1. Roughly what percentage of your watch collection was purchased new?

2. Roughly what percentage of your non-vintage watch collection was purchased new?

3. Roughly what percentage of your watch collection is vintage?

I’m asking these questions because I *think* it’s best to purchase lightly used watches over new ones in most cases...just wondering if the statistics from you savvy veterans will corroborate my guess.

 

Roughly 1/35 of my watch accumulation was purchased new.

Roughly 34/35 of my watch accumulation is vintage.

 

1. 50% brand new (only because they were LE releases)

2. 50% of non-vintage purchased 'nearly new' (less than a year old, and minor wear marks, etc.)

3. 25% 'vintage' (all purchased used)

 

5% new

93% vintage

And one piece assembled from parts. All parts from before 1900, so we’ll call that one used as well.

 

O% new.

O% non vintage new.

100 % vintage.

 

" *think* it’s best to purchase lightly used watches over new ones in most cases..." - care to elaborate?

Personally, I try to buy new watches as they would have papers, etc. and I would be "writing my own history" with them. Would like to hear your justification.
For me:
1)95%
2)95%
3)5%

 

0% new.

0% non vintage new.

100 % vintage.

 

1. 2/5 purchased new

2. 0/1 vintage watches purchased as new

3. 1/5 watches vintage (if mid 90’s counts as vintage)

 

A few new
1 not new non vintage
A lot vintage

 

2% new watch 49 vintage 1 new

 

1. 25%
2. 100%
3. 75%

PS When I purchased the three non-vintage watches ( Breitling, Hamilton, Mido ) I didn't know I would end up as a watch collector. Gateway drugs I guess

 

1 - 38%
2 - 67%
3 - 44%

 

One of 8 new- my Submariner, back when you could do such a thing.

 

1. 0%
2. 0%
3. 60%

Paying full retail feels as silly as buying a car new. The same item, lightly used, could be had for 10-40% less. Of course, I'd feel differently if I could afford a new Rolex, AP, etc, as the value retention is different. And there are some LE's that I wish I'd jumped on (the 'gulf' Zodiac GMT reissue, for example).

 

2/12 New/new old stock

10/12 Vintage

 

Three new out of about 120, or so. Oldest, 1862. Newest, 1989. Call me an “opportunist” collector. Currently gathering about 5 per year. Mostly vintage. Some antique. About half and half pocket and wrist watches. As to “project” watches and donors? About 100 pounds. Very few quartz watches. Maybe two.

 

From my current collection, 100% vintage.

Over the years, I've bought exactly 3 brand new and about 8 lightly used modern.

The new ones were all bought in jpn at significant discounts over MSRP.

 

5% of 60 watches

 

100% new. This is due to my limited collection and desire to create my own "history". That said, when I feel my knowledge of vintage watches is up to snuff, the percentages will change.

 

15% new.
All limited editions ST1,ST2 and a Mondrian gottardo tunnel stop2go.
85% vintage
only 1 non omega,
(a 3 hander rolex)