Collectors pieces
Discussion
Ash, "collectors watches" are segmented in various ways, typically on price level and exclusivity but also because there are fans of certain models and types. You can find a Seiko divers say for a few hundred quid that will attract collectors which means they will be picky about details and provenance and if the watch is good to start with it will generally hold its value or even increase. The same rules apply as you go up in price but the pickiness gets worse! take Rolex's if you think of the Submariner, you probably think of one model when in fact there are many variations by type and also age with each having its own specific appeal and investment value, Ive got what generally known as a "red" sub and that model attracts attention in the mid price range, say £5k-$10k. Then you have the "high end" watches from people like Patek Phillipe and Lange & Sohne, even their base models will attract collectors but their "specials" with very complicated movements can go sky high, into the £M's but they arent common! Finally you have the watches that have a cache associated with something like a movie such as Le Man, Steve MacQueen's Heuer, original models can be highly collectable. As you say there are so many watch brands out there and some are over priced baubles, my own list of manufacturers who fit into the definition with some but not all of their models includes:
Patek Phillip - but never owned one as I dont like em
Rolex Sports such as the Daytona, Submariner, Sea Dweller
Lange & Sohne
Glashutte Original - a personal favourite
Rarer sports Seiko's (divers and chrono's)
Breguet - the watch maker who invented so many advances
Panerai - but they could be thought of as a fashion watch by some
There are lots more of course and its highly subjective and no doubt there will be a lot of people who disagree with the list above but its a start, also take a look at Blowers website, this will help too (http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/). At the end of the day its what you want from the watch, an investment, a watch to wear or both...
Good luck!
Patek Phillip - but never owned one as I dont like em
Rolex Sports such as the Daytona, Submariner, Sea Dweller
Lange & Sohne
Glashutte Original - a personal favourite
Rarer sports Seiko's (divers and chrono's)
Breguet - the watch maker who invented so many advances
Panerai - but they could be thought of as a fashion watch by some
There are lots more of course and its highly subjective and no doubt there will be a lot of people who disagree with the list above but its a start, also take a look at Blowers website, this will help too (http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/). At the end of the day its what you want from the watch, an investment, a watch to wear or both...
Good luck!
huytonman said:
Ash, "collectors watches" are segmented in various ways, typically on price level and exclusivity but also because there are fans of certain models and types. You can find a Seiko divers say for a few hundred quid that will attract collectors which means they will be picky about details and provenance and if the watch is good to start with it will generally hold its value or even increase. The same rules apply as you go up in price but the pickiness gets worse! take Rolex's if you think of the Submariner, you probably think of one model when in fact there are many variations by type and also age with each having its own specific appeal and investment value, Ive got what generally known as a "red" sub and that model attracts attention in the mid price range, say £5k-$10k. Then you have the "high end" watches from people like Patek Phillipe and Lange & Sohne, even their base models will attract collectors but their "specials" with very complicated movements can go sky high, into the £M's but they arent common! Finally you have the watches that have a cache associated with something like a movie such as Le Man, Steve MacQueen's Heuer, original models can be highly collectable. As you say there are so many watch brands out there and some are over priced baubles, my own list of manufacturers who fit into the definition with some but not all of their models includes:
Patek Phillip - but never owned one as I dont like em
Rolex Sports such as the Daytona, Submariner, Sea Dweller
Lange & Sohne
Glashutte Original - a personal favourite
Rarer sports Seiko's (divers and chrono's)
Breguet - the watch maker who invented so many advances
Panerai - but they could be thought of as a fashion watch by some
There are lots more of course and its highly subjective and no doubt there will be a lot of people who disagree with the list above but its a start, also take a look at Blowers website, this will help too (http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/). At the end of the day its what you want from the watch, an investment, a watch to wear or both...
Good luck!
Wow, thanks for taking the time to write the above, very much appreciated.Patek Phillip - but never owned one as I dont like em
Rolex Sports such as the Daytona, Submariner, Sea Dweller
Lange & Sohne
Glashutte Original - a personal favourite
Rarer sports Seiko's (divers and chrono's)
Breguet - the watch maker who invented so many advances
Panerai - but they could be thought of as a fashion watch by some
There are lots more of course and its highly subjective and no doubt there will be a lot of people who disagree with the list above but its a start, also take a look at Blowers website, this will help too (http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/). At the end of the day its what you want from the watch, an investment, a watch to wear or both...
Good luck!
Your last paragrapgh "At the end of the day its what you want from the watch, an investment, a watch to wear or both..."
I want both. I have always had a facination for watches and now I want to put this passion to good use.
Lets face it, you can't get a good a investment at the moment so may as well use the money for something I like and hopefuly retain value in the long run.
In that case Ash, play safe (bit of a contradiction in terms I know for an investment), a Rolex Sports will treat you well but be careful not to pay over the odds for a Daytona and if the urge takes you have a look at vintage Rolex's like my red sub, they are a pretty good bet and look great in jeans or jacket and tie. Drop me a pm if you would like some advice or if you would like a few pics of some of my collection (damn..now you know!).
Cheers Keith
Cheers Keith
Here's some good examples of mega collectors watches (I think the same auction sold Gandhis watch for $2m or something silly - http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&go.... But something like that would end up in a safe and much like classic cars the theoretical price will go up or down over time depending on the mood of the financial markets etc.
For more modest watches, limited editions of popular watches seem to attract quick sales at near new values - the Sinn EZM1 Lemania 5100 titanium was limited to 250 pieces, is a great watch in its own respect, will always be rare (they've stopped making that particular movement), and arguably is a reasonably safe place to keep your cash. (There was one for sale the other week and I'm still scratching my head).
For watches that retain their value I'd agree that the Rolex sports models seem to do well (although of course there are others) - especially against the backdrop of Rolex (and others) raising prices substantially over the past few years. A sub or explorer bought in 2000 for £2,300 is now getting on for £4000 new, so when you come to sell yours you should be fairly sure of getting at least what you paid for it back - BUT - if you take into account inflation and 2 service costs (£300 each) it starts to look slightly less attractive but is still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Another way to go is to go for a watch that is limited or scarce as the manufacturer doesn't make too many or too quickly - Stowa are a good example, there's always a bit of a wait it would seem but this means if you need to off load there's probably going to be a buyer who'll be wanting one.
Like all things, I'd say you really have to have done your homework if you are looking for a watch which will not cost a penny to you after buying then selling, but with a bit of thought you can still end up with a watch which will keep the bulk of its value over time. Which is as much as you can hope for.
I think the important thing is to go with a watch you really like, then if you keep it for say ten years you've had your value from it in terms of wearing pleasure at least - that way when we're all bartering with seashells next year you won't feel too hard done by!
For more modest watches, limited editions of popular watches seem to attract quick sales at near new values - the Sinn EZM1 Lemania 5100 titanium was limited to 250 pieces, is a great watch in its own respect, will always be rare (they've stopped making that particular movement), and arguably is a reasonably safe place to keep your cash. (There was one for sale the other week and I'm still scratching my head).
For watches that retain their value I'd agree that the Rolex sports models seem to do well (although of course there are others) - especially against the backdrop of Rolex (and others) raising prices substantially over the past few years. A sub or explorer bought in 2000 for £2,300 is now getting on for £4000 new, so when you come to sell yours you should be fairly sure of getting at least what you paid for it back - BUT - if you take into account inflation and 2 service costs (£300 each) it starts to look slightly less attractive but is still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Another way to go is to go for a watch that is limited or scarce as the manufacturer doesn't make too many or too quickly - Stowa are a good example, there's always a bit of a wait it would seem but this means if you need to off load there's probably going to be a buyer who'll be wanting one.
Like all things, I'd say you really have to have done your homework if you are looking for a watch which will not cost a penny to you after buying then selling, but with a bit of thought you can still end up with a watch which will keep the bulk of its value over time. Which is as much as you can hope for.
I think the important thing is to go with a watch you really like, then if you keep it for say ten years you've had your value from it in terms of wearing pleasure at least - that way when we're all bartering with seashells next year you won't feel too hard done by!
Edited by andy_s on Tuesday 28th July 17:52
I would recommend Rolex as when they stop making
A model they never make it again. This generates
The supply, demand equation. All my rolexes have
At least doubled in price. The other nice thing
About the vintage stuff is that it is all about
The detail, ie does it come with all the original
Bits and pieces like box, paper work, hang tags, etc
The difference between a full set and just the watch
Can easily be 100%. Jump over to www.vintagerolexforum.com
And then wish you were loaded
A model they never make it again. This generates
The supply, demand equation. All my rolexes have
At least doubled in price. The other nice thing
About the vintage stuff is that it is all about
The detail, ie does it come with all the original
Bits and pieces like box, paper work, hang tags, etc
The difference between a full set and just the watch
Can easily be 100%. Jump over to www.vintagerolexforum.com
And then wish you were loaded
jq74 said:
Rolex sports watches especially the Submariner and Daytona are lovely things to own while as an investment piece they have undeniably performed very well over the years. A fairly safe and enjoyable place to have a few quid I would say. May be worth a look in the PH classifieds... 
on the case now. I wonder what I will find. It looks like you are takng the sensible approach in only buying watches with a view to wearing them but would prefer to be able to move on and at least not lose out. Keep an eye out for mainstream brands such as breitling, Orissa, omega et al as they will do limited edition models and not charge too much extra for them.
Omega's snoopy watch springs to mind for this. To me a hideous watch so didn't buy it but believe are now going for a scent resale price. Also the Oris 75 year edition with the big wooden box and book should not lose much money
Omega's snoopy watch springs to mind for this. To me a hideous watch so didn't buy it but believe are now going for a scent resale price. Also the Oris 75 year edition with the big wooden box and book should not lose much money
I would have thought there was a subtle difference to "collectors pieces"
What i mean is most watch fans would like a rolex of some sort.
A 'collector' would want a Comex Submariner with a specific movement.
I collect watches i have over 20 but I don't call myself a 'collector' I just buy watches I like the look of. I don't normaly care too much about the history of the brand etc etc.
If you are after something that will gain in money you probably need to look at something more specialised. Or pehaps cult. Definitely aim for Limited edition models.
What i mean is most watch fans would like a rolex of some sort.
A 'collector' would want a Comex Submariner with a specific movement.
I collect watches i have over 20 but I don't call myself a 'collector' I just buy watches I like the look of. I don't normaly care too much about the history of the brand etc etc.
If you are after something that will gain in money you probably need to look at something more specialised. Or pehaps cult. Definitely aim for Limited edition models.
Edited by Pesty on Thursday 30th July 20:29
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