Hi You may know that I love tre tacche ( Even if I have to part with one to fund another longines incoming) but recently I had some discussion with people thinking the price for those watches ( the 35mm ones) is overrated (typically in the 10-16 US range depending your luck and where you buy it). I understand and I was myself very surprised to see how high those watches went over the last 2-3 years. But today, a limit had been reach with this one, asking 20k US. I know it is from a.watch dealer and I know that asking price is not Selling price but I think this becomes really ridiculous... I am quite sure it will not sell at this price but don't you think the vintage market is becoming out of control? I noted that longines is one the most exposed brand for very very large market price as well... Same ref can sold for twice the price of other one sometimes without any real explanation... Maybe i am becoming old but all this speculation kill more and more the fun in this passion...
As long as there are people who buy, the prices will tend to go up. It's already happened for Rolex and now it's happening for other brands too. BTW that watch has nothing to justify that price.
Agreed - there seem to be certain models that are not overly rare or unique (mechanically/aesthetically) that command very high prices.
The sharp rise is values of vintage watches has mainly been driven by fashion. So, if one is willing to pay increasingly high premiums for models that are in particular demand, that is fine. But it is also, in a sense, quite silly that such watches often command two or three (or more) times the price of high-class chronometers, and far more than very similar watches (of roughly equivalent quality) produced by less fashionable brands. I personally would find even half the price of the subject watch to be ludicrous.
Japanese market for vintage and Longines in particular often 2x; take for example the DH sold on same site for nearly 5k.
A DH at 5k is 5 times the market price. For the Tre Tacche, 20k/5=4k. That's about right. Also, the lume on their watch does not look quite right.
I have seen a number of larger TTs sell at north of $20k, and some well beyond. Seems that the market for nice vintage - be it Omega, Movado or any number of other brands - has risen quite a bit in recent years. Still plenty of reasonably priced vintage timepieces out there though......
and you know a thing or two about the market One sold for $25k in December, a NOS example. Crazyness...and wait until Goldberger's book comes out.
If it's in Japan it is. Been there several times and visited vintage watch dealers, you can't haggle, a price is a price. And all they have is overpriced in my view. But they didn't seem to care what I thought In November 17 I saw vintage watches and wacth dealer with stands inside some of the hippest fashion stores in Tokyo - dealing in new and vintage clothing, and some wacthes and retro stuff, it's all about fashion and price is not of any great importance to many of their customers.
No one negotiates in Japan except at Akihabara and Bic Camera or Yodobashi Camera (computers and new watches). Ginza and Aoyama areas I don't think you get much in terms of discount except duty free. Jack/Betty Roads and others basically come to USA and Europe to buy and sell in Japan. Buy high and sell higher. Poor gauge of current USA prices anyways.
Prices will only rise if there are people willing to pay. And most traders by definition are “overpriced” or rather, they are in a different market segment. I think the reasons are clear to everyone.
Not many vintage brands left that are not overhyped, overpriced, overfaked, overdoctored. The golden days of vintage watch collecting may be over. I need a zoloft .
I consider ourselves to be in the "Golden Age" at the height of it. Prices keep going up like there is no end. Every time there is Tax Reform, watches change owners. Either too broke to keep them, or so rich want a more elusive watch.