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Roughly what percentage of your watch collection was purchased new?

Steve9pm
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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.
 
noelekal
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Roughly 1/35 of my watch accumulation was purchased new.

Roughly 34/35 of my watch accumulation is vintage.
 
BlackTalon
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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)
Edited:
 
Fritz
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5% new

93% vintage

And one piece assembled from parts. All parts from before 1900, so we’ll call that one used as well.
 
NikolShep
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" *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%
 
KeithS
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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)
 
STANDY
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A few new
1 not new non vintage
A lot vintage
 
pnwyankee
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Steve9pm Steve9pm
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.

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 😀
 
Steve88M3
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One of 8 new- my Submariner, back when you could do such a thing.
 
Dsloan
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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).
 
Canuck
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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.
 
Braindrain
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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.
 
fraglerock
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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.
 
lillatroll
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15% new.
All limited editions ST1,ST2 and a Mondrian gottardo tunnel stop2go.
85% vintage
only 1 non omega,
(a 3 hander rolex)
 
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