Consensus on buying secondhand?
Discussion
I plan in the very near future to purchase my first proper nice watch, but looking around I can find the watch for almost half price second hand. Does buying second hand ruin this experience or should I take advantage of saving some money?
anything to be mindful of buying secondhand, warranty etc?
anything to be mindful of buying secondhand, warranty etc?
Secondhand opens up a lot more choice too, there's been some very nice older watches here recently and even if you're not a watch buff, they still offer good value for money - technically and resale-wise too. Newer watches are just as commonly found, some practically unworn, and they'll have already taken the hit price-wise.
Having said that, I bought my first 'proper' watch to commemorate something, so it's age would have been important then, i.e. it needed to be brand new. It's still worth what I paid for it as well, inflation excluded, but that's not going to be the case with all watches.
My consensus is don't discount secondhand, the same as for cars I suppose.
Having said that, I bought my first 'proper' watch to commemorate something, so it's age would have been important then, i.e. it needed to be brand new. It's still worth what I paid for it as well, inflation excluded, but that's not going to be the case with all watches.
My consensus is don't discount secondhand, the same as for cars I suppose.
its like buying a new premium car - you do it once, and then more sensible as you get older and have blown a load on depreciation 
Id always buy used now, Ive had a couple of nice new ones
when you see what some people move on, just on a whim ...well basically there are loads of mint watches around for huge discounts off new retail
watches.co.uk is very good
and the forums on TZ-uk.com ...be aware you have to have 50 posts to see the sale forums on there - keeps out the spammers I guess...
Id always buy used now, Ive had a couple of nice new ones
when you see what some people move on, just on a whim ...well basically there are loads of mint watches around for huge discounts off new retail
watches.co.uk is very good
and the forums on TZ-uk.com ...be aware you have to have 50 posts to see the sale forums on there - keeps out the spammers I guess...
Laser Sag said:
TZ-uk has been closed to new registrations for a while, bit of a nuisance really can understand they dont want spammers but it stops those who genuinely want to use the forums and the sales area.
Not quite correct, but you have to apply during office hours & it may take a few attempts.Of the five significant watches I have purchased, two were purchased brand new: substantial discounts negotiated on both with one of these being brought abroad at extremely favourable exchange rates meaning that the same watch would still cost me possibly £500 more to buy used currently, than I paid for it new back in 2006.
Of the other three watches purchased used, one was purchased at the higher end of used prices and was immaculate and complete in every way. This watch was purchased from a well known online used watch dealer who has a reputation for dealing in only the highest quality examples and as a result you pay top end prices. Can’t fault this watch in any way and specifically wanted a model that is no longer in circulation new, so used was the only way to go.
The other two watches were vintage models so again used was the only way to go, I had been looking for both watches for some time and when you are searching for something for a while you tend to stumble across a lucky find. One was found during a lazy Saturday afternoon stroll in a small jewellers in a village, great price, with an even better discount negotiated, meaning that I bought a complete watch (box, papers, hang tags, original receipt, spare links etc) at a price I have never seen repeated since. The other watch was about the going rate (slightly under), with an additional 5% discount worked in to the deal.
To sum up, more often than not I would buy used from now on as it is like anything, let someone else suffer the depreciation and increase you purchase power. Buying used can take a lot of time, and certainly takes a bit of luck; it can introduce risks but does add to the fun.
Buying new can sometimes be the only way and on rare occasions the best way, but again do your homework well and you can limit the depreciation and sometimes avoid it all together.
For me as a normal working bloke who is not drowning in wealth, buying used doesn’t take anything away from the purchase, in fact I would say it adds to it because the search and maximising your budget and purchase power is half the fun, buying new would only appeal to me if their was an interesting circumstance and events that made a good deal to be had.
Incidentally, I stumbled across a real beauty of a vintage used gem last night whilst out window shopping, great price and opportunity…I doubt I will pull the trigger as it is very similar to a watch I have already…but it is this kind of find and knowing these vintage pieces can turn up where you least expect them to; that gets me smiling.
Of the other three watches purchased used, one was purchased at the higher end of used prices and was immaculate and complete in every way. This watch was purchased from a well known online used watch dealer who has a reputation for dealing in only the highest quality examples and as a result you pay top end prices. Can’t fault this watch in any way and specifically wanted a model that is no longer in circulation new, so used was the only way to go.
The other two watches were vintage models so again used was the only way to go, I had been looking for both watches for some time and when you are searching for something for a while you tend to stumble across a lucky find. One was found during a lazy Saturday afternoon stroll in a small jewellers in a village, great price, with an even better discount negotiated, meaning that I bought a complete watch (box, papers, hang tags, original receipt, spare links etc) at a price I have never seen repeated since. The other watch was about the going rate (slightly under), with an additional 5% discount worked in to the deal.
To sum up, more often than not I would buy used from now on as it is like anything, let someone else suffer the depreciation and increase you purchase power. Buying used can take a lot of time, and certainly takes a bit of luck; it can introduce risks but does add to the fun.
Buying new can sometimes be the only way and on rare occasions the best way, but again do your homework well and you can limit the depreciation and sometimes avoid it all together.
For me as a normal working bloke who is not drowning in wealth, buying used doesn’t take anything away from the purchase, in fact I would say it adds to it because the search and maximising your budget and purchase power is half the fun, buying new would only appeal to me if their was an interesting circumstance and events that made a good deal to be had.
Incidentally, I stumbled across a real beauty of a vintage used gem last night whilst out window shopping, great price and opportunity…I doubt I will pull the trigger as it is very similar to a watch I have already…but it is this kind of find and knowing these vintage pieces can turn up where you least expect them to; that gets me smiling.
dustybottoms said:
Of the other three watches purchased used, one was purchased at the higher end of used prices and was immaculate and complete in every way. This watch was purchased from a well known online used watch dealer who has a reputation for dealing in only the highest quality examples and as a result you pay top end prices. Can’t fault this watch in any way and specifically wanted a model that is no longer in circulation new, so used was the only way to go.
If you don't mind me asking, which dealer did you use? I hope to be in a similar situation in the next couple of months - the watch I want isn't in production any longer and I'm a lot more interested in getting a top quality watch than getting it cheap.Debaser said:
dustybottoms said:
Of the other three watches purchased used, one was purchased at the higher end of used prices and was immaculate and complete in every way. This watch was purchased from a well known online used watch dealer who has a reputation for dealing in only the highest quality examples and as a result you pay top end prices. Can’t fault this watch in any way and specifically wanted a model that is no longer in circulation new, so used was the only way to go.
If you don't mind me asking, which dealer did you use? I hope to be in a similar situation in the next couple of months - the watch I want isn't in production any longer and I'm a lot more interested in getting a top quality watch than getting it cheap.Debaser said:
dustybottoms said:
Of the other three watches purchased used, one was purchased at the higher end of used prices and was immaculate and complete in every way. This watch was purchased from a well known online used watch dealer who has a reputation for dealing in only the highest quality examples and as a result you pay top end prices. Can’t fault this watch in any way and specifically wanted a model that is no longer in circulation new, so used was the only way to go.
If you don't mind me asking, which dealer did you use? I hope to be in a similar situation in the next couple of months - the watch I want isn't in production any longer and I'm a lot more interested in getting a top quality watch than getting it cheap.dustybottoms said:
Debaser said:
dustybottoms said:
Of the other three watches purchased used, one was purchased at the higher end of used prices and was immaculate and complete in every way. This watch was purchased from a well known online used watch dealer who has a reputation for dealing in only the highest quality examples and as a result you pay top end prices. Can’t fault this watch in any way and specifically wanted a model that is no longer in circulation new, so used was the only way to go.
If you don't mind me asking, which dealer did you use? I hope to be in a similar situation in the next couple of months - the watch I want isn't in production any longer and I'm a lot more interested in getting a top quality watch than getting it cheap.I have four wristwatches now.
A really old quartz thing that my parents bought me new for my 21st.
A Quartz Tissot T660. Purchased 2nd hand from fleabay to replace the one I had from new and my wife lost for me.
A 1972 Omega de-ville. Purchased 6 months ago from fleabay. It is currently in for a £60 service as it was running very fast.
A Cartier Roadster, purchased two years ago from a dealer. It is currently in for a £340 Cartier service as the waterproofing seals were not doing their job.
Can you spot the theme?
I'm not scared of purchasing from fleabay, I like the discount that it gives over a dealer. However, I always add the cost of a service to my purchase price, it doesn't matter what the seller says, there is a good chance that the watch will need one.
A really old quartz thing that my parents bought me new for my 21st.
A Quartz Tissot T660. Purchased 2nd hand from fleabay to replace the one I had from new and my wife lost for me.
A 1972 Omega de-ville. Purchased 6 months ago from fleabay. It is currently in for a £60 service as it was running very fast.
A Cartier Roadster, purchased two years ago from a dealer. It is currently in for a £340 Cartier service as the waterproofing seals were not doing their job.
Can you spot the theme?
I'm not scared of purchasing from fleabay, I like the discount that it gives over a dealer. However, I always add the cost of a service to my purchase price, it doesn't matter what the seller says, there is a good chance that the watch will need one.
I have had several watches purchased second hand. The dealer that I use guarentees me that if ever I trade up he will give me at least what I paid for the watch I am part exchanging - albeit that is on watches like Rolex and Tudor.
Some knowledge of history and any service records will also help.
Personally I would avoid ebay but that's just me.
Some knowledge of history and any service records will also help.
Personally I would avoid ebay but that's just me.
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