Seems not unlike "flipping" among collectors. My current $40k watch is the result of 30 years collecting (buy/sell/trade and adding cash). I slowly built up from a LeCoultre chrono (bought for $125 and sold a year later for $550 in 1988). Hundreds of watches and thousands of dollars later, I have a Patek Philippe Nautilus chrono ref. 5980 that I plan to keep.
I acquired the Nautilus chrono for cash and a steel Aquanaut 5167 I didn't like, and a 5296 Calatrava I did like. The Aquanaut was acquired by trading a white gold Daytona. The Calatrava was obtained by trading a Jumbo Nautilus "Comet." The white gold Daytona was from trading a steel one plus cash from selling a Rolex Explorer II and Datejust. And on and on, going back 30 years to that first LeCoultre.
So instead of paying thousands of dollars for a watch I would never own, I simply traded watches and cash for better and better watches over the years. And if I decide to part with the Nautilus chrono, I can get cash or more watches without having to pay someone for the privilege.
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