Rolex as an Investment

[superdog]

I know the title of this thread alone will throw many members into a apoplectic fit. My flame suit is ON!!!

And I would never normally think of a Rolex as an investment. Or any watch really. I like to wear them. No, actually, I love to wear them.

However, as I have been exploring the world of investing (and saving), I am realizing more than anything else, that there are many different avenues to take. And many different types of investments.

And some of these avenues can be fun. To me, this is similar to an art collector that enjoys looking at paintings, but also enjoys knowing that the art work has value and enjoys the possibility that the value might rise.

As I look around, I have seen little to no BNIB older Rolex watches. I have been looking for months, and they are few and far between at best. And they are expensive. In 20 years? Likely zero to none will be around. And they will be more expensive.

And I can enjoy these pieces while I have them, even if I don't wear them. And realistically, I will likely never sell. I am not necessarily buying as something that will gain in value, or because it will gain in value, but again, like fine art, something that I can admire, enjoy owning and appreciate the fact that the value may (or may not) rise.

Just like comics books when I was a kid, what made the book valuable was the fact that there were very few of them. I enjoyed having them, because I loved them. I still have most of my better books. Some were lost in various moves. Hey, I was a kid...

And now, I see very few BNIB older style Rolex watches with stickers still on them. Very few indeed. Many watches out there yes, but BNIB with stickers...not so much.

So I just bought 3, not vintage, but older type Rolex watches from the legendary DavidSW. I picked up a 16570 Polar, 16610LV and a 14060. All three have stickers still on them and are complete.

I got a fair price and I will enjoy the crap out of them, even if I don't plan on wearing them. My small collection is robust enough that I have plenty to rotate through. These are for the enjoyment of keeping pristine. These are for the opening of the safe to pull them out and admire them. These are for the knowledge of know that I own them. These are for the collection.

I am now on the hunt for a stickered 16710.

I will post a pictures when they arrive.

[Old Expat Beast]

Maybe good for a long-term investment, but at the moment, BNIB five-digit watches seem to be severely overpriced compared to lightly worn w/full set. I'd go lightly worn, and enjoy wearing them, and hope for a similar return, in the short, medium and long term.

[Scoobs]

Love it ! Nothing wrong with a little diversification :)

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Maybe good for a long-term investment, but at the moment, BNIB five-digit watches seem to be severely overpriced compared to lightly worn w/full set. I'd go lightly worn, and enjoy wearing them, and hope for a similar return, in the short, medium and long term.

I don't disagree. They do seem overpriced.

I am thinking that trend will continue. But as with anything else, only time will tell. For the time being, I will enjoy wearing my other watches and see what happens with these.

[Mystro]

At best, it's a long term neutral asset.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Mystro

At best, it's a long term neutral asset.

better than the market at the moment. and i get to enjoy these far more than the little digits on my computer screen.

[Patton250]

I think it's a great idea.

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by superdog

I don't disagree. They do seem overpriced.

I am thinking that trend will continue. But as with anything else, only time will tell. For the time being, I will enjoy wearing my other watches and see what happens with these.

I agree.

[jrs146]

My guess is you are very likely not to lose money in the long run. Whether they will appreciate or even keep pace with inflation is all a speculation. Of course, most investments are to some degree. At least you can enjoy these along the way! 👍


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[SamiKssiaa]

HTC stock has jumped 50% in the last couple of months as I predicted, so maybe you should think about investing in that? The HTC vive headset will further increase the shares as it will be used by gamers, astronaughts, surgeons and all other kinds of professionals when it is released in April.

Lloyds is also set to have a big 2016 after the sid sale takes place.

A Rolex watch is basically going to freeze your money like Han Solo, with maybe a couple of hundred loss (unless you buy pre owned), its not going to make you any money no matter what.

[Rolex addict]

I can't really say anything. Three years ago, I bought a 16610LV complete set that was a safe queen. I put it in my safe and that's where it's been ever since. Beautiful watch, but it's a shame not to wear it. It is fun to go look at it every now and then!!!

[LuminousMaximus]

I think it's pretty smart! Soon there will be none, and some folks will want to pay top dollar for them...

It's like a house with a Panoramic View of the Ocean...Someone will pay what your asking for...lol

[Tony64]

Honestly I can't even begin to understand this approach to either investing or watch collecting but to each his own.

Regardless of how the market is doing today, I would suspect that over a 20year period the market will well outperform these modern Rolexes. As far as the enjoyment of these timepieces goes, that's entirely a personal determination. I presume that you would not wear or unsticker these watches, less you compromise their BNIB status. Will you wind them periodically? If not, the oils will slowly deteriorate over time and after 20 years of benevolent neglect they'll be in need of a servicing. What then?

Ultimately it's your money and you know best what affords you the greatest enjoyment. I suppose it's not unlike collecting great wines and never tasting the grape. Many will agree with you, but it's a concept very foreign to me.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by SamiKssiaa

HTC stock has jumped 50% in the last couple of months as I predicted, so maybe you should think about investing in that? The HTC vive headset will further increase the shares as it will be used by gamers, astronaughts, surgeons and all other kinds of professionals when it is released in April.

Lloyds is also set to have a big 2016 after the sid sale takes place.

A Rolex watch is basically going to freeze your money like Han Solo, with maybe a couple of hundred loss (unless you buy pre owned), its not going to make you any money no matter what.

meh, this will be an investment in joy.

but when they are all gone, i have a sneaky suspicion people will pay.

i don't put money in individual stocks. too risky. this seems safer and more fun.

[goldfixer21]

Modern watches are too numerous to really ever gain much value. The rare, desirable models are already pricey, and depending on the model ,may increase over time.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Honestly I can't even begin to understand this approach to either investing or watch collecting but to each his own.

Regardless of how the market is doing today, I would suspect that over a 20year period the market will well outperform these modern Rolexes. As far as the enjoyment of these timepieces goes, that's entirely a personal determination. I presume that you would not wear or unsticker these watches, less you compromise their BNIB status. Will you wind them periodically? If not, the oils will slowly deteriorate over time and after 20 years of benevolent neglect they'll be in need of a servicing. What then?

Ultimately it's your money and you know best what affords you the greatest enjoyment. I suppose it's not unlike collecting great wines and never tasting the grape. Many will agree with you, but it's a concept very foreign to me.

well, lets be real. the money I put into these watches, is a not a whole heck of a lot.

i invest otherwise, own my home and all my cars. zero debt in any way, and i am relatively conservative. well, sort of...

the dividends i could gain from having just north of 20k (the cost of the watches) in the market are not going to alter my life in any real way. but this....this is fun!!!!

[Lordofrolex]

I don't have the control to keep watches BNIB over a long period of time. I believe they all deserve to me on my worst. Lol. I want to swim in a bathtub of rolexes.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

Modern watches are too numerous to really ever gain much value. The rare, desirable models are already pricey, and depending on the model ,may increase over time.

sure. agree. completely.

but these that are stickered BNIB, these are rare. and will be far more rare in 10-20 years.

time will tell. but i can assure you that i am having a ton of fun.

[kilyung]

As long as there's a market for Rolexes, I doubt you'll loose your shirt.

[Old Expat Beast]

Will the stickers have fallen off after ten years or so? I'm curious about this as I can't remember the oldest stickered watch I have seen, but I have seen some where the stickers were starting to peel.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by kilyung

As long as there's a market for Rolexes, I doubt you'll loose your shirt.

thats exactly it Mike. and if the market drops..guess what...i have a some mighty fine watches to wear and enjoy.

truly, this is a win/win. i don't see how i can possibly lose.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Will the stickers have fallen off after ten years or so? I'm curious about this as I can't remember the oldest stickered watch I have seen, but I have seen some where the stickers were starting to peel.

well, that is a scary thought. but not that scary. it ruins my logic for today, but i am ok with that. at the end of the day, i still have awesome watches.

some of my investments just lost far more than the cost of these watches. maybe they will come back. i expect they will. i surely hope so. but with this, at least i have fun and more watches!!!!

time will tell. i have a sneaky suspicion we will be talking about this in 10 years. so we shall see.

[Dyim]

Originally Posted by Lordofrolex

I don't have the control to keep watches BNIB over a long period of time. I believe they all deserve to me on my worst. Lol. I want to swim in a bathtub of rolexes.

They don't float like rubber duckies though.

Maybe you should start a 'is it safe' thread....

[Flintstone]

It's your $$ and if that's how you get your kicks then that's great. Go for it and enjoy. But I doubt its value as a good long term investment strategy. It's not done ( or rarely) with cars, clothing, motorcycles or any other type of jewelry.

[bkertzer89]

If rolex watches were good investments then investors would buy them...

https://investor.vanguard.com/etf/

[Linzjnr]

I like the way you think and to be honest even though I don't think you will make a killing you will make some profit because Rolex prices go up every six to twelve months year in year out.
I have had my Sub 16610 for 16 years and paid $5350 (Aus) and I see people asking $7-8k for my model now worn/secondhand within Australia. I bought my Daytona 6 years ago for $13k and was told by the AD I bought it from yesterday if I wanted to sell it (which I am considering) they could get an easy $15k for it!
So you can wear and enjoy them as long as you service and keep them in good nick and make (or at least recoup) your money which there is not much nowadays in our throwaway society you can say the same about.
Whatever you do it's your money and hobby, do what makes you feel good and as you said in the big scheme of things compared to your house and vehicles the outlay is small.

[NeoAnderson]

I like the fact its more than investment But a hobby also. Best of both worlds. I collect gold coins and i like looking at them but hope they gain value like they have over time.

[Steve36Efc]

I've never seen my watches as an investment and although I have always bought with the view that I would not sell or flip any of them, it's always good to know that it's not money down the drain. I bought my GMT16710 Coke 18 years ago for less than £2k and it's probably worth more than that today.
Not sure how much you'll make but you certainly won't lose and the added bonus of enjoying them.

[Runnin' Rebel]

Seth, bought my 16710 black bezel at BNIB price of 3750.00 from the AD in 2001. With a little magic rom ABC Watchwerks, bet I make a few hundred at least. Not earth shattering, but, an everyday item used for 8-9 years prior to buying a few more for rotation, I get my money back.

Happy camper.

[ratty]

Originally Posted by superdog

well, lets be real. the money I put into these watches, is a not a whole heck of a lot.

i invest otherwise, own my home and all my cars. zero debt in any way, and i am relatively conservative. well, sort of...

the dividends i could gain from having just north of 20k (the cost of the watches) in the market are not going to alter my life in any real way. but this....this is fun!!!!

Well said.

I would be interested in seeing how you do. I get enjoyment owning and wearing watches and, let's be honest here, knowing that I (hopefully) don't loose much money while doing it increases the enjoyment.

Good luck to you, it will be interesting to see the result.

By the way, if it all goes wrong I'll give you £100 for each if them