40th birthday present strategy

[covmutley]

I hit the big 40 in a couple of months. I had always hoped to get a nice car for my 40th, but with 3 kids and limited funds, it's just not going to happen. Maybe for my 50th then!

For my 30th, I got a maurice lacroix pontos (all black) that is on my wrist right now, and I still absolutely love! It's not been a good financial investment by any means, but I really don't care. Its a keeper as far as I'm concerned!

This brings me to my dilemma. I have been looking at a dornbleuth, which is about 4k. I only have just over half the cash, but could easily save the rest in the 12 months it takes for it to be made. Having something made bespoke, I just can't imagine selling it, which is fine.

Or, I could get something like a tudor or other second hand watch now, enjoy the watch whilst I keep saving and then trade up to a more expensive watch in say 2 years, and then rinse and repeat. If I did this route, I would want it to be a reasonable way of 'saving'. I don't expect to make money, it would just be good to own and enjoy nice things, and if I could retain a high proportion of the investment.

Has anyone done similar in trading up over time, and has this worked out well?

[Jamescrs]

I think personally if you have your heart set on the custom watch you should go for that one.
If you wanted to get the order in straight away you could consider taking out a new credit card such as MBNA which are doing some 20 month 0% deals on purchases so based on your post you could have it paid off before you start paying interest anyway and you get the watch you really want.

Tudors are fine watches, im a fan myself but if its not what you really want I think you may regret it.

[mikeveal]

Here we go (yet) again. Watches are not investments.
To assess how smart it is to invest in watches, imagine that your pension manager had invested your retirement funds in a bunch of watches. Imagine how pleased you'd be to discover that your retirement hangs on the performance of the used watch market.

Watches tell the time, they're trinkets. Collecting watches is a hobby. You might make a few quid here and there, you might lose a few quid. Kay sera, buying a watch does not make you Warren Buffett.

To answer your question more usefully, if you don't want to lose money, don't buy new. The chaps over on TZ-UK are frequently trading watches asking what they paid for them.

[covmutley]

mikeveal said:

Here we go (yet) again. Watches are not investments.
To assess how smart it is to invest in watches, imagine that your pension manager had invested your retirement funds in a bunch of watches. Imagine how pleased you'd be to discover that your retirement hangs on the performance of the used watch market.

Watches tell the time, they're trinkets. Collecting watches is a hobby. You might make a few quid here and there, you might lose a few quid. Kay sera, buying a watch does not make you Warren Buffett.

To answer your question more usefully, if you don't want to lose money, don't buy new. The chaps over on TZ-UK are frequently trading watches asking what they paid for them.

Thanks Mike, I perhaps should have used the word 'cost', rather than 'investment', but I do think you should have perhaps read my post more closely before posting your condescending advice. Anyway, no problem, have a good weekend.

Edited by covmutley on Friday 11th June 12:32

[Doofus]

mikeveal said:

Kay sera, buying a watch does not make you Warren Buffett.

I don't think you mean Que será, and if you do, that's not how you spell it.

[mikeveal]

covmutley said:

Thanks Mike, I perhaps should have used the word 'cost', rather than 'investment', but I do think you should have perhaps read my post more closely before posting your condescending advice. Anyway, no problem, have a good weekend.

Edited by covmutley on Friday 11th June 12:32

Sorry, we regularliy get people asking about investeng in watches and it's a pet hate. I did read your post closely and understand your sentiment and it still trigered my automatic response. My reply wasn't intended to be condescending to you directly, rather than inevitable stream of mupetts advising how to invest in watches that your post was bound to triger.

Edited to deliberitely adjust speelin & Grammar so as to maximise The itch in doFuses' teeth.

Edited by mikeveal on Friday 11th June 13:56

[covmutley]

mikeveal said:

Sorry, we regularliy get people asking about investeng in watches and it's a pet hate. I did read your post closely and understand your sentiment and it still trigered my automatic response. My reply wasn't intended to be condescending to you directly, rather than inevitable stream of mupetts advising how to invest in watches that your post was bound to triger.

Edited to deliberitely adjust speelin & Grammar so as to maximise The itch in doFuses' teeth.

Edited by mikeveal on Friday 11th June 13:56

I guess my question is, do I push the boat out now
(I would be paying 25% now, so have the 12 month build time to save the rest) for a bespoke watch that really interests me and I intend to keep forever, or go 2nd hand and move up in watch over time.


I'm not looking to make money going the 2nd hand route, just keep the wife off my back whilst still enjoying a nice watch by not losing thousands!

Edited by covmutley on Friday 11th June 14:28

[ColdoRS]

mikeveal said:

Here we go (yet) again. Watches are not investments.
To assess how smart it is to invest in watches, imagine that your pension manager had invested your retirement funds in a bunch of watches. Imagine how pleased you'd be to discover that your retirement hangs on the performance of the used watch market.

Watches tell the time, they're trinkets. Collecting watches is a hobby. You might make a few quid here and there, you might lose a few quid. Kay sera, buying a watch does not make you Warren Buffett.

To answer your question more usefully, if you don't want to lose money, don't buy new. The chaps over on TZ-UK are frequently trading watches asking what they paid for them.

How is an investment in a watch any different to an investment in art, wine, classic cars, stock and shares? They all rely hang on the performance of the *insert investment item here* market.

Yes, most watches should be regarded as depreciating assets however if you can source the right watches at list price, of course they can be viable investments. How much you make depends on what you buy and for how much and what you can sell it at - investing 101.

I would agree though that someone with £4k to invest should look at other options before watches.

[Deep]

mikeveal said:

Here we go (yet) again. Watches are not investments.
To assess how smart it is to invest in watches, imagine that your pension manager had invested your retirement funds in a bunch of watches. Imagine how pleased you'd be to discover that your retirement hangs on the performance of the used watch market.

Watches tell the time, they're trinkets. Collecting watches is a hobby. You might make a few quid here and there, you might lose a few quid. Kay sera, buying a watch does not make you Warren Buffett.

To answer your question more usefully, if you don't want to lose money, don't buy new. The chaps over on TZ-UK are frequently trading watches asking what they paid for them.

Even though the OP wasn't asking about investing he just wanted to lose the least amount of money...you're wrong anyway.
I know people who have indeed invested in watches and done very well out of it. It's a part of a balanced portfolio which will also include other non traditional asset classes ie fine wines/whisky, art etc.

If you know what you're doing and have the funds available then watches can be a good investment. They have the added bonus of being much easier to shield from CGT and IHT.

The fact that it annoys you that some people view watches as an investment rather than to be worn is really your problem not theirs

[Dicky Knee]

I have a Dornbluth 99.1 which I ordered for my 50th. I enjoyed being able to personalise it and being kept in touch along with photos as it was being made. I also had the movement engraved with my name which has pretty much guaranteed it to be worthless second hand.

If you want a Dornbluth, get it ordered and on your wrist ASAP.

[T6 vanman]

I think to use a car analogy ...
I want a Boxster, The key ingredients in this are a sports car, convertible, flat 6 engined & engine behind driver,
I can't afford a new Boxster but I can afford the deposit & PCP monthlies, Once the PCP finishes I would have saved enough to pay the GFV.

Do I
1: Visit my local Porsche dealer
2: Buy a Twingo as it's engine is behind the driver, after a year trade this for a big Scooby for the flat engine ...etc..etc...... whilst building up to buying the Boxster

Does this clarify the question??

[covmutley]

T6 vanman said:

I think to use a car analogy ...
I want a Boxster, The key ingredients in this are a sports car, convertible, flat 6 engined & engine behind driver,
I can't afford a new Boxster but I can afford the deposit & PCP monthlies, Once the PCP finishes I would have saved enough to pay the GFV.

Do I
1: Visit my local Porsche dealer
2: Buy a Twingo as it's engine is behind the driver, after a year trade this for a big Scooby for the flat engine ...etc..etc...... whilst building up to buying the Boxster

Does this clarify the question??

Yes, exactly. But what's the answer!?!

To be honest I keep coming back to the dornbleuth. It just seems so lovely for the money, hand made, personal etc. I love good value, and it seems like the money has gone into the watch, rather than marketing

Edited by covmutley on Friday 11th June 15:37

[T6 vanman]

In my scenario .... You stated
"This brings me to my dilemma. I have been looking at a Dornbleuth Boxster, which is about 4k. I only have just over half the cash, but could easily save the rest in the 12 months it takes for it to be made. Having something made bespoke, I just can't imagine selling it, which is fine."

I can't help with you having the will power of an amoeba and doing the correct 'Watch Forum' thing and getting the 911 later

---

FFS stop editing your comments .... now mine make's no sense

[covmutley]

Dicky Knee said:

I have a Dornbluth 99.1 which I ordered for my 50th. I enjoyed being able to personalise it and being kept in touch along with photos as it was being made. I also had the movement engraved with my name which has pretty much guaranteed it to be worthless second hand.

If you want a Dornbluth, get it ordered and on your wrist ASAP.

I assume you are very happy with it? Most on here seem to have been

[covmutley]

T6 vanman said:

In my scenario ....
FFS stop editing your comments .... now mine make's no sense

Sorry!

[Dicky Knee]

covmutley said:

Dicky Knee said:

I have a Dornbluth 99.1 which I ordered for my 50th. I enjoyed being able to personalise it and being kept in touch along with photos as it was being made. I also had the movement engraved with my name which has pretty much guaranteed it to be worthless second hand.

If you want a Dornbluth, get it ordered and on your wrist ASAP.

I assume you are very happy with it? Most on here seem to have been

Really pleased with the watch. And the whole buying process differentiates it from buying something in a store.

[mikeveal]

Deep said:

Even though the OP wasn't asking about investing he just wanted to lose the least amount of money...you're wrong anyway.
I know people who have indeed invested in watches and done very well out of it. It's a part of a balanced portfolio which will also include other non traditional asset classes ie fine wines/whisky, art etc.

If you know what you're doing and have the funds available then watches can be a good investment. They have the added bonus of being much easier to shield from CGT and IHT.

The fact that it annoys you that some people view watches as an investment rather than to be worn is really your problem not theirs

So you'd be happy to find out your pension advisor has "invested" your money in watches would you?

It's a hobby from which you can make a few quid. Sometimes. It falls so far into the high risk, low yield category that it can be regarded as betting at the bookies. Can you make money from betting? Yeah sure, with a bit of insider knowledge you might. Sometimes.

You are deluded if you think otherwise. Your and your acquaintances state of mind is categorically not my problem, please do not attempt to make it so.

[Barchettaman]

Eh? You like the Lacroix, keep it, save up and buy the dornblüth when you’ve got the funds.

If you like the watch you have don’t piss about buying something else in between. You’re not a female teenager who needs instant retail gratification by buying the latest sweatpants at Primark. Get a grip, FFS.

[covmutley]

Dicky Knee said:

Really pleased with the watch. And the whole buying process differentiates it from buying something in a store.

Good to hear! , the only thing making me slightly nervous is that my wrist is a relatively small 6.5 inches. I'm looking at going for a 40mm, rather than the 42, so should hopefully be OK. ?

[Dicky Knee]

covmutley said:

Dicky Knee said:

Really pleased with the watch. And the whole buying process differentiates it from buying something in a store.

Good to hear! , the only thing making me slightly nervous is that my wrist is a relatively small 6.5 inches. I'm looking at going for a 40mm, rather than the 42, so should hopefully be OK. ?

I have the 42mm and an 8 inch wrist so can't help on sizing. If you get into London I'd be happy for you to have a try of mine.