High end quartz
Discussion
Just after some advice, I'm looking to get a watch for my wife and was looking into options.
The budget I have in mind stretches to a new ladies Datejust. It's going to be a peice to hand down to my daughter in time so was looking to get something that will retain most of it value over time.
At the price of the Datejust though it opens the door to quartz watches from Patek (24 series) and others of "higher" quality.
My question is will a quartz PP (VC etc..) retain the value or is it going to lose a lot? Hard to tell from Chrono24 as I don't know the ranges/models well enough to see what the price Vs new is.
Thanks in advance.
The budget I have in mind stretches to a new ladies Datejust. It's going to be a peice to hand down to my daughter in time so was looking to get something that will retain most of it value over time.
At the price of the Datejust though it opens the door to quartz watches from Patek (24 series) and others of "higher" quality.
My question is will a quartz PP (VC etc..) retain the value or is it going to lose a lot? Hard to tell from Chrono24 as I don't know the ranges/models well enough to see what the price Vs new is.
Thanks in advance.
YMMV but I'd try to work out if that is what your wife wants rather than the unknowable value at some point in the future. Start by assuming it will be valueless when you walk out the shop with it. The memories that she has of wearing it and feeling special are far more important than what you might be able to sell it for at a theoretical time.
The watch I bought my wife which she absolutely adores is a Cartier Tank - it's the little black dress of watches. It's quartz, probably not worth much second-hand but it is the one watch she'd save from a fire. My daughters will love it when they get their hands on it. Sentimentality trumps pound notes (for me and for her).
However, if investment is your thing, then I don't think quartz really has long-term appeal whatever the brand on the case. Ladies' Rolexes aren't as well bid as men's.
The watch I bought my wife which she absolutely adores is a Cartier Tank - it's the little black dress of watches. It's quartz, probably not worth much second-hand but it is the one watch she'd save from a fire. My daughters will love it when they get their hands on it. Sentimentality trumps pound notes (for me and for her).
However, if investment is your thing, then I don't think quartz really has long-term appeal whatever the brand on the case. Ladies' Rolexes aren't as well bid as men's.
I would go one step further than AstonZagato’s point and say that all ladies watches fall behind men’s watches in retaining value. Ladies watches do not hold their value in my experience. That’s not to say they are valueless once purchased but people do not seem to bid hard for them, like they do for certain scarce men’s references.
My personal opinion is that Rolex or Cartier is always the way to go if you want a lady to feel special, and for it to be special when it’s handed down. The main reason is that non watch enthusiasts immediately know it’s a special watch if it’s either of these. A Rolex will always have a certain value and appeal, and this is the way I’d go personally.
My personal opinion is that Rolex or Cartier is always the way to go if you want a lady to feel special, and for it to be special when it’s handed down. The main reason is that non watch enthusiasts immediately know it’s a special watch if it’s either of these. A Rolex will always have a certain value and appeal, and this is the way I’d go personally.
Cheers!
She's really not interested in what's inside so it's all about the look/feel of it and the sense of having something special. The plus is that it will be handed down so will see what sort of things she likes and just go with it. Pre-owned certainly seems the way to go though.
Only issue then is what to get to hand down to the boys....
She's really not interested in what's inside so it's all about the look/feel of it and the sense of having something special. The plus is that it will be handed down so will see what sort of things she likes and just go with it. Pre-owned certainly seems the way to go though.
Only issue then is what to get to hand down to the boys....
Assuming it’s not an everyday watch, quartz has its benefits.
I was given an Omega Seamaster quartz for my 50th, 12 years ago.
The same as prince Williams one!
Worn a couple of times a month, the time is always right.
2 diy batteries in that time, seem to last around 5 years.
Was around £1400 new back then, worth more now..
I was given an Omega Seamaster quartz for my 50th, 12 years ago.
The same as prince Williams one!
Worn a couple of times a month, the time is always right.
2 diy batteries in that time, seem to last around 5 years.
Was around £1400 new back then, worth more now..
Geertsen said:
I would go one step further than AstonZagato’s point and say that all ladies watches fall behind men’s watches in retaining value. Ladies watches do not hold their value in my experience. That’s not to say they are valueless once purchased but people do not seem to bid hard for them, like they do for certain scarce men’s references.
Used to be the case but at present (a very small snap shot in a somewhat inconsistent market admittedly), a lot of women high end watches are performing better than mens compared to a few short years ago.Women's watches are rarer to come to market for which you could (I would) argue a few reasons for. A lot of women I know simply get one (whether bought or as a gift) and never sell. Some are bought as a specific gift and the purchaser may be reluctant to tell the wife "we need to get shot of that!".
Other reasons are of course, available.
As an example of the point I was trying to make, my dad bought my mum an all gold Rolex Lady Datejust when my sister was born in 1983 and she has literally worn it every day since (apart from the one service I can remember). It is not only special because of the fact it was a gift at that time but also because it is now a part of my mum as she has worn it everywhere and at every special occasion. However, I am almost 100% confident there has never been a time in those 40 years where you couldn’t buy the equivalent model at auction for less than list price. Obviously people can advertise them for whatever price they want in a retail setting but the ‘public’ are not able to cash in their asset in the same way. I honestly can’t remember seeing a genuinely used ladies watch sell at auction for higher than the equivalent list price...? (I say ‘genuinely used’ and mean ‘actually worn’ because I’m ignoring the latest boom where brand new watches that people want NOW have been bought and immediately resold as ‘used’ because the stickers have been removed e.g. when everyone was after the Rolex Datejust with the turquoise dial).
Obviously none of this is the point when you are buying an heirloom. It will always hold a certain value but more importantly it has become a special / significant object in her life...and no doubt makes her feel special wearing it.
Obviously none of this is the point when you are buying an heirloom. It will always hold a certain value but more importantly it has become a special / significant object in her life...and no doubt makes her feel special wearing it.
FWIW, I’ve bought a few watches for my wife; DJ 36mm, Cartier Santos automatic and more recently a PP 24 quartz. She’s discerning about jewellery but couldn’t care less about watch movements. If you can get a PP at a decent price, I think it’s worthwhile as the watch feels far more special than something like a DJ, but I guess it’s all personal and highly subjective.
I took Mrs Knee to New Bond Street to buy a ladies Rolex Datejust for a special birthday. And came back with a Cartier Tank Quartz.
I don't think she cares what's inside the case and having a watch that doesn't need winding and resetting if she doesn't wear it for a few days is great from her viewpoint.
I don't think she cares what's inside the case and having a watch that doesn't need winding and resetting if she doesn't wear it for a few days is great from her viewpoint.
I bought a Cartier Tank Solo for my wife, cost about £2,300 from memory - rather a lot for a quartz watch in my view, but she really isn’t cut out for an automatic!
Regarding Rolex Datejust values, if your wife would be happy with a 36mm watch, which is considered a men’s/unisex size - then it won’t lose much and may gain in the long term. The smaller models, being very definitely ladies watches - tend to lose quite a lot initially.
Regarding Rolex Datejust values, if your wife would be happy with a 36mm watch, which is considered a men’s/unisex size - then it won’t lose much and may gain in the long term. The smaller models, being very definitely ladies watches - tend to lose quite a lot initially.
Barchettaman said:
Longines make some delightful ladies quartz watches at a slightly more affordable end of the luxury watch spectrum. Just saying. Maybe worth a look.
[
]But a significant proportion of people spending this much money on a watch are doing so because they wish to own an expensive watch. The more affordable end of the spectrum is excluded from consideration because it doesn't cost enough.[/]Desptie the jesters, I am being moderately serious.
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