Are more people servicing than buying?

[diablojota]

In a recent article in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, the apparent trend is that people are getting their fine watches serviced rather than buying new ones at the moment. At least this is for the Cartier brand. What are your experiences? Are you doing the same? Apparently this is just one of the ways people are tightening their belts.

Here's the link to the article: http://ww2.ajcmobile.com/wap/news/te...tle=Top%20News

[macstiltskin]

Originally Posted by diablojota

In a recent article in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, the apparent trend is that people are getting their fine watches serviced rather than buying new ones at the moment. At least this is for the Cartier brand. What are your experiences? Are you doing the same? Apparently this is just one of the ways people are tightening their belts.

Here's the link to the article: http://ww2.ajcmobile.com/wap/news/te...Top%20News

I just read the link, this appears to be something good to have come out of this recession........Well for watch repairers at least.

[train-time]

I have been watching prices of pre-owned Rolex pieces fall continuously over the past several months, considerably below steeply discounted prices on new pieces from an AD. For example, in the US you can get a new Sub for 20-25% off list at an AD, wear the watch for a couple months and be prepared to loose a grand in the resale market. Resale prices have adjusted to the newly discounted retail prices.

More recently, over the past couple month or two I have also seen demand drop off as well. Thus will translate to even lower resale prices. Hopefully this is just a trend that happens as the summer months approach. Now may be the time to keep that watch and get it serviced like the article says.

[diablojota]

Well, in addition to the watch repairs, the nice thing about people servicing their watches is that they are giving longevity to these fine watches so they can last another lifetime and increase the likelihood that they fall in the hands of collectors and the like.

[Defiancekofb]

Doesn't surprise me, same goes for new car sales. Many people are holding on to their cars longer (3rd party garage shops are making a killing, dealership garages are losing money), or purchasing used cars. Many are hesitant to finance for new vehicles because of this recession, job security is probably weighs the most heavily on individuals minds. (If they lose their job, how will they make the car payment?) People rather buy a used car, paid in full than finance nowadays. Same with new watches I suppose, they rather purchase a used luxury watch paid in full, than take out a loan to buy a new watch.

[vh_bu98]

Apparently there was not enough servicing to keep the Beverly Hills RSC in business.

[diablojota]

Originally Posted by vh_bu98

Apparently there was not enough servicing to keep the Beverly Hills RSC in business.

To be honest, I don't think that was the issue there. I think there is more to it than that. I believe they had to do cost cutting measures and BH is a very expensive location both with regards to property and to labor costs.

[chu88y]

must admit the "so called" waiting lists seem to be disappearing on the usual suspects