In your guys experience how much of hunting for the watches you’re looking to pick up is luck vs perseverance? I’ve been racking up a list of watches that have really caught my eye as examples, but I feel like they are a real challenge to find in good example or aren’t hyper inflated. I’m really interested in people’s takes on approaching expanding collections strategically.
Edward53 advice is correct 99% perspiration. The major learning is that there is always another watch out there and you don't have to jump on the first one that comes along
Patience is the key. Sometimes I have found the right watch straight away and other times it has taken more than a year. This one took over a year before I found the right watch for the right price. It is by no means rare, in fact quite the opposite, but examples were either in an average condition or expensive, around 1000 pound. After a bit of tooing and frowing with the owner I got this for 400 pound, which at the time was a fair price for this watch.
I agree with @craigbythesea and @Edward33, just keep looking and one will feel right. Then go for it. Do your homework first and this forum is a great place for advice from those who have more experience than us.
Pick what you really want next. Research like a demon Pay the money for the best example possible. Jump on it like a fat kid on a candy bar. https://omegaforums.net/threads/condition-condition-condition-and-other-pieces-of-advice.1716/ ( always have a war chest for that killer watch that pops up out of the blue )
if you know what you want to buy next it's easier because you will only look for that model and make comparation , price condition etc, but if you just want to buy a watch to a very good price it will consume more time.
The fun is in the hunt. You never know what may turn up so you have to keep on looking. Luck favors the prepared mind Can’t think of any other pertinent cliches
Know what area/era your interest is and therein lies your starting strategy. you might find you get into military, or dive watches ,or 70's or 60's watches, or simply mechanical or complicated automatics, or earlier bumpers, or later quartz...Watches with bells and whistles or simplistic design, Chronographs or Chronometers....depends what floats your boat.
Thanks for all the faddvack you guys! I feel better knowing I’m not crazy for 6 months of digging to turn up nothing. Just going to keep my nose to the grindstone, and keep tapped into the forum and all the knowledge filks dish out.
It's really hard when you see the watch you want but you *know* it's overpriced and the seller won't budge. Do you pay up or let patience take the wheel?
I have to admit, I’ve had greater strength on some of the side peices I’ve been interested in with that. I offered a reasonable bid on an overpriced Max Bill, and then got mad at me for trying to low ball. For me I think I’m going to lean on the side of, if this is a great example of the model and the seller is reputable I’ll bite bullet and spend the extra.
My way is walking along tripping over a log falling face first into a pile of horse crap and coming up with a Constellation in my teeth.
It is especially important to have a budget for watches. Too many impulse buys can land you in a world of pain, and an oft repeated phrase here on the forums is "condition condition condition." This is especially important if you are in need of moving watches on, as collectors will (almost likely) choose watches that are in excellent condition if available. This really depends on whether the watch is a must buy or something you can let up and find another. Unless a watch is particularly rare/excellent condition with bargain price, everything else can be looked at with a patient eye.
Pay up So hypothetically If the going rate for a average condition watch is $800 and several others are good condition at $1000 but a excellent condition is $1100 - easy to pay more. Just don't pay $1100 for a lesser than excellent example.
Another possibility once the desired model/year/condition is known is to throw a post on here on the “Want to Buy” section, being as specific as possible. Having a line in the water doesn’t hurt