Buying a 5000$ watch?

Unpopular opinion: I have the cash but can think of much better use for it, to include disuse.

Many watches in the $5K category likely involve $500 in parts and labor plus $4,500 for renting boutiques in the best neighborhoods of major cities, paying big city sales and security staff salaries, marketing and giveaways to 'influencers', and simple profit. Watches are indeed nice luxury trinkets, but typically not a wise use of cash. 

If what you care about is the enjoyment of the watch and not to show off wealth, with time, you find better watches for your money. I established the $3k limit for myself. I owned watches more expensive than that, but after knowing other brands in the market I found watches more affordable and way more enjoyable. 

In most cases there is a significant difference in quality once you get to that price threshold, which at this point in the collection is the area I like to play. Not saying there aren’t inflated pieces (Hublot, IWC, and Panerai for example). There are also many great inexpensive options, but once one gets to $5k it opens doors; be it the craftsmanship, metallurgy, non off the shelf supplies, and customization.  

@OscarKlosoff has a point here.

Couple of years back, when I was still in the steep part of the learning curve, I bought watches at or above $ 5 k, namely a Rolex Explorer 214270 (the 39 mm one) and then an Omega SeaMaster 300.

I kept learning since, and realized three things :

• nice though they may be, but I had mainly bought these watches for others, nor for me.
• Many brands, some well known (Tudor, Longines), some lesser-known (Sinn, Formex, Serica, ..) offer attractive models with better value below the $ 4 k mark
• Pre-owned watch dealers will cut your throat when you're a seller and your shiny box and paper $5 k watch is now only worth $ 2.5 k. Watchfinder prices are just nice dreams, people.

I will keep on buying watches in the future, because it is enjoyable, but a Longines Spirit 37 mm is a much more likely option than a Perpetual Calendar IWC. Save your money for rainy days, don't buy $ 10 K Breitlings.

There will be only one of those for me... 

There is definitely a skill in finding quality aftermarket deals vs relying on the likes of Watchfinder, etc.

I could, but somebody needs to sell me on why I should buy a Tudor, when a Longines pretty much covers what I want, and you'd have to talk me out of a Hamilton prior to that.

Watches start to get real nice long before $5k.

True..

I think it'd take something real special for me to spend 5k on a watch again, in terms of the actual watch and occassion (assuming financial situation allows). The only time was for my wedding, other wise it has all been <1k so far.

And as much as I love my Cartier, these <1k watches are very nice too!

Not that unpopular an opinion especially now.

Not according to recent polls 🤣

Don’t buy the watch unless you love the watch. Unfortunately for me, the 2-3 watches I truly love, the ones I keep going back to, are all in the $5-10k range from the likes of Grand Seiko, Omega and JLC. I already have one Omega so I know I’m buying these for myself, not anyone else. Assuming I can save up enough to get one of them. I’m certainly not getting all three and it will probably take me 2-3 years at my current pace. The reason my pace is so slow is because of all the money I save for a rainy day. I’m certainly not robbing from Peter to pay Paul. 

Hah.  Polls are polls.   I hope I don't need to highlight the non scientific nature of online polling and the gap between aspiration and action.

Watch pricing and luxury company financial results would suggest to me a marked deceleration.

This is good by the way!  Stepping down from the insanity of the past few years can only be healthy for long term collectors and our collective balance sheets.

Better to save fo a rainy da. If shit hits the fan economically or geo politically I won't be mad about wearing a Seiko as long as my family is fed.

I have spent that kind of money on a watch but as has been said it would need to be something I feel is special because there are so many fantastic piece's below that in price. You only need look at that new Longiness Spirit for 2k. Realistically beyond about 1500 is diminishing returns for your money. But that's not say I won't spend beyond that because a certain level of craftsmanship needs to be paid for.  

It would take a lot of saving and selling everything else, so if I did spend that much it would have to be my only watch, I’m not ready for that yet but I’m closer than I used to be 

It'll be worth the wait...that's the one I'll part with last if push comes to shove!

One watch is bit too harsh 😱 I'll stick with 3. That's bad enough 😅

Amen

I think this is an exceptional point. We really don't need watches anyway, and if you should need one, then clearly there are many functional options under $200 that will work just fine for quite a long time.

So why are we buying watches in excess of $200? Fashion, status, personal enjoyment, a sense of wonder looking at the mechanics, love of beautiful objects, mesmerized by an incredible dial or metalwork,...the list goes on.

If you truly love watches for what they are, then you are likely to spend an amount that is consistent with your passion and enthusiasm, and most importantly your budget, to own objects that you admire. This is whether or not you plan to display or show-off these objects to others.

If you look at Dan Henry's Timeline Watch website: https://www.timeline.watch/

It will be clear he has extraordinary passion for collecting and scholarship of timepieces.

So to @AllTheWatches point, each of us has a threshold based on what we expect to gain from owning a watch or watches. Price point is really determined by where you prioritize your spending.

Myself, I am as comfortable with an $80 Vostok as I am wearing my five figure AP. I really enjoy them both and just feel blessed that I can enjoy them for a time before they will end up with someone else.

100%. That is what is cool about the hobby. Someone collecting all G-Shocks can have the same passion as someone who only collects MB&Fs. No need to critique those spending $100 or those spending $10K as there is no wrong way to collect. Sadly, there are too many to judge one way or another. I mentioned in another thread, I have way too many watches, so trying to save the space for nicer pieces while pretending I am not also looking at cheap (relatively) watches.  

I know - my wife continues to roll her eyes when a new watch or watches arrive.

Sometimes you can't resist that 1980s mint condition all original with original bracelet Orient Perpetual Calendar that someone in Ukraine is selling - I figure it's my duty to help support those small businesses trying to get by during such a horrific conflict - so I tell my wife it's a noble thing I did buying the watch. 😉

There are much worse ways to spend $5000. May I present... 

"A bettor at MGM Casinos wagered $5,000 on the New York Jets to win the Super Bowl (+15000). Bet would win $750,000. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010."

https://twitter.com/johnewing/status/1561879116722348032

Had to learn the hard way = Just because I can afford expensive watches doesn't mean I want them OR will like them. I kept what I love from the 5K plus team and rarely wear them . Ok... I love my GS SBGA463 and wear it alot . Otherwise,  so many great watches under that price point 

I think most people can afford a grail watch like a submariner or speedmaster. I mean look at how many people living in normal home scenarios own 20k harleys or 13k snow mobiles. It's just your preferences or lol perhaps how many other hobbies you might have.

However, I may be in a minority, I fail to see how any watch a mear bit of technology no matter how intense or intricate that can fit in a container the size of an ounce, and if not containing any precious metals of jewels can cost more than 10k. Just my opinion.

Ah my grail watch. Congrats.