Annoyed with “investment” watches

[JMGoodnight369]

Okay so this might be more of a rant but I’m genuinely curious about some other opinions on this. I’ve been seeing more and more post (mostly on the TRF Facebook group) about which watch should I buy as an investment safe queen and it kind of boils my blood. I got into watches as it sparked my interest of these little accessories that we wear throughout life. Adding little moments, memories and connections. I was specifically drawn to Rolex due to the genius marketing of being a tool meant to be used. Watches that are designed for purpose and intended to last the foreseeable future with proper care. These days with the shortage so many new comers show up asking which watches to buy will have the highest return in the shortest time and never even wear them. It’s like the Alaskan gold rush in a way. A few make money off a wrist watch then the flood of people come after trying to make as much as possible. All the while fueling the shortage even more and taking away chances for some of us to buy watches we intend to wear for retail price. I may get some clout for this view as there are tons of posts here on the subject of the shortage but I think this is a different angle I haven’t seen discussed recently.

[beshannon]

What is a TRF Facebook group?

[JMGoodnight369]

The Rolex Forum has a Facebook group

[DonRickles]

Originally Posted by JMGoodnight369

The Rolex Forum has a Facebook group

Backwards, FB has A Rolex Group

Here's one quick example fueling your query......

https://chronohunter.com/chronicles/...ood-investment

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

Backwards, FB has A Rolex Group

Interesting, that is what I thought.

[Kyle3130]

I feel you OP. I wish we had actual intellectual discussions about our watches like we used to here. It’s kind of like watching a reality show around here now. This is why hardly anyone who deserves to get a watch from their AD can’t get them because of all of these “investment purchasers” flooding the market. It’s really sad for actual watch enthusiasts and the community as a whole.

[enjoythemusic]

Agree to a large extent OP. Who do you feel is to blame for sooooo much money chasing far too few goods and services?

That's where you should squarely place the blame imho.

As you know, it's not just timepieces, there are many things of intrinsic value right now like this, which tells you quite a bit about currencies... and crypto. i look forward to who you feel is causing this major global problem within the makretplace.

[dpt.calvin]

Another day and another rant.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JMGoodnight369

Okay so this might be more of a rant but I’m genuinely curious about some other opinions on this. I’ve been seeing more and more post (mostly on the TRF Facebook group) about which watch should I buy as an investment safe queen and it kind of boils my blood. I got into watches as it sparked my interest of these little accessories that we wear throughout life. Adding little moments, memories and connections. I was specifically drawn to Rolex due to the genius marketing of being a tool meant to be used. Watches that are designed for purpose and intended to last the foreseeable future with proper care. These days with the shortage so many new comers show up asking which watches to buy will have the highest return in the shortest time and never even wear them. It’s like the Alaskan gold rush in a way. A few make money off a wrist watch then the flood of people come after trying to make as much as possible. All the while fueling the shortage even more and taking away chances for some of us to buy watches we intend to wear for retail price. I may get some clout for this view as there are tons of posts here on the subject of the shortage but I think this is a different angle I haven’t seen discussed recently.

Well today thanks to hype Rolex watches now have become little more than ££$$€€ objects. And some of todays younger age whose sole info cupboard is in so called social media,and Youtube hype etc, and think of nothing more than investment this or that, instead of buying Rolex watches to wear and enjoy..

[OrangeSport]

I didn’t know there was a TRF FB page!

[JMGoodnight369]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well today thanks to hype Rolex watches now have become little more than ££$$€€ objects. And some of todays younger age whose sole info cupboard is in so called social media,and Youtube hype etc, and think of nothing more than investment this or that, instead of buying Rolex watches to wear and enjoy..

I agree that the social media hype plays into it SO much. YouTubers that made money off crypto then make a video on buying a Rolex and then another on how they sold it a few days later for a profit gets the kids going thinking they will be the wolf of Wall Street on Chrono24. There’s also YouTube series such as grey market that are getting a huge following and planting the seed that anyone can be a grey dealer and make millions.

[JMGoodnight369]

Originally Posted by Kyle3130

I feel you OP. I wish we had actual intellectual discussions about our watches like we used to here. It’s kind of like watching a reality show around here now. This is why hardly anyone who deserves to get a watch from their AD can’t get them because of all of these “investment purchasers” flooding the market. It’s really sad for actual watch enthusiasts and the community as a whole.

This is the kind of camaraderie I was looking for when joining this forum. A community of people that shared a joy and passion for this particular brand of watch.

[Benzsiam]

Somebody buy luxury timepieces as jewelry, somebody buy to wear, somebody buy to make money, it’s their own business.

Why is it bother you? You cannot control their thinking, just be happy with yourself.

I love all my timepieces and all of them at MSRP. I am good at buying but not good at selling.

I plan to donate all my timepieces later in life to charity for the good cause. If they go up in price because of those people it’s good, more money will go to the charity.

[JMGoodnight369]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Agree to a large extent OP. Who do you feel is to blame for sooooo much money chasing far too few goods and services?

That's where you should squarely place the blame imho.

As you know, it's not just timepieces, there are many things of intrinsic value right now like this, which tells you quite a bit about currencies... and crypto. i look forward to who you feel is causing this major global problem within the makretplace.

One of the other comments basically nailed it for me. Social media hype from influencers. I think that with the huge influx in wealth due to crypto kids they look towards trends and hype to spend money. Rolex has always had that persona of luxury and what better way to show off money and status then a Rolex? My opinion here is a bit different whereas I look at a Rolex as a well built tool. Yes they are expensive but if you factor in say a lifetime of buying lower quality watches then you come out about even to one Rolex and servicing when due. I like the idea of buy it once, buy it right. However we on here know that once you get the first one it’s hard to stop and it becomes quite the expensive hobby. I got a little side tracked there. Anyway I see the trend with all sorts of other luxury goods and it always falls back to one source in my eyes. Social media hype.

[rlj676]

The real flex these days is buying a hublot at msrp and riding that sucker down in value. Buy high sell low lol.

I’m also tired of new people always asking the investment bs, but ironically also tired of the same responses to them.

[JMGoodnight369]

Originally Posted by rlj676

The real flex these days is buying a hublot at msrp and riding that sucker down in value. Buy high sell low lol.

I’m also tired of new people always asking the investment bs, but ironically also tired of the same responses to them.

This CRACKED ME UP LOL. I feel you with the irony it does get tiring and this was my one and only time expressing it. I do feel a little lighter now

[Kyle3130]

Originally Posted by JMGoodnight369

This is the kind of camaraderie I was looking for when joining this forum. A community of people that shared a joy and passion for this particular brand of watch.

Same for me.

[daveathall]

I have never bought any watch as an investment and have owned quite a lot. I buy them because I like them, when I stop liking them, I part exchange them for one that I do like, and so on and so on. I always expect to lose money and I have not been surprised.

[teck21]

There’s nothing stopping ‘real’ WIS from continuing to enjoy Rolex watches in the way you desire.

Just pay the same amount the ‘investment’ guys are paying.

No idea why any of you think you somehow deserve one more than they do.


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[Blansky]

The rich guys always get the Supermodels.

Facts of life.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by JMGoodnight369

This is the kind of camaraderie I was looking for when joining this forum. A community of people that shared a joy and passion for this particular brand of watch.

Agree. I remember joining Timezone back in 2000 or 2001 when it was a basic bulletin board format. Boy, those were the days when every post was laid out in a basic email conversation tree-like format. You really had to like watches back then to scroll through every post.

I had always loved Rolex and suddenly being able to go into a bulletin board and read about them was awesome. There were watchmakers posting threads about movement breakdowns and it was really cool.

Zero posts about flexing, zero discussion about values, nobody freaked out when they saw a hairline scratch...



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[Pw92676]

The game has changed substantially and will continue to evolve. Likely for the worse before the better. I’m not happy about it.

Regardless, there still are some genuine watch enthusiasts here. I wish there was a section dedicated to the investment etc talk just so there is an area to entertain that talk without contesting the other sub forums.

[shaunylw]

Investment threads are mostly absurd on this forum. It’s never someone with a piece that could actually be an investment (5711, Jm Daytona, rainbow), it’s typically something super common and not overly special like a date sub or hulk.

I feel like a lot of new members are buying watches because they are now worth x amount. Vs, I’m buying this because i love it. I knew things were never going to be the same when people started adding stickers on their watches to protect them from scratches .


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[Blansky]

I think what has actually changed is basically just the number of people on forums due to social media. And influencers and their ilk.

Rolex has always been the "I've made it" watch. Even their advertising promotes that theme. Essentially it's the "new money' watch.

The difference is, that previously the people that went to the forums were the watch nerds guys, the WISs who loved the horology aspect, which is a tiny fraction of people who buy Rolexes. Most people it's a status symbol and to some a commodity.

So I actually agree. For the investment people give them a different area, or the people that don't care about that aspect, don't open the threads.

Right now it's a commodity, probably perpetuated by Rolex (some disagree) by limiting production to elevate prestige, and to steer people to Tudor.

What I don't understand is why WISs play that game. Seek out other brands and quit complaining.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by rlj676

The real flex these days is buying a hublot at msrp and riding that sucker down in value. Buy high sell low lol.

I’m also tired of new people always asking the investment bs, but ironically also tired of the same responses to them.

i like that


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[Star Ferry]

Rolex/AP/PP sport watches are crazy now and if you don't want to play the game, don't.

IMO the best craftsmanship for your dollar is Grand Seiko and Seiko's other top-end lines. If you want a top flight Swiss tool watch, get a Tudor -- it's what Rolex used to be.

Rolex is a true luxury brand now, and sadly is basically out of reach for working class folks unless they're older and more financially established.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by JMGoodnight369

One of the other comments basically nailed it for me. Social media hype from influencers. I think that with the huge influx in wealth due to crypto kids they look towards trends and hype to spend money. Rolex has always had that persona of luxury and what better way to show off money and status then a Rolex? My opinion here is a bit different whereas I look at a Rolex as a well built tool. Yes they are expensive but if you factor in say a lifetime of buying lower quality watches then you come out about even to one Rolex and servicing when due. I like the idea of buy it once, buy it right. However we on here know that once you get the first one it’s hard to stop and it becomes quite the expensive hobby. I got a little side tracked there. Anyway I see the trend with all sorts of other luxury goods and it always falls back to one source in my eyes. Social media hype.

Agreed, and consumerism is the highest I've ever seen it in my lifetime. Was just at Tampa mall as there were lines for LV, Tiffany, and one or two other stores. I hear Channel is also in very high demand. Need we mention Hermes bags? Exotic cars... discususs.

There is soooo much purchasing ability out there that the market has 'adapted / changed'. I applaud Rolex and many other timepiece manufacturers for keeping sane... while other corporate-ownef brands have been 'repricing' quite a bit higher due to demand (and not necessarily due to normal quality/features/etc improvements that justify higher pricing jmho).

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Rolex/AP/PP sport watches are crazy now and if you don't want to play the game, don't.

IMO the best craftsmanship for your dollar is Grand Seiko and Seiko's other top-end lines. If you want a top flight Swiss tool watch, get a Tudor -- it's what Rolex used to be.

Rolex is a true luxury brand now, and sadly is basically out of reach for working class folks unless they're older and more financially established.

maybe the snowflake but aside from that grand seiko's prices are ridiculous for what they are

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by huncho

maybe the snowflake but aside from that grand seiko's prices are ridiculous for what they are

Agree to disagree there. I think Seiko is putting in more attention to detail for the price paid, in part because labor costs are much lower in Japan v. Switzerland.

[Chester01]

I mean to some degree except for a few of us, these watches may not be relevant anymore outside investments to some degree. Like it or not, the Apple Watch is a real tool watch as the sub used to be. It’s a tool for a new time. Given most here get their time from the phone, I think the younger folks really only see watches through the investment perspective. Many feel what else is the purpose and why would they need a wrist watch. I’m old school, still wear my watches as tools every day as part of my job, and unlike 99 percent am not tethered to my phone and often leave it home, less and less of folks like me in this regard.