Attraction or Value?

[Soulo]

Out of 100%, how much would you say that your Rolex purchase is made out of attraction and how much out of value?

As I browse several different brands, I see watches that are more visually pleasing than Rolex, but of course when spending several thousands, you want your value to remain as well.

FYI, I currently own a Rolex 118238 and 124060 and are currently in the market for an addition to my collection.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Soulo

As I browse several different brands, I see watches that are more visually pleasing than Rolex, but of course when spending several thousands, you want your value to remain as well.

Like what?

[Belinus]

Interesting question. I look at other watches but at the moment only considering purchasing Rolex. I’d say 80% or more is attraction to the watches but the value retention means it feels a less risky purchase if I decide the watch isn’t for me. For the money, the only watches I would consider over a Rolex would be a dress watch such as a Reverso

[Kevzep]

I buy my watches because I like them and want to wear them.
My DSSD is a daily, I have Omega, TAG, Seiko (1980's) and wear all of them depending on the occasion.
Since I wear them the value is not as important to me as it might be for a collector.

[BDII]

Value retention is an undeniable part of it at this point. The love for the watches came first, but the value retention made spending the money a lot less painful.

50/50 at this point for me.

What’s not to love about a Rolex? Love the look, the feel, the history and the functionality. I also like anything that holds value.

[Soulo]

Originally Posted by BDII

Value retention is an undeniable part of it at this point. The love for the watches came first, but the value retention made spending the money a lot less painful.

50/50 at this point for me.

What’s not to love about a Rolex? Love the look, the feel, the history and the functionality. I also like anything that holds value.

I respect your honesty!

[omar-rye]

I'm still interested to hear what watches in the price range of retail Rolex look more pleasing to you

[Soulo]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I'm still interested to hear what watches in the price range of retail Rolex look more pleasing to you

I could name some but out of respect of those here who may own those peices I rather not as I would not want them to feel like their watch is being looked down on due to me speaking on value retention.

[travisb]

Value retention wasn't even a thought when I started collecting. It still isn't.

[omar-rye]

If Rolex didn't hold its value, increase in value right out the door, I'd opt to purchase it in the secondary market at its depreciated price. Or I would ask the AD for a discount. This is what a lot of us already do with brands such as Omega, , Grand Seiko, IWC, JLC, etc. Regardless, I don't think there's much out there that looks better than Rolex within its price range, whether it's lower or higher. No watch is perfect but Rolex comes close in my opinion

[Rolex1982]

Originally Posted by BDII

Value retention is an undeniable part of it at this point. The love for the watches came first, but the value retention made spending the money a lot less painful.

50/50 at this point for me.

What’s not to love about a Rolex? Love the look, the feel, the history and the functionality. I also like anything that holds value.

This, only for me the attraction part is more than the value part but retaining value makes a purchase easier. If after a few days/weeks/moths/years i’m not really feeling the watch anymore than i sell/trade it in for a different watch.

[rmlovett1]

Values don’t come into play when I’m purchasing.

[CarlOver]

I understand the OPs point. There are plenty of good looking watches. If purchased to make the owner happy, then great. If you don’t like it and have to sell at 50% of MSRP, then you take the bath. If you don’t go into the purchase thinking about selling it at some point and keeping it for the long run, then it’s not an issue.

[Soulo]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

I understand the OPs point. There are plenty of good looking watches. If purchased to make the owner happy, then great. If you don’t like it and have to sell at 50% of MSRP, then you take the bath. If you don’t go into the purchase thinking about selling it at some point and keeping it for the long run, then it’s not an issue.

Bigno, glad that you understood my train of thought. I'm just curious if any of the other members here feel like on certain purchases that they may have sacrificed a certain level of attraction in exchange for value.

[Jim_GMT]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

I understand the OPs point. There are plenty of good looking watches. If purchased to make the owner happy, then great. If you don’t like it and have to sell at 50% of MSRP, then you take the bath. If you don’t go into the purchase thinking about selling it at some point and keeping it for the long run, then it’s not an issue.

Agreed. For some people, they have what's known as more money than sense and they can buy new stuff and sell it after a few months if they don't like it or change their minds. I know people who continue to lose a fortune on cars, £20k - 30k after 6 or 12 months. But for those of us who don't have unlimited funds, it makes sense to buy things, the bigger purchases, that you like or love that you also won't lose a load of money on if your situation changes.

A Rolex is a safe purchase unless you are one of the money than sense people who were buying on the grey market in the last 12 months and paying 30-50% over list. It's also a purchase you can enjoy and look at on a daily basis!

[Ruud Van Driver]

If I was in any way concerned about resale value, I wouldn't wear Panerai; I've bought my watches because I love the look of them with one exception.* I've just been fortunate that my Rolex watches happen to hold their value.


*I bought a BLNR a few years ago but bought into the hype instead of love of the watch.

[fishingbear]

I buy what I want to wear. Rolex is a picture of function and beauty to me. And I love the fact that my watches are tough as nails.

[Soulo]

And of course beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so I do not mean that every other watch brand looks "better" than Rolex but that I have come across other brands that have some models that offer more visual pleasantries (in my opinion) than Rolex but the lack of them holding value makes me shy away.

[Tim Plains]

Value and resale is irrelevant to me. I would have still bought mine if it was worthless the moment I walked out of the store. Same goes for my other watches.

[Soulo]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Value and resale is irrelevant to me. I would have still bought mine if it was worthless the moment I walked out of the store. Same goes for my other watches.

Must be nice to live so freely lol.

For me, when spending several thousand and up on anything, monetary value always plays a part in the purchase.

[Resto]

Originally Posted by Soulo

Must be nice to live so freely lol.

For me, when spending several thousand and up on anything, monetary value always plays a part in the purchase.

When you place value so high, you'll never get to have other great experiences and be missing out.

If I only cared about resale Value I'd own a Honda....No thanks.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Value and resale is irrelevant to me. I would have still bought mine if it was worthless the moment I walked out of the store. Same goes for my other watches.

Same.


When I purchase a watch, regardless of the price, I consider that money "gone".

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

Value and resale is irrelevant to me. I would have still bought mine if it was worthless the moment I walked out of the store. Same goes for my other watches.

Originally Posted by WilsdorfNDavis

Same.


When I purchase a watch, regardless of the price, I consider that money "gone".

Couldn't have said it better myself. I feel exactly the same as the both of you. If the rest of the world thought as we do we wouldn't be in the mess we are in with long wait times for watches, people hording them/selling them to the grey market for investment purposes etc.

[Harry-57]

I own a number of watches from a number of brands. I buy them because I like them. Looks are subjective. My favouriteset watch in the whole world is a Heuer.

[Mr Ben]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I own a number of watches from a number of brands. I buy them because I like them. Looks are subjective. My favouriteset watch in the whole world is a Heuer.

Interesting. Which Heuer is the one that grabs you over the Rolexes?

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Mr Ben

Interesting. Which Heuer is the one that grabs you over the Rolexes?

Not the best quality photo but it's the only picture I can find of my one.

As well as the visual design, it's horologically significant. I can't remember what it cost although I do remember that I got about 25% off. I don't know what it is worth.

[Mr Ben]

I would only base the choice of a particular model to buy based on attractiveness.

Value retention just changes how much I’m willing to pay for it/ where I’d buy it/ whether it’s pre-owned or not. Current Rolex values just mean it’s one of the few watches I’d happily buy brand new at full retail price or even at a small premium on the secondary.

I’ll still happily buy Omega/ Tudor etc but pre-owned and as lightly used as possible with a healthy chunk off retail.

[Big Tex Rolex]

100% attraction.

I plan on dying with every watch (luxury watch) I’ve ever purchased.

[MeteorR]

All about attraction. I never consider values when buying luxury goods

[Calatrava r]

LOL. I understood the value question as "value for the money", that is, does the quality justify the price, and not as "value retention."