The value of watches
Discussion
I've been lusting after a certain watch for ages, the Tag Grand Carrera RS for some time now. I've also spoken to dealers on here, who have offered it to me at a very good price.
However, I'm still not sure I can justify spending such a large amount on a watch. What's the likely value of such a watch going to be in 1 to 2 years time, do they slowly slip away like a used car does. Or like a camera lens, it will fall from it's brand new / high street price, and then level out with only a small amount of loss?
I'm still tempted by the watch, but to spend that amount of money on something that doesn't retain a decent %age of it's value would worry me far too much.
However, I'm still not sure I can justify spending such a large amount on a watch. What's the likely value of such a watch going to be in 1 to 2 years time, do they slowly slip away like a used car does. Or like a camera lens, it will fall from it's brand new / high street price, and then level out with only a small amount of loss?
I'm still tempted by the watch, but to spend that amount of money on something that doesn't retain a decent %age of it's value would worry me far too much.
Edited by theboyfold on Thursday 10th November 12:47
http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/images2/watch_i...
Sold at £1890. Consider the bid/offer spread, and make your own mind up. Buying new, and selling second hand will rarely bring miniscule depreciation, especially with brands that don't have the cachet of others (FWIW, I wear an Aquaracer, purely because I love it, so it's not snobbery).
If you like it for what it is, buy it, but for yourself. If you want an investment, think hard.
Sold at £1890. Consider the bid/offer spread, and make your own mind up. Buying new, and selling second hand will rarely bring miniscule depreciation, especially with brands that don't have the cachet of others (FWIW, I wear an Aquaracer, purely because I love it, so it's not snobbery).
If you like it for what it is, buy it, but for yourself. If you want an investment, think hard.
I'll just add this.
NEVER think of watches as an investment, they rarely are.
Almost all will depreciate quiet quickly in the first couple of years.
The only ones which retain their initial price and even rise are Rolex Stainless Steel Sports models, for example the Daytona in white RRP £7,500 S/H in unworn condition can fetch above £8,000 as demand far out strips supply.
Having said that the bubble is slowly deflating, even the infamously difficult to acquire Daytona, is more available now and the price are starting to come down
NEVER think of watches as an investment, they rarely are.
Almost all will depreciate quiet quickly in the first couple of years.
The only ones which retain their initial price and even rise are Rolex Stainless Steel Sports models, for example the Daytona in white RRP £7,500 S/H in unworn condition can fetch above £8,000 as demand far out strips supply.
Having said that the bubble is slowly deflating, even the infamously difficult to acquire Daytona, is more available now and the price are starting to come down
Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for an investment.
For example, something I know a little more about would be camera lenses. The Canon 24-70/f2.8 L would sell for around £1000 new and then on the used market for around £650-700.
The used price is pretty much stable, it tends to ignore age and will fluctuate by about 10% based on condition, but it won't go much lower than that.
On the flipside, take the hands free unit for my car, it costs around £1200 fitted. When it's in the car, it will do nothing to the resale value of the car, or it might add 10%. So in my mind, that's just throwing away money and something I'm not that happy to do.
That was where I was coming at with the watch. Give it's new price is around £5k and the used price is around £3.5k, will it stay there for a few years, or do they behave like cars and the prices slowly drop away over time?
For example, something I know a little more about would be camera lenses. The Canon 24-70/f2.8 L would sell for around £1000 new and then on the used market for around £650-700.
The used price is pretty much stable, it tends to ignore age and will fluctuate by about 10% based on condition, but it won't go much lower than that.
On the flipside, take the hands free unit for my car, it costs around £1200 fitted. When it's in the car, it will do nothing to the resale value of the car, or it might add 10%. So in my mind, that's just throwing away money and something I'm not that happy to do.
That was where I was coming at with the watch. Give it's new price is around £5k and the used price is around £3.5k, will it stay there for a few years, or do they behave like cars and the prices slowly drop away over time?
Buy a brand new Tag Heuer & the value will tank straight away and then continue to fall for a few years until it finds it's minimum level. Best to check eBay sales for a guide as to what this might be.
The same will be true for most watches unless you're buying something very exclusive.
Without spending massive money, Sports Rolex tend to perform best in the short term.
Haggle hard.
The same will be true for most watches unless you're buying something very exclusive.
Without spending massive money, Sports Rolex tend to perform best in the short term.
Haggle hard.
Edited by andy tims on Thursday 10th November 12:45
theboyfold said:
I've been lusting after a certain watch for ages, the Tag Grand Carrera RS for some time now. I've also spoken to dealers on here, who have offered it to me at a very good price.
However, I'm still not sure I can justify spending such a large amount on a watch. What's the likely value of such a watch going to be in 1 to 2 years time, do they slowly slip away like a used car does. Or like a camera lens, it will fall from it's brand new / high street price, and then level out with only a small amount of loss?
I'm still tempted by the watch, but to spend that amount of money on something that doesn't retain a decent %age of it's value would worry me far too much.
I would say it's a bit like antiques etc., buy it because you like it. If it then increases in value, great. However, if having bought it you're going to worry about what it's likely to be worth in the future, then it probably isn't worth it. Unless you're prepared to write off the purchase price, I would just buy a cheaper watch that would probably tell the time (which, after all, is the purpose of a watch) just as well. In some cases, possibly better.However, I'm still not sure I can justify spending such a large amount on a watch. What's the likely value of such a watch going to be in 1 to 2 years time, do they slowly slip away like a used car does. Or like a camera lens, it will fall from it's brand new / high street price, and then level out with only a small amount of loss?
I'm still tempted by the watch, but to spend that amount of money on something that doesn't retain a decent %age of it's value would worry me far too much.
Edited by theboyfold on Thursday 10th November 12:47
My view is that a watch is something that you use more than you really think about, and that it should be something your proud of wearing......I wear my IWC daily, dont regret spending money on it at all as it gives me pleasuure each time I look at it ......go for it ....wear it often and use it as it should be used...you wont regret it
theboyfold said:
Give it's new price is around £5k and the used price is around £3.5k, will it stay there for a few years, or do they behave like cars and the prices slowly drop away over time?
maybe in the old days when they were exclusive, then they may have held their price....for tag think bmw... once a premium brand with cars having rock solid residuals, now the 3 outsells the mondeo and everyone has one, just like the aquaracer....
only the most exclusive and limited editions will retain value, and that is only if they are desirable and someone covets them...
simple fact is that most things are mass produced these days.... how many of your preferred watch are being made... is it truly a LE?
70proof said:
simple fact is that most things are mass produced these days.... how many of your preferred watch are being made... is it truly a LE?
In any given price range, what might reasonably be considered a truely limited edition?I like the CW DBR1, limited to 500 pieces, I have a Heuer Silverstone limited to 1860 pieces (and I am well aware of the <100 silly money editions...!).
But is 500 limited? (they haven't sold out straight away!)
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