Have a perhaps a stupid question that I am going to ask anyways. What are the "rules", if you will, in regards to special edition or limited edition watches and daily wear? As in, if I buy an LE watch, will value of it go down because I am wearing it and using it as a watch instead of case queen? Will nicks and scratches diminish value doewn the road when I try to sell it because it is not in a perfect shape? To me personally it doesnt make any sense to spend $3K, $4K, $5K+ on a watch that will just sit on some shelf never to be worn and only to collect dust. Maybe I am just looking at it the wrong way, so thats why I am curious to see what others think
It is my opinion that the term "limited edition" is so extensively over-used today as to be virtually meaningless. Condition is always a factor in collectibility, limited edition, or otherwise. If you follow this message board, you might gain some perspective on the premium being paid for well preserved watches offered with box, shell, papers, and even an original receipt. When you find such an offering, they may not be a limited edition, but that doesn't seem to matter. What IS rare about it is condition and originality. Of course, where an item can be proven to be very high quality, very unique, perhaps with many features, and can be proven to be one of a limited edition of say 10, maybe a battered example might bring astronomical prices. We might hear from someone who has a crystal ball.
I don't see to me the point of watches that collect dust only if its one of 100 or something like that I also think that type of watch is a waste of money and are extremely overpriced (by the way I see you know about the Hungarian band Omega they can be hit or miss like boc miss example Joan Crawford but love Omega Pearls in Her Hair)
I've got a few imited editions in my collection. I bought them because the specifics of the edition appealed to me in some way. - prettier colour that the standard, commemorated an event thatchimed with me personally that kind of thing. I was not under any illusions as to it increasing resale value down the road. As has been mentioned, the term gets applied to editions with number in the thousands regularly these days. So the crystal ball, or a deloreans with a flux capacitor are possibly the only ways of ensuring thatyou pick the correct L.E. to put away. Otherwise, watches were made to be worn.
We have a saying in the car world. Rarity does not equal value. Same thing here I will admit I do own a somewhat rare non le modern omega. That I think might go up in price. But it's more a confluence of style options and size not really existing in the Omega line up.
Well, what got me thinking about this whole topic was Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 007 Casino Royale edition. I am a Bond fanatic of sort (and I am ok with saying that haha) There are total of 5007 made. I found one that comes with all the bells and whistles such as box, papers, card, manual, tag and so on. Price is cheaper than other collections of same watch, but still a lot more than I would be willing to pay and not wear it. If this was a super special 1 out of 100 watches, then cool,. I would understand collectable value and rarity, but not sure how things go for watches that are produced in higher numbers.
Demand has a huge factor. The bond watches don't normally have demand in the watch world. They tend to go to Bond fans / collectors, as watch people normally find them less astheticly pleasing. Hence they drop off in price quickly. The silver dialMitsuki Japanese only market speedmaster is gorgeous and limited hence the higher prices.
Consider the amount of value gained by not wearing a watch and keeping it pristine for the sake of a future sale. Now consider the amount of happiness lost by not wearing a watch you have for the sake of potential appreciation.
Agree with Dennis, watches are for wearing. Also, anything made in 5000 (or 2000 for that matter) is not really limited.
I have an Apollo XI commemorative Speedmaster, from 1989. It was also available as a "limited edition", back in 1989. I don't know how many "limited editions" were produced, and I don't know how many of these "commemorative" Speedmasters were produced. But the only difference of which I am aware between mine and the "limited edition" is that the latter had xxx/xxx engraved on the edge of the case back. Mine has a blank space where the xxx/xxx was placed on the "limited" one. How many other non- limited editions of exactly the same watch (without the glass back) were produced that year! Limited edition? Bunkum!
I'll repeat some things said. Will it loose value used versus non used? Of course, always....but if it's an actual valuable LE it will still be valuable. Bate in mind though that many of the most valuable used watches are not LE. 5512, Daytona vintage etc etc Should you wear it? If you bought it because you like it and you don't wear it.... It's just stupid. If you bought it for value only then ok. Enjoy the box LE? C'mon!! All panerai are LE and therefore they're all irrelevant in that respect. Omega has more LE than standard at this point. It's like m&m or skittles or Gap t-shirts. So figure out if the LE you're looking at is a gimmick or something special. Good luck!
It is sort of like buying a 3D HDR TV and never turning it on to watch something. I wear all of my watches in all situations. That said, even if I had a Sky Moon Tourbillon, it would be worn regularly. Watches are made to be enjoyed.
The collectible firearms hobby also bats around this same question in the form of: "Do I shoot it or not?" This occurs with especially-produced commemorative guns, used but historically significant models, or some unearthed new-in-the-box example. I make it a point to avoid commemoratives. Love historically significant arms but will shoot the hooey out of them. Last spring, I acquired a NIB example of a Smith & Wesson revolver, boxed with accessories, and originally sold in early 1970. I know the original owner. The revolver has never been fired. It was a common model in its day so its careful use is no great loss to the world. I would have already "given it some exercise" at the range but haven't had opportunity.
Love it, Trying to get into the rare guns but like watches so many fakes. So hard to tell what has been replaced and such.
Yea thats what scares me, especially where like one little bolt replaced ( I guess kinda like a watch) throws the entire value off.