Hodinkee pre-owned pricing

pnwyankee · Jun 9, 2022

I receive emails from Hodinkee and lately lots of them have been to promote their pre-owned inventory. Which is fine with me, I welcome being tempted.
However, it seems to me that their pricing isn't just high, it is "stupid high" 🤨
Curious if other members here agree?

YY77 · Jun 9, 2022

There is a reason Hodinkee tax is a familiar expression around the different watchforums.

Tony C. · Jun 9, 2022

pnwyankee
Curious if other members here agree?

To add insult to injury, as they say, the descriptions of the watches cannot be relied upon for accuracy.

alane24 · Jun 9, 2022

Analog Shift is the same way, and so are many dealers. This is just the nature of supply and demand. Hodinkee can afford to price high as watch sales are just one stream of revenue. I just wonder who the folks are that are paying these stupidly high prices.

bmpennington · Jun 9, 2022

Anthony Lane
Analog Shift is the same way, and so are many dealers. This is just the nature of supply and demand. Hodinkee can afford to price high as watch sales are just one stream of revenue. I just wonder who the folks are that are paying these stupidly high prices.

People who don't know much about the watch market or don't care.

TexOmega · Jun 9, 2022

No need to shout at the clouds, the ones buying now are mostly relatively new to collecting and these are the prices, NOW.(Granted, some are outliers). They have no recollection of prices 3-5-12 years ago.

I remember the grief I received from seasoned collectors at shows. Typical exchange when I started 15-18 years ago:

Them: What do you got there?
ME: My cool -69SW, I just got it from service.
Them: Nice....what'd you have to pay?
Me: $1800 plus $400 service. I think that was pretty good from what I see.
Them: Shaking their head and walking away, You got robbed, I used to buy these for $2-300 10-15 years ago.
Me: (to myself) Well it aint 10-15 years ago.

You jump in when you jump in.

SpeedyPhill · Jun 9, 2022

IMHO the best way to buy the wrist watch You're looking for is among friends and forum-friends... Face-to-Face 😉

alane24 · Jun 9, 2022

Folks also probably don't realize that there's a fair bit of editing that goes on. It's more than just snapping a quick photo with your iPhone. They are paying a photographer a wage to do this among the other people who are sourcing, writing descriptions, etc.

Rochete · Jun 9, 2022

They aren't "high" if someone pays them. Price is "high" only if the good remains unsold.

TheGreekPhysique · Jun 9, 2022

I think they charge the prices that they do because all of the watches they offer as part of the pre-owned selection are serviced by Rolex who have high servicing costs and can take up to 6 months to get your watch back so they factor in interest on their investment.

::stirthepot::

JayBe · Jun 9, 2022

Rochete
They aren't "high" if someone pays them. Price is "high" only if the good remains unsold.

I think you are misunderstanding the difference between "high" and "too high".
That being said, some of the prices don't seem ridiculous to me, given that people with limited knowledge can buy with more confidence than at a less reputable seller, which at these price points adds significant value to many.
The hours studying watches are not paid too well in terms of "time invested" and "money saved", so it only makes sense as a hobby and these reputable sellers are a very good option for the rest.

Rochete · Jun 9, 2022

JayBe
I think you are misunderstanding the difference between "high" and "too high".

Perhaps I should've written "stupid high" as in OP.

SpeedyPhill · Jun 9, 2022

It's a business... not a hobby for Hodinkee 😉

5thdvd · Jun 9, 2022

I'm quite keen to hear what others' thoughts are if we were to pick a particular listing from a brand that many in this forum have deep familiarity with:

1967 Omega Constellation Ref. 168.019 In 18k White Gold

-Is it rare to find a full white gold C-shaped / C-cased connie (including the bracelet), as the description states?
-Does 168.019 come with knurled bezel?
-What would you think is a reasonable price for this example? I understand the market price doesn't always line up with what we think would be reasonable but keen to see what others' think.

JayBe · Jun 9, 2022

I believe this specific watch has been already debated here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/196...tion-168-019-on-hodinkee.142001/#post-1936525

dsio · Jun 9, 2022

5thdvd
I'm quite keen to hear what others' thoughts are if we were to pick a particular listing from a brand that many in this forum have deep familiarity with:

1967 Omega Constellation Ref. 168.019 In 18k White Gold

-Is it rare to find a full white gold C-shaped / C-cased connie (including the bracelet), as the description states?
-Does 168.019 come with knurled bezel?
-What would you think is a reasonable price for this example? I understand the market price doesn't always line up with what we think would be reasonable but keen to see what others' think.

White gold is genuinely rare on an early Constellation, on a C-Case not so much. I’ve seen several in person and bought an 18k white gold bracelet once for very little. They carry a minimal premium over yellow gold and I would say rose gold is the rare color in C-Cases.

5thdvd · Jun 9, 2022

JayBe
I believe this specific watch has been already debated here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/196...tion-168-019-on-hodinkee.142001/#post-1936525

Thanks @JayBe , didn't see this, a whole thread on this particular listing!

dsio
White gold is genuinely rare on an early Constellation, on a C-Case not so much. I’ve seen several in person and bought an 18k white gold bracelet once for very little. They carry a minimal premium over yellow gold and I would say rose gold is the rare color in C-Cases

Thanks @dsio , thanks for that - indeed RG examples seem to be hard to find (have been Googling to have a peep) - all very lovely!

STANDY · Jun 10, 2022

From Hodinkee
“The typical HODINKEE reader holds a master’s degree or higher, browses from his professional office, earns more than $200,000 per year, owns seven+ watches, and purchases, on average, three watches per year with an average value of $7,000 or higher per watch.”

“We have a whole team of independent editors whose job is to tell the best possible stories about the world of watches and the culture of time. We are often asked for recommendation about watches, so we created the HODINKEE Shop in 2012 to curate our favorite products, from books and accessories to vintage, modern and pre-owned watches.”

From Me
Time poor, money rich dudes that like to look cool at the boardroom table with something vintage Hodinkee said was cool and sold them.

alane24 · Jun 10, 2022

STANDY
Time poor, money rich dudes that like to look cool at the boardroom table with something vintage Hodinkee said was cool and sold them.

Hilarious and cynical AF, but likely 110% true for the most part.

Hodinkee pre-owned pricing

pnwyankee

YY77

Tony C.

alane24

bmpennington

TexOmega

SpeedyPhill

alane24

Rochete

TheGreekPhysique

JayBe

Rochete

SpeedyPhill

5thdvd

JayBe

dsio

5thdvd

STANDY

alane24

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