Taking a bath when selling a watch
Objectively I knew I took a huge bath on the Rado Tradition Mk II I sold...like a $2000 bath....I liked the watch well enough, great bracelet even without the micro adjustments. but the stupidly small crown for winding meant it needed a winder or I needed a manicure after unscrewing it and winding it. The internal bezel crown was an appropriate size.
So the watch sat unworn for months and it was time to let it go. Would I have liked more for it? Sure...could have easily set a reserve on eBay. But its going to a new home and I got some money back from it.
Curious how others view selling their pieces. Do you want max value? are the pieces written off the second you wear them? Don't really care?
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I've never taken a bath when selling a watch, but I have taken a bath while wearing a watch! 😉 😉
The scratch on the bezel happened weeks after I bought it and always knew it would devalue it a bit
Unless you're selling something in high demand, or got an amazing deal in the first place, you won't make money selling watches. Not a huge market and buyers today are pretty savvy as to what market value is. There are plenty of places online to research current price trends.
In most cases you're lucky to make any profit after fees/shipping.
The key to this problem is to not sell. The best way to facilitate this approach is to be discriminate on the way in.
Admittedly, that's not super easy in an online world when trying things on before you buy them is nearly impossible in some cases.
One of my many little rationalizations is that few hobbies offer an opportunity to recoup even a small portion of the funds expended. When is the last time someone got 60% back from the money they spent on that Bass fishing trip?
To clarify I’m sort of in the camp of writing off the value of the watch the second I leave the store. Was just a bit shocked tbh.
The best way to control things is with careful buying in the first place. Impulse buys at full list are usually the worst. Take your time to do the research and legwork, then buy it right.
Bath and shampoo with selling a JLC. I never expect to make money on a luxury item. I had the watch for less than a year. In near perfect condition but… it was expensive and the demand is not that of a Rolex. I consider these transactions (selling) and any “loss” my “fun tax.” I enjoyed the watch and its remarkable engineering and gorgeous looks but it wasn’t perfect for me. So I moved on.
I have never purchased a watch new, only received them as gifts. I almost exclusively buy them used so I don’t have to feel bad when I add a scratch or worry about being the one who eats the depreciation cost from time alone. It’s how I justify having so many, I find some joy in finding crazy good deals on them too!