RIGHT NOW – what is the best watch investment you can make?

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by iAmVice

Which watch do you think is the smartest buy right now, whether vintage, an old model, or brand new?

from a purely speculative & minimal investment standpoint, you might consider a 'kickstarter' funded watch manufacturer. these are new watchmakers hoping to establish a name in the boutique watch world. while there is no guarantee in terms of eventual brand recognition/success, you could wind up with a significant timepiece later down the road.

http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-ac...arter-watches/

as far as 'investing' in contemporary (or even vintage) Rolexes & hoping to make an eventual killing, good luck with that...others have tried, most fail.

[busytimmy]

Best investment ? Stop flipping and save, then buy the watch you really want (Grail)


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[brookish]

Originally Posted by joe100

No watch is a good investment, ever

Sorry, I tend to disagree. With the bank rates what they are, it is possible to buy certain watches, enjoy them and over years they could be worth more than you would have if you just left your money in the bank.

My first Rolex was the Kermit, bought it for 4,400 euro. It is now worth 7,000 euro eight years later. If you were to buy a Daytona C now at RRP, you could sell it for more, therefore it is a good 'investment'. Certain Panarai bought it the ninties are now worth more than $200000. The 'Bronzo' Panerai, was less than $8000 and can be sold now for 30k. The Paul Newman Daytona, need I go on?

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by SemperFi

I really don't get all of these threads asking about watches as investments. Surely there are countless other investment vehicles that offer a better return for your money.
You either like a watch for the marvel of engineering it represents or you don't. If you like it enough you'll buy it and enjoy wearing it.
Just my thoughts and feel free to disagree.

Would agree with this. Aside from a few really high end models like the more rare vintage Subs, SDs, Daytonas etc which require a very significant injection of cash, it's hard to see how much money could be made on many of the others? Given the thousands that Rolex now produce each week, it's hard to see how the modern releases or even those in the last 20 years or so will ever be an investment. Buying them and enjoying them seems the way to go!

[colpol]

Originally Posted by joe100

No watch is a good investment, ever

Don't know why you didn't pass this thread by - not what op asking

IMHO - sports watches like SD, subs & gmt's if you keep them for 10 years plus will appreciate. Regular price increases plus popularity should see the value increase. I bought my SD in 2005 for £2400. My brother paid £5500 for same model/ 1 owner in mint condition.

A nice 5512, 5513, 1665, 1680 (especially red) - if you buy in excellent condition & not too high a premium - should hold/ appreciate.

[Gaijin]

Any 5 digit SS sport model Rolex should hold their value. I mean basically they have all been discontinued.


As far as investments most here wouldn't really call an LV or a Pepsi GMT an investment though I think that they will continue to appreciate. If you have one of those NOS/NIB I think you would do well in say 10 years.


I don't have any problem with someone considering including a potentially appreciating Rolex into their investment portfolio if they have done all the traditional things first. Emergency savings, maxing out retirement accounts , bonds , stocks and real estate.

[beshannon]

Stock in Apple, the make a nice watch

[Etschell]

Like I said it depends on the price. What items of jewelry can you buy that don't go down very much and hold their value.

Here is my story. Bought a bnib 114060 for 5900 usd. So maybe it'll go as low as 5k. I think that's good money spent....

[J!m]

Originally Posted by joe100

No watch is a good investment, ever

This pretty much sums it up. And those who try, damage the hobby for the enthusiasts making pieces so far out of reach they end up locked away in safes never to see the light of day. That is the true tragedy of the hobby I see these days.

[brandrea]

If we are strictly talking about watches ( which is what I believe the OP meant) then there are certainly better pieces to consider than others.

I'd say a 4 or 5 digit Rolex is a pretty safe bet to appreciate in value over time.

[bdex75]

LV, 16600SD, Tudor Sub, any pre ceramic Rolex sport model.


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[Jcgul]

I like to tell myself watches are an "investment" too so I feel less guilty dropping a sh*t ton of money on them :)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by brookish

Sorry, I tend to disagree. With the bank rates what they are, it is possible to buy certain watches, enjoy them and over years they could be worth more than you would have if you just left your money in the bank.

My first Rolex was the Kermit, bought it for 4,400 euro. It is now worth 7,000 euro eight years later. If you were to buy a Daytona C now at RRP, you could sell it for more, therefore it is a good 'investment'. Certain Panarai bought it the ninties are now worth more than $200000. The 'Bronzo' Panerai, was less than $8000 and can be sold now for 30k. The Paul Newman Daytona, need I go on?

Bank rates are not a good investment to compare to. The stock market will typically double your money every seven years. And most watches depreciate over time when compared to inflation.

You cite some exceptions, but there are stocks which have done at least that well over a similar period (Amazon has more than tripled in five years, while your Kermit has yet to double, for example).

[Aceldama]

Originally Posted by Jcgul

I like to tell myself watches are an "investment" too so I feel less guilty dropping a sh*t ton of money on them :)

+1

If it's really an investment, keep the stickers on her and drop her in the safe...

[brookish]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Bank rates are not a good investment to compare to. The stock market will typically double your money every seven years. And most watches depreciate over time when compared to inflation.



You cite some exceptions, but there are stocks which have done at least that well over a similar period (Amazon has more than tripled in five years, while your Kermit has yet to double, for example).

True, but you can't enjoy wearing stocks around your wrist....



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[Dr.Brian]

Sell all your watches, buy a modest Rolex Sub or DJ,, and put all the rest of the money into low fee diverse index funds. Wait ~15 years and laugh all the way to the country club.
That's the best watch investment you can make today with a guaranteed return, assuming you can wait out corrections, etc.

[iAmVice]

Thanks for all your input guys! I had written something at length... then tried to send and I was logged out. Sigh. Oh well!

I am going to say that, in my opinion only of course, that the majority of the replies here are more emotional than not. And that is to be expected, I suppose, in a forum with members who’ve a great affinity for watches as watches. Watches, they are something… very tangible … yet at the same time may have some ineffable, ethereal characteristic. ‘Our’ (or your) opinions are outliers relative to what the the general public would hold. Sure, the opnion of people who see investment potential in watches are outliers, too.

I was curious to know your opinions, that’s what I got, so thank you nevertheless.

But don’t you think that, if watches have risen in value more than ten-fold in the past, if there are investment funds that invest in watches, if there are books on watch investment, that there isn’t something to watches as viable investment vehicles? Only fools wrapped up in fads? don’t. I wouldn’t have asked my initial quesiton otherwise. =]

Ok, you could argue that it is all far too speculative, and that in the long run, you’ll make more bad bets than good ones. But do you not think that there is nobody shrewd enough to pick the good stuff?

If you had bought the new Daytona at RRP (ok! Very hypothetical!) you could have made almost double on your purchase. Just last weekend an authorized dealer had told me some blow-hole had bought one at 19,000 EUR. Not a bad return.

Originally Posted by ref1655

from a purely speculative & minimal investment standpoint, you might consider a 'kickstarter' funded watch manufacturer.

Interesting

Originally Posted by beshannon

Stock in Apple, the make a nice watch

Yes, probably a better investment.

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Sell all your watches, buy a modest Rolex Sub or DJ,, and put all the rest of the money into low fee diverse index funds. Wait ~15 years and laugh all the way to the country club.
That's the best watch investment you can make today with a guaranteed return, assuming you can wait out corrections, etc.

This I shall do! Thank you for the wonderful actionable advice =]

[iAmVice]

I mean,

If you can get a 5513 or 116610 at the same price, what do you get?

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by iAmVice

I mean,

If you can get a 5513 or 116610 at the same price, what do you get?

I get the one that I would like to wear and own.

It is a watch not an investment.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Depends on the purchase price

I will gladly buy a new DaytonaC from someone for $4000. I promise I won't flip it for a profit.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

I will gladly buy a new DaytonaC from someone for $4000. I promise I won't flip it for a profit.

exactly the point. value is in the eye of the beholder even if you arent selling it.

"In an economic sense, an investment is the purchase of goods that are not consumed today but are used in the future to create wealth."

I am pretty sure most of us dont eat our rolex. And I am nearly certain that if you had to flip your rolex to create future wealth you could do it. Plus just wearing a rolex allows you to have things in common with people who have, generally, greater earning ability and access to resources than the average person.

[GradyPhilpott]

The best watch investment is one you will wear.

[NewEnthusiast]

Originally Posted by joe100

No watch is a good investment, ever

I disagree. Giving someone you love a watch they will love is a good investment. It will be worth more to them than any material price and will bring the two of you closer.

[iAmVice]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I get the one that I would like to wear and own.

It is a watch not an investment.

Highly subjective.

[iAmVice]

Originally Posted by Etschell

exactly the point. value is in the eye of the beholder even if you arent selling it.

"In an economic sense, an investment is the purchase of goods that are not consumed today but are used in the future to create wealth."

I am pretty sure most of us dont eat our rolex. And I am nearly certain that if you had to flip your rolex to create future wealth you could do it. Plus just wearing a rolex allows you to have things in common with people who have, generally, greater earning ability and access to resources than the average person.

Apple Inc. may be named after a fruit, but seeing somebody eat their stocks is likely rare. (unless you're invested in beer and what not, in which case you'd be drinking it)

[woodsworth]

Probably the American Aviator watch... If Rick from Pawn Stars endorses it, you know it is gonna be worth big money one day!

[westinghouse]

An old Submariner since depreciation is no longer a major concern.

[springer]

Originally Posted by joe100

No watch is a good investment, ever

I would respectfully disagree and say.....wrong. It all depends on what price range you are in and whether you prefer vintage or modern. Also, how long are you planning on holding the watch? That is an important factor also.

Vintage Rolex have appreciated substantially the past decade. even some of the later models are doing well and appreciating some - most notably the Submariner anniversary 16610LV sets.

Buy well but buy wise.

[travisb]

Enamel dial 5131 at retail. Double your money.