TRF Lessons Learned

[JParm]

I thought posting some of our biggest watch-related lessons learned would be good to share for all the new members out there that are just starting out (hey, our hobby isn't dying after all!).

One of my biggest takeaways is the fact that box and papers don't mean everything (or all that much at this point). When I bought my pre-owned 16710 in '09, I pounced at it because of the price point as a full-set. It was only after buying it that I learned about 1675's, plexi glass, the fat lady...always knew I wanted a GMT, just didn't realize at my young age then that there wasn't only one model.

Over the years, condition / the reputation of dealers has meant more to me, especially when it comes to watches that are no longer available. I wear my all my watches and don't have "safe queens", so I'm not willing to pay an extra few thousand dollars just to have the extra stuff sit in closet. For new watches, sure - I'll take the entire set. For pre-owned and no longer available (like my recent AP 15300), I'm good.

Sorry for the long post but interested to hear your biggest lessons learned!

[Stan Cooper]

One nice watch that you really love plus a couple of other lesser ones completely satisfy my watch desires. Coincidentally, the one I really love is my 16710 like Jesse's.

[JSolution]

Buy what you wanted in the first place, even if it feels like it’s too much money to comprehend spending. It took me a long time to get used to dropping 30/40k on a watch but I instead bought several 10k watches and the eye always wanted what it wanted to begin with.

[Nads786]

This is good advice keep it coming!

[MrGoat]

Don’t listen to any of the BS about if it’s too small or large for you. If it’s what speaks to you, go with your gut.


Sent from my Apple privacy invasion product

[skipstar]

WHAT? No box and papers bro…..
Just kidding, that is a TRF joke that never gets old.

[MickCollins1916]

Watches are not investments or if they are, they’re mostly bad investments, and no, none of us has a crystal ball to tell you what Watch X might be worth down the road.

Buy what you like with respect to metal, style, complications, color, size, regardless of what random people on the interwebs might like or dislike.

Playing AD games is beneath you and your AD is a dbag if they act like they’re bestowing a blessing on you by selling you a product you don’t *need* in order to survive. Recommend maintaining perspective.

No, none of us has any advice on whether giving your AD flowers/chocolate/alcohol/sexual favors will get you a watch. Try walking in and being a nice person, ask for what you want politely, and go from there.

If you can’t wait for a product you want from an AD, pay the market price, buy grey, have the product tomorrow, mystery solved.

Rolex and Tudor are great. There are nonetheless lots of other companies that make fantastic watches, so buying into hype is a waste of time. Life’s too short for that, so keep an open mind.

If you wear a watch, it will certainly get scratched/dinged/worn no matter how careful you are or what brand bubble wrap you use on it. Get comfortable with that fact, but in any case, best to get over it.

Learn what you like and once you’re certain, be judicious about moving on from watches just to try the next hot thing. Seller’s remorse is the worst and moving on too quickly from a watch can be expensive to undo down the road.

[tictoc1]

I wear most of my watches, but a there a few that get very little wrist time that I enjoy just as much.

It’s also okay to have box queens or safe queens.

My lesson learned is that it’s just as rewarding splurging on a high end display/ safe that allows watches to be displayed as the artwork they are. Collect what you like, wear what you like, appreciate both the form and function in watchmaking.

[Callmepeshy]

Agree with the sizing comment above!

Also bezel/bracelet/dial colours… don’t ask more than a couple people for perspective. You know what you like the best, go with that.

Make sure you try things on/see them in person before getting your heart set on a watch. Sometimes it’s not what you thought. Could be the wrong size, weight, colour, not as comfortable etc.

Definitely explore other watchmakers too. Rolex isn’t all that’s out there. I absolutely love my collection but had 4 or so from other brands before I even ventured into Rolex etc. Helps you know what you like and what you don’t like.

If your AD offers you something, you can say no. It’s not like you’ll get blacklisted. Wait for what you actually want.

[Pop Art Suzy]

I bought my pre-owned DJ without box and papers as well. Doesn't bother me one bit. Like you said, they'd just sit in a closet untouched anyway.

[Dan Pierce]

Buy the watch that brings you happiness, not the watch you think should bring you happiness.
dP

[biza]

Buy a watch because you want it

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Buy the watch that brings you happiness, not the watch you think should bring you happiness.
dP

Nailed it.

[pearson1995]

I don’t completely agree. If I was buying a used Sub or GMT or Daytona, basically any modern Rolex, without box and papers. I would question why would an owner these days get rid of them, and is this a stolen watch. Very unlikely to steel watch box and papers.

[brandrea]

A takeaway I learned from my friend Larry @watchwatcher is to add a watch before you subtract a watch from your collection. I know everyone is different, but this really resonates with me

Also, from Adam @oldexpatbeast is to have your facts straight before posting. I can’t tell you how many times I seen Adam fact check and subtly correct posters here

Last, from Andrew @Cru Jones, you can make your point while remaining respectful toward others. I do sometimes fail in this regard, but generally they have it coming

Last, Last to the OP, I’ve learned that a picture is worth a thousand words …. And yours are some of the very best on TRF.

Of course I’ve left a bunch out, but it’s lunch time and I’m hangry

[SolanaWatches]

Before running to buy your next watch, sit on it for a few days. Don't rush to buy something new or exciting just because you want it. Let the idea simmer for a month or so, and revisit. 30 days later, are you still excited about getting this watch? If not, then don't buy it. And you just saved yourself 12k.

[Snowballs]

Said many times here; buy the seller (s).

Particularly if you buy vintage or Neo vintage.

Forge trusted relationships with sellers; research what you are looking for and ask questions before you commit on any deal. YMMV

[Hardtimes]

Dont get caught up in the hype. I know this is sounding like a broken record but buy what you want! It ONLY matters what someone else thinks IF they are paying for it.

[Laostuh]

Wish I would've taken my time doing research when I first got into the hobby in 2016. Purchased a vintage Day Date at some middle of the mall jeweler .. Sold it a year later at a $4k loss to fund a brand new GMT from AD.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by MickCollins1916

Watches are not investments or if they are, they’re mostly bad investments, and no, none of us has a crystal ball to tell you what Watch X might be worth down the road.

Buy what you like with respect to metal, style, complications, color, size, regardless of what random people on the interwebs might like or dislike.

Playing AD games is beneath you and your AD is a dbag if they act like they’re bestowing a blessing on you by selling you a product you don’t *need* in order to survive. Recommend maintaining perspective.

No, none of us has any advice on whether giving your AD flowers/chocolate/alcohol/sexual favors will get you a watch. Try walking in and being a nice person, ask for what you want politely, and go from there.

If you can’t wait for a product you want from an AD, pay the market price, buy grey, have the product tomorrow, mystery solved.

Rolex and Tudor are great. There are nonetheless lots of other companies that make fantastic watches, so buying into hype is a waste of time. Life’s too short for that, so keep an open mind.

If you wear a watch, it will certainly get scratched/dinged/worn no matter how careful you are or what brand bubble wrap you use on it. Get comfortable with that fact, but in any case, best to get over it.

Learn what you like and once you’re certain, be judicious about moving on from watches just to try the next hot thing. Seller’s remorse is the worst and moving on too quickly from a watch can be expensive to undo down the road.

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Buy the watch that brings you happiness, not the watch you think should bring you happiness.
dP

Originally Posted by brandrea

A takeaway I learned from my friend Larry @watchwatcher is to add a watch before you subtract a watch from your collection. I know everyone is different, but this really resonates with me

Also, from Adam @oldexpatbeast is to have your facts straight before posting. I can’t tell you how many times I seen Adam fact check and subtly correct posters here

Last, from Andrew @Cru Jones, you can make your point while remaining respectful toward others. I do sometimes fail in this regard, but generally they have it coming

Last, Last to the OP, I’ve learned that a picture is worth a thousand words …. And yours are some of the very best on TRF.

Of course I’ve left a bunch out, but it’s lunch time and I’m hangry

Originally Posted by Hardtimes

Dont get caught up in the hype. I know this is sounding like a broken record but buy what you want! It ONLY matters what someone else thinks IF they are paying for it.

Enough said!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I spent my first few years around here (as a lurker and then as a member) really buying into the “too big” and “too small” narrative. I spent a lot of years not buying what I wanted because the conventional wisdom said it was too big and I bought a lot of compromise watches because conventional wisdom said they were just right. Once I let go of all that and started buying what I wanted purely because I wanted it then I really started having fun.

[MRBolton]

Box and papers I’ve come to realize aren’t a big deal, unless I don’t know how I’ll like the watch long-term. Then it becomes more difficult to move them along without them.

That being said, when I sold my Yachtmaster that was full set except warranty card and hangtag recently to Tourneau, not having the warranty card wasn’t a big deal to them since they’re doing the CPO thing. Maybe it’s going to matter less and less about the warranty card.

It made a pretty big impact for other buyers (including dealers) that I didn’t have the warranty card, although I bought it that way for a discounted price. DavidSW wouldn’t touch it. Bob’s would give $500-$1,000 less.

[chro.nic]

Don't settle!!!

If what you really want is a watch that may be at a higher price point, settling on a cheaper alternative with similar vibes will usually end in disappointment.

.nic

[Gearjockey]

I learned to buy anything above $3-4k from trusted sales sources like TRF dealers. No more Reddit above those amounts. Got burned once and had to pay more to “fix” the problem.

[shedlock2000]

Hmm, interesting thread. Here’s my penny’s worth:

No-one can tell you what you like — it has to speak to you.

Selling watches is nigh-on impossible if you want what the trusted sellers seem to fetch; buying one, however, is only possible at way more than you’d expect.

Shipping watches is easy to deal with; Fed-Ex are not.

The bank screw you on the exchange rate if you buy out of country; the customs screw you for the rest.

No matter how easy you think it’ll be to move a piece on, it isn’t (unless you own a red sub, a 1655, or a Newman Daytona — for everything else, be prepared to get only 3/4 of what the list prices are fetching.

Wear what makes you feel happy.

No-one cares about dress watches anymore — wear your sub/gmt/hulk if you want to.

Whatever you’re buying, it isn’t a good deal. It’s not until you come to sell it that you’ll realise.

(Most of my points are hard learned — I’ve never once sold any Rolex for even close to what I paid for it, and I’ve sold many (and all on here)).


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[Krash]

I’d never ask people on TRF what watch to get or what watch to keep. Buy or keep what you like.

Also, don’t be so easily persuaded by the masses on TRF. If you like an Omega Seamaster or a Breitling Navitimer better than a Tudor or Rolex, that’s great. If you want to wear a “beater” watch for when cleaning your garage, then don’t ask TRF for permission. Just do it! Who gives a crap what people on this forum say about that?!?!?


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[George58]

Originally Posted by brandrea

A takeaway I learned from my friend Larry @watchwatcher is to add a watch before you subtract a watch from your collection. I know everyone is different, but this really resonates with me

Also, from Adam @oldexpatbeast is to have your facts straight before posting. I can’t tell you how many times I seen Adam fact check and subtly correct posters here

Last, from Andrew @Cru Jones, you can make your point while remaining respectful toward others. I do sometimes fail in this regard, but generally they have it coming

Last, Last to the OP, I’ve learned that a picture is worth a thousand words …. And yours are some of the very best on TRF.

Of course I’ve left a bunch out, but it’s lunch time and I’m hangry

+1

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Krash

I’d never ask people on TRF what watch to get or what watch to keep. Buy or keep what you like.

Also, don’t be so easily persuaded by the masses on TRF. If you like an Omega Seamaster or a Breitling Navitimer better than a Tudor or Rolex, that’s great. If you want to wear a “beater” watch for when cleaning your garage, then don’t ask TRF for permission. Just do it! Who gives a crap what people on this forum say about that?!?!?


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Well said.

Great thread.

[cdm765]

You don’t need to own any specific watch to be considered a collector. No Speedy, Sub, Daytona, etc. just buy what you love and enjoy yourself!

Also, be patient and very slow to sell watches.

[DoricSpiker]

Biggest lesson learnt here......old folks like small watches! :)