First luxury watch - new or used?
Discussion
Hi,
I've some inheritance that I've been told to spend on something nice and not just to save the money. It felt a bit frivolous, but that was just me contemplating the situation. There is £2000 that I've sat on it for quite a while and really want to treat myself to a nice watch. I can't decide whether to go for a new watch, or not.
I'm after a Planet Ocean and through various recommended resources on here and other watch forums I've seen I can save £600 by going for a 2 year old watch that is still in warranty. I guess it's like the old "how long is a piece of string argument". Part of me thinks go new and have that new experience. Whilst the sensible side thinks that once it's on my wrist I've lost that £600. I know that for serial watch collectors pre owned is the way to go. No depreciation hit, whilst allowing the flipping of watches without a big loss, if any at all.
Decisions, decisions...
I've some inheritance that I've been told to spend on something nice and not just to save the money. It felt a bit frivolous, but that was just me contemplating the situation. There is £2000 that I've sat on it for quite a while and really want to treat myself to a nice watch. I can't decide whether to go for a new watch, or not.
I'm after a Planet Ocean and through various recommended resources on here and other watch forums I've seen I can save £600 by going for a 2 year old watch that is still in warranty. I guess it's like the old "how long is a piece of string argument". Part of me thinks go new and have that new experience. Whilst the sensible side thinks that once it's on my wrist I've lost that £600. I know that for serial watch collectors pre owned is the way to go. No depreciation hit, whilst allowing the flipping of watches without a big loss, if any at all.
Decisions, decisions...
Birdster said:
Hi,
I've some inheritance that I've been told to spend on something nice and not just to save the money. It felt a bit frivolous, but that was just me contemplating the situation. There is £2000 that I've sat on it for quite a while and really want to treat myself to a nice watch. I can't decide whether to go for a new watch, or not.
I'm after a Planet Ocean and through various recommended resources on here and other watch forums I've seen I can save £600 by going for a 2 year old watch that is still in warranty. I guess it's like the old "how long is a piece of string argument". Part of me thinks go new and have that new experience. Whilst the sensible side thinks that once it's on my wrist I've lost that £600. I know that for serial watch collectors pre owned is the way to go. No depreciation hit, whilst allowing the flipping of watches without a big loss, if any at all.
Decisions, decisions...
Go for a quality used and I wouldn't even think a bout a warranty as an influencing factor. It also depends what you intend to subject the watch to (office wear or rooting around in engine bays). For 2k I'd spend a while on watchfinder then when you get it down to 2-3 watch models go try some on then make your final choice.I've some inheritance that I've been told to spend on something nice and not just to save the money. It felt a bit frivolous, but that was just me contemplating the situation. There is £2000 that I've sat on it for quite a while and really want to treat myself to a nice watch. I can't decide whether to go for a new watch, or not.
I'm after a Planet Ocean and through various recommended resources on here and other watch forums I've seen I can save £600 by going for a 2 year old watch that is still in warranty. I guess it's like the old "how long is a piece of string argument". Part of me thinks go new and have that new experience. Whilst the sensible side thinks that once it's on my wrist I've lost that £600. I know that for serial watch collectors pre owned is the way to go. No depreciation hit, whilst allowing the flipping of watches without a big loss, if any at all.
Decisions, decisions...
Once you have found the watch you like, it won't matter on any emotional level whether it's brand new or used.
Naturally you will get a better watch for 2k if it's second hand, but even then, I'm not sure if 2k is enough for a planet ocean. Just remember, make sure it's in good condition. If you're intending to keep it, don't worry so much about papers or boxes as long as you buy from a reputable dealer.
Naturally you will get a better watch for 2k if it's second hand, but even then, I'm not sure if 2k is enough for a planet ocean. Just remember, make sure it's in good condition. If you're intending to keep it, don't worry so much about papers or boxes as long as you buy from a reputable dealer.
If you're budget is a strict £2k then you won't find a PO at a dealer. Last time I looked at Chrono24 they were all pretty much £2.5k, and thats for a 7+ year old model not the 2 years you mention.
I went through exactly the same search as you recently, but went for a Speedmaster FOIS instead in the end, purely because it came up first. The link below is the best value PO I have seen in the few months I was looking. From a well known and trusted dealer and comes with two bezels, which can be sold on ebay etc
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/new/watches/divers-w...
If I had have seen this link before getting my Speedmaster it'd be on my wrist now.
I went through exactly the same search as you recently, but went for a Speedmaster FOIS instead in the end, purely because it came up first. The link below is the best value PO I have seen in the few months I was looking. From a well known and trusted dealer and comes with two bezels, which can be sold on ebay etc
http://www.chronomaster.co.uk/new/watches/divers-w...
If I had have seen this link before getting my Speedmaster it'd be on my wrist now.
Thanks for the replies.
I was having a look today on my lunch break at a few watches. I liked a few Breitling watches as well. I also liked the Omega moon watch and know it's been reissued, but I'm pretty set on the 8500 PO and tried both on today. Loved the orange bezel, but would like to wear it as a daily and think it wouldn't fit right with the shirt and suit jacket. I'm adding money to the watch, so the budget isn't limited to £2000.
That 2500 PO you linked to looks great value, especially with both bezels and has thrown me a real curveball.
I was having a look today on my lunch break at a few watches. I liked a few Breitling watches as well. I also liked the Omega moon watch and know it's been reissued, but I'm pretty set on the 8500 PO and tried both on today. Loved the orange bezel, but would like to wear it as a daily and think it wouldn't fit right with the shirt and suit jacket. I'm adding money to the watch, so the budget isn't limited to £2000.
That 2500 PO you linked to looks great value, especially with both bezels and has thrown me a real curveball.
Your answer is buy used. You'll get a lot more watch for your money.
If you're prepared to go vintage, you can get more still. £2K will get you some models of Rolex, JLC, Cartier, Brightbling. You're firmly in Tudor Black Bay territory.
Given your preferences, you should also take a look at Ball. And talking of balls, how about Sinn and Junghans as curveballs.
Chrono24 is your friend, even if you're only browsing. Do a search in this forum for threads about buying from them. I can't be bothered to retype.
The world of quality watches does not start at Rolex and end with Omega (see what I did there?)
If you're prepared to go vintage, you can get more still. £2K will get you some models of Rolex, JLC, Cartier, Brightbling. You're firmly in Tudor Black Bay territory.
Given your preferences, you should also take a look at Ball. And talking of balls, how about Sinn and Junghans as curveballs.
Chrono24 is your friend, even if you're only browsing. Do a search in this forum for threads about buying from them. I can't be bothered to retype.
The world of quality watches does not start at Rolex and end with Omega (see what I did there?)
I have two decent watches. Rolex Daytona I bought new, Breguet Marine I bought used (via Chrono24).
The used Breguet was just as immaculate as the new Daytona, and a fraction of the new price. I haven't found a single disadvantage of buying used, and if / when I decide to buy a 3rd watch it's far more likely to be used. I think that the only thing that would make me buy new again would be lack of available used ones if I wanted a specific watch. Ironically, the only reason I went used for the Breguet was because they no longer make the colour I wanted new....
The used Breguet was just as immaculate as the new Daytona, and a fraction of the new price. I haven't found a single disadvantage of buying used, and if / when I decide to buy a 3rd watch it's far more likely to be used. I think that the only thing that would make me buy new again would be lack of available used ones if I wanted a specific watch. Ironically, the only reason I went used for the Breguet was because they no longer make the colour I wanted new....
MYOB said:
Once you have found the watch you like, it won't matter on any emotional level whether it's brand new or used.
This. Most of mine were bought used and never, not once, have I thought any less of them on an emotional level compared to anything I've bought new. If anything, knowing that I've caught something that I might otherwise not be able to afford gives me a bit of a thrill. Even pre-owned watches have been new to me when I've recieved them. My apologies if you are already aware of this however do you know that the PO, older models and new, are available in two different case sizes? They wear completely differently IMO.
Yex 450 said:
Sshhh, that's the exact watch I was looking to get from Dom when my bonus comes in! 
I'm in Heathrow T5 quite a lot and Watches of Switzerland come in at £2783 tax free as an alternative.
I have two 45.5mm POs a 2500 and a 9900 the 2500 makes for a perfect daily wear, as it sits nice and low on your wrist and fits under your shirt cuff wearing much smaller than the case size would lead you to expect.
The 9900 and the 8500 are different beasts very thick and sit quite high on your wrist and struggle to go under a cuff so will always be on show, but I like both styles.
The 9900 and the 8500 are different beasts very thick and sit quite high on your wrist and struggle to go under a cuff so will always be on show, but I like both styles.
Thank you for the replies. It's all very helpful and I'm going to stick with used considering I can save around £500-£600 on the 8500 PO over a new one with discount. It's cheaper still if looking at an older watch such as the 2500 PO. Lots for me to take in. I did look at that new Speed master linked above and then seen how many variations there have been. Cool history behind the Moon Watch as I keep looking at it also.
I'm keen on the 8500 in 42mm. I did look at the 45mm, but just found it a bit too big. Pictures attached.
It was the orange bezel that originally drew me in, but I just know that I wouldn't be able to wear it all the time, so defeats the point.
I did have a look at a few other watches and can tell this won't be my last purchase.
Tudor Black Bay is a nice watch, but similar to the Steinhart Green that I currently wear. Different price range of course.
I'm keen on the 8500 in 42mm. I did look at the 45mm, but just found it a bit too big. Pictures attached.
It was the orange bezel that originally drew me in, but I just know that I wouldn't be able to wear it all the time, so defeats the point.
I did have a look at a few other watches and can tell this won't be my last purchase.
Tudor Black Bay is a nice watch, but similar to the Steinhart Green that I currently wear. Different price range of course.
Edited by Birdster on Friday 24th February 16:34
andy tims said:
mikeveal said:
Your answer is buy used. You'll get a lot more watch for your money.
ThisI'd much prefer to be the watches sole owner if the difference was only a few hundred pounds. Thousands? Then second hand all the way...
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