Would you sell your 'first watch'?

[caelite]

Silly question, but something I have been deliberating.

I am sure I am not the only person who grew up in a working/middle class UK household where it was a tradition to get your first 'nice' watch as an 18th birthday present.

So when I was 18 (6 years ago), I picked out a mid range Bulova Marine Star automatic, and decided I wanted it. Didn't know anything about watches at the time and had previously only worn various low end digital Casios throughout my school years. So I get this Bulova, loved it for 2 years or so, then I bought a few more with my own money, now own a couple of Seikos, a CWC & a Vostok. I literally never wear the Bulova anymore, I just honestly don't like it, I have small wrists and its a big 44mm diver, almost all of the watches I have bought since are 36-39mm and that is the size I like.

So, would you sell it? It's worth a few hundred quid and, at a glance due to the less favourable USD exchange rate now I wouldn't lose any money on it (bought it imported from the US for $280). The sentimental value of it really just isn't there

[So]

caelite said:

Silly question, but something I have been deliberating.

I am sure I am not the only person who grew up in a working/middle class UK household where it was a tradition to get your first 'nice' watch as an 18th birthday present.

So when I was 18 (6 years ago), I picked out a mid range Bulova Marine Star automatic, and decided I wanted it. Didn't know anything about watches at the time and had previously only worn various low end digital Casios throughout my school years. So I get this Bulova, loved it for 2 years or so, then I bought a few more with my own money, now own a couple of Seikos, a CWC & a Vostok. I literally never wear the Bulova anymore, I just honestly don't like it, I have small wrists and its a big 44mm diver, almost all of the watches I have bought since are 36-39mm and that is the size I like.

So, would you sell it? It's worth a few hundred quid and, at a glance due to the less favourable USD exchange rate now I wouldn't lose any money on it (bought it imported from the US for $280). The sentimental value of it really just isn't there

They seem to be available online for less than you paid, and you didn't pay a lot. Unless you're seriously strapped for cash, why bother?

[ruaricoles]

Hide it away somewhere for a few weeks and see if you miss seeing it?

But you say it has no sentimental value so why hang onto it... It’d be different if it had been given to you as an heirloom of course. Would whoever bought it for you notice, or even be bothered?

If the money isn’t an issue, then how about a charity auction - you could justify the sale to yourself by having something more worthwhile done with the proceeds?

[catso]

Don't have many watches but I certainly wouldn't sell any.

To me a watch is a personal item and I'm not into selling personal items, I didn't buy them as any sort of investment but rather because I liked them as a watch.

That said I've lost or misplaced a few over the years...

[mikeveal]

caelite said:

Silly question, but something I have been deliberating.

I am sure I am not the only person who grew up in a working/middle class UK household where it was a tradition to get your first 'nice' watch as an 18th birthday present.

So when I was 18 (6 years ago), I picked out a mid range Bulova Marine Star automatic, and decided I wanted it. Didn't know anything about watches at the time and had previously only worn various low end digital Casios throughout my school years. So I get this Bulova, loved it for 2 years or so, then I bought a few more with my own money, now own a couple of Seikos, a CWC & a Vostok. I literally never wear the Bulova anymore, I just honestly don't like it, I have small wrists and its a big 44mm diver, almost all of the watches I have bought since are 36-39mm and that is the size I like.

So, would you sell it? It's worth a few hundred quid and, at a glance due to the less favourable USD exchange rate now I wouldn't lose any money on it (bought it imported from the US for $280). The sentimental value of it really just isn't there

You can never un-sell it, once it's gone, it's gone.
It may not have any sentimental value to you now, but that may change. Later in life after your parents have gone, you may treasure it. You might be very disappointed to learn that modern (Citizen) Bulovas do not fetch much money second hand.

And finally, how do you think heirlooms are created? I have a 1960's gold plated Rotary, it's nothing special, worth about £40. It was my late uncle's 21st birthday present and I treasure it.

So what if you don't like it? Shove it in a drawer and see if your opinion changes over the years. If it doesn't, bequeath the watch and make someone's day.

The alternative is what? Swap it for a tank of fuel?

[mikeh501]

Got a tag on my 18th, some 30 odd years ago. Would never sell it, and its probably not worth anything anyhow. Dont really wear it anymore however, just sits in the safe.

[Jinba Ittai]

When I was 18 my parents bought me a Gucci watch. I wore it plenty when I was young, and then stopped wearing it as other watches took over as it's very small. I've kept it safe over the years, and last year officially passed it on to my eldest daughter. It's her responsibility now and I hope she will do the same in the future.

ETA - The first serious watch that I bought was a Sea Dweller in about 1999. It took an absolute pounding over the years, but never missed a beat. A few years back I needed some money fairly quickly so I sold the Sea Dweller. Massively regretted it almost immediately. I have since replaced it with another Sea Dweller of the same era, but it's not quite the same.

Edited by Jinba Ittai on Thursday 1st February 10:55

[TheAngryDog]

Not me. My parents bought me a TAG Heuer when I was 15 (21 years ago). My father had it repaired several years ago as it got water damaged. My dad is no longer around so the watch has huge sentimental value to me, selling it would be criminal.

[InductionRoar]

I would have to be in dire straits to sell my first watch.

[OGR4M]

I’ve argued with myself regarding this more than once - in my case I’ve had (sort of) 2 first watches, one bought for me, and one bought myself.

I recently sold a Chris Ward C60, a watch given to me for my 25th. This was a present from my parents, and I kept it for months after upgrading to the PH standard watch requirement Rolex Sub.

I didn’t want to sell it as it was my first ‘proper’ (ie nice chunky metal auto) watch - but with my parents’ permission I sold it and used the money on minor home improvements.

I bought my Rolex with emotional motivation (far too gushy and boring to divulge here!) and as a result I immediately decided it would never be sold, regardless of financial situation - though here I am waiting for my turn on a green sub (mine is a no-date) and I simply can’t afford both. I like the green one more, but does that one lose the personal sentimentality of ‘my first watch’?

TL;DR maybe, dunno.

[Hoofy]

Birthday present? Keep it. It's from your parents.

My first watch was a cheapo Timex that died as it couldn't keep up with a 9 year old's rough activities.

[Paul Drawmer]

I bought this, my first proper watch when I was 21.




After 50 years; it would have to be a hard day before I sell it.

[Voldemort]

Paul Drawmer said:

I bought this, my first proper watch when I was 21.

Lovely. Can you remember how much it was?

[Du1point8]

First watch was a planet ocean (600m version) and I will never sell it, nope never.

[So]

Paul Drawmer said:

I bought this, my first proper watch when I was 21.




After 50 years; it would have to be a hard day before I sell it.

Your wrist is in good nick for someone of your vintage.

[Buster73]

First “decent watch”was a Tag 2000 Black face , bought by my wife for Christmas one year , it’s never been worn for years.

I would sell it tomorrow if someone was interested, no emotional attachment at all , and my wife feels the same.

However my first Rolex ( non date sub ) which I wear everyday is now 18 years old , I bought it on holiday so not connected by birthdays or anniversary, will never be sold.

Funny old train of thought.

[caelite]

Right, think I can justify it if I replace it with another watch.

Man logic... Might chuck it on eBay for a fairly cheeky buy it now (£250) and see if someone just sets there heart on it as it is a fairly rare skew (98A105, black face & open heart). My current collection is lacking a dress watch (currently 3 divers & a field watch), got my eye on one of those semi-skeletal Hamiltons.... or I could spunk my house deposit and go for the Zenith that I do want.

Thanks for the input guys, did give me a bit to think about.

[anonymous-user]

Paul Drawmer said:

I bought this, my first proper watch when I was 21.

After 50 years; it would have to be a hard day before I sell it.

Do you still wear it regularly?

[Paul Drawmer]

I wore the JLC as a daily for about 30 years, then a 10 year gap whilst I had a Omega chronostop, then back to daily wear until 10 years ago when I started 'buying watches'. It still gets regular use, but along with a dozen others.

I bought it from a MOD equipment re seller as new unissued, via an ad. in Exchange and Mart.

It cost £12/10s
(£12.50)

[andy tims]

I don’t have s clue where my first few watches are, but I still have the first half decent watch I bought - a Seiko Sports 100 analogue quartz I saved up my Saturday job money to buy when I was 14.
It hasn’t worked for years, but hey?