Thoughts on FP Journe resale?

[HoosAir]

Their movements are compelling and I like the appearance- something a little different to add to my collection which has been focused on Patek. I feel like they dress up/down well.

If I could get hold of a CB at list it is a no brainer since I know I could resell it easily if it doesn't sing to me. The prospects of that happening in the next year or so do not look good, however.

Option 2 is a pre-owned Souverain in 38mm. The new ones are only made in 40mm and those are too big for me. Having spent some time looking around the strange thing is that for a company that does not produce many watches, there seem to be a lot of them out there yet they are priced pretty tight to original list. I am a little concerned there is some artificial market support out there. Thoughts?

[AK797]

I believe CB aside they do fall like most luxury watches as there aren't that many takers. I would also approach some greys and see what they would offer if you had the watch as some won't even buy them so that will give you alot of info. Post in the Other Watches forum where there will be more replies.

[lock0ut]

I had a CB I bought for list and flipped 1 year later. Haven’t regretted it for a second.

It was a fun watch for a week, then I became bored with it and the hands started to annoy me - I think they look like duck bills, others say tear drops.

[thomaspp]

What's a Journe?

Kidding... They make great watches. CB Blue and 38mm brass movement watches would be the ones to consider IMHO.

[Peterandwatches]

I am not sure how rare the CB is. I do see that greys have it above retail, but some members shared they were able directly acquire one from Journe after a 6 month wait. So your year time frame may actually be quite doable.

I don't really track their prices, but I would assume both and seller and buyer don't really know their value, since demand and supply is so limited on both sides. This may account for why list prices seem relatively higher; they are really seeking a counteroffer to evaluate.

[Jay (Eire)]

CS's drop like lead. You may see list prices looking for higher numbers but you want to be much closer to $20k than $30k for it to make sense.

Re 38mm, that's a tighter market in terms of supply but I also think your average CS buyer is looking at 40mm today.

I think you'd be better off buying a CB used/grey at less than list than any CS (almost) in the grey/used market, my bet would be you'd lose far less on the CB resale. Plus, there aren't many CS's that match the appeal of the CB.

[HoosAir]

This is helpful, thanks. I guess the question is, which is a safer bet: a 38mm CS (prob plat) in the low 20s or the same price for a new/LNIB CB (since these appear to go above list new).

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

CS's drop like lead. You may see list prices looking for higher numbers but you want to be much closer to $20k than $30k for it to make sense.

Re 38mm, that's a tighter market in terms of supply but I also think your average CS buyer is looking at 40mm today.

I think you'd be better off buying a CB used/grey at less than list than any CS (almost) in the grey/used market, my bet would be you'd lose far less on the CB resale. Plus, there aren't many CS's that match the appeal of the CB.

[EDL7]

the hands started to annoy me - I think they look like duck bills,

lol..you got that right..thx for the honest answer..I think they look like stork bills..

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by HoosAir

This is helpful, thanks. I guess the question is, which is a safer bet: a 38mm CS (prob plat) in the low 20s or the same price for a new/LNIB CB (since these appear to go above list new).

I think these models have two completely different buyers, with the CB potential buyers being a larger group (at least within that subset of forum participants and people who buy/sell their watches versus trade in at a dealer). More demand therefore for the CB.

While there are more CBs out there than many if not all 38mm CS's (and definitely oodles more CB's than what I think are the most attractive CS's) this higher demand (which I'm speculating on) is supplemented /supported by pure hype (manufactured and organic) and importantly by the perception that the CB holds it value better.

Will a $23k CB hold value better than a $23k 38mm CS in an absolute sense ignoring time pressures to sell on your side? Versus a Black Label PT CS, 50:50 I'd say. Versus the Black Label RG CS, CB wins. Versus one of the MOP or Guilloche CS, close on 50:50 again I'd say. Versus what I believe to be the less appealing CS dials, CB every time. Problem is many sellers are looking for way more than the $23k in the above example for the CS and in that case the CB wins every time.


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[Peterandwatches]

Jay - could you share which CS models you’re fond of? Kind of new to Journe. I’m familiar with the Bleu, but not much else. The Octa seems nice too

[gengar]

With FPJ (as most independents) really need to do research and stick to the limited editions or special variants to retain value.

Otherwise, (again as with most independents) buying at MSRP from a boutique is more about supporting an independent manufacture than anything else.

If you don't want to go that route then secondhand is always there.