2nd hand watches

[BobSaunders]

Hello,

Previously posted in this section many months ago re. Tag Heuer vs Breitling.

I've been looking into it more and more and think i am starting to settle on my final decision.

But, I've also been looking at the second hand watch market to achieve a nicer watch, much cheaper than retail. I've been looking at Breitling Navitimers, and seen one that is several years old (3), it appears to come from a reputable organisation online (trustpilot 9.7) as well with a 12 month warranty (return & fix).

Can one assume that much like a car (PH), if a watch is not taken care of it it's inner workings degrade over time and need continuous care and expense?

What other things can one expect with a second hand watch?

Thanks in advance.

[Hoofy]

What's the website you're buying it from? Might want to try Hackett Watches as many PHers recommend: https://www.hackettwatches.com/

[clockworks]

If it's looked after, a mechanical watch can last for hundreds of years. Don't drop it or bash it, and get it serviced when the time keeping or power reserve drops off.

I've got watches from the 1950's and earlier that are still spot on mechanically. Dials and plated cases can degrade though.
If the worst happens and something breaks, someone somewhere will have a spare part or complete scrap movement to fix it.

Most of my watches were bought secondhand. Only one (a 1930's Longines) has been beyond my limited watch tinkering skills. Fixed by a watchmaker for £70 (new balance staff).

[Lorne]

BobSaunders said:

Hello,

Can one assume that much like a car (PH), if a watch is not taken care of it it's inner workings degrade over time and need continuous care and expense?

What other things can one expect with a second hand watch?

Thanks in advance.

Main difference between a watch and a car is that you can't rev the boll@cks out of a watch, so in general it lasts a lot better.
Most movements should be good for at least 50 to 100 years before any issues with bearings or fatigue. A lot will run for way more than this and can be handed down through the generations.
A service every 5 to 8 years is ideal to ensure there's no corrosion developing in the movement, to clean off any dust and gunky old oil, re-lubricate it, put new water seals in, and adjust the time-keeping. Servicing is much like cars in that the original manufacturer will tend to charge more than an independent.
Lack of servicing is not such a problem as you might expect. You can run a watch with jewelled bearings quite happily once all the lubricating oil is gone as the jewels have a mohrs hardness of 9 so don't tend to wear.

As with a car, look for any dents or damage to the case. Dented case means an impact which may have upset the movement.
Case scratching is 'patina' and generally looks perfectly fine.

Make sure you don't buy a fake. This can be quite tricky as a lot of fakes are pretty damned close to the originals and difficult to distinguish. A fake will be running a chinese clone movement for which everything I said above doesn't apply.

Original box and papers are generally good. It's nice to have them, they help with confidence it's not a fake, and they're very useful if/when you want to sell.

Depreciation curve on watches has got to be the same as cars; 30% drop as soon as you walk out of the showroom and then a gentle decline to whatever the long term base price is. Also the same as cars in that some manufacturers restrict supply to try and keep demand and second hand prices high. I think Rolex might be a good example of this, but as they make around a million watches a year, and they're nice enough that each probably has a 50 to 100 year life, I think sheer weight of numbers will catch them out in due course.

New strap on a second hand watch is always good. Original manufacturers charge a lot for straps but independents and custom made ones can be way nicer.

[Lorne]

clockworks said:

Most of my watches were bought secondhand. Only one (a 1930's Longines)........

I thought this sentence was going to end with ' ..... I bought new.'

Edited by Lorne on Friday 6th April 12:52

[davek_964]

My Breguet was bought second hand - I can't remember exactly but think it was at least 5 years old when I bought it - it may have been nearer to 10. It runs absolutely perfectly - keeps more accurate time than my (bought new) Daytona.