What modern watches will be "future classics"?

Lurk41 · Oct 20, 2019

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

I think no smartwatch will either become a watch classic... Circuit impossible to repair, feature built to be obsolete in 2 years, proprietary battery.
Quartz or mechanical, watches that became classics lasted: they could be repair and you can still use all of their features. They were great in the past, they are still great today.

So I guess that at some point, the iWatch will be sought after by the geek community. A bit of the same as NES or MegaDrive, even if for those you can still fully use them. They will be interesting to have from a historical point of view, but that's it.

JwRosenthal · Oct 20, 2019

Lurk41
So I guess that at some point, the iWatch will be sought after by the geek community. A bit of the same as NES or MegaDrive, even if for those you can still fully use them. They will be interesting to have from a historical point of view, but that's it.

saulgoodman · Oct 20, 2019

Epictetus
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.

I would go with the 36mm Explorer. It is a very versatile watch. It looks good on bracelet, but it also looks great on leather, and NATO too. This versatility makes the 36mm Explorer a great "one and done" watch because you can take it from super casual to very dressy with a quick strap change. For this reason, this Explorer model offers quite a bit more. As for the price, there has been a bit of a pullback on some second market Rolex SS models. About 15% in some cases. Explorers are also becoming available at the AD's again. I agree with you that at the current asking prices this model is not a buy (at least not for me). However, the craziness will die down, and flippers will be flippers. People will move on to something else. They always do. There will be plenty of 114270's out there, so if you have patience you will find one at a decent price soon. Maybe not in the 3's, but far lower than the current ask.

gostang9 · Oct 20, 2019

The best popular vintage watches show graceful signs of aging and gorgeous yellowed patina. Would any of them be as valued today if the dials still looked as clinically white as when they were first produced?

If modern watches never discolor over time, will they not appreciate as much partly because they simply don’t “age well”? Food for thought...

JwRosenthal · Oct 20, 2019

gostang9
The best popular vintage watches show graceful signs of aging and gorgeous yellowed patina. Would any of them be as valued today if the dials still looked as clinically white as when they were first produced?

If modern watches never discolor over time, will they not appreciate as much partly because they simply don’t “age well”? Food for thought...

I think that is also a matter of taste and fashion. 25 years ago, a completely restored vintage car was worth more, and was more desirable than one that showed faded paint, slightly worn interior and signs of age- now the tables have flipped and the original one is far more prized. I think most of this discussion is subject to tastes and not based on anything that can be considered scientific.

Epictetus · Oct 20, 2019

saulgoodman
I would go with the 36mm Explorer. It is a very versatile watch. It looks good on bracelet, but it also looks great on leather, and NATO too. This versatility makes the 36mm Explorer a great "one and done" watch because you can take it from super casual to very dressy with a quick strap change. For this reason, this Explorer model offers quite a bit more. As for the price, there has been a bit of a pullback on some second market Rolex SS models. About 15% in some cases. Explorers are also becoming available at the AD's again. I agree with you that at the current asking prices this model is not a buy (at least not for me). However, the craziness will die down, and flippers will be flippers. People will move on to something else. They always do. There will be plenty of 114270's out there, so if you have patience you will find one at a decent price soon. Maybe not in the 3's, but far lower than the current ask.

Thanks for your insights Saul. You may be a dubious lawyer, but you sure are one helluva watch advisor 😉

With regards to the pullback on SS Rolex models that you speak of - where did you get that information? Is there a graph that you could link me to or do you just happen to check the prices regularly and reached that conclusion on your own?

The reason I am asking is because when I check the price history graph on Chrono24 of the 114270, the watch has appreciated $650 in value (from $4850 to $5500) only in the last 12 months and the trend shows no sign of stopping!

I do have the money to buy one at $5500, but I feel like I'll be paying a massive premium for it. However, on the other hand, if we take into consideration the trends I just mentioned, I sort of feel pressed to buy sooner rather than later before it slips out of my reach.

I find myself contemplating what I should do - wait for better times or buy the damn watch now as the better times have passed and it's only gonna get more expensive from here on out...

So yeah, what makes you think that Rolex SS prices have taken a hit?
Apologies for hijacking this thread and going off topic.

JwRosenthal · Oct 20, 2019

Epictetus
Thanks for your insights Saul. You may be a dubious lawyer, but you sure are one helluva watch advisor 😉

With regards to the pullback on SS Rolex models that you speak of - where did you get that information? Is there a graph that you could link me to or do you just happen to check the prices regularly and reached that conclusion on your own?

The reason I am asking is because when I check the price history graph on Chrono24 of the 114270, the watch has appreciated $650 in value (from $4850 to $5500) only in the last 12 months and the trend shows no sign of stopping!

I do have the money to buy one at $5500, but I feel like I'll be paying a massive premium for it. However, on the other hand, if we take into consideration the trends I just mentioned, I sort of feel pressed to buy sooner rather than later before it slips out of my reach.

I find myself contemplating what I should do - wait for better times or buy the damn watch now as the better times have passed and it's only gonna get more expensive from here on out...

So yeah, what makes you think that Rolex SS prices have taken a hit?
Apologies for hijacking this thread and going off topic.

Although this is slightly off topic but pertains to your quandary- when you are in this price bracket for watches, don’t sweat a $650 rise or drop in price, it’s a rather small percentage. I agree with Saul, the Explorer is a far more versatile watch than a Connie (I know, heresy on Omega Forum), and I think would get far more wrist time.
If you find a clean example with full kit, I wouldn’t sweat $1k up or down in the market- it’s yours and never look back. The market will do what it does, but once it’s yours, it’s yours.

durri70 · Oct 20, 2019

Epictetus
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.

Omega no doubt

saulgoodman · Oct 20, 2019

Epictetus
Thanks for your insights Saul. You may be a dubious lawyer, but you sure are one helluva watch advisor 😉

With regards to the pullback on SS Rolex models that you speak of - where did you get that information? Is there a graph that you could link me to or do you just happen to check the prices regularly and reached that conclusion on your own?

The reason I am asking is because when I check the price history graph on Chrono24 of the 114270, the watch has appreciated $650 in value (from $4850 to $5500) only in the last 12 months and the trend shows no sign of stopping!

I do have the money to buy one at $5500, but I feel like I'll be paying a massive premium for it. However, on the other hand, if we take into consideration the trends I just mentioned, I sort of feel pressed to buy sooner rather than later before it slips out of my reach.

I find myself contemplating what I should do - wait for better times or buy the damn watch now as the better times have passed and it's only gonna get more expensive from here on out...

So yeah, what makes you think that Rolex SS prices have taken a hit?
Apologies for hijacking this thread and going off topic.

There are several watch blogs that I monitor. Check out one of the latest YouTube vids by a guy in South Florida who is a long time pre-owned luxury watch seller. The name of the channel is Federico Talks Watches, and one of the latest installment is about the pullback in Rolex prices that he is noticing in his own business and in the market as a whole.

PS I know you meant that remark about dubious lawyer in the best way possible, but always remember when you have been unjustly accused of something is it better to hire a criminal lawyer, or a CRIMINAL lawyer! 😉

Epictetus · Oct 20, 2019

JwRosenthal
Although this is slightly off topic but pertains to your quandary- when you are in this price bracket for watches, don’t sweat a $650 rise or drop in price, it’s a rather small percentage. I agree with Saul, the Explorer is a far more versatile watch than a Connie (I know, heresy on Omega Forum), and I think would get far more wrist time.
If you find a clean example with full kit, I wouldn’t sweat $1k up or down in the market- it’s yours and never look back. The market will do what it does, but once it’s yours, it’s yours.

That is a very sound advice! I'd even say it's the nudge that I needed.

Thanks for your input @JwRosenthal

Epictetus · Oct 20, 2019

saulgoodman
There are several watch blogs that I monitor. Check out one of the latest YouTube vids by a guy in South Florida who is a long time pre-owned luxury watch seller. The name of the channel is Federico Talks Watches, and one of the latest installment is about the pullback in Rolex prices that he is noticing in his own business and in the market as a whole.

PS I know you meant that remark about dubious lawyer in the best way possible, but always remember when you have been unjustly accused of something is it better to hire a criminal lawyer, or a CRIMINAL lawyer! 😉

Just finished watching the episode. I am subscribed to his channel but somehow this last Video slid under the radar and never made it to the top of my videos feed on YT.

In any case, if he says there's been a 15% dip in the price, I'd would take his word for it 😀

Thanks for your input!

JwRosenthal · Oct 20, 2019

Epictetus
That is a very sound advice! I'd even say it's the nudge that I needed.

Thanks for your input @JwRosenthal

Also, wait for the right one- don’t be eager, you have the money- and there are tons of these out there so patience is the key and jump when the right deal comes up. They actually come up here occasionally.

Also, if you are commited to a specific model, know the details of the run- how many links should be with the bracelet (13), what came in the box, what a truly unpolished case looks like, original dial & hands vs service replacements, Tritium vs SL dial (my Airking 5-digit staggered this line for example).

saulgoodman · Oct 20, 2019

Since we did kinda did hijack the thread I thought I would get it back on track by submitting another potential future classic. It’s not really one watch but a range of watches. The current Grand Seiko line is really impressive and may be a sleeper classic as time goes on.

JwRosenthal · Oct 20, 2019

saulgoodman
Since we did kinda did hijack the thread I thought I would get it back on track by submitting another potential future classic. It’s not really one watch but a range of watches. The current Grand Seiko line is really impressive and may be a sleeper classic as time goes on.

The SKX line too now that it’s discontinued.

JohnnyRocket · Oct 20, 2019

JwRosenthal
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?”

That’s Up there with “The next Sound You hear will be Very Warm”.......

3nicewatches · Oct 20, 2019

I think that there are just three modern watches that will be future classics 😉

saulgoodman · Oct 20, 2019

JwRosenthal
The SKX line too now that it’s discontinued.

Could be. Who would have thought the Seiko Willard would be commanding upwards of $1400? Still, there are many classics out there that are not necessarily valuable, yet they are wonderful pieces. Witness some of the Benrus and Hamilton military pieces from the 60’s and 70’s.

JwRosenthal · Oct 20, 2019

saulgoodman
Could be. Who would have thought the Seiko Willard would be commanding upwards of $1400? Still, there are many classics out there that are not necessarily valuable, yet they are wonderful pieces. Witness some of the Benrus and Hamilton military pieces from the 60’s and 70’s.

Tell me about it!

Can’t forget Bulova and Elgin.

Deafboy · Oct 20, 2019

Tool watches will lose 90% of their current value in the coming decades (shows my bias! 😎).
OTOH, the current crop of German watches look like classic material.

gbesq · Oct 20, 2019

borre
DSSD
Globemaster pie pan
SMPc 8800

I would second the Globemaster because it has some unique design features like the pie pan dial and the tungsten carbide bezel. It’s also not a big seller for Omega, so the number in circulation is relatively small compared to the Speedmaster and Seamaster lines. It also has the virtue of being the very first METAS certified watch. My dark horse candidate would be the pre-2018 version of the SMPc because it’s the only version of the Seamaster diver with that beautiful inky resin dial WITHOUT waves and WITH an applied logo. I like every version of the SMPc, but this particular model - especially with the black dial - is, IMHO, just about the perfect all occasion watch.

What modern watches will be "future classics"?

Lurk41

JwRosenthal

saulgoodman

gostang9

JwRosenthal

Epictetus

JwRosenthal

durri70

saulgoodman

Epictetus

Epictetus

JwRosenthal

saulgoodman

JwRosenthal

JohnnyRocket

3nicewatches

saulgoodman

JwRosenthal

Deafboy

gbesq

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