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actionkwj · 24 June 2014, 05:26 AM

One of the things I love about TRF is that I learn about watches and get great opinions from folks all over the world. Although I love the latest "inbound" or "WRUW" posts, I thought I'd post a more "educational" discussion based on TRF members experiences and collective WISdom.

So what are your top buying mistakes? And/or what is your top buying advice? Flipping advice? Service advice? Etc.

For me, I don't have any bad buying mistakes... yet. But my buying advice is this: Be patient and revisit your target watch multiple times over a few months. If that watch still sings to you at the end of three months (or six months), then your should feel pretty good about buying it. That's my experience and it applies to almost anything I purchase; it's worked well for me in my 48 years.

OK, it's your turn. I'm looking for the Good, the Bad, and the downright Ugly. Maybe we can create a Sticky Top 10 Buying Mistakes list or something like that.

dysondiver · 24 June 2014, 05:33 AM

buy in haste ,,,, repent at leisure.

actionkwj · 24 June 2014, 10:02 AM

Did you learn that from experience? Or have you been wise enough to avoid the mistake to begin with? If from experience, what happened?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dysondiver

buy in haste ,,,, repent at leisure.

dysondiver · 25 June 2014, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionkwj

Did you learn that from experience? Or have you been wise enough to avoid the mistake to begin with? If from experience, what happened?

hi , no , i do a lot of thinking , then some research , then if i can , get a look at something in real life , look at the alternatives ,,,, then , go home , think about it , check the research again ,,,,, then buy what i actually want ,,,, its a long process , but so is earning cash.
my gran always used to say , buy in haste repent at leisure , i think its sound advice still.

Metalheart · 24 June 2014, 06:01 AM

1. Buying a watch because it is popular (the Sub is an exception

)
2. Buying an oversized watch for your wrist
3. Buying 2 or 3 watches that you like 80% instead of saving up and buying the one watch that you like 110%
4. Buying a watch just so you can show off
5. Buying a watch from bad grey market dealers just because it is cheap
6. Buying a watch without trying it on
7. Buying multiple watches in a short period of time (if you can't actually afford, that is)
8. Buying a watch thinking of its resale value above other characteristics

Been there, done almost all of that. Learnt all along the way and now I have the two, and only two most wonderful watches that I've ever bought: the DJ and Sub.

actionkwj · 24 June 2014, 10:04 AM

How funny that we often think that three items of less value equal more than one item of greater value. Seems logical, but it's really an irrational response that never works!

Has this been your experience in the past? Or just saying?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalheart

1. Buying a watch because it is popular (the Sub is an exception

)
2. Buying an oversized watch for your wrist
3. Buying 2 or 3 watches that you like 80% instead of saving up and buying the one watch that you like 110%
4. Buying a watch just so you can show off
5. Buying a watch from bad grey market dealers just because it is cheap
6. Buying a watch without trying it on
7. Buying multiple watches in a short period of time (if you can't actually afford, that is)
8. Buying a watch thinking of its resale value above other characteristics

Been there, done almost all of that. Learnt all along the way and now I have the two, and only two most wonderful watches that I've ever bought: the DJ and Sub.

Metalheart · 24 June 2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionkwj

How funny that we often think that three items of less value equal more than one item of greater value. Seems logical, but it's really an irrational response that never works!

Has this been your experience in the past? Or just saying?

Not just saying. Happened to me. I made all those mistakes I wrote about. Underlying theme is simple: be patient really. Even if you can afford to buy watches and sell them for lower prices, doesn't mean you have to.

DreambreaX · 24 June 2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalheart

4. Buying a watch just so you can show off

8. Buying a watch thinking of its resale value above other characteristics

I add one more of the mistake.

1) Buying expensive stainless steel watch over 15k (unless it is skeleton).

instead safe your money to get precious metal watch. If you dont have budget buy rolex sub/gmt two tone, that is so nice.

thomaspp · 24 June 2014, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreambreaX

I add one more of the mistake.

1) Buying expensive stainless steel watch over 15k (unless it is skeleton).

instead safe your money to get precious metal watch. If you dont have budget buy rolex sub/gmt two tone, that is so nice.

lipjin · 24 June 2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreambreaX

I add one more of the mistake.

1) Buying expensive stainless steel watch over 15k (unless it is skeleton).

instead safe your money to get precious metal watch. If you dont have budget buy rolex sub/gmt two tone, that is so nice.

So don't buy SS PP and SS ALS?

mailman · 24 June 2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreambreaX

I add one more of the mistake.

1) Buying expensive stainless steel watch over 15k (unless it is skeleton).

instead safe your money to get precious metal watch. If you dont have budget buy rolex sub/gmt two tone, that is so nice.

GradyPhilpott · 25 June 2014, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreambreaX

...safe your money to get precious metal watch.

I have no interest in precious metals per se.

There are some watches that I like that come in precious metals only.

Someday one of those will likely wind up in my collection, but not because of the precious metal.

HL65 · 25 June 2014, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreambreaX

I add one more of the mistake.

1) Buying expensive stainless steel watch over 15k (unless it is skeleton).

instead safe your money to get precious metal watch. If you dont have budget buy rolex sub/gmt two tone, that is so nice.

fmc000 · 24 June 2014, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalheart

1. Buying a watch because it is popular (the Sub is an exception

)
2. Buying an oversized watch for your wrist
3. Buying 2 or 3 watches that you like 80% instead of saving up and buying the one watch that you like 110%
4. Buying a watch just so you can show off
5. Buying a watch from bad grey market dealers just because it is cheap
6. Buying a watch without trying it on
7. Buying multiple watches in a short period of time (if you can't actually afford, that is)
8. Buying a watch thinking of its resale value above other characteristics

Great list. Only number 6 can be questionable IMHO but I agree completely with the other 7.

Metalheart · 25 June 2014, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc000

Great list. Only number 6 can be questionable IMHO but I agree completely with the other 7.

I actually agree with you on No. 6. People who have years of experience buying, wearing and selling watches kinda of know how the watch will fit them by seeing pictures or reading about them.

Kinda tied together with my oversized watch comment. For people with small wrists like me, doesn't make sense to buy a Breitling Hercules without trying it on, even if it was a hugely popular model during the times.

DJ-Sub · 24 June 2014, 06:00 PM

Buy the watch cause you want it but also buy to show it off. If you don't like it when people notice it then what's the point.

FTE2014 · 16 July 2014, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalheart

1. Buying a watch because it is popular (the Sub is an exception

)
2. Buying an oversized watch for your wrist
3. Buying 2 or 3 watches that you like 80% instead of saving up and buying the one watch that you like 110%
4. Buying a watch just so you can show off
5. Buying a watch from bad grey market dealers just because it is cheap
6. Buying a watch without trying it on
7. Buying multiple watches in a short period of time (if you can't actually afford, that is)
8. Buying a watch thinking of its resale value above other characteristics

Been there, done almost all of that. Learnt all along the way and now I have the two, and only two most wonderful watches that I've ever bought: the DJ and Sub.

I fully agree with (3) buying 2 or 3 watches rather than saving up for smth you love 110%.

I think for the new collectors / enthousiasts the other deadly mistake is getting too excited and try to build up a collection really fast. I am very new at this, I got into high-end watches over the past year. After buying my first +$1000K watch, I ended up buying 6 other watches over the following 3 months, spending considerable amount of money in the process. Funny thing is your preferences evolve through the process as your knowledge of horology expands.

I am now 110% happy with 3 of my watches, quite content with 1, and not entirely happy with 3 of them where my choices are either to (a) keep part of non-core / secondary portfolio (b) sell at the secondary market taking a large haircut for a brand new piece (3) give one or two of them to my brother who seems to really like those particular pieces.

All the best

shaunylw · 16 July 2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalheart

1. Buying a watch because it is popular (the Sub is an exception

)
2. Buying an oversized watch for your wrist
3. Buying 2 or 3 watches that you like 80% instead of saving up and buying the one watch that you like 110%
4. Buying a watch just so you can show off
5. Buying a watch from bad grey market dealers just because it is cheap
6. Buying a watch without trying it on
7. Buying multiple watches in a short period of time (if you can't actually afford, that is)
8. Buying a watch thinking of its resale value above other characteristics

Been there, done almost all of that. Learnt all along the way and now I have the two, and only two most wonderful watches that I've ever bought: the DJ and Sub.

7. I made a similar mistake. I bought my first rolex 1680 sub with just enough cash to get by. Not a great choice for a 26 yr old with a child on the way and a new house purchase. Long story short I had to take a slice of humble pie and sell it to fund the house and upgrades. I had been on the hunt since I was 13 for a rolex. My mentor bought his first when I was a kid and I wanted nothing more than to have my own. The feeling was not what I expected. Instead months later I realized that I should have used the money on our first home. I'm on the hunt again and hopefully will be able to get another in the next year or so.

Clay · 24 June 2014, 06:07 AM