Buying new or used
Poll: Buying new or used
Total Members Polled: 57
Discussion
Do people particularly prefer buying new watches from an AD to buying used and maybe just receiving a delivery a few days later? Maybe with some associated worry about what you’re buying?
Ive done both a few times and I can’t say I find the AD experience always that awesome. Last new watch I bought was a Rolex and although I was happy to be picking it up, I had some really loud bloke arguing with the sales staff about a problem he had with his submariner not being ready from a service. I also don’t really like all the fawning going on in these shops and people congratulating you on basically blowing thousands on something you don’t really need in the first place.
I just want a no nonsense purchase done quickly.
Obviously it depends on the AD, but also depreciation on some models makes used pretty attractive on many models now. If I’ve bought a used watch, it’s always made me feel like it’s not my watch for a few weeks but the massive savings makes up for it usually.
I get with a car it has a new car feel about it but do people get that with watches too?
I’d often rather save the money and buy a good condition watch that’s deprecated already, obviously some models cost more used than new so it’s not an option or are discontinued etc.
If say you had a choice between a £10,000 new watch or £7,000 used from a reputable second had dealer. Which would you go for?
Or would you always buy new or always buy used in the first place?
Ive done both a few times and I can’t say I find the AD experience always that awesome. Last new watch I bought was a Rolex and although I was happy to be picking it up, I had some really loud bloke arguing with the sales staff about a problem he had with his submariner not being ready from a service. I also don’t really like all the fawning going on in these shops and people congratulating you on basically blowing thousands on something you don’t really need in the first place.
I just want a no nonsense purchase done quickly.
Obviously it depends on the AD, but also depreciation on some models makes used pretty attractive on many models now. If I’ve bought a used watch, it’s always made me feel like it’s not my watch for a few weeks but the massive savings makes up for it usually.
I get with a car it has a new car feel about it but do people get that with watches too?
I’d often rather save the money and buy a good condition watch that’s deprecated already, obviously some models cost more used than new so it’s not an option or are discontinued etc.
If say you had a choice between a £10,000 new watch or £7,000 used from a reputable second had dealer. Which would you go for?
Or would you always buy new or always buy used in the first place?
Pretty much all of mine (approx 20 in total) were bought pre-owned for the simple reason of value for money. I've never thought that they were anything other than mine and despite knowing that I've bought them from a private individual (I've never bought pre-owned from a dealer) once in my possession they're new to me with no shine lost knowing that they were once someone else's. As long as the watch is as described then I'm happy and that's that. It's the same with cars, I've only bought 1 brand new (and I doubt I'd ever do that again due to the horrendous depreciation costs) with all the others through private sales - once I have them they're new to me.
To answer your question of £10k new vs £7k pre-owned I'd go pre-owned every time if that was a fair price for the watch given what it is, service history, condition, full set etc etc.
I did purchase my Tudor 36BB new a year or two back, I'd fancied one for a while and I had an unexpected small inheritance come my way. The main reasons for buying new were that a) there were very few pre-owned on the market at that time and b) the few that were weren't offering much of a saving given the discount I obtained when I bought new. I certainly didn't buy new for the "AD experience", it was just that the peace of mind was worth the small increase in cost. The fact that I also consider the watch to be a keeper was also a factor as I've lost plenty of £££ in buying new and then selling on the pre-owned market in the past.
To answer your question of £10k new vs £7k pre-owned I'd go pre-owned every time if that was a fair price for the watch given what it is, service history, condition, full set etc etc.
I did purchase my Tudor 36BB new a year or two back, I'd fancied one for a while and I had an unexpected small inheritance come my way. The main reasons for buying new were that a) there were very few pre-owned on the market at that time and b) the few that were weren't offering much of a saving given the discount I obtained when I bought new. I certainly didn't buy new for the "AD experience", it was just that the peace of mind was worth the small increase in cost. The fact that I also consider the watch to be a keeper was also a factor as I've lost plenty of £££ in buying new and then selling on the pre-owned market in the past.
Edited by CardShark on Sunday 25th August 17:09
CardShark said:
Pretty much all of mine (approx 20 in total) were bought pre-owned for the simple reason of value for money. I've never thought that they were anything other than mine and despite knowing that I've bought them from a private individual (I've never bought pre-owned from a dealer) once in my possession they're new to me with no shine lost knowing that they were once someone else's. As long as the watch is as described then I'm happy and that's that. It's the same with cars, I've only bought 1 brand new (and I doubt I'd ever do that again due to the horrendous depreciation costs) with all the others through private sales - once I have them they're new to me.
To answer your question of £10k new vs £7k pre-owned I'd go pre-owned every time if that was a fair price for the watch given what it is, service history, condition, full set etc etc.
I did purchase my Tudor 36BB new a year or two back, I'd fancied one for a while and I had an unexpected small inheritance come my way. The main reasons for buying new were that a) there were very few pre-owned on the market at that time and b) the few that were weren't offering much of a saving given the discount I obtained when I bought new. I certainly didn't buy new for the "AD experience", it was just that the peace of mind was worth the small increase in cost. The fact that I also consider the watch to be a keeper was also a factor as I've lost plenty of £££ in buying new and then selling on the pre-owned market in the past.
IMO this makes a load of sense. Used - OK, 'pre-owned' - is generally where the best value is. That said, I've bought new most recently... but that's still with my head leading. To answer your question of £10k new vs £7k pre-owned I'd go pre-owned every time if that was a fair price for the watch given what it is, service history, condition, full set etc etc.
I did purchase my Tudor 36BB new a year or two back, I'd fancied one for a while and I had an unexpected small inheritance come my way. The main reasons for buying new were that a) there were very few pre-owned on the market at that time and b) the few that were weren't offering much of a saving given the discount I obtained when I bought new. I certainly didn't buy new for the "AD experience", it was just that the peace of mind was worth the small increase in cost. The fact that I also consider the watch to be a keeper was also a factor as I've lost plenty of £££ in buying new and then selling on the pre-owned market in the past.
Edited by CardShark on Sunday 25th August 17:09
I’d mostly buy new but the “AD experience” is one I’d rather avoid. A recent visit to WoS with fawning staff, fake champagne actually put me off buying from them. I’m looking for a watch, not a lifestyle experience. What I wanted - look- buy - leave wasn’t available there, and it took best part of an hour to escape.
I got my new Omega Speedmaster Pro from WoS at Heathrow because the price was cheaper than most used offerings I'd seen elsewhere (£3066) I think the retail is £3810. I'd seen a few older examples (2014/15) going for more than I paid new.
It was simple too. I flew into t5 to head to Budapest and chatted to the salesman. He reserved the watch and it was ready for collection on my return leg. No pomp or ceremony. The only pain was trying to get the bloody huge box in my hand-luggage. I ended up wearing 2 jumpers and a coat to get it to fit
I'd buy new or used depending on the dealer, price, watch. I don't think there's a right or wrong way to get the watch you want as long as you do a bit of research and know what you're getting into.
It was simple too. I flew into t5 to head to Budapest and chatted to the salesman. He reserved the watch and it was ready for collection on my return leg. No pomp or ceremony. The only pain was trying to get the bloody huge box in my hand-luggage. I ended up wearing 2 jumpers and a coat to get it to fit
I'd buy new or used depending on the dealer, price, watch. I don't think there's a right or wrong way to get the watch you want as long as you do a bit of research and know what you're getting into.
It depends! But i go for where the best value is.
I typically know what I want, and surprise, surprise- often not available at a Dealer (e.g. steel Rolexes); that said, nearly new prices for this kind of thing usually are no better (or even worse) than brand new on a waiting list.
Like others have said, I don't see the value in paying a premium for the official dealer experience when you can get the same watch, brand new, from grey dealers- I'm buying the watch to wear and tell the time, not to enjoy 1 hour in the jewellers (especially if you have the kids in tow!)
I'd likely change my opinion if the official dealer networks actually had the full range of watches to try/buy- but they don't. Online platforms give you the full range and help you establish the value of what you intend to buy- which also means you can compare used vs new.
I typically know what I want, and surprise, surprise- often not available at a Dealer (e.g. steel Rolexes); that said, nearly new prices for this kind of thing usually are no better (or even worse) than brand new on a waiting list.
Like others have said, I don't see the value in paying a premium for the official dealer experience when you can get the same watch, brand new, from grey dealers- I'm buying the watch to wear and tell the time, not to enjoy 1 hour in the jewellers (especially if you have the kids in tow!)
I'd likely change my opinion if the official dealer networks actually had the full range of watches to try/buy- but they don't. Online platforms give you the full range and help you establish the value of what you intend to buy- which also means you can compare used vs new.
Whitean3 said:
It depends! But i go for where the best value is.
I typically know what I want, and surprise, surprise- often not available at a Dealer (e.g. steel Rolexes); that said, nearly new prices for this kind of thing usually are no better (or even worse) than brand new on a waiting list.
Like others have said, I don't see the value in paying a premium for the official dealer experience when you can get the same watch, brand new, from grey dealers- I'm buying the watch to wear and tell the time, not to enjoy 1 hour in the jewellers (especially if you have the kids in tow!)
I'd likely change my opinion if the official dealer networks actually had the full range of watches to try/buy- but they don't. Online platforms give you the full range and help you establish the value of what you intend to buy- which also means you can compare used vs new.
Good point. Several of my new ones have come from or via a grey. The price I've paid has been close to what you see used ones going for on WF etc. Which tells you something about AD margins...I typically know what I want, and surprise, surprise- often not available at a Dealer (e.g. steel Rolexes); that said, nearly new prices for this kind of thing usually are no better (or even worse) than brand new on a waiting list.
Like others have said, I don't see the value in paying a premium for the official dealer experience when you can get the same watch, brand new, from grey dealers- I'm buying the watch to wear and tell the time, not to enjoy 1 hour in the jewellers (especially if you have the kids in tow!)
I'd likely change my opinion if the official dealer networks actually had the full range of watches to try/buy- but they don't. Online platforms give you the full range and help you establish the value of what you intend to buy- which also means you can compare used vs new.
Depends what it’s for...bought my first premium watch (a Tudor GMT) as a 40th birthday present and wanted it to be new because it’s a forever watch and it makes it more ‘mine’.
It also just happens that I wanted the new model, used ones cost more anyway, etc etc etc.
There are many others I’d like to get eventually (breitling heritage, tag Monaco, IWC Portuguese among others) and would be quite happy to have any of them pre-owned as they’re just expensive trinkets in the long run.
It also just happens that I wanted the new model, used ones cost more anyway, etc etc etc.
There are many others I’d like to get eventually (breitling heritage, tag Monaco, IWC Portuguese among others) and would be quite happy to have any of them pre-owned as they’re just expensive trinkets in the long run.
El stovey said:
Do people particularly prefer buying new watches from an AD to buying used and maybe just receiving a delivery a few days later? Maybe with some associated worry about what you’re buying?
Ive done both a few times and I can’t say I find the AD experience always that awesome. Last new watch I bought was a Rolex and although I was happy to be picking it up, I had some really loud bloke arguing with the sales staff about a problem he had with his submariner not being ready from a service. I also don’t really like all the fawning going on in these shops and people congratulating you on basically blowing thousands on something you don’t really need in the first place.
I just want a no nonsense purchase done quickly.
Obviously it depends on the AD, but also depreciation on some models makes used pretty attractive on many models now. If I’ve bought a used watch, it’s always made me feel like it’s not my watch for a few weeks but the massive savings makes up for it usually.
I get with a car it has a new car feel about it but do people get that with watches too?
I’d often rather save the money and buy a good condition watch that’s deprecated already, obviously some models cost more used than new so it’s not an option or are discontinued etc.
If say you had a choice between a £10,000 new watch or £7,000 used from a reputable second had dealer. Which would you go for?
Or would you always buy new or always buy used in the first place?
Why would anyone expect an “awesome “ retail experience when buying a watch ? .Ive done both a few times and I can’t say I find the AD experience always that awesome. Last new watch I bought was a Rolex and although I was happy to be picking it up, I had some really loud bloke arguing with the sales staff about a problem he had with his submariner not being ready from a service. I also don’t really like all the fawning going on in these shops and people congratulating you on basically blowing thousands on something you don’t really need in the first place.
I just want a no nonsense purchase done quickly.
Obviously it depends on the AD, but also depreciation on some models makes used pretty attractive on many models now. If I’ve bought a used watch, it’s always made me feel like it’s not my watch for a few weeks but the massive savings makes up for it usually.
I get with a car it has a new car feel about it but do people get that with watches too?
I’d often rather save the money and buy a good condition watch that’s deprecated already, obviously some models cost more used than new so it’s not an option or are discontinued etc.
If say you had a choice between a £10,000 new watch or £7,000 used from a reputable second had dealer. Which would you go for?
Or would you always buy new or always buy used in the first place?
I walk in , exchange pleasantries, offer credit card and input the pin , box goes into a carrier bag , thanks very much and I’m out of there.
No different to buying a pair of shoes imho.
Buster73 said:
Why would anyone expect an “awesome “ retail experience when buying a watch ? .
I walk in , exchange pleasantries, offer credit card and input the pin , box goes into a carrier bag , thanks very much and I’m out of there.
No different to buying a pair of shoes imho.
I don’t, I said that it’s not awesome. It’s far from good.I walk in , exchange pleasantries, offer credit card and input the pin , box goes into a carrier bag , thanks very much and I’m out of there.
No different to buying a pair of shoes imho.
I also said
“I just want a no nonsense purchase done quickly”.
I seek value so would usually go used unless there was a cracking deal on a new example. I don't care at all for the "full set" box & papers or the in-store experience, and would prefer an Argos-style transaction - can't wait to get out of there.
Buying used from a private seller often gets a great price, but can be somewhat time-consuming and stressful (arranging to meet, is it genuine, payment etc.)
Buying used from a private seller often gets a great price, but can be somewhat time-consuming and stressful (arranging to meet, is it genuine, payment etc.)
Used for me. Last week I visited the two Rolex ADs near work (City) and neither had any sports models in stock. Chap I work with actually bought his two tone sub new from an AD but unseen as he couldn't find anywhere that had stock for him to try out first. It's madness. Maybe this 'difficult to get hold of watches' approach that ADs have works well with a lot of buyers making them think that they have to find one and if they do it's like the holy grail or something (even though we all know that Rolex manufacturer a ton of watches each year). For me I just find it annoying so will go used where I can browse and try what I want first
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