Impact of value increases on use

calalum · Nov 17, 2016

After seeing some of the recent auction results and FS posts, I have been thinking about whether price increases affect (or should affect) how or how often we use our watches. I am a firm believer in the "wear what you own" notion, but now I think a bit more about where I will be in the coming week before switching out to what will be worn during that period, if the piece is something that now has a higher economic value. So if someone has a nice 2998 that they bought a while back for $xxx that is now worth 5x $xxx, does that jump change the likelihood of use?

Thoughts?

CajunTiger · Nov 17, 2016

I think you need to be careful, but not afraid to wear your watches. Personally, I own them to wear them.
I rotate my watches regular enough that wearing them does little to no harm, and since most are at least 50 years old anyway, the small nicks I might add shouldn't affect the value all that much if at all.

But then, I avoid NOS watches for this very reason.

abrod520 · Nov 17, 2016

I've been careful enough wearing my watches that I'm confident I can safely enjoy them in most circumstances.

watchknut · Nov 17, 2016

Totally agree with @CajunTiger...avoid NOS and near perfect watches, buy ones that another little scratch won't crush the value.

Buy to wear and enjoy...insure to protect.

Taddyangle · Nov 17, 2016

I have been thinking the same. I love wearing the Ed White, especially since I installed the JB Champion bracelet. Consequently many of my other watches are not worn. For example, my skyfall, I wear it once a month, if that and it is a watch I simply never see myself selling. I really really wanted that one and I enjoy wearng it the 7-8 times a year I do wear it.

With all this said, I have many watches I love and not enough wrist time to wear them. So storing one (or a few) based on economics would not impact me in how I enjoy my watch collection.

** I tried to store my Ed White, it lasted three weeks.

freehealer · Nov 17, 2016

They were made to tell the time while being worn on the wrist. Seems a shame to just put them in a display case. Wear them with care and choice of use. Not many items can make even a t-shirt and shorts look smart

styggpyggeno1 · Nov 17, 2016

I do not worry too much... I rotate about 70 watches. Two seconds thought is put on selecting a suitable watch according to planned schedule for the day. Office = any watch regardless of condition/value/etc. Rough stuff = tool watch of any make/value but there has to be spare parts available.

philh · Nov 17, 2016

I consider myself a watch a accumulator rather than a collector so the watches I buy are chosen because I like them and as such want to wear them.They are in the main second hand so come with history and I want to add to that history which cannot be achieved by leaving them in a safe.I suppose if you are a watch collector curating grail watches then your attitude to wearing particular watches is different or if you are investing in watches for a return.
I adopted this approach as it allows me the freedom to take risks when buying and as I do not sell any watches I do not have to face any judgment on my purchases.This is known as "Popeye's World" and in this domain every watch is worthless (some really are worthless as my approach and skill has allowed me to make some howlers) so how and when I wear a watch matters little but it keeps me happy.

Perhaps we should start a thread "How I made a £2000 watch into a £200 watch" and I might be able to contribute
😀

Darlinboy · Nov 17, 2016

I buy to wear and am pretty disciplined about selling watches that are not in regular rotation for whatever reason. I do consider more carefully when and wear to wear certain vintage pieces, but not necessarily because of the value. For me, it is more about the difficulty (impossibility in some cases) of finding parts if anything gets banged up or lost.

Need a new bezel for my Rolex 16710? No problem!

For my Tudor 9401? Can be found withh some time and effort.

Same for my 105.003 (plus a fist full of dollars)

For my Cairelli? 😲

meganfox17 · Nov 17, 2016

calalum
So if someone has a nice 2998 that they bought a while back for $xxx that is now worth 5x $xxx, does that jump change the likelihood of use?

Thoughts?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think there are actually TWO Omega Forum readers who purchased the CK2998 Blue Panda LE or miCKey if you like but the watches remain unworn , untouched literally still in plastic wrappers....

jordn · Nov 17, 2016

My position has changed over the years. I've always been a proponent for wearing one's watches - NOS or not - but I can totally understand a collector's desire to preserve a watch's beauty, for oneself and for others to enjoy. I think questions like "Is a wristwatch a wristwatch if it is not worn?" are a bit too existential for this hobby.

jordn · Nov 17, 2016

meganfox17
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think there are actually TWO Omega Forum readers who purchased the CK2998 Blue Panda LE or miCKey if you like but the watches remain unworn , untouched literally still in plastic wrappers....

He means the vintage pre-moon 2998, of course

cicindela · Nov 17, 2016

Just a shame all those non worn watches being wasted at the Omega Museum. 🙁

oddboy · Nov 17, 2016

Until they become unrepairable, I will wear them... but if ever comes the day that they can't be maintained, I may put them away, or better, enclose them in a glass safe so I can at least enjoy them.

flyingout · Nov 18, 2016

oddboy
Until they become unrepairable, I will wear them... but if ever comes the day that they can't be maintained, I may put them away...

This very well describes how I feel about my existing watches. Well, mainly I mean the one vintage piece that has gained significantly in value. But the market increases have adjusted my wish list. I plan to do a lot more traveling again, and especially with the style of travel I like to do, the risk of theft or loss limits the type of watch I'll wear. So I'm still looking for vintage, but they can't be too valuable or conspicuous for that purpose.

abrod520 · Nov 18, 2016

Darlinboy
For me, it is more about the difficulty (impossibility in some cases) of finding parts if anything gets banged up or lost.

This is a good point, and one of the reasons I'm a bit more careful with my Heuers in general. One of the great advantages of wearing a vintage Speedmaster is that it can be repaired / replaced easily (though not cheaply)

OhMegaMan · Nov 18, 2016

Wristwatch is meant to be worn. If i want to buy something to stare at, I buy paintings.

fnfz4 · Nov 20, 2016

if the scratches are not that bad they can be refinished with virtually no loss in metal

milwatch126 · Nov 21, 2016

Sad but I have to admit I own two quite rare watches that I don't wear. One is a Rolex which was serviced a while ago (stickered) and the other is an Omega NOS. I just get them out now and again to look at (sad). The value of both of these watches has increase quite a lot since I purchased them and at some point I will move them on for a grail.

M

Impact of value increases on use

calalum

CajunTiger

abrod520

watchknut

Taddyangle

freehealer

styggpyggeno1

philh

Darlinboy

meganfox17

jordn

jordn

cicindela

oddboy

flyingout

abrod520

OhMegaMan

fnfz4

milwatch126

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