage collector wants the trophy, but they enjoy the hunt more. It's a cycle - get interested, do research, start hunting, make the kill, smile with giddiness and brag a bit on the forum(s), honeymoon, become complacent, start to lose interest, sell, repeat.
 
efauser
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Glad you weren't forced into liquidating, like I was.
Edited:
 
watchknut
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U ulackfocus
I horse traded my way up from Benrus & Bulova through Longines, IWC & Omega to AP & JLC (with a side of VC). Trust me when I say you're never done. A vintage collector wants the trophy, but they enjoy the hunt more. It's a cycle - get interested, do research, start hunting, make the kill, smile with giddiness and brag a bit on the forum(s), honeymoon, become complacent, start to lose interest, sell, repeat.
I know I will never be done...and that is part of why I want to try it. The thrill is in the hunt!
 
U
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watchknut watchknut
I know I will never be done...and that is part of why I want to try it. The thrill is in the hunt!

Then your decision is made, my friend. Start shooting pics for the sale listings ASAP. 馃槈

ps - DON'T post your new watches on Instagram this time. 馃う
Edited:
 
calalum
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GBTRIUMPH GBTRIUMPH
A family member who shall remain unnamed, but goes by "Dad", spent MANY DECADES spending money on country club memberships. Most of that spending was for camaraderie and because the career expected it. But besides the golf clubs, there is nothing to show for the tens of thousands of dollars spent. "Crazy"? If I sold all my expensive watches for 50% (a VERY reasonable number) of what I bought them for...I'd still have something to show for my fun. Enjoy life...you only get one chance.

I totally disagree with your comment. Presumably your dad really enjoyed his time at the club, golfing and hanging with his buddies, etc. There are a lot of great life experiences that don't involve owning tangible items. What about travel, good wine, good meals, charity, etc.?
 
watchknut
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U ulackfocus
Then your decision is made, my friend. Start shooting pics for the sale listings ASAP. 馃槈

ps - DON'T post your new watches on Instagram this time. 馃う
The wife is behind this...to a degree...so IG will be ok.

Sharks are already swarming!
 
U
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watchknut watchknut
The wife is behind this...to a degree...so IG will be ok.

DO use math in your favor: "Honey, I sold 3 watches and only bought 1. Maybe I'll look for another soon, but it's time I start gradually paring down my collection." DON'T tell her what the new watches cost or you ruin the equation.
 
calalum
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Reading the initial post it really just sounds like you are trying to shift what is in the collection. Selling a 1665 and buying some Subs is just a realignment to me, not a major consolidation. Now if you said I am selling these 10 and buying a PN or a Milsub or a 5970 with the proceeds, I would see that as a significant change. I think many here sell what they don't necessarily see as part of their keepers and pick up pieces that are grails at that moment. And as we have seen in lots of posts a grail today may not be a grail next month.
 
timjohn
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Thinning out the herd is easier said than done. I recently put a bunch of watches up for auction, and sold a couple more to a forum member, but it always seems to be offset by another buy....
 
Faz
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U ulackfocus
DO use math in your favor: "Honey, I sold 3 watches and only bought 1. Maybe I'll look for another soon, but it's time I start gradually paring down my collection." DON'T tell her what the new watches cost or you ruin the equation.
Hmmmm. You have to remember that as watch collectors have become more savvy, so have watch collector's wives! I don't think that will fly..馃槖
 
GBTRIUMPH
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calalum calalum
I totally disagree with your comment. Presumably your dad really enjoyed his time at the club, golfing and hanging with his buddies, etc. There are a lot of great life experiences that don't involve owning tangible items. What about travel, good wine, good meals, charity, etc.?
I was delineating the fact that what some people feel is fulfilling, others think is "CRAZY". To "totally disagree" with that is foolish.
 
Larry S
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It's like you have a garage full of drivable, relatively affordable classic cars but you want the classics You see in Pebble Beach. Well get ready because every .25 percenter will be bidding up that price no matter how much cash you free up. Not sure I'd go there.
 
jens0125
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One cheap watch turns in to a few cheap watches, which turns into 1 nice watch which turns in to a few nice watches , which turns into one awesome watch , which turns into a few awesome watches , which turns into one Grail watch, which turns into a few grail watches... Which turns into you going bankrupt, your wife leaves you and then going to AA meetings because you have watch addiction problems..... It's the struggle we all face
 
Larry S
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Madness!!!!!!!!
 
watchknut
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Larry S Larry S
It's like you have a garage full of drivable, relatively affordable classic cars but you want the classics You see in Pebble Beach. Well get ready because every .25 percenter will be bidding up that price no matter how much cash you free up. Not sure I'd go there.
I totally hear you, and that is part of my hesitation for diving into the deep end.

It is going way outside my comfort zone.
 
GBTRIUMPH
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Larry S Larry S
It's like you have a garage full of drivable, relatively affordable classic cars but you want the classics You see in Pebble Beach. Well get ready because every .25 percenter will be bidding up that price no matter how much cash you free up. Not sure I'd go there.
I like the analogy. I am getting the watches I like now, before they turn into 302 Boss Mustangs or Z28 Camaros. Except the Navitimer may already be out of reach and getting further away.
 
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