Yes you should buy Rolexes that you love. But why can’t it also be an investment?

[rolexdream]

Because you will never earn more on a rolex than if you had out thay money in s+p 500 or equivalent over a 5-10 yr+ time period

[effovex]

As I recall, the "value retention" aspect of Rolex was more along the lines of "if I ever need to sell this watch quickly, I can recover ~75-80%+ of what I paid for it". Not, "When I buy this watch, I can now immediately sell it for ~150%+ of what I paid for it."

The former sentiment was more prevalent back then, and, IMO, was one out of the many reasons why people chose Rolex.

The latter sentiment is a current, hype-fueled, misinterpretation that is ruining Rolex and watch collecting, in general.

[Dreamy]

Originally Posted by harvey

Nonsense…

Not at all.

I’ve been collecting watches for decades and it’s quite amusing to read a reply like yours.

[Krash]

On TRF, some people can be rigid and set in their ways. I personally think it’s a good idea to consider value retention when buying a watch. I have yet to see a rational explanation why it’s such a taboo. It always seems more emotional than logical.

However, when it comes to buying a watch strictly for investment purposes, then I’m not so sure about that. There are better ways to invest your money.



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[Doood]

Watches, like most of my hobbies and interests, are an escape from having be concerned with finances and investments. Reading speculative and investment post kind of sucks the fun out of this hobby for me.

[thenewrick]

You can invest in watches. It's a bad investment. But you're welcome to all you like. Any investment talk would be, "Which reference will lose the least amount of value over time" pretty much. Investing in watches is like investing in Kias. Like sure you can, but it's a bit silly to consider them investments.

[dgr8dude]

I have been a watch enthusiast since the late 90's and I have never bought a watch regardless of brand with the intent of selling for investment. I have sold a lot of my collection without making a profit. For me I just sell it when I get bored and on to the next one. The only time I can truly say my Rolex is an investment is when I was very lucky to get the Smurf back in 2015 which was actually an unplanned purchase for way less retail and sold it last year and made 3x profit which is insane.

[Zach69SS]

I think, buy the watch and enjoy it, if it’s worth more later, great? If not; that’s fine too.
Unless this is your livelihood, then being careful on what you buy is important.

[j.mo]

I personally don’t care if my collection appreciates, but store of value is definitely nice. Rather than having cash sitting, devaluing, I find it fun to have a few watches in the safe that I can enjoy everyday, and If the time comes years down the line my taste changes, I can get that money back to roll into the next.


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[Dave O]

My two cents for what it is worth.

I do not like the fact that people either buy Rolex's for an investment or those that care enough about value retention that they would decide not to buy a watch because of the potential for losing money. For those people, I would prefer them to just not buy the watch. Why? Because of the current supply and demand issue. If those that bought watches as an investment, or those worried about value retention suddenly stopped buying watches there would be many more available for those of us that buy watches for the mere fact that we love them.

I have many watches where I lost money the day I purchased them (Omega Seamaster, Speedmaster and a Breitling Navitimer just to name a few). I could care less that I lost money on them the day I walked out of the AD. I bought them for what they are - beautiful time pieces.

Bottom line, I couldn't care less if the bottom dropped out of the Rolex market. It would make it a whole lot easier for us watch lovers to obtain a Rolex from an AD as all those worried about investments or value retention would just walk away.

[BraveBold]

Watches, like many collectibles, pay dividends. Those dividends aren’t financial but are instead paid out in terms of memories, enjoyment, admiration, etc.

Still, watches absolutely can also be part of a diversified investment strategy. Better to have a mix of “things” than to rely on solely one investment type. Many would argue real estate isn’t an investment. It is a place to live. Or fine art. Or wine. Or xxxxx. Anyone judging these things in absolutes is likely wrong - absent context.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I could care less that I lost money on them the day I walked out of the AD. I bought them for what they are - beautiful time pieces.

So you do care, at least a little? ;-)

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Babalaas

Grant it, I haven’t been here for as long as some. But I see a lot of snarky responses and dismissals for folks that are also trying to gauge whether Rolex watches will hold their value. Why is that a bad thing?

Yes, the primary criteria is how much we like these watches. But when one is putting down a large amount of capital, why is it a Holy Sin to even talk about how value retention will trend?

Genuinely curious. Cheers

Stocks and bonds and rental properties are an INVESTMENT. You can own them and they can generate income for you without selling them.

Your house, antiques, a Rolex are ASSETS which can be liquidated for whatever the marking will bear, but you have to give up ownership.

That's the simplest definition I can come up with, and the one I live by.

[j.mo]

Originally Posted by Dave O

My two cents for what it is worth.

I do not like the fact that people either buy Rolex's for an investment or those that care enough about value retention that they would decide not to buy a watch because of the potential for losing money. For those people, I would prefer them to just not buy the watch. Why? Because of the current supply and demand issue. If those that bought watches as an investment, or those worried about value retention suddenly stopped buying watches there would be many more available for those of us that buy watches for the mere fact that we love them.

I have many watches where I lost money the day I purchased them (Omega Seamaster, Speedmaster and a Breitling Navitimer just to name a few). I could care less that I lost money on them the day I walked out of the AD. I bought them for what they are - beautiful time pieces.

Bottom line, I couldn't care less if the bottom dropped out of the Rolex market. It would make it a whole lot easier for us watch lovers to obtain a Rolex from an AD as all those worried about investments or value retention would just walk away.

I wouldn’t say people would just “walk away” but they may not have 8-12 pieces etc


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[Reconciler]

For me, I buy watches because I love watches. It's nice if they happen to be worth more than I paid, but that is certainly not my motivation.

[Dawg]

Cool watches are cool watches. Money does not motivate.

[Babalaas]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

Because you will never earn more on a rolex than if you had out thay money in s+p 500 or equivalent over a 5-10 yr+ time period

On which Rolex model are you basing your calculation?

[Moondoggy]

I was buying watches for 20 years and every time I walked out the door I would drop 30%, PP, AP etc "hot refs", I didn't care only the last five-ish years did I start to google and realise there are a few bucks there, still don't care, sure it's nice but never for sale.

I actually remember googling about five years ago some PP's I have, literally thought i was seeing things.

[Rolexatlast]

I think there is a big difference between:
1) those who buy and talk about Rolex because they love the product, and for some value retention enables them to be able to afford to buy them (e.g I can afford to buy a Porsche because I know depreciation will be lower than other makes); and
2) those who trade Rolex watches to make money, hoovering up all the stock through AD back doors, and have little or no interest in the watches

[JSCP]

Rolex has been a desirable watch ever since the 1960’s when I first saw my dad, proudly show us, his new purchase DJ SS with his end of the year bonus. I recalled how Rolex watches had supported my exiles for months by selling them once they left Cuba. Through the years his executive friends l/ colleagues wore Rolex, Omega, and one guy had a Royal Oak in the 1979’s and another one had 2 Day Dates!

He and his friends traded and sold to each other watches every so often. He kept his 3 Rolexes until he passed. Then to us.

Value, durable and style was always mentioned.

[Pw92676]

IMHO it’s nothing wrong with talking about it, just not suited for the general
Community of folks here. Find other communities, forums, friends…

[faimag]

I guess that several watches allow you to enjoy value retention, but I would not call them investments. If this is the first priority you look for in a watch, then your pool of selection will become rather small. I buy several watches I love even though I know their value won't increase or even decrease.

[worldfamoussam]

For me, not an investment at all. I've never made any money on a Rolex (garbage timing), and somehow, my Beanie Babies never appreciated either. I'll stick to stocks, bonds & real estate. I also don't mind working for a living so much either!

[The Kermit]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

I think buying watches which retain value makes sense if you are buying more than you can reasonably wear, whatever that number may be. But a one and done, buyer should just get what they really like and enjoy wearing. The return on investment is the lifetime of wearing the watch.

[Old Geezer]

It's not a sin to talk about value. It's just tiresome all the threads asking "Which one should I buy as an investment or which one will hold the best value ?". This is a watch forum so most people here will have purchased their timepiece(s) for their love of the piece, not primarily as an investment.

[JSCP]

Originally Posted by worldfamoussam

For me, not an investment at all. I've never made any money on a Rolex (garbage timing), and somehow, my Beanie Babies never appreciated either. I'll stick to stocks, bonds & real estate. I also don't mind working for a living so much either!

Is not about a king money. It’s about not loosing. a lot of money. Meaning if you use for a trade or need to sell fro some
reason , your recoup some cash. That’s they key for some
people.

If you have a Panda and you need to sell you will make some money if that person need to add some cash for some reason.

Not for flipping is ok.

[RoRoRo]

There isn’t a problem really.
Value retention or investment in a watch is a very middle class thing to consider.

[JSCP]

Upper class here in this blog lol seen many tattoos here.

[tekno]

I can’t wait until the Rolex market crashes. It will get rid of all this silly nonsense and the guys who actually like watches will still be here, as always.

Your modern Rolex is not an investment.