Looking to buy a new watch as a longer term investment

Taddyangle · Apr 5, 2015

You might have better luck betting red in Vegas vs buying a new snoopy moon watch as an investment.

What type of return are you looking for on your investments? 5% each year, 10% each year? 25% after three years? Or are you in for the long haul?

I think the best we can hope for as an "investment" is to buy and enjoy. If you buy used and smart a watch that is in nice condition and take care of the watch, I do think the reality is you would be able to sell it for what you paid. Sure you can get lucky and catch a vintage model/brand on the rise but really how many 321 speedys can one own and enjoy 😀.

I was bidding on two 321s today, freaking a 105.012 sold for ~$7500. Are you kidding me....

gatorcpa · Apr 5, 2015

The only new watch that I know that routinely appreciates is the Rolex Daytona. However, unless you are a top customer of a large Rolex dealer, you can forget about it. These are highly rationed and an average dealer is lucky to get one or two per year.

All others are going to depreciate anywhere from 20% to 50% the first year and go down from there, to a point. If it ever gets recognized as "collectible", it will reach a rock bottom, then slowly rise. In 20 or 30 years, you may get your money back without inflation.
gatorcpa

Drawarms · Apr 5, 2015

pitpro
Want a great "investment" watch?
Hang around, learn, and buy a 1960's Speedmaster.
And it looks right at home next to today's large
styling.

EXACTLY THIS!

CajunTiger · Apr 5, 2015

gatorcpa
The only new watch that I know that routinely appreciates is the Rolex Daytona. However, unless you are a top customer of a large Rolex dealer, you can forget about it. These are highly rationed and an average dealer is lucky to get one or two per year.

All others are going to depreciate anywhere from 20% to 50% the first year and go down from there, to a point. If it ever gets recognized as "collectible", it will reach a rock bottom, then slowly rise. In 20 or 30 years, you may get your money back without inflation.
gatorcpa

My AD has several available.

yinzerniner · Apr 5, 2015

CajunTiger
My AD has several available.

I've always heard that it's impossible to purchase a Daytona, and I always scoff at the notion. Maybe just false exclusivity on the part of select shady dealers.....

alfanator · Apr 5, 2015

If your budget is about $5k and you want a Speedmaster, pick up a 105.012 or 145.012, get it serviced, pick up a few straps, the MWO book, wear it, and rest assured that it will appreciate as you enjoy it.

Although, you will soon find yourself looking for a 003, 002, 2998-1, 2915 and all sorts of Speedmasters that you had no idea existed...and you have no idea how you did without. Then you get into constellations, seamasters and you become a WIS.

lillatroll · Apr 6, 2015

hello
Buy all the 80s omega watches that you can get your hands on because no one wants them, if they are gold plated even better because even fewer people want them, put them away for 10/20 years and everyone will want them......no don't do that, buy the watch you love the most, the one that puts a smile on your face when you think about it let alone wear it and don't worry about it making money. I am going to buy a new seamaster bullhead because I love it and even thinking about it and seeing it in pictures puts a smile on my face, I bet in a few years time I couldn't give it away even if I wanted to, but I will be happy owning it, and in my opinion that is the only reason for me to buy a watch.

Bienne2998 · Apr 6, 2015

As a long term investment there's only the vintage market - I totally agree with the other forum members.
Would you buy a new car as an investment - even if it's a limited edition. It won't work. If you buy an old-timer it may work.

but even the vintage market is a beast. Even if you educate yourself with a lot of time invested, you will end up with some nice pieces that rise in prices but there will always be others that don't (and like with stock prices you will never hear people talk about these... they will always talk about the rare good ones... (it's human behavior)

Well I am sure there are people who can live good with investing in the vintage watch markets.... I do not - for me it't still y passionate but expensive hobby.

I think there are other markets where it's easier to make money.
Best Thomas

dsio · Apr 6, 2015

Shem
It's very unpredictable what would be a good "investment" watch. The best I could suggest would be to find a very popular LE that still comes up in new or like-new condition from time to time -- perhaps the Apollo-Soyuz 35th Anniversary with meteorite dial or the Gemini IV -- and buy one of those. You're very unlikely to lose any money, and you might make some as they get rarer and rarer. It's at least reasonably safe, as watches go.

That's probably one of the safer bets, Gemini IV, Apollo 11 35th, original Snoopy, original Missions Apollo 11 or 13, one of those sold out but very popular models that didn't have a huge production run (Snoopy did but broke the mould in this case).

Raffles · Apr 6, 2015

Raffles
Very good. Hearing you loud and clear. Think will stick with the stocks and shares and buy a watch I really like first.

dsio
That's probably one of the safer bets, Gemini IV, Apollo 11 35th, original Snoopy, original Missions Apollo 11 or 13, one of those sold out but very popular models that didn't have a huge production run (Snoopy did but broke the mould in this case).

Thanks everyone - think I need to start reading up. Have never understood all the codes. Brilliant advice.

shoota70 · Apr 6, 2015

Buy the WG Speedy george has for sale. That won't go down in $.

micampe · Apr 6, 2015

You said earlier you only have to convince the wife it's a good investment. As I'm sure you know from the stock market, investments are always a gamble, so show you've done your due diligence, get one you like and if the investment doesn't work out you at least have a nice watch.

Nactex · Apr 6, 2015

What about the Planet Ocean Liquid Metal Limited Edition? Would it be considered an investment type watch that you could wear?

Taddyangle · Apr 6, 2015

Nactex
What about the Planet Ocean Liquid Metal Limited Edition? Would it be considered an investment type watch that you could wear?

The whole problem with buying as an investment is that technically you buy an asset with the idea that it will appreciate in the future when you SELL IT.

I am afraid this would be a horrible investment by definition. Who would sell a watch like this (without regret)?

dsio · Apr 6, 2015

It ruins the fun too, I mean really if you look down the list of guys that help people a lot on this site, there are actually a heap of them that could probably make far more money as dealers or speculators than whatever they do for a living.

They don't though and choose to collect what they like and help people because then that would make it work, not play, and they'd have to take up something else to enjoy on their free time like stamp collecting or barbed wire collecting.

So see if barbed wire collecting is for you: http://antiquebarbedwiresociety.com/collector.html

If its not, then buy the watches you like and desire and lose money while enjoying yourself.

dsio · Apr 6, 2015

There's actually a barbed wire magazine too:

I know we've got a few sleep medicine specialists on here, that publication could singlehandedly put them out of work forever.

flyingout · Apr 6, 2015

OK. I'm now convinced that we, as a species, have lost our minds.

The $37 beginner's bundle:

Shem · Apr 6, 2015

I can't even.

Hijak · Apr 6, 2015

dsio
There's actually a barbed wire magazine too:

I know we've got a few sleep medicine specialists on here, that publication could singlehandedly put them out of work forever.

That's just you messing with photoshop!

flyingout
OK. I'm now convinced that we, as a species, have lost our minds.

The $37 beginner's bundle:

WHAT! Offense not intended...but WHAT...find it hard to believe people really do this?😲

dsio · Apr 6, 2015

Both the barbed wire collectors and their magazine are 100% legit, there are even clubhouses.

Looking to buy a new watch as a longer term investment

Taddyangle

gatorcpa

Drawarms

CajunTiger

yinzerniner

alfanator

lillatroll

Bienne2998

dsio

Raffles

shoota70

micampe

Nactex

Taddyangle

dsio

dsio

flyingout

Shem

Hijak

dsio

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