What modern watches will be "future classics"?

BradleyJ. · Oct 16, 2019

gostang9
Third, the most expensive watches today are those where demand is much higher than supply. For some reason there are models well known and desired today that were not so known or desired when they were originally offered.

I was waiting for someone to mention this. Everything comes around full circle and the watches that aren't selling great today will probably come in style in the future. An example I can make is the mid 2000s railmaster. At the time the style was large diameter watches and the RM was offered in a few sizes. Not only was the watch not recieved well (arguable) but the few people who did purchase them went for the larger sizes. Fast forward just 10 or so years later and now that particular style RM is coming back around and people are paying up for the clean ones. Also with the size difference from then and now the rarer 36mm is the toughest one to find and the price reflects that. The 39mm is up there too but a little cheaper, and the huge 42mm and up (I think theres a 49mm also 🤦) are dime a dozen on sites like chrono24 and they dont seem to be selling)

Granted my example isn't a then 3k watch that's selling for 15k now but you get the idea 😀

bimmernerd · Oct 16, 2019

queriver

Love BB's. Certainly on my to get list.

Uniqez · Oct 17, 2019

queriver

100% agree with you mate. These are nice watches, mine says Hi btw. However, it is starting to loose wrist time to Seiko turtles... I think BBB, Seiko Turtles, sports Rolex watches are going to do alright in the future!

JohnnyRocket · Oct 17, 2019

Styles do come and go. But the idea that what goes around ...comes around is also true to a point in consumerism. What endures in the higher goods market
And in watches in particular is a functional- dependable engineered movement
With a simple sharp design. Aesthetically speaking you know what clicks when you see it. That will be true of the future as it is now. Certainly the winner in any
Classic design category tunes in to those factors. The right synergy of facial
Design married to a complimentary bracelet or strap combination wins the day
In the giving an item a first or maybe more importantly that second look.
Market forces to do with pricing also play a role. That interwoven with the old supply
And demand chain enters the equation.
I think looking at the under appreciated Rolex Explorer And Explorer 2 models
Is a good example of a winning dark horse. I have a 2 black dial and will keep it
Till my shadow no longer is cast upon the earth. I hope my son will appreciate
It’s attributes. Another time less classic design aesthetically is of course the
Speedy and all it’s offspring. Sheer numbers owned and worn gives it a spot
On the classic podium as well. It’s space exploration pedigree is priceless.
Wouldn’t it be fun to see things a century into the future?

RazorFrazer · Oct 17, 2019

Nomos Metro Datum Gangreserve.

danielbird193 · Oct 18, 2019

Some great suggestions here, thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments.

pIoNeErOfThEnILe · Oct 18, 2019

i could tell ya, but since i haven't purchased one yet i'd have to kill ya.

this is a key watch and a no brainer that many ignored

danielbird193 · Oct 18, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe
i could tell ya, but since i haven't purchased one yet i'd have to kill ya.

this is a key watch and a no brainer that many ignored

You can't dangle that in front of us without at least a couple of clues!!

saulgoodman · Oct 18, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe
i could tell ya, but since i haven't purchased one yet i'd have to kill ya.

this is a key watch and a no brainer that many ignored

Reading between the lines I think this means that like the rest of us you are just guessing! 😉

queriver · Oct 18, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe
this is a key watch and a no brainer that many ignored

FIFY...

fashion-Stainless-Steel-Quartz-Pocket-Watch-Key-Shaped-Pendant-Watch-Key-Chain-Unisex-Gift-New-Popular.jpg

03Hemi · Oct 18, 2019

Any "limited" edition Swatch watch, crazy how these cheap things jump in value.

Shabbaz · Oct 18, 2019

pIoNeErOfThEnILe · Oct 18, 2019

queriver
FIFY...

03Hemi
Any "limited" edition Swatch watch, crazy how these cheap things jump in value.

even though i don't buy them or even know one model from another, i'm not surprised how many watches on the lower end of the spectrum gain value.

Dan S · Oct 18, 2019

Well, it's often claimed that some of the most desirable watches now are relatively rare because they weren't popular at the time, so they were discontinued or changed. The classic example is the Paul Newman Daytona.

So just buy all the unpopular models.

Ninja2789 · Oct 18, 2019

i was thinking about how to answer this question. I guess I would first define a “future classic” as a watch that would command a premium price in the secondary market.

Two thoughts on this.

1. The time it takes to design, marketing, and selling a watch is much shorter than in the past. As a result, I think it becomes difficult to peg down any kind of “ future classics” because there will be enough variations and substitute effects. I don’t think this is necessarily bad since it creates a diverse set of collectors. But as a result, I also feel it will dilute consolidation of collectors into a single reference.

2. Many of the desirable watches that command a huge premium (Daytona’s, Silver Snoopys) have come out during an unprecedented boom in the economy/stock market. As a result, I have to ask if we have really seen any watches that will remain desirable and keep their premium in a heavy downturn.

JohnnyRocket · Oct 19, 2019

Ninja2789
i was thinking about how to answer this question. I guess I would first define a “future classic” as a watch that would command a premium price in the secondary market.

Two thoughts on this.

1. The time it takes to design, marketing, and selling a watch is much shorter than in the past. As a result, I think it becomes difficult to peg down any kind of “ future classics” because there will be enough variations and substitute effects. I don’t think this is necessarily bad since it creates a diverse set of collectors. But as a result, I also feel it will dilute consolidation of collectors into a single reference.

2. Many of the desirable watches that command a huge premium (Daytona’s, Silver Snoopys) have come out during an unprecedented boom in the economy/stock market. As a result, I have to ask if we have really seen any watches that will remain desirable and keep their premium in a heavy downturn.

I believe that this is the key to the question. Certain fashion flings aide, design and dependability with a measure of durability will win the day. Aesthetically You know A winner when you see it. It just clicks.
(Or barring some unforeseen nuclear adventure with either The PDRK or in the Middle East...we all might be telling time with sticks and shadows.)

pIoNeErOfThEnILe · Oct 19, 2019

i could tell you one watch that it won't be.

Zenith Defy Xtreme

- for professional and extreme condition use only

once my watch gets posted the poster will receive a special gift

JwRosenthal · Oct 19, 2019

JohnnyRocket
(Or barring some unforeseen nuclear adventure with either The PDRK or in the Middle East...we all might be telling time with sticks and shadows.)

This is what I tell people when they ask about the economic future- in the next economy, the only things that will have value are food, guns and ammo- and you’ll need the guns and ammo to protect the food. I hope my last words right before that happens is “hey, what’s that bright light?”

mmpass · Oct 20, 2019

Fun thread. My 2 cents.

Will a first gen apple watch be a classic? Mechanical watches became high functioning jewelry (art) with the disruptive tech of quartz watches.

Modern Mechanical watches are wonderful for sure, but they don't "feel" like classics.

Mechanical watches made at a time when they represented the latest technology related to timekeeping fit the idea of classic for me.

So... My favorite classics are representative mechanical watches that were the top tech of the time. (Now vintage by definition)
The PEAK of tech that had been developing since the 16th and 17th centuries. Modernized and mass produced in the 20th century. Tweaked and refined for optimal function and aesthetics.

That tech was pushed aside for good by 1980. Disruptive innovation for sure.
Here is car and driver article on chronographs of 1977 listed in another thread on OF.

http://chronomaddox.com/general/c_and_d/connoisseurs.html#Top
.
A changing of the guard from mechanical to quartz.

Some current modern watches may end up being future classics, but not because they represent the way society keeps track of time.

Epictetus · Oct 20, 2019

saulgoodman
Rolex Explorer 114270. No doubt in my mind! I kick myself for not having picked one up when they were around 4K.

My vote goes for Rolex Explorer 114270 too.

I am struggling hard choosing between buying a crisp Omega Constellation DeLuxe or a Rolex Explorer with box and papers. I too think that this watch will be a classic.

I remember checking out somee 114270's a year and a half ago and one could be had for high 3000. Now one in condition can be found for less than 4800.. Insane..

Btw, what would you do in my case? Omega Constellation DeLuxe (solid 18kt gold, PiePan, arrow point markers, rose gold, in a great condition bought from a die hard collector) or a Rolex Explorer?

This will be my first ever luxury watch purchase.

What modern watches will be "future classics"?

BradleyJ.

bimmernerd

Uniqez

JohnnyRocket

RazorFrazer

danielbird193

pIoNeErOfThEnILe

danielbird193

saulgoodman

queriver

03Hemi

Shabbaz

pIoNeErOfThEnILe

Dan S

Ninja2789

JohnnyRocket

pIoNeErOfThEnILe

JwRosenthal

mmpass

Epictetus

Similar threads

Modern Watches with Factory Service

What will be the new materials used in future watches ?

Rolex Passion Report - What Will Be the Hot Rolex for 2020?

Modern watches with vintage styling

Are there any "modern" watches that tickle the fancy of hardcore vintage collectors?

How well will modern watches physically age with time?