The Rationale Behind Flipping?

[robustbambi]

simple for me. I don't make enough to just buy, buy, buy all the time. I also don't make enough to just let money tied up in watches I don't wear sit around in a safe lol.

[Gaijin]

There is no rationale for me. I regret every Rolex that I have flipped. I flipped cuz I wanted more or something different. I wish I could buy them all back.

[Racerdj]

Part of my flipping was the process of going towards PM. One day I would believe I could pull it off then the next day the reverse. Step up to WG, then later to YG. It was all over then. Saying it's a hobby fits.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

Unless it is being done for profit, I assume for most it is a matter of scratching an itch. Some people want to try many different watches and can't justify/afford to simply purchase all of them. Once they have had t for a while, the novelty wears off and they move to the next.
I am not they type who flips, but I do get it...

This!
It's the itch... When it comes, it must be scratched. I suppose I fall in to the flipper category. However, I'm currently in rehab and have made myself a promise to only add and not flip at this point. (We will see how long that lasts).


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[tomallen]

Cars, coins, stamps, watches, military edged weapons, firearms, what ever, collectors will flip to enhance to a better piece or add a different piece to their collection. If you buy a Rolex because you want a quality time piece that will last, with proper maintenance, a few generations don't flip. You are not a collector, don't judge.

[1William]

I guess for some of us this is a real hobby. Much like golf, hunting, fishing, classic cars, etc. Very seldom do I hear from non-wis that they took a bath in the hunting, golf, fishing gear they purchase. Nor the parts for the car that is a hobby that you will never get your money back out of but would never consider moving. There is something about watches that some people can not make work in their head, that they would never apply to other hobbies or activities. For me it is about enjoying the hobby. From research, to finding the watch, to making a deal and ultimately wearing the watch. It can all be fun if you don't make it more than what it is. A hobby.

[ancientmariner]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Sorry, bud, you are mistaken about the meaning of the term "flipper". It is neither of the scenarios you stated above, as most commonly used on this forum.

Buying with the intention of selling for a profit is a form of flipping, sure. But not the usual meaning of the word as used here. Mostly, it's people who buy a watch, wear it for a while, then out of either boredom or just the desire to try a different watch, sell the watch to help fund the next purchase. Make no mistake, this hobby of flipping costs money....it doesn't make it.

Bulliondesk has correctly described 'flipping' in my opinion. This definition is widely used regarding cars and to a lesser extent houses. It should apply to anything bought to sell on quickly for a profit.
I also agree that this forum uses 'flipping' in a different way, to replace the words 'selling' or 'trading-in' or part-exchanging' (these expressions may be different for different countries).

[Dyim]

Flipping Rolex is a whole lot cheaper than having multiple marriages. When you channel your need for something new, or different, or better towards watches. So I say flipping Rolex actually saves you $ in the long term...

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Flipping Rolex is a whole lot cheaper than having multiple marriages. When you channel your need for something new, or different, or better towards watches. So I say flipping Rolex actually saves you $ in the long term...

Genius

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by ap1

genius

x2

[beshannon]

In my case it was wanting more than having.

In the end flipping almost completely killed my interest in watches.

Glad I stopped to enjoy what I have.

[hoppes-no9]

Flipping is a way to try new watches. I don't always know whether I'll like a watch until I try it for a while. If it doesn't sing to me, it gets flipped.

Flipping also is a way to accommodate changing tastes. The watches I like now are generally pretty different than those I was buying 5 years ago.

There are a few, very special pieces in my collection that have survived the initial bonding and have not been affected by the new directions my collection has gone. These are the long-term keepers. For now...

[Daytonaman799]

Just can't afford to keep buying without giving something up from time to time....

[subtona]

It's just a phase

[Rockrolex]

I don't flip. I've built up my collection over the years by buying only those pieces I know I'll like and have the complications I have been looking for. My collection ranges from $10.00 Chinese made watches to $20,000+ YG DDs. And I only buy what I can afford at the time. I never "rob Peter to pay Paul."

[dbluevette]

1)Rationale
2)Flipping

choose one

[rootbeer7]

why not? the best bit is most Rolex retain value and desirability (if bought well) and therefore it can be a relatively cheap hobby.

[T. Ferguson]

I'm not a flipper but I get it. Heck, if you aren't wearing a watch and want a different one that you will give the wrist time, why not? It's a lot of money to just have sitting around and we don't all possess the resources to have that much inventory laying around gathering dust.

I'll usually wear a watch for a week or more before rotating so all of my watches sit more than they are on active duty. I'm ok with that, and I don't have $100K in watches laying around either. I suppose I regulate by being more cautious before buying. I don't usually make a purchase on impulse. Rather, I obsess over the watch for a while, lol! So I'm pretty confident in it being a watch I will wear. So far I've been right.

[Tyke]

I'm not a flipper. I have three expensive (for me) watches that I have intention of getting rid of.

Omega SMPc. The first expensive watch I ever bought. I thought it would scratch my 'I've always wanted a Rolex' itch. It didn't, but I still love that watch!

Rolex 116610LV. For forty years I'd wanted a Rolex. But heck, I'd just bought the Omega. And then, I saw the green. And fell in love.

Omega Speedmaster Pro. Neil Armstrong wore the same watch. I HAD to have it.

How could I flip any of these beauties?

[Alexwwjd]

Originally Posted by ref1655

countless threads about flipping this for that...having owned my 1655 for over 40 years, I still don't get the concept.

is it based on boredom, investment pipe dreams or simply bad choices? as far as being the 'first one on the block' to own a specific model, let's be clear...there will always be 'a new kid in town' with the newest and/or most expensive offering. that goes without saying.

the 'Rolex as an investment' philosophy/wishful thinking is also full of holes. unless it's a vintage/collectible timepiece which you either purchased new or paid dearly for later down the road, there are probably far better investment options to consider.

like classic BMWs, the esoteric nature of owning a Rolex seems to be lost amongst the countless newbies & Veblen oriented consumers.

I still don't get the concept and agree with you 100%

[Langnam]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I don't flip. I've built up my collection over the years by buying only those pieces I know I'll like and have the complications I have been looking for. My collection ranges from $10.00 Chinese made watches to $20,000+ YG DDs. And I only buy what I can afford at the time. I never "rob Peter to pay Paul."

X2


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[77T]

Deep down, in a way, we are all flippers. With only one exception.

The serious collectors with many watches flip which watch they'll wear today.

The serial flippers will only own a few at a time and sell/trade/flip ownership.

And the exception? The keepers.
Those who only own one and will keep it 40-50 years or more. And most of them don't even know the others exist.

Me? I'm both a keeper in a way and a flipper in another way. So here's my rationale: the watch that's a keeper is kept for sentimental reasons (for me an Omega my parents gave me). The rest are flipped in a quest to have owned virtually every type of Rolex and Omega. And do it with deals that self- perpetuate without spending 100's of Thousands of $$$.


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[AK797]

A lot of this has to do with TRF allowing pics.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Flipping Rolex is a whole lot cheaper than having multiple marriages. When you channel your need for something new, or different, or better towards watches. So I say flipping Rolex actually saves you $ in the long term...

Looks like you're working the slow play.

I say that people should be able to do whatever they want with their money. Spend it all on themselves, throw it in the trash, light it on fire, flip Rolex

[clb521]

If you buy a brand new Rolex and decide to sell it later to try something new, you will only lose a little bit of money if any at all if you take care of the watch.

So lets say you bought a new Hulk Sub at lets say retail price 9k (or cheaper from trusted folks here). In 5 years you decide to sell it and it is still in good to very good condition, you can probably sell it for at least 7-8k possibly more depending on the market. So at worse case you may have a loss of 1k or maybe 1500. You got to enjoy a 9k watch for 5 years for only $1500.

Try to get that kind of return back on a car. The second you buy a car you lost money.

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[Boaters]

There is a difference in selling a watch and being the endless flipper

[Slippy Chips]

Where do you guys sell/flip your watches? TRF or other websites?

[kneedeep]

Flipping makes it possible for me to move from a watch I like to one I like better using less new cash than buying outright. Also keeps me from having watches that won't get much wrist time. I'm a believer in wear it or move it.

[rebel_1]

Originally Posted by kneedeep

Flipping makes it possible for me to move from a watch I like to one I like better using less new cash than buying outright. Also keeps me from having watches that won't get much wrist time. I'm a believer in wear it or move it.

Well said.

[Muzz]

I turned into a serial flipper accidentally. I buy a lot of NIB pieces from my AD network for friends. Some of my friends are dealers. I sell the pieces at my cost and I buy my pieces at their cost, because we are friends.

Because of this, I have gone through a ridiculous amount of watches and from the outside looking in, it would absolutely appear as absurd.

I only post pictures of pieces that I have kept and worn (WRUW threads etc.). Unfortunately the last year has seen a lot come into my safe and then leave as friends have asked for certain pieces and trades.

Another example (upcoming deal) will involve my SARU to a friend for a Platinum (something lol) that he has. But again, my deals are not to be confused with dealer to end user transactions. These are more Dealer to Dealer transactions.

To clarify, I am in no way a dealer. Just an individual that loves watches.