Attraction or Value?

[Dirt]

The best value will be gained from something you enjoy wearing the most regardless of what it may be.
It helps if one gets good and reliable service out of it as well

[AF_Rob]

Attraction for me. At the time I purchased my Sub, I had no idea of its value retention. At the time, I would have lost money, as I could have gotten one used much cheaper.

[Driver8]

I personally think it's very sad that so many people here will turn down other watches because of resale value concerns.

How do you guys think brands like Omega, Breitling, IWC - in fact 99.9% of all watch brands out there - ever sell a single watch, when their value drops like a stone the second it's bought? I'll tell you how - they sell watches to people who simply enjoy watches for what they are, without being constantly preoccupied with "value retention".

I currently own watches by 13 brands, and value retention is genuinely never a consideration for me. Why? Because I'm a watch fanatic, not just a Rolex fanatic, and certainly not a "value retention/resale" fanatic. For me this is an interest/hobby, and hobbies are meant to fun and pleasurable. I personally don't want a collection of pieces I don't absolutely love just because they retain value, while also missing out on pieces I really do like because they drop in value.

Flapping over future value would totally suck the life out of it for me. The only financial thought I ever give a watch purchase is to make sure I can afford the initial outlay. After that, who cares!

So it's a genuine 100% attraction only for me.

[the_uptowner]

Originally Posted by 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.

Its a personal style first of all: what one wears daily, where one spends time, ... a watch must fit it to some extent, i think.


♛ 126610LN / ⛉ still searching

[VerticalClutch]

Originally Posted by dlddrrr

50-50. Let’s be honest here, who amongst us wouldn’t see Rolexes in a different light if their price dropped 50% when you walked out of the store with it? Maybe a small section of the population wouldn’t care - but if you’re a logical buyer and not an emotional buyer, the resale value / price appreciation has got to come into the buying decision.

I’m with the folks who’d buy them if they were worth zero once I walked out of the store; and I’m a logical buyer. Why would you assume it’s emotional? Resale value absolutely does not come into the buying decision at all.

Here’s some logic: it wasn’t until recently that a Rolex was a net asset increase. To assume it will remain that way indefinitely is poor logic. The days of it being a net loss will return. Buy accordingly less you get caught holding the hot potatoe you can’t afford.. Secondly, I will die with plenty of money. Why should I not buy something I’ll enjoy since I will never need the money? Wouldn’t it be illogical to pile up more cash I’ll never use?

I have plenty of watches that are worth more than what I paid for them, but many more that are worth less. I’ve never added it up, but I’m sure I’m at a large loss…and I couldn’t be happier with my purchases.

[Soulo]

Originally Posted by VerticalClutch

Secondly, I will die with plenty of money. Why should I not buy something I’ll enjoy since I will never need the money? Wouldn’t it be illogical to pile up more cash I’ll never use?

Question, do you have a wife and children?

[watchwatcher]

It's actually a fair question, IMO. I guess I would approach it another way, however.

If I felt I was getting something that didn't look and feel like it was 100% worth the money I was paying for it, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. (I guess you could say that's value, but the look and feel part are key to that condition, so I'm not sure about the resulting percentages).

How's that for a non-answer?

[Al Roy]

I purchased my wife’s 2 tone date Mother of Pearl with Diamonds Face and Diamond Bezel for Christmas just because I ran out of options for jewelry. Mine I was up 5 figures playing BJ at the Wynn on my last day and they have a Rolex Store that had literally 100s of Rolex’s at the time in stock and my wife kept insisting I buy a Rolex to treat my self (never owned any watch before) and it was free money but they were such Ass H…s I passed and went to Mayor’s in Orlando and they doubled the warranty so I bought it there..after 17 yrs and now I’m 70 I’m kinda neutral about my watch..it’s really just a watch to me

[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.

[Stan Cooper]

For me, it's 80% attraction and 20% value retention. My current daily wearer is a Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT that cost $2,600. My attraction to it is the tritium micro tubes lume, the jump hour hand and quickset date, COSC certification, and the legibility. It compares favorably in nearly every way to my 16710 (which I love) with a market value of five times as much as I paid for the Ball.

[VerticalClutch]

Originally Posted by Soulo

Question, do you have a wife and children?

I do. Three kids and still happily married to their mother.

[Soulo]

Originally Posted by VerticalClutch

I do. Three kids and still happily married to their mother.

Ok, I was just trying to get a better understanding, it seems as though you mentioned spending money due to you not needing it after you pass as if you may not have had a wife and children to leave it to.

[mdwsta4]

I’ve never even considered future value when purchasing a watch; I’ve always bought what I liked/wanted. If they go up in value at some point in the future, I suppose that’s a plus, but unless I plan on selling it, the value doesn’t actually matter. If I were to sell a watch down the line for the same I bought it for or even less, did I enjoy my time with it? If so, that’s what really matters.

Maybe it would be different if we’re talking $100k+ watches, although at that point, you have enough disposable income that it likely wouldn’t make a material difference. But to worry about a couple of grand one way or the other on $10-20k watch, that small amount shouldn’t make a difference and if it does your financial priorities are probably out of whack.

It’s like people freaking out at the stock market when prices plummet or prices skyrocket. In either scenario it doesn’t actually affect you unless you’re selling at that moment. So yeah, buy what you like and enjoy it today, don’t care about what it might be worth in the future.

[VerticalClutch]

Originally Posted by Soulo

Ok, I was just trying to get a better understanding, it seems as though you mentioned spending money due to you not needing it after you pass as if you may not have had a wife and children to leave it to.

Obviously you want to make sure your family is ok before you start buying luxury goods. I thought that was just a given. Trust me, they’ll be fine.

[Ref. 2021]

Value or attraction? My answer is that both are 100% necessary.

Choosing a watch where you have to choose one or the other has proven to be a mistake in my experience.

Even if you choose a watch for its charm, after a few years or so, there will always be a point where you don't like it.

However, if it has resale value, we will consider keeping it around a little longer when we get tired of it.

In other words, we believe that both are necessary for a long-lasting relationship with a watch.

As a result, I ended up with a Rolex.

However... it is also true that there are watches that I want even if they have no resale value.
Instinct overcomes reason!

At that point, give up on resale and banzai!

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[Milieu]

Attraction always, I've never bought anything in my life wondering if it will hold value or gain me more money in the future. (Property & Stocks are an exception)

[Ref. 2021]

When most people think about value, they do not look to the past and the future to capture the present.

For example, let's say the set price at McDonald's is currently $10. No one would hold back from eating even though they are hungry now because it was $5 in the past.
Similarly, because it will be $15 in the future, they would not think of eating it now even though they are not hungry.

However, if the past was $5 and the present is $10, anyone can predict that it will be $15 in the future.

So I stock up on coupons for the future while I have $10.

And don't make the mistake of buying Crystal Hamburgers coupons!

If you really like Crystal's hamburgers, you will have no regrets if you eat them on instinct, without thinking about anything else.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[Steve Epps]

Love of vintage Rolex 80%
Value retention 20%

[Gtawest]

For me value has to be part of the equation in part to justify to myself the money I put into this hobby, and the perceived resale is part of my buying decision. For example, I recently crossed shopped a BB36 and the new Explorer and ended up with the Rolex because with depreciation factored in, it may actually be “cheaper” than the Tudor. I love Rolex, but objectively don’t see them worth 4X the price of Sinn for example, but the market begs to differ.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

So perhaps it's reaction formation but whenever everyone is heads over heals for a watch and they become unobtainable I pretty much lose interest. I've ended up choosing watches that I really like and some aren't the most popular on the forum here. I for example really like the Milgauss which certainly isn't the crowd favorite. The Bluesy is pretty popular but not as much as the Sub Date stainless. I really like my steel dial Daytona more that my prior black dialed SS ceramic Daytona. I like my WG better than the YG DD41. Oh and the Rhodium YM40 is in my opinion just a beautiful watch. The AK40 is for me a very perfect three hander and quirky much like the Milgauss. So is it coincidence that my choice aren't the most popular but the best for me. How is value gauged at any rate. Is it by a watches potential appreciation or is it by our appreciation of the watch?

I have several friends who wear Milgauss, they tend to be intelligent, educated and successful. So, good on you Lee….

[Wee-Willie]

100% attraction.....but, it isn't bad that my watches have a nice value.