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Will vintage wrist watches lose value in the next 10, 20, 30 years ?

rolokr
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Followed a nice looking original dial 18k UG Compax hammered at only $ 1,325 on ebay.
Might be time to sell my UG collection before the decline ? Ebay item 223250524151. Very nice example makes me wonder what my examples may be worth ? Is it time to sell ?
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20190124_233040.jpg 20190124_233055.jpg 20190125_130553.jpg
bgrisso
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that watch has been sold a few times on ebay, keeps coming back, and each time going lower I think, not sure why, it seems pretty nice aside from some dial damage around the edges?
 
GuiltyBoomerang
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That price would be an anomaly/wasn't picked up on by others. UG will only continue to appreciate, especially the chronos with in-house movements/earlier designs.
 
rolokr
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GuiltyBoomerang GuiltyBoomerang
That price would be an anomaly/wasn't picked up on by others. UG will only continue to appreciate, especially the chronos with in-house movements/earlier designs.
Well do your children or younger people you know care about a vintage watch ? Cell phones have the time, and Apple watches are getting pretty cool these days. I feel that watches are more like jewelry now and there function is getting passed up ? Would it be better to sell you watch collection and buy a kilo of gold bullion for 42k to leave you children or and obsolete vintage watch collection that may be worth little in 20-30 years ? I just starting this discussion because I have over 50 vintage watches many valuable ones, and of course I am an avid collector for 40 years ! My father purchased rare collectable postage stamps in the 1960s for 4k. In the 1970s it was worth up to 50k.
Now it's worth maybe 10k at most. If my father would have just bought gold bullion or coins in the 1960s it would be worth a fortune now ! Gold was $20 an ounce. I'll take the gold over the collectable over time for sure !
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Tempus
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rolokr rolokr
Do your children care about your vintage watches ? I'm just saying !
The trend is your friend!

Watches have always been collectible but the internet has introduced the "hobby" to many, many more people with demand (for quality examples) outstripping supply.

At the end of the day, you also need to ask yourself, am I in it for the profit or the pleasure. For me it started as an interest but the bonus is that it has been financially positive.

Agree though, that if return is the motivator, then yes there are much safer and consistent investments out there.
 
rolokr
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Tempus Tempus
The trend is your friend!

Watches have always been collectible but the internet has introduced the "hobby" to many, many more people with demand (for quality examples) outstripping supply.

At the end of the day, you also need to ask yourself, am I in it for the profit or the pleasure. For me it started as an interest but the bonus is that it has been financially positive.

Agree though, that if return is the motivator, then yes there are much safer and consistent investments out there.
Yes, I enjoy my over 50 watch vintage collection ! I have 20 UG with 7 Tricompax and many nice other examples. When is it time to sell them so I can leave $$$ to my son who is 9 years old ?
Not sure that value is going to hold over time ,and it might be wise for me to start liquidation and put the proceeds into something more stable like ( gold bullion ) for my son's future ?
 
Tempus
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Sorry, that was a bit flippant, I am sure you enjoy them. Incidently my son is 10 and my thoughts have been, what if something happens to me??. How would my wife ever liquidate my collection (other than my hierloom watch that is!!). She has no idea of value or avenues. Dealers here in Oz will only offer 50% of value at best.
 
rolokr
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sdre sdre
Buy what you will enjoy. The rest is secondary.
Yes, but at what point do you stop collecting and think about the future? I have over 50 vintage watches ! How many does it take to enjoy ?
 
rolokr
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Tempus Tempus
Sorry, that was a bit flippant, I am sure you enjoy them. Incidently my son is 10 and my thoughts have been, what if something happens to me??. How would my wife ever liquidate my collection (other than my hierloom watch that is!!). She has no idea of value or avenues. Dealers here in Oz will only offer 50% of value at best.
I have your same concerns !
 
Tempus
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rolokr rolokr
I have your same concerns !
And although hard for me to part with any watch in my collection, I have, with great hesitation started to list some for sale but only one at a time!!! Almost took one off private watch sales last night!!!
 
rolokr
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Reddy_Kilowatt Reddy_Kilowatt
Yes! Or no! Maybe?
For example, who cares really much about pocket watches? There depreciation must be a certainty ! Wrist watches may end up being just like pocket watches in the future. Obsolete, not collected that much, and not much value accordingly ??? I'm just saying !
 
rolokr
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Tempus Tempus
And I have come to regret a few sales ...
I guess how many should we keep in our collections ? 5, 10, 20, 50, ???? Which one's do we choose to sell. The least value first, or the most value first ????
 
rolokr
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Yes, you list a nice watch in private watch sales and most collectors try to beat you down on the price till you just want to keep it ???
 
slique12
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The damage on the edges stopped me from going for it despite the very nice price. Here is another pic of the same watch sold at auction a few months before the ebay listing. The case also looks very polished.

Screen Shot 2019-01-24 at 11.12.06 PM.png
 
sdre
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rolokr rolokr
Yes, but at what point do you stop collecting and think about the future? I have over 50 vintage watches ! How many does it take to enjoy ?
start taking note of repeated styles and cull the others.

sometimes sharing the love with fellow collectors is a great joy too. Seeing other genuine collectors enjoy pieces that you used to have....
 
rolokr
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slique12 slique12
The damage on the edges stopped me from going for it despite the very nice price. Here is another pic of the same watch sold at auction a few months before the ebay listing. The case also looks very polished.

Screen Shot 2019-01-24 at 11.12.06 PM.png
Thanks for the picture !
 
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