I’ve built up a large collection over very little time and, as you’d imagine, got a little smarter as I went along. I have a few early purchases that are perfectly fine, and I understand why I bought them, but I also know they won’t get much wrist time. And since some of these are not the big brands, I can’t figure on anyone wanting to pay much for them. I clearly don’t mind spending money on watches but I hate that some of them will lie around unused. What do you do with such watches? My adult kids have no interest in them, my wife has stolen some of these (which she loves) from me, but there are still 3-5 I shouldn’t have bought. Other than send them to you, what do you do? Just enjoy them when you choose to? Sell them at a loss? Stop worrying?
I’ve sold every watch I bought then ended up not liking. Never for want I paid of course, but for enough to make it worth the hassle. There were two exceptions where I made a profit. One was a limited edition Steinhart that everyone loved more than I did. The other was a quartz Tissot chronograph I sold twice because the buyer in England refused to pay customs on it, then never responded to my emails and phone calls.
Give them up if they are making you unhappy, absolutely no point in holding on to them. Put them on ebay, there's a buyer for just about anything.
Yours is a well trodden path. Sell the pieces you admit you won’t weqr again, add the cash up and put it towards your next researched piece.
Echo @X350 XJR's comment, as well as any of the following: *Craigslist/GumTree/Free Online Trading Boards *Garage Sales/Collectable Markets *Facebook Marketplace *Dismantle them and service/play/make jewellery out of the movements *Pass them to your children
Thanks - glad to know I’m not the only one who’s been confronted with their own misguided enthusiasm!
Absolutely not! Pretty much the same collecting experience here. I sold every watch I bought but ended up not wearing at all. I lost some money, of course, but I gained some knowledge as well.
Next well mannered young fellow you see, you know like the nice kid at the supermarket, car wash, mail room. Someone that would treasure it. Give it to them. Gave a watch to @JimInOz and look at him go now. Off the latte,s and Vespa,s and riding a real bike now ( might have been for servicing a Seiko for free but who cares )
Yeah, thanks a bloody lot mate, you got me off my lovely little Vespa, and look what I'm riding now! <Aussies will understand the sarcasm> I had to buy TWO bikes to cover the functionality of the Vespa! (at least that's what I told HWMBO).
Listing them on eBay even if you’re getting only pennies on the dollar gives you some cash toward your next purchase with the added bonus of getting them off your mind.
@JimInOz I know the pain (got 3 motorcycles and trying to convince my wife that I should buy a 4th...). On the other hand, I can buy a new watch and always use the excuse of ' _ At least is cheaper than a new motorcycle!' and ' _ Plus it takes less space!'. :-D
My Seiko SKX175 is going to work tomorrow to be given away... makes room in the box for more important things and gets rid of something not worth the hassle of selling Everybody ends up happy