Help me buy more watches

robinhook · May 23, 2019

Vercingetorix
Cannot compare a “typical” mutual to the above average return the Speedmaster has experienced. A Seiko 5 would be a better “typical” watch.

In the investment world, a common statement is that the higher risk, the higher return. When people talk about investment in the financial market here on this forum, they sounded like these are quite safe and you can expect to make money or at least breakeven. I take that as a mentality of “safe” investment. With that expectation, I don’t think there’s an instrument more representative than the typical mutual fund.

On the other hand, I hope anyone with the idea of “investing” in watches is not thinking about Seiko 5. That’s just nuts. I would ask the following:
1. Is Speedy well known to all collectors from newbies to seasoned?
2. Is speedy supply sufficient that anyone who want one can readily buy it?
3. Is speedy liquidable, meaning it’s frequently traded on the market and that it’s relatively easy to sell if you want to sell?
With all answers to the above as yes, I’d say speedy is a mainstream contender and cornerstone of any collection.

And finally, my point stands, that there’re good and bad investments in the watch world and financial market. There’s hardly anything “typical”, and your results depend on your knowledge and strategy.

JwRosenthal · May 23, 2019

I think it also comes down to how much is your time worth, and what do you consider a respectable rate of return. I have friends that are elated when they gain $100k in the stock market for the year. I have others that bemoan only making $100k in the stock market for the year...all about perspective.
I always perform a mental cost/benefit analysis with anything I do: how much time and energy do I need to invest and is the return worth it. To me, making a few hundred dollars on a deal isn’t worth my effort, but to others, making $20 is a win. Neither is right or wrong, just a matter of perspective.
In collecting, everything is relative and subjective. The OP could be thrilled by buying a watch, wearing it for 5 years and selling it for a $200 profit. If that works for him-then bully.
But as with any investment, there are speculators and professionals, and there are day traders and hobbyists. I think it’s very important to know where you stand in this pecking order and never gamble with money you can’t afford lose.

joeshoup · May 23, 2019

JwRosenthal
never gamble with money you can’t afford lose.

Indeed, that's the crux of it. While I hope to sell a few watches for modest profit, I don't expect to. I think of this more as a hobby where the depreciation is much lower than usual - if I buy a $1000 watch and end up selling it for $900, then I just spent $100 to experience something interesting and pleasurable. $100 barely buys dinner for two where I live!

JwRosenthal
I think it also comes down to how much is your time worth, and what do you consider a respectable rate of return. I have friends that are elated when they gain $100k in the stock market for the year. I have others that bemoan only making $100k in the stock market for the year...all about perspective.
I always perform a mental cost/benefit analysis with anything I do: how much time and energy do I need to invest and is the return worth it. To me, making a few hundred dollars on a deal isn’t worth my effort, but to others, making $20 is a win. Neither is right or wrong, just a matter of perspective.
In collecting, everything is relative and subjective. The OP could be thrilled by buying a watch, wearing it for 5 years and selling it for a $200 profit. If that works for him-then bully.
But as with any investment, there are speculators and professionals, and there are day traders and hobbyists. I think it’s very important to know where you stand in this pecking order and never gamble with money you can’t afford lose.

Edward53 · May 24, 2019

Having collected in various fields for much longer than this one, IMO the following applies to all antiques and collectables, including watches: Learn by research and painful experience (the latter is unavoidable) what is and isn't nice. Once you have well and truly acquired a good eye, buy what you really like. That is the only way quality vintage watches work as an investment, and those returns won't pay the mortgage.

To make real money, create a sales platform, buy crap, polish it up and sell it to mugs.

Walrus · May 25, 2019

Yeah I think you really need a lot of knowledge and experience if you want to make watches as investments. I picked up a few things I thought I could “flip” not just for profit to to build capitol for nicer watches. That was my plan. Ended up with a few nice watches but they seem to be for my collection which is fine. I’m even going after some non mint specimens of a couple sixties and seventies omegas and fixing them up. I’m quite happy actually I know these watches would leave me with additional value, as I said not mint so not a lot but I’m quite pleased. So it’s all good, do as you wish

Walrus · May 25, 2019

Ah I’m in stocks, mutual funds, 401k, gold, silver bitcoin rental properties etc. All these things have up and downs of course. I’ve collected coins and found the market really spiked a while ago 500 bucks for one guys card and I had ten of them. Today, they might be worth 100 if that. I actually payed my noob taxes prior to joining the forum. It’s just my opinion but but I think watches will do similar.

That of course is my opinion. For now I found my niche and I am glad I picked up a couple Vostoks recently. I’m in the engineering dpt. at my job and it can be very hands on with equipment. Grease dirt etc and I’m wearing a watch that retailed for 3,000 (now worth much less) not because I was showing off at work I just loved that damn watch.

In closing I will say I got a good deal on a Tag. I bought it with the intention off selling it for a small profit all of which would go towards another watch but I found it wasn’t a very bright mov. Not much interest in Tags but to be honest it has a very nice dial

Walrus · May 25, 2019

Sorry last thing. If you really want to do it give it a try

TimtimeIntl · May 25, 2019

I've sold many watches that are worth a lot more now, but I made money when I sold them. I also have a few watches that will lose money and many watches that will make only a little money that if that money were invested in a varied stock portfolio I probably may have done better. My friends who truly make a living selling watches flip them very quickly for any kind of profit and don't look back. But where is the fun in that? I think you read correctly from all above that you should spend as much as you can on watches and that they are a great savings for the future!

athom · May 25, 2019

corn18
Sorry, you're SOL on this argument. At least in my experience. Over a 2 year period, I bought a lot of watches and spent $174,203. I sold them for $156,457. That is a loss of 9.1% over 2 years. I'm sure I could do better now (not).

What did you buy ffs...??!

Help me buy more watches

robinhook

JwRosenthal

joeshoup

Edward53

Walrus

Walrus

Walrus

TimtimeIntl

athom

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