Man, times are tough

alane24 · Apr 30, 2025

...for those trying to sell privately. Especially vintage. I've noticed A LOT of really nice watches on the private sales forum that are not moving, despite numerous price reductions and prices that are at or below market to begin with.

It even feels worse than pre-covid. I don't know if folks are still overly ambitious with their pricing or if the pool of buyers has simply dried up. Something feels off.

Are we in the bottom of the trough? What are your observations?

gbesq · Apr 30, 2025

I’d have to agree. I currently have a very nice watch for sale. It was fully serviced in 2024 and it still has a few months of warranty. My price includes shipping and insurance in the USA. I included a very nice expensive strap with it. So far as I can tell, this is the only type of watch that is currently available. Nothing like it on C24 and eBay. I just dropped the price and still nothing. Yeah, it’s slow. I’m seeing the same thing from other sellers.

alane24 · Apr 30, 2025

gbesq
I’d have to agree. I currently have a very nice watch for sale. It was fully serviced in 2024 and it still has a few months of warranty. My price includes shipping and insurance in the USA. I included a very nice expensive strap with it. So far as I can tell, this is the only type of watch that is currently available. Nothing like it on C24 and eBay. I just dropped the price and still nothing. Yeah, it’s slow. I’m seeing the same thing from other sellers.

Here's my potentially wrong theory. The pool of buyers who would typically spend $1000-3000ish is a lot smaller than it was. Those folks are likely holding off and/or just not buying vintage. Although, I follow a fair number of dealers and they tend to be less immune to market fluctuation and probably benefit from reputation. Skepticism is huge in vintage watch buying from people I have spoken to, so dealers benefit.

Secondly, higher price point watches—say $5000+—still seem to be selling with consistency. I think pool of buyers for these watches is strong and those folks are more immune to inflation, the threat of recession and global economics. They always had money, still do, and don't really care as much what's going on. When they see something they want, they buy. Maybe a touch more selective.

I have a few watches I've been posting (not here) that are within "market" value and I feel like I can't give them away.

gbesq · Apr 30, 2025

alane24
Here's my potentially wrong theory. The pool of buyers who would typically spend $1000-3000ish is a lot smaller than it was. Those folks are likely holding off and/or just not buying vintage. Although, I follow a fair number of dealers and they tend to be less immune to market fluctuation and probably benefit from reputation. Skepticism is huge in vintage watch buying from people I have spoken to, so dealers benefit.

Secondly, higher price point watches—say $7500+—still seem to be selling with consistency. I think there's still a strong buying-market for these watches and the folks who are in that market tend to be less impacted by the threat of recession and economics. They always had money, still do, and don't really care as much what's going on.

Perhaps. To be fair, all of the vintage watches that I have listed on OF have sold. For some of them, it just took a little longer.

lindo · Apr 30, 2025

I have a collection of nice vintage watches that I am holding back. My perception of the market aligns with that of @alane24.

Apart from looking at unsold watches on OF, sold prices on eBay auctions are far removed from buy it now prices. I think we had a long run of strong interest in fine vintage and contemporary watches that is now much diminished...

dougwhiz · Apr 30, 2025

gbesq
I’d have to agree. I currently have a very nice watch for sale. It was fully serviced in 2024 and it still has a few months of warranty. My price includes shipping and insurance in the USA. I included a very nice expensive strap with it. So far as I can tell, this is the only type of watch that is currently available. Nothing like it on C24 and eBay. I just dropped the price and still nothing. Yeah, it’s slow. I’m seeing the same thing from other sellers.

I also have one for sale here and I've noticed a sales slowdown. A couple of my past sales were to brand new members that had seen my watch via Watchrecon, which unfortunately hasn't been showing OF watches for some time now.

Mods · May 1, 2025

dougwhiz
I also have one for sale here and I've noticed a sales slowdown. A couple of my past sales were to brand new members that had seen my watch via Watchrecon, which unfortunately hasn't been showing OF watches for some time now.

@moderators Do you know why they are not showing on Watchrecon? And can it be rectified?
Thanks

Scarecrow Boat · May 1, 2025

Mods
@moderators Do you know why they are not showing on Watchrecon? And can it be rectified?
Thanks

If you look at the dates in these screenshots, you will see it has been going on for a while now unfortunately.

pdxleaf · May 1, 2025

In a thread about watch collecting goals for 2025, many people replied that they were planning to reduce their collection. My sense was that the more active OF members were becoming net sellers, maybe because of an aging population.

There is also the overall drop in the watch market. Add in customs and shipping problems. OF members outside of the USA have privately told me they are waiting to see what happens to the economy. There could be changing tastes too. A lot of younger people use Reddit etc, so OF may not reach them.

Regardless of the reasons, it does seem sales are slower. There have almost always been nice watches for sale here so that's not different. It's surprising that some aren't selling faster, although it seems every time I look for something it's already sold. There are a few watches that are mediocre and people don't want those, which can make it seem like sales are slowing. Kindof like condos, which sell in a hot real estate market with limited supply and high prices. But in a slowing market, no one wants a condo. Crowd mentality takes over.

Donn Chambers · May 1, 2025

alane24
Here's my potentially wrong theory. The pool of buyers who would typically spend $1000-3000ish is a lot smaller than it was. Those folks are likely holding off and/or just not buying vintage. Although, I follow a fair number of dealers and they tend to be less immune to market fluctuation and probably benefit from reputation. Skepticism is huge in vintage watch buying from people I have spoken to, so dealers benefit.

Secondly, higher price point watches—say $5000+—still seem to be selling with consistency. I think pool of buyers for these watches is strong and those folks are more immune to inflation, the threat of recession and global economics. They always had money, still do, and don't really care as much what's going on. When they see something they want, they buy. Maybe a touch more selective.

I have a few watches I've been posting (not here) that are within "market" value and I feel like I can't give them away.

As someone who currently has a (non-vintage) watch listed in this range, I do think this is a reason. I’ve had multiple offers with ridiculously low offers (prices several hundred lower than what I have been offered by a local dealer). Everyone is in the market for a bargain now.

dsio · May 1, 2025

Scarecrow Boat
If you look at the dates in these screenshots, you will see it has been going on for a while now unfortunately.

If anyone does have a good contact email or anything for Sammy I’d be very keen if you sent me a PM, we would love to get that sorted out

Dsloan · May 1, 2025

FWIW, I'm in that $1K-$3K collector bucket and here's my anecdote: I was all set to try and buy something in the sales section a couple weeks ago (someone had a nice Speedy MK 4.5 listed, and I'm currently really into central minute chronographs...) but then we had a couple of little setbacks - a big dental bill and needed a new HVAC. So, watches and other fun are on hold until our Emergency Fund is replenished.

And generally... I'm a little spooked by the current macro economy and am working on building out a bigger emergency fund (moving from 6 months to 12 months), so I might hold off on discretionary spending until late this year.

That said, I did buy a Seiko Bell-Matic for $150 to scratch the collecting itch.

cristos71 · May 1, 2025

I've noticed it too, but I must add that I haven't sold a really fantastic piece in a while, the true test will be then.

Fallout Boy · May 1, 2025

The prices of my favorites at C24 are falling, but I'm still keeping my feet still. Every now and then I find something to give away in the 100 dollar range.

Who cares...😀

Fatcat · May 1, 2025

Agree and also not, i did not plan to buy watches in 2025 and i am actually buying 1 watch per month at very reasonnable prices ( 50% lower than last year) and quality, i am not really selling but i am able to buy what i want for a good price.

ahlgringo · May 1, 2025

Agreed, prices much more in line with what I feel is value. Bought a couple of pieces last month that had been looking for over a year, in primo condition for probably 1/2 what they would have gone for a couple years ago. So, bring em on- still looking for a bunch more.

Tony C. · May 1, 2025

I've recently purchased a couple of very desirable, and uncommon vintage models for between a quarter and a third of their values established over the past ~15 years. Put another way, far too inexpensive to pass up.

alane24 · May 1, 2025

I tool have bought more watches than I had planned on already in 2025. Sometimes the price just makes sense. I do believe that in time everything sells, mostly. Now is a great time if you want to buy watches.

djmusicman · May 1, 2025

It's not just watches... I used to buy and sell guitars and that market is dead. Hard to sell and not many great deals if you're a buyer.

seekingseaquest · May 1, 2025

It’s a tough market for sellers. It’s an okay market for buyers, and I expect as sellers (or dealers) find they’re in trouble, it’ll become an even better market for buyers.

Man, times are tough

alane24

gbesq

alane24

gbesq

lindo

dougwhiz

Mods

Scarecrow Boat

pdxleaf

Donn Chambers

dsio

Dsloan

cristos71

Fallout Boy

Fatcat

ahlgringo

Tony C.

alane24

djmusicman

seekingseaquest

Similar threads

How Tough Are Mechanical Watches?

Tough times in sales corners

Tough Times for Swiss Watch Industry

Even The Announcers Are Tough.