Does a High End Watch stop being such when it becomes vintage?

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This is vitriol? You must be new to the internet.
 
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Big brown button....maybe even a sniff and scratch type of item. [emoji102]
I could use a button on the sales forums something like, "I'd totally buy this from you if I had no one to answer to." I just settle for the "like" button.
 
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For those who are truly watch aficionados, the watch I posted a picture of is a very rare 18K white gold Rolex Datejust from 1970s. Most of you will never have a chance to hold one in your hands not to mention owning one
And you're surprised at the responses you get?

It's a great watch, and it looks great, the fact that is platinum is irrelevant to the watch itself though, and it remains a platinum mid level watch. Expensive, beautiful, but mid level.

Precious metals and stones do not make a high end watch, that is what everyone keeps telling you but you insist.

If I get a turd and cast it on platinum it's still a turd. It may end up in MOMA but it's a platinum turd.

And no, I'm not saying that watch is a turd. I love rolex and wear them happily and proudly and love the datejust. But just because I love it it doesn't make it the most amazing watch in the world.

As for the second part of your statement...really? That's where you're coming from? That's your argument and approach? Because it's not only ignorant but it casts you in a very unflattering light. Hell, there's a member of this forum that has just set for sale on an hour more class and quality work than I'm sure you'll get to understand in this lifetime, and those are his discards!....or perhaps that is an ignorant and stupid thing to say??? I'll let you decide.
 
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This your car???? 001.jpg

Is this a high end car?

One of the most prestigious of marques, the 1977 Porsche 924 in stunning (mostly) Guards Red, powered by a formidable 95hp (at one point), 4 cylinder Volkswagen van engine, coupled to an eager 3-speed automatic box from Audi, it may be slightly polished in parts but between its pop up headlights, giant glass hatchback, diving board bumpers and candybar tail lights its about as modern and contemporary as any vehicle in 2015.

Viva la Porsche![/QUOTE]
 
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Let's not waste energy engaging with internet trolls, gentlemen.
 
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"high end" generally denotes the most expensive in a line of products.
I would never consider a Datejust "high end" regardless of its rarity. It is a mid level watch, with this example that happens to be uncommon, that does not make it "high end".

Regarding condition- IMO condition has no bearing on whether an item is "high end" or not.
 
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Does it stop being High End because the condition is not pristine anymore?
First of all, there is no way anyone can tell from a single internet picture whether that specimen was anything other than steel. Yes, 18K white gold was very rare in the 1960's. That's because it was woefully out of style then. Not so much now.

Is a Rolex "Paul Newman" or "Jean-Claude Killy" considered a high-end watch because they sell for crazy money? The only reason they sell for so much is because wanna be's want to brag. Both have movements that were not even made by Rolex, although the cases are Rolex.

Frankly, I wouldn't pay that kind of money unless either Messrs. Newman or Killy rose from the grave to deliver one to me.

They are nice, just not that nice. To each their own.
gatorcpa
 
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I would love to own a beat-up, scratched glass Speedmaster 2915-1, and laugh like a moron every time somebody told me I needed to get a new watch.
 
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A "High End" watch (anything North of PP, VC et al) will always be a HE watch.

Condition (C, C, C.) will determine value

A pristine HE watch will command a premium in its domain of want.

A HE beater will go for whatever somebody is prepared to pay, it may be a pile of crap but it will still be HE.
 
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A "High End" watch (anything North of PP, VC et al) will always be a HE watch.

Condition (C, C, C.) will determine value

A pristine HE watch will command a premium in its domain of want.

A HE beater will go for whatever somebody is prepared to pay, it may be a pile of crap but it will still be HE.

Can't beat Patek or VC in tip top condition. Rolex is very much mid range, the only good thing about Rolex is the build quality and resale value.
 
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I would love to own a beat-up, scratched glass Speedmaster 2915-1, and laugh like a moron every time somebody told me I needed to get a new watch.
That's OK, but doesn't answer the question. Is it a high-end watch?

I don't think so. Just a high priced watch.

Not the same thing, although some seem to think so.
gatorcpa
 
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That's OK, but doesn't answer the question. Is it a high-end watch?

I don't think so. Just a high priced watch.

Not the same thing, although some seem to think so.
gatorcpa

Ok, to answer the question then; A high end watch doesn't stop being a high end watch, it just become a beat-up high end watch. The definition of high end watch is one of pedigree, not of condition.
 
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Ok, to answer the question then; A high end watch doesn't stop being a high end watch, it just become a beat-up high end watch. The definition of high end watch is one of pedigree, not of condition.

Well said. 😉
 
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ah, but how much pedigree defines a "high end watch"? 🍿
 
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ah, but how much pedigree defines a "high end watch"? 🍿
IMO, high-end means top of line when it was new. A Speedmaster was not considered a top of the line watch when it was new. The value today is based more on collectors wanting to identify with the Gemini and Apollo astronauts. Makes it very expensive today, but that alone doesn't make a high end watch. Same would be true of an Omega Ranchero, to a lesser extent.

An 18K Constellation with the gold bracelet was high-end. Well at least the case was. So was just about any vintage Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet or Vacheron & Constantin.

There is a difference between collector value and intrinsic value.
gatorcpa
 
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I've come in to read this great adventure occasionally over the last few days, but avoided posting because of all the "pilling on" going on in it. BUT of course, being a watch guy the urge to express MY view has now overcome me.

What I think this thread shows it that we all have our own views. Some say precious metals and gems added to a quartz watch with a respected brand name make it high end. Others, just an expensive (to them) watch makes it high end.

To me, it's about a combination of the hand craftsmanship, brand reputation, and price. Of all the watches I own and have owned, only my AP Royal Oak is one I'd say fits my definition of high end due to the hand craftsmanship that goes into making one, the limited production numbers and price.

My Breitlings, Omegas, Rolex, Panerai, and even Blancpain were made mainly by CNC machines, some hand polishing/finishing and then hand assembled.

There's my two cents and it's worth exactly what you paid for it.
 
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2 words for me, market economy + supply demand.... But personally, what ever I wear I like, HE or not matters not....