To flip or not to flip, that is the question.....

[azguy]

For me, it's less about flipping and more about finding out whatI like and what I'll actaully wear. 5 or 6 years ago I would never have considered wearing a 36mm watch and leaned more towards 43-45mm. Today I have sold the bigger watches and I'm looking for Datejusts

[bewithabob]

While I am a collector not a trader of watches, I think however, there is an art to flipping.

I don't object to those who trade or sell watches any more than I do the so-called serial flippers among us. Becoming a WIS is a sickness for some, an affliction for others, but who would argue there isn't pleasure enough for all?

I have to respect that the idea of ownership of some pieces is unnecessary for some, and outright impossible for others. So therefore, the idea of the grail for some is no more obscene than flipping.

When the day comes that a tourbillion is the 2nd prize in one of the TRF drawings, I will know that flipping has become a lost art. I think that will be a sad day for us all.

We are after all, talking about watches, not wives. But is there someone here who would rightly deserve the monicker of the Henry the VIII of watch flippers?

[lhanddds]

I find it extremely hard to understand how someone can claim to have found their "grail watch" and then sell it in 2 or 3 days. It just does not fit the definition of the word. I also don't understand how you can make an honest judgement about a watch without wearing it for at least 6 mos. to a year. I call myself a watch wearer not a collector because I wear what I have regularly. If it falls out of favor, that's a clue to me that it needs to go, whether to fund another or not. I have no doubt that ADD could be related to watch flipping but have not read any conclusive studies.

[phillycheez]

6 months to a year seems a bit much... A solid week to 3 weeks give you all you need to figure out if the watch is for you.

I've upgraded (traded up or sold) consistently and landed on a watch I really enjoy. What's nice is I didn't lose much if at all when trading up plus cash. It was like a savings account that you can wear on your wrist.

Landed on a 1675 where I can change inserts, crystal (116 or 38) and enjoy variations of NATO, bracelets or leather.

I believe ill be happy for a while now. The ability to change up the look will keep me entertained for awhile and hopefully till the day I pass down the watch to my son/daughter who don't exist yet. :)

I'm a bit burned out on buying, selling and trading now. Time to focus on my other hobbies.

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by FremStar

Hi everyone, my name is Sam and I have a confession to make... I am a serial hoarder of horological references I can't seem to let any of my timepieces go from my disliked 116264 to some of my power pieces this hobby has taken over my life Thank you for helping me realize I am not alone All jokes aside I can only assume that the mind of a flipper is one that believes the next greatest thing is right around the corner... Mortageguy should be able to elaborate more eloquently

Hi Sam.... Yes I'm in the same camp as you and would hate to have to let any of mine go....ever.....

Originally Posted by winston

Selling any of my collection has always only come after much wrestling of the mind and heart, I currently am considering flipping to aquire a solid gold GMT or WG Sub but its hard to sell something you have had on your wrist for years in the hope that you will like the new piece as much or more. It usually takes me months to pull the trigger.

It always amazes me that people sell discontinued models like subs SD etc to get the NEW model when the older the Rolex the more valuable it becomes!!

Just my thoughts for what they are worth.

Thanks for your input David. It seems to be a fairly regular theme that people seem to accept selling other watches when they go for a gold model. Almost as if, they feel they can only have so much invested in watches as a total and when that big purchase is made, they have to clear the decks. For me, I would personally prefer not to have the gold watch and have more variety since after all, the watch is the attracton, not necessarily the material it is made of.

Originally Posted by Dingoo93

I guess this thread was inspired by me..


I agree with you Steve Hands down, everything you have said above is 100% correct. I had a huge emotional attachment to my LVc, and I am sad to see her go, if I didn't let her go the saving process would have been extended atleast another 5 if not 6 months; impatient may spring to mind, which I guess in some ways may well be correct. If I had a huge bank account (which I don't) I certainly wouldn't have let the LVc go!


The only reason which makes me flip watches is because I purely can't afford to hoard them as others do here..


Once I have achieved my 18k timepiece, she won't be going anywhere! I'm currently working my A.. off saving for it, so I will treasure it for a long long time

Quite possibly Dino....

I fully understand why you let your LVc go.... and I can't wait to see your hefty beast when the deal has been done

No criticism from me but I personally would have saved and kept the LVc. But the main problem with being a regular forum member is that you are constantly bombarded with images of glory pieces and I can see why you are somewhat impatient .

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

Great Thread. I am a modest serial flipper.
My Rolex passion results from the entire process of hunting, owning, posting here, and selling (the full life cycle )

I owned my 1st Rolex for 17 years, sold it and have been buying and selling Rolex since. When I acquire one, I truly enjoy it - then I have a reason for selling - so I do - it's always for a reason. Different model, trying vintage, many other solid excuses. I have only really really missed (still do) 1 watch and it was my A series 14060.
I just received a white dial Daytona yesterday. I really like it - but I don't think I'll die with it (don't have a son to pass it to). I have enjoyed owning many different Rolex, Zenith, Omega, Sinn models by buying and selling. Many watches I would not have owned if I only collected.

I am having a helluva lot of fun with this passion.

Hey Russ, I can see the logic and I suppose if volume is your thing then this clearly works for you.......but I just would not have been able to sell that 17 year companion as that surely should have been the watch you would pass on....

I get my watch fix in terms of variety from AD's, watch exhibitions etc etc. But can pretty much tell in a few minutes whether they are for me or not.

Originally Posted by Dan2010

I have never flipped a watch in my life so I have no advice...............................

Nice one Dan...... Come on...... let us in to that mind of yours

Originally Posted by dsio

I still have all of mine...

I just can't sell them, they've all been with me through interesting times.

Me too

Originally Posted by tattooedfagin

i'm a keeper

and, deep down i know you're really keeping the WG Sub C for me, i'm not proud, i'll take charity

I'll be thinking of you Chad.....

Originally Posted by esm

im only a newbie and im a horder

i never had to flip to fund another purchase. all of my purchases to dates has special association attached to them...

but, if a situation comes up and require us parting ways, i will have no problem in doing so. (lets hope the day wont come )

I agree Eric. It's definitely nice to have the means to be able to fund our addiction. And I suppose ultimately, as you say, if you are forced to sell, then our attitude to valuable assets changes anyway and they automatically become more of a commodity.

This begs the question as to whether flippers just can't afford to hold lots of watches and the only way to experience a new watch is to trade.....?

Are there any wealthy flippers out there, who just flip anyway for the fun of it ?????

Originally Posted by superdog

Still not sure I understand the question. However, I flip in hopes of finding my perfect watch. I can afford to buy whatever I like at this point. Yet, I don't know what the future will be and it's hard to justify so many expensive watches. I flip simply to enjoy the process more. I'd personally feel guilty if I had too many. I need to save for my future.

Is that the ADD kicking in there

So you're able to buy multiple watches financially but worry about being financially solvent in the future..... so you just constrain yourself. Interesting self control there

Originally Posted by JP(Canada)

My name is JP, and I'm a serial flipper. Serially! I mean, Seriously!

Wish I could give a good reason, but I truly think it's OCD or ADD, or perhaps some other sort of disorder.

I have tried justifying to myself that it's because I want something else more, but I often sell and re-buy the same models I had before, so that cannot really be it then.

At any rate, trying to understand what goes through any of our heads is going to make this the longest thread ever posted on this forum...

That's what I was waiting for.... a real serial flipper So you really think its more ADD and you just get bored with the same watch for any period of time???

Originally Posted by kilyung

I guess I'm a flipper as 75% of my collection has changed in the last year. Even the keepers may someday go towards another watch.

Mike. I can understand you flipping as you have had some serious grails and keeping a box full of those would be a serious financial commitment. What number do you keep at anyone time? And have you lost much selling some of those grails. For example the ALS datograph you had since they don't appear to hold value particularly well even though a sensational piece and one of my all time grails

Originally Posted by mike

Interesting answers and I agree with some of them.

I think there's a difference between "flipping" a watch and selling a piece to fund another or because of a change in one's goals/direction.

I've gone through periods of accumulating and periods of purging as goals change.

There are those however that simply try to hose someone. That I have never done.

Mike. The voice of reason as always . I agree and if your collecting takes a change of direction then I can understand people selling. However, some flippers, over a period of time, will buy and sell the same watch which I really struggle to understand.

Originally Posted by lhanddds

I find it extremely hard to understand how someone can claim to have found their "grail watch" and then sell it in 2 or 3 days. It just does not fit the definition of the word. I also don't understand how you can make an honest judgement about a watch without wearing it for at least 6 mos. to a year. I call myself a watch wearer not a collector because I wear what I have regularly. If it falls out of favor, that's a clue to me that it needs to go, whether to fund another or not. I have no doubt that ADD could be related to watch flipping but have not read any conclusive studies.

Agree totally Larry. I take a lot of time deciding on which watches I buy and visit AD's on quite a number of occasions during this process. I also usually have a short list at any one time and so need to go through quite a serious evaluation process to decide whicjh I want to buy next....which appeals to me most.

So it would be extremely rare for me to make a mistake and decide a week or so later that I dont like a particular watch.

But thanks for all your input everyone.....

[Puffy]

i have accummulated many watches over the years and recently sold quite a few as i only wore them every 3-4 months

in my view that's a shame, watches should be worn so thankfully other people are enjoying my former watches. i wouldn't call that flipping, more "consolidation" than anything.

i'm now down to some great pieces that all get some decent wrist time

and i would have no issue selling those to help out a friend or family member

[esm]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

This begs the question as to whether flippers just can't afford to hold lots of watches and the only way to experience a new watch is to trade.....?

Are there any wealthy flippers out there, who just flip anyway for the fun of it ?????

great questions, Steve

maybe i am missing the fun bit. i understand flipping can be seen as an "art" or something to "master"... but why spend all these time to research, find/search/trying it on, then to flip for something else. i know i will be the world's worst flipper (dont even know where to start )

how many times have we heard of people saying - "finally found my GRAIL, and i will never part with it".... then to find out that "i'm so sad to see it go, for another piece".

i understand the temptation is always there - it makes you wonder sometimes.

bugger it - im going to see which piece takes my fancy this time