Do you ever consider selling your keepers?

[BawlaDK]

I find myself doing this more and more so…. I used to have 10-15 different watches in the 5-10.000 USD range, but now I am down to just two watches that I consider true keepers and a little money instead…I cant see myself adding more watches to my collection as my interest is not what it used to be. Instead I find myself seriously considering selling off my last two pieces to go for a watch that as just sung to me since it came out. The full gold Sky-Dweller…. Am I the only one who could seriously consider such a move? My two current watches carry significant sentimental value as the first one was both the first Rolex I ever bought, it was bought with money inherited from my late mother and I have worn the watch on several photoshoots with my two kids…The second one is a vintage watch in crazy condition that I wore at my wedding…. Last one would of course be easy to flip off If I ever got divorced, but still

Although I know I would most likely regret it, I cant help but consider flipping them off and my reasoning is that I don’t particularly like the idea of being so personally attached to a “dead” item like a watch. I love the thought of my kids inheriting my watches when I’m dead and gone, but its highly likely they wont care for them when the time comes. I know my mother would have shook her head If she knew of the price I paid for the watch I initially bought with the money from her – So I have no concerns in terms of buying a watch that represents the significant higher value that a full gold Skydweller does… And lastly I have to admit that I do like the idea of having the “top-dog” from Rolex as my one and only piece, and more importantly what would likely be my last piece, marking what can best be described as the pinnacle of my Rolex interest… It makes sense to me….Today… Tomorrow it may not at all…

Anyone else ever experience this?

[enjoythemusic]

Yes and have been there, done that including a few extremely rare ones. Do i miss them? Not really, as life moves on and there is always something else that may catch your admiration.

If it can be purchased with currency, then it really is not that important in life.

[second time]

I can totally understand where you're coming from. If I were you I'd be very careful about selling a watch that has sentimental value, once it's gone, it's gone and not coming back. Make sure you don't give yourself a bunch of regrets.

I'm very much like you though, I'd happily get rid of all my SS watches for just one PM and that would be it.

My advice to you (and me) would be to keep the sentimental one, even if it just goes in a safe, and get the grail.

[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Yes and have been there, done that including a few extremely rare ones. Do i miss them? Not really, as life moves on and there is always something else that may catch your admiration.

If it can be purchased with currency, then it really is not that important in life.

100% agree

[Rocket_Man]

It is hard for others to give advice on this since everyone has a different sense of sentimental attachment. I personally could never give up those watches. I'd regret it the minute they were gone. I'd give them to my kids, you may be surprised how much they will value them when you are gone. Even if they don't wear them. My Dad had a 1970's Explorer 1. I really would have loved to have that watch, but he sold it! It would have been a cherished possession now that he is gone. Something he wore. My wife on the other hand was given her mother's TT datejust. She is still alive btw. She never wore it, ended up selling it. Had no regrets. I would have kept it because someday her Mom will be gone and she wore the heck out of that watch.

As someone above posted, if you can buy it with money it is not that important. But you can't buy sentiment with money, so those watches are important. That is after all why you kept these 2 out of all the others isn't it?

Who knows, you may not like the SkyDweller after you buy it.

Sleep on it for a month and come back to it and see if you have changed your mind.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

If it can be purchased with currency, then it really is not that important in life.

I like that.

These are just material things. They can be easily replaced.

[Solicitor]

Yes sir, Do it! In our hobby, nothing is forever.

Watch companies will continue to seduce us year in and year out of new and exciting pieces. Life is too short not to enjoy them especially if we can afford it.

I however suggest to get pre owned pieces to minimize losses in case you decided to move on to another piece.

Sent from my SM-N9208 using Tapatalk

[airchitect]

You can only wear one watch at a time. My personal policy regarding big money timepieces (to me that's anything over 5k) is that if it runs out of juice before I wear it next, I have too many. So, my goal is 3. Two to give my kids and one for myself. I've even been thinking of trading/selling my exp II to buy the wife an op. Its almost like I'd rather have her beating that up on her wrist than the exp sitting in a watch box.... I dunno.... but I feel your pain.

[landroverking]

Been there done that. Sometimes life happens.

[AK797]

I'd keep one of the sentimental watches and save and trade towards the PM. I have gradually progressed from SS to PM and now I'm back looking at a few SS watches lately and they are struggling to hold a position on my wrist.

[1William]

I have been down the road of having multiple watches and saying I will not flip a certain watch or model. In the end, I move everything when it suits me. If the Sky Dweller does it for you then you should go for it. I broke the sentimental attachment issue with material items long ago and I take the stance that while I really like my watches, cars , pens, lighters, clothes, houses, etc. it is what it is. A material possession that for the most part I can live without. Of course that is being said by someone who has most of what they want. I will also buy my children a nice watch when they are old enough. If I should live long enough I will liquidate the vast majority of my collection so that my kids can have the money as opposed to some old watches, sentimental attachment to an object and not a person. For me, I love my hobby of watch collecting and flipping but it is just that. A hobby.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by 1William

I have been down the road of having multiple watches and saying I will not flip a certain watch or model. In the end, I move everything when it suits me. If the Sky Dweller does it for you then you should go for it. I broke the sentimental attachment issue with material items long ago and I take the stance that while I really like my watches, cars , pens, lighters, clothes, houses, etc. it is what it is. A material possession that for the most part I can live without. Of course that is being said by someone who has most of what they want. I will also buy my children a nice watch when they are old enough. If I should live long enough I will liquidate the vast majority of my collection so that my kids can have the money as opposed to some old watches, sentimental attachment to an object and not a person. For me, I love my hobby of watch collecting and flipping but it is just that. A hobby.

Well said

[rickdoss]

Originally Posted by 1William

I have been down the road of having multiple watches and saying I will not flip a certain watch or model. In the end, I move everything when it suits me. If the Sky Dweller does it for you then you should go for it. I broke the sentimental attachment issue with material items long ago and I take the stance that while I really like my watches, cars , pens, lighters, clothes, houses, etc. it is what it is. A material possession that for the most part I can live without. Of course that is being said by someone who has most of what they want. I will also buy my children a nice watch when they are old enough. If I should live long enough I will liquidate the vast majority of my collection so that my kids can have the money as opposed to some old watches, sentimental attachment to an object and not a person. For me, I love my hobby of watch collecting and flipping but it is just that. A hobby.

A very solid perspective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pacheco]

The PM calls loud. I bought a WG Daytona recently and am really thinking of selling my GMT 16710 that hasn't seen light since I bought it. I'm waiting just to see if I pull it back out after the honeymoon is over with the WG. Next year thinking of a DD40 and that MAY be it for me. I'm a three watch guy really because I hate not wearing them so something will have to go eventually. I THINK!!

[beshannon]

I have and I probably will again someday.

I have more than I need or can use.

[Gaijin]

Nothing has really been a keeper for me. Other than my Dad's Date that I bought for him and was passed back to me when he passed away. I am thinking of giving this to my Niece actually..

[Timesurfer]

Yes, then I remember how I regretted selling a couple of keepers and the feeling subsides...

[Speed]

I am going through this now...

Apart from the watch I wore when my son was born (also acquired in the same year) and a couple others...I'm thinking of selling off as well.

No desire for a Skydweller...but a nice ALS would be cool.

[GradyPhilpott]

I would have to ask the definition of keeper in this context.

Obviously. a watch sold was never a keeper, regardless of the buyer's intentions at the time of purchase.

Keepers don't get sold, except under the direst of circumstances--a kind of "Gift of the Magi" situation.

[watchwatcher]

Interesting thread. In general, I agree with the posts above that anything bought with currency is not that important, and that watches are material things...and just a hobby. So sentiment is not a big deal to me.

I do, however, like the idea of passing something down to my sons, but I haven't decided yet what that would look like.

As far as the SKD purchase goes, I say live a little and go for it. If the PM thing isn't for you, you can always go back. Good luck!

[Boaters]

Keepers are to be kept

[masyv6]

Nope! A watch isn't a keeper if I'd get rid of it.

[Loevhagen]

If I did - they wouldn't be keepers.

[beer]

i would consider doing the same thing...i am happy with my collection, never sold a watch, but if i came into enough cash to make up the difference i would like to sell them all for my grail (RM)...what you said r.e. having just one watch that represents (for you) the pinnacle, and being done, appeals to me very much

however none of my watches have sentimental value as i purchased them all myself and not to mark any occasion...if they were a gift / inheritance, i would not entertain the idea of selling...even if not for sentimental reasons but out of respect for whoever gave me the watch

[Vipes]

Nothing is safe in my collection. I don't really have "keepers". I am not a serial flipper but I have flipped watches that I once thought were keepers. I don't really miss any of them because they were flipped for something I liked better. If the urge is strong with the Skydweller then I'm all for getting it.

[Andybaird22]

I'm struggling with this dilemma... I'm no2 on the waiting list for a white dial Daytona.

I couldn't afford it outright so would have to flip my omega speedmaster 005 and my recently purchased grand sEiko.

The thing is I love them both and would really struggle to part with them! It's almost like I want too much of what I can't have/afford


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BawlaDK]

Thanks for all your input... Really struggling with this issue.... A voice inside me keeps saying "Do it - I dare you" even though I know it will probably be a dumb move because A. I cant get the ones I sell back, and B. I am buying a watch that can turn out to be pretty difficult to move if I decide its not for me. I think I will take the time to really consider this and really ask myself how much I appreciate the watches I have now...

Thanks for your time and input again

[OmegaJJH]

Morten - I had a mid-size Omega Seamaster that my mum and dad bought me for my 21st birthday present. I wore it 24/7 for about 10 years and also wore it on my wedding day.

I just assumed i'd keep this watch forever but as times changed it just didn't suit me anymore. I thought (despite the reasons above) what's the point of keeping a watch for the sake of it.

I ended up trading it towards a birth year watch for my son. Now that's a keeper!

If I still loved the Omega I wouldn't have done it but times changed and I'd moved on. I don't regret it for a second.

Best of luck.

[TonyD]

I have been much better lately. I used to buy watches if I saw a "good deal" and it was something that looked interesting. If it didn't sing to me I'd just flip it.

This year I sold off everything that I didn't LOVE and have tried to focus on classic designs that will stand the test of time.

I've also sold off almost everything that isn't a Rolex. I somehow lost interest in all other brands. Until I decide to dabble in Patek I think I will be ok for a while.

It feels weird to be satisfied with a collection and not be lusting after every new piece I see.

[rootbeer7]

I love my 1665. A full set which is great to look at, but you can't wear. The watch itself is amazing; 30 years of wear and tear and probably never been polished, so I can wear it everyday without fear of the odd mark and... gasp, a good investment. BUT if someone offered a gold Zenith Daytona in return then it might be history!!