Maurice Lacroix?

[irodger]

Hi all,

I'm not usually an expensive watch sort of guy. I usually have a few watches at any one time, but none cost more than around £100 or so.

Anyway, I've seen a Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe Rectangule for under £900. Jura Watches have this on at £2700 and other sites seem to be above the £2k mark for similar Lacroix's.

I'd never heard of Maurice Lacroix before this morning (I thought someone had got Christian Lacroix muddled up!), so would you expert horologists suggest going for this as a good deal?

Thanks in advance for any replies or help

PS, Its brand new, boxed, from a legit source and I need to be quick as there's only a couple left.

[RemainAllHoof]

Jura sell it on spec so get it bought then return it if the replies aren't forthcoming?

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/returns.asp

PS I say, "aye": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Lacroix

Edited by RemainAllHoof on Thursday 31st March 10:20

[irodger]

RemainAllHoof said:

Jura sell it on spec so get it bought then return it if the replies aren't forthcoming?

http://www.jurawatches.co.uk/returns.asp

PS I say, "aye": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Lacroix

Edited by RemainAllHoof on Thursday 31st March 10:20

Hi,

Thanks, I was actually just checking the shop's policy when I checked back here and you'd posted exactly what I was thinking! 7 day money back returns policy so going to go with this idea. Looking at the other online stores and some reviews it seems to be a well regarded, reliable brand. And I think it's a cracking watch I've picked!

If anyone is interested the online retailer has a few more Lacroix watches available at fairly hefty discounts. I've used them for other items beofre and other than slightly lengthy delivery they have been fantastic. Reply or PM me for details as I don't want to breach advertising rules or anything

[toohuge]

I presonally love this brand. They have started to make some very well made and beautiful pieces recently. Second hand residuals are not great, but buying a watch on second hand value is criminal in my mind.

Chris

[irodger]

toohuge said:

I presonally love this brand. They have started to make some very well made and beautiful pieces recently. Second hand residuals are not great, but buying a watch on second hand value is criminal in my mind.

Chris

Resale values are not important as this is hopefully something I will keep for many years. Maybe, eventually, it will become valuable as time goes on.

[irodger]

I've been looking into Maurice Lacroix a bit more and it seems that some feel that the brand is devalued slightly by producing Quartz movement watches at the lower end of their range. By producing their own automatic movements they seem to be moving away from that market more now though.

Chris, when you mention the resale value, what sort of percentage retained value would we be talking about here? I'm worried that with the website I know selling these watches at ridiculously reduced prices is this devaluing them more than having Quartz in their line-up.

I mean there's a £6000 saving on one or two of them and it's making me dubious now as to the reasons behind such a reduction in price. Too good to be true and all that? Have I bought something that will be worthless soon? I've tried to find info on Lacroix being in financial trouble or they're closing down or there's anything else undesireable about them, but nothing to found.

If it all turns out ok I might sell my car to buy a few and sell on!!!

Edited by irodger on Friday 1st April 21:30

[toohuge]

irodger said:

I've been looking into Maurice Lacroix a bit more and it seems that some feel that the brand is devalued slightly by producing Quartz movement watches at the lower end of their range. By producing their own automatic movements they seem to be moving away from that market more now though.

Chris, when you mention the resale value, what sort of percentage retained value would we be talking about here? I'm worried that with the website I know selling these watches at ridiculously reduced prices is this devaluing them more than having Quartz in their line-up.

I mean there's a £6000 saving on one or two of them and it's making me dubious now as to the reasons behind such a reduction in price. To good to be true and all that? Have I bought something that will be worthless soon? I've tried to find info on Lacroix being in financial trouble or they're closing down or there's anything else undesireable about them, but nothing to found.

If it all turns out ok I might sell my car to buy a few and sell on!!!

I wouldn't sell a car to buy some and sell on put it that way.

I am not entirely sure as to why resale values are so low. I think it is because they make many affordable watches and the general public do not view them as a premium brand. Similar to VW and the phaeton, it is/was a great car but VW just doesn't command those sorts of prices etc

As watches go, I think that they are very, very nice. I have handled a few and almost pulled the trigger on one or two. I am saving for the one with the rectangular gear at the top, very nice

I have seen some go for massive reductions second hand, I recall seeing one sell for a 50% of it's original retail price after about one year or so. Not too great. But if you are not planning on selling it then that won't be a problem.

If anything is reduced then there is always a reason It could be that your personal tastes are different to those of the masses, this is fairly common in watches etc. I personally do not crave a rolex daytona, but there are many that do etc

Chris

[DS3R]

Can you reveal your source?? I'd be interested in one myself- and certainly what else they may have (unless it's a guy called Dave whom you met down the pub who opens his trenchcoat saying "anybody want a watch").

[RemainAllHoof]

I'd be interested to see what's on offer, too. Some of the higher end pieces look nice.

[al1991]

I really like Maurice watches.

They've been mentioned on here before IIRC, they're certainly considered 'proper' watch makers.

[irodger]

They don't have much left now though as they buy stock, have a 7 day sale and once it's gone, it's gone.

http://secretsales.com/listing/?col=2358

You'll need to sign up to view them and you'll receive emails about their future sales, but you can opt out of this or set your email up to reject/junk them.

I think as it's my first big purchase of a watch I'm maybe being a bit paranoid. But I have time to return it when it arrives, so any opinions would be greatly appreciated

ETA I was going to just PM anyone interested, so I'd avoid any advertising infringements or anything such like, but I've since noticed many other threads with shop websites linked. If I've broken the rules mods, please delete and let me know. Ta much

Edited by irodger on Friday 1st April 22:15

[irodger]

toohuge said:

I have seen some go for massive reductions second hand, I recall seeing one sell for a 50% of it's original retail price after about one year or so. Not too great. But if you are not planning on selling it then that won't be a problem.



Chris

Thanks for the reply. 50% after 1 year seems like a large drop, but if you can get a £9k watch for £3k then sell it immediately for, say, £4.5k "quick sale" then it begs the question 'why isn't the retailer selling it for more?'.

I also think that, if it all turns out to be good, the company may further reduce it's quartz sub £1k range (they've only been making their own auto movements for a relatively short period) and this may push the perception of their higher end watches up. As stated earlier, I'm not worried about resale value of the one I'm keeping as long as I'm not inadvertently being ripped off at purchase!

[toohuge]

irodger said:

Thanks for the reply. 50% after 1 year seems like a large drop, but if you can get a £9k watch for £3k then sell it immediately for, say, £4.5k "quick sale" then it begs the question 'why isn't the retailer selling it for more?'.

I also think that, if it all turns out to be good, the company may further reduce it's quartz sub £1k range (they've only been making their own auto movements for a relatively short period) and this may push the perception of their higher end watches up. As stated earlier, I'm not worried about resale value of the one I'm keeping as long as I'm not inadvertently being ripped off at purchase!

If the retailer cannot move them for 9k, 4.5K and is struggling at 3K then it sounds like 3K is about the right sort of price that you should be considering. Reselling it at that would probably prove difficult.

Which online retailer is it, if you don't mind me asking?

Chris

[irodger]

toohuge said:

If the retailer cannot move them for 9k, 4.5K and is struggling at 3K then it sounds like 3K is about the right sort of price that you should be considering. Reselling it at that would probably prove difficult.

Which online retailer is it, if you don't mind me asking?

Chris

I see where you're coming from, but every other retailer seems to be charging almost full whack. But then, they may not actually be selling any as they all seem to be to order, not from stock.

The retailer is www.secretsales.com

[toohuge]

irodger said:

I see where you're coming from, but every other retailer seems to be charging almost full whack. But then, they may not actually be selling any as they all seem to be to order, not from stock.

The retailer is www.secretsales.com

Thanks, I know secretsales, i just delete their emails when i get them, oops. I will have a look.

Personally, if I was in the market for a new watch and these came up cheap etc then i would go for it. I have never and do not intend on selling any of my special watches so I am not too concerned about resale etc.

Chris