Balancing value across multiple watches
Discussion
Just wondering on different opinions regarding spreading value across a watch collection.
I've always promised myself a nice watch but something always pops up to distract me and demand money. For example, the joys of a 200 year old house.
I've decided that I put it off long enough and this year is the year.
I'm drawn to the Omega 'Side of the Moon' watches and the two I like are around £13k retail. The local dealer has indicated there is wiggle room on price but there is a niggling voice telling me I could have multiple nice watches for the price. Like a regular Speedy, a Tudor and a Grand Seiko. I also might feel better about not spending so much in one transaction and have some fear of buyers remorse.
So, did you start at a more affordable price-point and work up to something more special or did you buy the special one and fit others around it in more supporting roles? If the former, did you do it that way because at that point in your life, perhaps you couldn't afford to do it the other way or maybe you had similar reservations to me?
For reference, current watches are a vintage Oris dress watch, a G-Shock and the Swatch I had as a 90's teenager. I have a Fitbit but don't count it as a watch. The Oris looks nice but was bought cheaply on eBay one evening while slightly inebriated and waiting for my wife to get ready. It keeps time poorly and is probably not worth repairing.
Images of the Omegas I like....
I've always promised myself a nice watch but something always pops up to distract me and demand money. For example, the joys of a 200 year old house.
I've decided that I put it off long enough and this year is the year.
I'm drawn to the Omega 'Side of the Moon' watches and the two I like are around £13k retail. The local dealer has indicated there is wiggle room on price but there is a niggling voice telling me I could have multiple nice watches for the price. Like a regular Speedy, a Tudor and a Grand Seiko. I also might feel better about not spending so much in one transaction and have some fear of buyers remorse.
So, did you start at a more affordable price-point and work up to something more special or did you buy the special one and fit others around it in more supporting roles? If the former, did you do it that way because at that point in your life, perhaps you couldn't afford to do it the other way or maybe you had similar reservations to me?
For reference, current watches are a vintage Oris dress watch, a G-Shock and the Swatch I had as a 90's teenager. I have a Fitbit but don't count it as a watch. The Oris looks nice but was bought cheaply on eBay one evening while slightly inebriated and waiting for my wife to get ready. It keeps time poorly and is probably not worth repairing.
Images of the Omegas I like....
Edited by minimalist on Friday 12th April 17:19
Great problem to have!
My instinct is: get the edition Speedmaster but know you will end up spending more on others.
There are people who will say that it makes sense not only to split the value across multiple watches - and still end up with excellent ones for the same amount (you could have a standard Speedy, Swiss dive watch and Swiss dress watch for that price, covering all bases) - but also build up spending history with a dealer to the point that you may be considered valued enough to get something that will appreciate after purchase.
Your choice is an esoteric one - which makes me think you really need to go with it to satisfy that need. Plus, the world is a boring place if everyone ends up getting the same watches.
I would far rather sit next to someone at a bar who had a special edition Speedmaster and who could tell me at length why they went for that one in particular than someone who had a regular Black Bay because they felt obliged to.
Whatever you choose, have fun and make sure to show it off.
My instinct is: get the edition Speedmaster but know you will end up spending more on others.
There are people who will say that it makes sense not only to split the value across multiple watches - and still end up with excellent ones for the same amount (you could have a standard Speedy, Swiss dive watch and Swiss dress watch for that price, covering all bases) - but also build up spending history with a dealer to the point that you may be considered valued enough to get something that will appreciate after purchase.
Your choice is an esoteric one - which makes me think you really need to go with it to satisfy that need. Plus, the world is a boring place if everyone ends up getting the same watches.
I would far rather sit next to someone at a bar who had a special edition Speedmaster and who could tell me at length why they went for that one in particular than someone who had a regular Black Bay because they felt obliged to.
Whatever you choose, have fun and make sure to show it off.
There are two snippets of advice I can give you which I apply to myself.
1. The watch I want. Ask yourself could I really afford it and would I sensibly pay for it if it were twice the price?
2. Splitting the value for a bigger collection. I dont think this really works. You will still itch for watch you really wanted and wear only 1 of the 3 until you can go back and afford the original watch you wanted again.
These Speedmasters are not for me. Too big, insufficient water resistance. But I would love either a SM or a PO that was ceramic and 40mm. Very underrated pieces in watchworld.
The Black DSOM looks the best IMHO
1. The watch I want. Ask yourself could I really afford it and would I sensibly pay for it if it were twice the price?
2. Splitting the value for a bigger collection. I dont think this really works. You will still itch for watch you really wanted and wear only 1 of the 3 until you can go back and afford the original watch you wanted again.
These Speedmasters are not for me. Too big, insufficient water resistance. But I would love either a SM or a PO that was ceramic and 40mm. Very underrated pieces in watchworld.
The Black DSOM looks the best IMHO
Edited by Guycord on Thursday 21st April 11:39
OP, the thing I'd take into account is how much you will enjoy wearing something that expensive compared to your other watches.
In the past I made the jump from a Rolex I paid £5k for to a Patek Aquanaut and an AP Royal Oak Chrono. I didn't truly enjoy wearing either as much as my scratched up GMT Master, or my £4k seamaster on rubber strap that I bash up in the swimming pool on holidays.
You may find going from a G Shock to a £13k Omega has a similar effect and it ends up sitting at home collecting dust.
Mine became safe queens, I moved them on and enjoy rotating a few still nice but nowhere near as expensive pieces - up to £10k is probably my sweet spot to enjoy a watch guilt free/without fear of scratching/getting robbed/etc.
Obviously everyone is different but the very fact you are asking the question suggests you may be better off working your way up the ladder kind of thing.
In the past I made the jump from a Rolex I paid £5k for to a Patek Aquanaut and an AP Royal Oak Chrono. I didn't truly enjoy wearing either as much as my scratched up GMT Master, or my £4k seamaster on rubber strap that I bash up in the swimming pool on holidays.
You may find going from a G Shock to a £13k Omega has a similar effect and it ends up sitting at home collecting dust.
Mine became safe queens, I moved them on and enjoy rotating a few still nice but nowhere near as expensive pieces - up to £10k is probably my sweet spot to enjoy a watch guilt free/without fear of scratching/getting robbed/etc.
Obviously everyone is different but the very fact you are asking the question suggests you may be better off working your way up the ladder kind of thing.
Thanks for the different opinions
This is more of a heart thing, an indulgence that common sense or other priorities vetoed too many times. I can afford these but only because I have been sensible. This would be the most frivolous purchase of my life to date, apart from a set of expensive speakers bought last year.
Sometimes its OK to be frivolous but it isn't something that sits comfortably with me. My wife is egging me on telling me I deserve it. Bless her.
How much would I enjoy wearing it ....? This is hard to know in advance.
I'm not flash and wouldn't derive satisfaction from being seen with it but I don't think the expense would make me think or treat it differently to something less expensive. I wouldn't wear it every day anyway, not because of the expense but because I often go without a watch for extended periods.
I suppose the point of the purchase is to see it is a mark of achieving some life goals and surviving some challenges. The last ten years have been tough and this would be a full stop behind that period.
I suppose the full stop doesn't have to be so expensive and I might get the same feeling from something else. Common sense is telling me to buy something in the ~£5k range and put the rest in the next-car-fund. I just keep getting pulled back to those Omegas on C24.
TWW said:
Great problem to have!
My instinct is: get the edition Speedmaster but know you will end up spending more on others.
This has occurred to me and is a concern, albeit a concern for later. My instinct is: get the edition Speedmaster but know you will end up spending more on others.
Guycord said:
....would I sensibly pay for it if it were twice the price?
You will still itch for watch you really wanted and wear only 1 of the 3 until you can go back and afford the original watch you wanted again.
I don't consider any high end watch a sensible purchases, unless perhaps you are getting appreciating models at retail price. You will still itch for watch you really wanted and wear only 1 of the 3 until you can go back and afford the original watch you wanted again.
This is more of a heart thing, an indulgence that common sense or other priorities vetoed too many times. I can afford these but only because I have been sensible. This would be the most frivolous purchase of my life to date, apart from a set of expensive speakers bought last year.
Sometimes its OK to be frivolous but it isn't something that sits comfortably with me. My wife is egging me on telling me I deserve it. Bless her.
si
800 said:
800 said: OP, the thing I'd take into account is how much you will enjoy wearing something that expensive compared to your other watches.
In the past I made the jump from a Rolex I paid £5k for to a Patek Aquanaut and an AP Royal Oak Chrono. I didn't truly enjoy wearing either as much as my scratched up GMT Master, or my £4k seamaster on rubber strap that I bash up in the swimming pool on holidays.
You may find going from a G Shock to a £13k Omega has a similar effect and it ends up sitting at home collecting dust.
Mine became safe queens, I moved them on and enjoy rotating a few still nice but nowhere near as expensive pieces - up to £10k is probably my sweet spot to enjoy a watch guilt free/without fear of scratching/getting robbed/etc.
Obviously everyone is different but the very fact you are asking the question suggests you may be better off working your way up the ladder kind of thing.
Thanks for sharing your experience. In the past I made the jump from a Rolex I paid £5k for to a Patek Aquanaut and an AP Royal Oak Chrono. I didn't truly enjoy wearing either as much as my scratched up GMT Master, or my £4k seamaster on rubber strap that I bash up in the swimming pool on holidays.
You may find going from a G Shock to a £13k Omega has a similar effect and it ends up sitting at home collecting dust.
Mine became safe queens, I moved them on and enjoy rotating a few still nice but nowhere near as expensive pieces - up to £10k is probably my sweet spot to enjoy a watch guilt free/without fear of scratching/getting robbed/etc.
Obviously everyone is different but the very fact you are asking the question suggests you may be better off working your way up the ladder kind of thing.
How much would I enjoy wearing it ....? This is hard to know in advance.
I'm not flash and wouldn't derive satisfaction from being seen with it but I don't think the expense would make me think or treat it differently to something less expensive. I wouldn't wear it every day anyway, not because of the expense but because I often go without a watch for extended periods.
I suppose the point of the purchase is to see it is a mark of achieving some life goals and surviving some challenges. The last ten years have been tough and this would be a full stop behind that period.
I suppose the full stop doesn't have to be so expensive and I might get the same feeling from something else. Common sense is telling me to buy something in the ~£5k range and put the rest in the next-car-fund. I just keep getting pulled back to those Omegas on C24.
If you can't shake that Omega urge then get that Omega, just ensure you fight for the best deal possible as that'll help alleviate the relative pain and indecisiveness as to if you've done the right thing.
My own situation is somewhat different though in that whilst I have sunk what could be considered to be a chunk of money in to watches it's spread amongst a collection rather than mostly condensed into a single watch. I get great satisfaction from owning a range each at a £ value that doesn't make me think I haven't got my money's worth, I appear to have a limit per piece even if the collection is much greater than I thought it'd be a few years back.
My own situation is somewhat different though in that whilst I have sunk what could be considered to be a chunk of money in to watches it's spread amongst a collection rather than mostly condensed into a single watch. I get great satisfaction from owning a range each at a £ value that doesn't make me think I haven't got my money's worth, I appear to have a limit per piece even if the collection is much greater than I thought it'd be a few years back.
Thanks for the different opinions and I feel a general consensus forming. Only one of my friends is into watches and his answer to everything is Rolex. My wife wears Rolex too but isn't as blinkered. It's good to get additional perspectives. 
I thought I might be mad for considering the Omega as a first expensive watch as it is a bit spendy and I must admit I'm still hesitant. Our ten year anniversary is in autumn so I've a few months to mull the idea over further before committing to a choice. Of course I'll have to get her something nice too.
I assume typically worn by someone who has a few other options as well as good eyesight.
My dealer doesn't have either of the two above in stock but I tried on the 'Vintage' model (shown below) just after trying a regular Moonwatch and it felt better on my chunky wrist. It's a bit cheaper than the two above so I could still be tempted by it and not feel I'm compromising. In person the rose gold might be a bit much anyway.
I thought I might be mad for considering the Omega as a first expensive watch as it is a bit spendy and I must admit I'm still hesitant. Our ten year anniversary is in autumn so I've a few months to mull the idea over further before committing to a choice. Of course I'll have to get her something nice too.
richard-cxcy4 said:
Ah that looks like the 'Dark Dark'... Quite a statement wearing a watch so difficult to read. I assume typically worn by someone who has a few other options as well as good eyesight.My dealer doesn't have either of the two above in stock but I tried on the 'Vintage' model (shown below) just after trying a regular Moonwatch and it felt better on my chunky wrist. It's a bit cheaper than the two above so I could still be tempted by it and not feel I'm compromising. In person the rose gold might be a bit much anyway.
Edited by minimalist on Friday 12th April 17:26
I bought a GSOTM 18 months ago as I wanted a watch with a meteorite dial and of the very few available at the time this was my favourite. It also helped that Watches of Switzerland had it on sale so got it for £9.5k as opposed £13k so I suspect a decent discount would be achievable if paying cash.
I really like the watch but not so much the strap so also bought a tan leather replacement which I think looks much better. If you buy one its a really nice watch to wear and as its ceramic its not heavy like a SS Rolex so feels really comfortable. Good luck and post pictures once you've made your decision.
Oh and here's a gratuitous picture of mine
I really like the watch but not so much the strap so also bought a tan leather replacement which I think looks much better. If you buy one its a really nice watch to wear and as its ceramic its not heavy like a SS Rolex so feels really comfortable. Good luck and post pictures once you've made your decision.
Oh and here's a gratuitous picture of mine
Interesting topic I have been thinking about recently.
I, like a lot of you probably, have a modest collection that has organically grown as I have been able to buy more expensive watches.
There is a mental limit I'm prepared to have 'in' watches though, which means if I want to take the next step, I probably have to think about consolidating.
If this is 'the one' though, I would go for it.
TBH, the reality is if you have a collection, they don't get worn enough
I, like a lot of you probably, have a modest collection that has organically grown as I have been able to buy more expensive watches.
There is a mental limit I'm prepared to have 'in' watches though, which means if I want to take the next step, I probably have to think about consolidating.
If this is 'the one' though, I would go for it.
TBH, the reality is if you have a collection, they don't get worn enough
It’s the black black DSOTM.
Cannot be read easily in the day, but fine at night! Is a very nice watch to wear and study though, and being hard to read just means you get to look at it longer. Correct it has to be part of a collection.
Over time I think the better choice may have been the Pitch Black and not the Black Black. But i wear it regularly enough still.
Cannot be read easily in the day, but fine at night! Is a very nice watch to wear and study though, and being hard to read just means you get to look at it longer. Correct it has to be part of a collection.
Over time I think the better choice may have been the Pitch Black and not the Black Black. But i wear it regularly enough still.
My view, for what it’s worth - you can only wear one at a time, so (unless you’ve a desire to build up a collection) buy the one expensive one you really want, and wear it loads. 
If it helps, you can always justify the price on a cost per wear basis.
If you want to pick up some others later on, apart from anything else it’ll be faster to save up for them as they’re (likely) at a lower price point…
If it helps, you can always justify the price on a cost per wear basis.
If you want to pick up some others later on, apart from anything else it’ll be faster to save up for them as they’re (likely) at a lower price point…
Voodoo Blue said:
I bought a GSOTM 18 months ago as I wanted a watch with a meteorite dial and of the very few available at the time this was my favourite. It also helped that Watches of Switzerland had it on sale so got it for £9.5k as opposed £13k so I suspect a decent discount would be achievable if paying cash.
I really like the watch but not so much the strap so also bought a tan leather replacement which I think looks much better. If you buy one its a really nice watch to wear and as its ceramic its not heavy like a SS Rolex so feels really comfortable. Good luck and post pictures once you've made your decision.
Oh and here's a gratuitous picture of mine
That is lovely I really like the watch but not so much the strap so also bought a tan leather replacement which I think looks much better. If you buy one its a really nice watch to wear and as its ceramic its not heavy like a SS Rolex so feels really comfortable. Good luck and post pictures once you've made your decision.
Oh and here's a gratuitous picture of mine
Thanks for telling us how much you paid. Good to know how much room there is to manoeuvre.
I have always liked watches and when I was younger, stuck to fashion watches. I liked Storm watches for a while, due to their unusual designs and had some of their limited editions.
However, I had lots of low value watches and had always wanted something nice, that I could wear everyday.
I ended up with a Rolex Explorer that I bought brand new, back then I got a smidge over 8% discount on a steel sports Rolex, so you can tell it was a while ago - about 9 years.
It was far more than I had ever spent on a luxury item - however, I wear it almost everyday, it has picked up little marks and has an honest patina to it now.
I reckon it may almost have saved me money in the long run, as I have only bought one other watch since then - a Kinetic Seiko. An unexpected bonus is that it seems to have almost doubled in value since I bought it and I have all the original paperwork, box and even the little plastic protective stickers.
Buy the watch you really really want - at that sort of price point you can't compromise at all.
However, I had lots of low value watches and had always wanted something nice, that I could wear everyday.
I ended up with a Rolex Explorer that I bought brand new, back then I got a smidge over 8% discount on a steel sports Rolex, so you can tell it was a while ago - about 9 years.
It was far more than I had ever spent on a luxury item - however, I wear it almost everyday, it has picked up little marks and has an honest patina to it now.
I reckon it may almost have saved me money in the long run, as I have only bought one other watch since then - a Kinetic Seiko. An unexpected bonus is that it seems to have almost doubled in value since I bought it and I have all the original paperwork, box and even the little plastic protective stickers.
Buy the watch you really really want - at that sort of price point you can't compromise at all.
Don't worry about splitting values. Watches are a very personal habit. If you like a watch which you can afford, then splurge your load to get it and enjoy. If you can, share the purchase experience with a loved one, then it will mean more to you....and hopefully you can both enjoy the piece together.
Once it is on your wrist, ignore all the other fkers out there (ie most of PH) who say their watch is better/more valuable/rarer/cuter/bluer etc than yours. Wear yours without worry that it will get damaged, nicked, or lose value so long as it is insured under your household policy. I have enjoyed wearing a grand complication snowboarding and another simple PP racing.
If you get the collecting bug, then no doubt you can repeat the process on your next fancy.....the values will then balance themselves out.
Once it is on your wrist, ignore all the other f
kers out there (ie most of PH) who say their watch is better/more valuable/rarer/cuter/bluer etc than yours. Wear yours without worry that it will get damaged, nicked, or lose value so long as it is insured under your household policy. I have enjoyed wearing a grand complication snowboarding and another simple PP racing.If you get the collecting bug, then no doubt you can repeat the process on your next fancy.....the values will then balance themselves out.
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