"Safe Queens" - Who Here Actually Has One?

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by tfly212

I like to be able to put a trailing stop on my investments if possible so I don't have any safe queens. If a watch I bought to enjoy happens to appreciate (as my panerais have) great, but I don't think it's a very wise investment for investment's sake. I think 100 shares of SPY is a much better way to park $18K for the next 10 years than a watch will be.

Especially last year when the S&P 500 was up almost 30%!

[Ed Man]

Not me. I wear mine and don't have any intention of selling any. I take care of my stuff for me and not for the benefit of some future owner. I'll only buy what I love and want to wear.

[singe89]

I wear all the watches I buy

That being said I do have "safe queens." These are older watches that I have retired from my rotation but have sentimental value so I'll never get rid of them.

My first nice watch (rolex K series SD)
Deceased Great grandfather’s Hamilton pocket watch
Deceased Grandfather’s Seiko
Deceased Father’s daily beater
My AP 15400 will be added to this list along with my wife's Lady RO that I got for our wedding.
Mother's Rolex

These will all be passed on to our future children so I'll keep them as "safe queens" until then.

[Castor]

Originally Posted by singe89

I wear all the watches I buy

That being said I do have "safe queens." These are older watches that I have retired from my rotation but have sentimental value so I'll never get rid of them.

My first nice watch (rolex K series SD)
Deceased Great grandfather’s Hamilton pocket watch
Deceased Grandfather’s Seiko
Deceased Father’s daily beater
My AP 15400 will be added to this list along with my wife's Lady RO that I got for our wedding.
Mother's Rolex

These will all be passed on to our future children so I'll keep them as "safe queens" until then.

Best "safe queen" examples. Otherwise, forget about it!

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by castor

best "safe queen" examples. Otherwise, forget about it!

+1

[bde]

Nope! I wear all of mine.

[AK797]

No safe queens for this watch king.

[scrase123]

I had a DSSD as a safe queen but I decided to flip it!

[accce]

I have a BNIB 16600 M serial. Stickers and all. I also have a 16600 that i wear on and off.

[GB-man]

Nope. I don't invest in watches any more than I do cars.

[tkerrmd]

Nope wear the heck out of mine!!

[Action]

Isn't that like buying a new exotic car, or a house, and not using it?

[sncarney18]

None for me. If I buy it I plan to wear it.

[U5512]

I have a brand spanking new Rolex Sea-Dweller that I purchased from my AD in 2008 (M serial number). All of the plastic stickers are intact and the watch sits/sleeps in my safety deposit box. I was going to wear it but given that I have tons of watches in my rotation and the price for a 16600 SD has shot up considerably especially for a BNIB, I decided to keep it in brand new condition .

[Laszlo]

I never thought of a watch as an investment. But if it brings joy to me, and when I'm gone, brings joy to my son, then I'd say it's my best investment yet.

[Chaching]

High end watches such as Patek and Rolex are of interest to me because I can throw them into a roll and put into a safety deposit box easily ...collectively amounting to $$$$$$. These watches are known around the World with plenty of buyers out there. When need cash I can liquidate pretty quickly. Just another way to spread your cash around or hide from the wife or GF. I know many of my friends who also do this.

[Incredible Hulk]

I have 5 watches and i have never worn any of them!!!!



Ya right hahahaha AS IF!!!!

[Nidal]

quick piece of info. since we are discussing appreciation.
Rolex didn't increase its prices from 1996-2004. that was by far the longest period of time in its modern history the company their watches didn't appreciate in value FYI

[dcash0615]

I wear all mine. Some may not get worn for 3 to 6 months due to the rotation, but they all get worn.

[GradyPhilpott]

I'd like to have a safe queen. There is something special about a pristine watch directly from the factory. Pulling it out on occasion to admire would be a real joy.

The only thing is that there's no way I could spend what a new Rolex costs today and not wear it.

Watches are made for wearing.

[Tri-National-Man]

I must admit that I did have a safe queen - I bought a brand new 16610 LV in 2008 for 20% less list, kept it for almost exactly 5 years and I did enjoy it immensely - Taking it out of its box once a month to give it a full wind. I eventually came across a worn LV to wear so decided to put up the Queen for sale - I very nearly doubled my initial investment.

[Vincent65]

There are millions of these things, and by definition, only a relative 'handful' are rare, and most of those have been worn. A lot.

[tom2517]

No safe queen, for me why bother buying it if I am not going to wear it? As for investments, unless you can get into the old Rolex or Patek (or you can buy Patek 5131 at MSRP), one would be lucky just to hold value. Prices are so high nowadays that any appreciation is already built in for the foreseeable future.

If I sell my 5970P today I would be looking at a loss.

And pass down to the next generation? I don't buy that either, maybe they don't share the same love for wristwatches. One of my collector friend told me he only buys watches for himself, his son will probably sell all of them at the first offer he got.

[Ru4scuba]

None here either...wear every one!

[Darlinboy]

All my watches get worn or get gone.

[Passionata]

i ve one -14060M last serial- no clue how long will stay there

[el1125]

Sealed is my safe queen. Feel bad opening such a piece that I estimate will only rise in value over time.

[subtona]

I can not afford a safe queen.

[afc1]

No safe queens for me. I want to enjoy every watch I own. My grandfather recently gave me his old Omega from the 1960s that had been sitting in a box for years and the first thing I thought was that I have to get it restored so it can be on my wrist ASAP! I plan on wearing it as often as my other pieces and passing it down eventually.

[rolepam312]

I say, wear it or sell it.. Because in 10-15 yrs, mechanical watches will become an " antique" truly a jewelry as technology will allow everyone to wear a " smart watch". They will be more affordable and technologically superior.... And with all the high end watches with complications at their all time high, who will be able to service these mechanical trinkets ?? This is unlike the " quartz" crisis as the newer generation is growing up with the said technology and a mechanical watches will be for few, minute group of dying breeds....so enjoy it now .....