Building a collection for Investment

[ATV]

Sorry if this has been asked many times before but can any recommend me the particular models out of the following Big Three makes (Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin) that would hold their values and possibly increase over the next 25 years?

I know that speculating in the watch market is a bit hit and miss but would appreciate some guidance or links to articles where I can get more info.

I've been thinking of expanding my small collection as I'd get to wear some great watches and have a lot of enjoyment out of them rather than sticking something into a boring ISA (which I do anyway) each year.

[DH01]

Forget watches as an investment. Buy to enjoy.

[marcosgt]

If you are thinking along those lines, buy vintage.

Anything modern from those makers is going to be VERY hit-and-miss, imo.

M.

[yeti]

Don't touch AP or VC, stick with PP. They're the only one the market wants.

Don't go below 36mm, rose gold is trendy now and should stay there.

As complicated yet as simple looking as you can and full paperwork needed, not just the extract from the archives, for full potential.

Have you considered vintage Rolex..? Sub-9k 1665 Great Whites, most 16750 GMTs and sub-10k 1655 Exp IIs are great buys now. The 5512 boat has probably been missed and 5513, 1680, plexi-Daytonas and DoubleReds are making too strong a money to make much more. Although anything can happen with vintage Daytonas...

[InductionRoar]

Vintage or limited editions would be the way to go but you will need to stand out of some serious cash. The ideal would be to enjoy them and sell them when you are bored but you will want to make sure you don't get too attached to them.

PP are always a good bet but some of the AP limited editions such as the Juan Pablo Montoya edition seem to be a good bet however, these may have already reached their maximum.

If you want to take a gamble it could be a good idea to put your name down for a new limited edition (and hope that demand outstrips supply) or a vintage/timeless watch that is of a useable size.

[yeti]

the accused said:

Once opportunity cost and inflation are factored in do ANY watches really make investment profit ?

Yes.

[michael gould]

watches are like most other high value investments......the price you buy at is key to making a profit.

[huytonman]

Even if you put the watches in a safe after 5-6 years they will need a service, for all of these thats a lot of dosh and over 25 years a lot of servicing...factor that into you equation too. If i was making an investment i would steer clear of the usual brands and look at somebody like Roger Smith - ten years ago it as a toss up between buying one of his watches or a BoxsterS, the car won and my bank balance lost..big time!

[huytonman]

Even if you put the watches in a safe after 5-6 years they will need a service, for all of these thats a lot of dosh and over 25 years a lot of servicing...factor that into you equation too. If i was making an investment i would steer clear of the usual brands and look at somebody like Roger Smith - ten years ago it as a toss up between buying one of his watches or a BoxsterS, the car won and my bank balance lost..big time!

[DH01]

huytonman said:

If i was making an investment i would steer clear of the usual brands and look at somebody like Roger Smith

C'mon this is PH, must be a Daniels !

[RichB]

DH01 said:

Forget watches as an investment. Buy to enjoy.

I would also say buy into something you know a lot about rather than something you don't. For example I would feel totally confident investing in classic cars but while I like watches I don't know enough about them to trust myself. What are your interests?

[yeti]

huytonman said:

Even if you put the watches in a safe after 5-6 years they will need a service

Not necessarily. You'd service them before sale, that's all.

And even if you want to wear them, a Patek or an AP is 1000 quid every 5-10 years, a Rolex 430. Not going to kill you.