The Ones That Got Away
Do you have watches that slipped away from your cuffs - not literally but figuratively? For myself, I think the biggest getaway from my wrist is my father's Rolex DJ TT. I thought of myself as undeserving of such a watch, and declined my father's offer on taking it at the time. It now resides at my brother's.
Another getaway would be the BB Heritage 41, the blue dial version. I tried it on at the AD, I made a new credit card to gain points on, and after all that, it became evident that the money was better to be used elsewhere.
Lastly not as close, but the JLC Polaris. Back before the steep price hikes, the Polaris was going at an AD for about ~USD4k. I honestly was not looking into sports watches at the time at all. Now they seem to be going for 10k.
Do you have any watches that slipped through your fingers (figuratively)? What are your stories behind them?
Armchair watch collector
The Seiko Alpinist SARB017. Around $400 new in 2019. 😭
The Seiko Alpinist SARB017. Around $400 new in 2019. 😭
Gone forever 🥲
Kuromo Tokyo Hisui Chronograph. I had just bought my Itay Noy and couldn’t justify another watch purchases so quickly but I stared at its page everyday lusting for it.
Kuromo Tokyo Hisui Chronograph. I had just bought my Itay Noy and couldn’t justify another watch purchases so quickly but I stared at its page everyday lusting for it.
At the leadst, the Itay Noy is an absolute stunner.
The yellow Rolex OP. Was offered one for £12k when it was retailing at £4.5k. Only turned it down cos I wanted the 36 not the 41.
Couple months later that summer it was selling for £20k+.
Now I’m no flipper and I don’t condone it, but… 😩😩😅
Gone forever 🥲
I kinda wish I'd never experienced how cheap it was available for new. Means I can't bring myself to buy it used for more. Though I probably should just bite the bullet and sell my largely unworn SKX and use the proceeds to buy the 017 because I love how it looks. 🤔
The yellow Rolex OP. Was offered one for £12k when it was retailing at £4.5k. Only turned it down cos I wanted the 36 not the 41.
Couple months later that summer it was selling for £20k+.
Now I’m no flipper and I don’t condone it, but… 😩😩😅
I know! I was wondering if I should have invested while it was still a thing, even though I had no interest in flipping.
A few years ago I was able to reach an amicable settlement with a corporate client that landed a nice transfer into my humble bank account, it was found money, a decent amount needed to be reserved for CRA (income tax), a few legal deductions etcetera but my wife suggested that I take the surplus and just go out to buy the watch that might be a grail or an exit or just something that I have always wanted. Sadly for me at least, my watch affectation is not like that. I can never focus on just one or even 10, life goes on.
I kinda wish I'd never experienced how cheap it was available for new. Means I can't bring myself to buy it used for more. Though I probably should just bite the bullet and sell my largely unworn SKX and use the proceeds to buy the 017 because I love how it looks. 🤔
I kinda had to get over that mentality before buying my SNXS79. I had read that they were sub-$100US before the watch boom but they were selling $120-150 when I got into looking at them 🫤
A few years ago I was able to reach an amicable settlement with a corporate client that landed a nice transfer into my humble bank account, it was found money, a decent amount needed to be reserved for CRA (income tax), a few legal deductions etcetera but my wife suggested that I take the surplus and just go out to buy the watch that might be a grail or an exit or just something that I have always wanted. Sadly for me at least, my watch affectation is not like that. I can never focus on just one or even 10, life goes on.
Well in a way that's a good thing, at least there's always something to look forward to and not always backward on 🙂
I kinda had to get over that mentality before buying my SNXS79. I had read that they were sub-$100US before the watch boom but they were selling $120-150 when I got into looking at them 🫤
Wise words
Well in a way that's a good thing, at least there's always something to look forward to and not always backward on 🙂
👍
A solid gold GP/Ferrari colab on a leather strap that Del Ray Watch had less than 1 year ago for $2,500. The two issues were 1. Short on cash at the time so it would have been bought on credit, which caused me to hesitate and 2. It was outside my area of expertise so I second-guessed my instincts if the value was there.
Rolex Submariner maxi case no date about 7yrs ago at £5.5k new from an AD whilst talking to them at the weekend & offered the weekend after. Damn new kitchen got in first.
Then I’d say the 3861 Speedy sapphire sandwich at £5.7k (15% off RRP before the price inncrease last year) had it for 2wks before trading back for a Tag 🤦🏻♂️
My father left me a Navitimer a DateJust and a DayDate. I gave them all away to family members. I don't regret a thing. I do regret giving away my San Martin 6200 homage however. 😕
When I first got into watches I asked my wife for permission to spend $8,800 on a white dial daytona 116520. Request denied. I then pivoted to a BLNR going for $7,500. No dice. My Seiko collection now is doing nicely though.
Ah well, there's no way to know the future
A coworker came into possession of an omega aqua terra (in 2013, if I recall) and offered to sell it to me for 1000 euro, brand new.
I knew nothing about watches and thought that roughly $1400 for a watch was crazy, so I declined 🤦🏻♂️
A coworker came into possession of an omega aqua terra (in 2013, if I recall) and offered to sell it to me for 1000 euro, brand new.
I knew nothing about watches and thought that roughly $1400 for a watch was crazy, so I declined 🤦🏻♂️
Tbf it is crazy. 😉
Tbf it is crazy. 😉
Haha very true 😂
A Heuer Camaro Chronograph was a birthday gift from my parents in 1968... many years later I sent it off to be serviced, I was told the parts were no longer available, did I want it reassembled and shipped back for an additional fee. I said no and truly regret it to this day... I now believe I was ripped off!
Back in the late 90s when this watch was selling for 5k I thought my goodness that's a hell of a watch to have but back in the 90s 5k was a whole lot of money. Still is I guess but now the base model of this one sells for 15k! So I guess I'll miss out on this beast once again <sigh>
So „sad“ to see so many crowns being passed up… just goes to show that as soon as (more) money is involved and the market yearns for everything Rolex does, somehow the exact same product get so much more „love“.
„Good“ to see that Rolex made a game out of it…
(If you can’t read the subtleties: I’m simply fed up with that brand and their games in the name of „collectors“)
My grandfather had a rolex oyster that he wore occasionally. It was a gift from one of his son (my uncle) to celebrate his birthday. When he died, the watch was just basically lost. Not even my uncle knows where it is.... At least if Its not lost, I would have the chance to compete for it, since me and my uncle are the only watch guy within the family.
A Heuer Camaro Chronograph was a birthday gift from my parents in 1968... many years later I sent it off to be serviced, I was told the parts were no longer available, did I want it reassembled and shipped back for an additional fee. I said no and truly regret it to this day... I now believe I was ripped off!
That sounds like theft 😳
Back in the late 90s when this watch was selling for 5k I thought my goodness that's a hell of a watch to have but back in the 90s 5k was a whole lot of money. Still is I guess but now the base model of this one sells for 15k! So I guess I'll miss out on this beast once again <sigh>
I guess it's just another reminder that these things cost a lot but cost even more now 😩
So „sad“ to see so many crowns being passed up… just goes to show that as soon as (more) money is involved and the market yearns for everything Rolex does, somehow the exact same product get so much more „love“.
„Good“ to see that Rolex made a game out of it…
(If you can’t read the subtleties: I’m simply fed up with that brand and their games in the name of „collectors“)
It's nice that they made themselves aspirational items. The game though...
My grandfather had a rolex oyster that he wore occasionally. It was a gift from one of his son (my uncle) to celebrate his birthday. When he died, the watch was just basically lost. Not even my uncle knows where it is.... At least if Its not lost, I would have the chance to compete for it, since me and my uncle are the only watch guy within the family.
That's saddening to hear.
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11th 50th Anniversary. Missed it at retail, one was offered at a very decent price at a 2nd hand dealer... couldn't afford to put that chunk of money at that time.
JLC MUT Perpetual - A grail piece, not really at the point where I was ready to buy but the price was excellent and highly tempting.... few days later ... already sold. :(
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11th 50th Anniversary. Missed it at retail, one was offered at a very decent price at a 2nd hand dealer... couldn't afford to put that chunk of money at that time.
JLC MUT Perpetual - A grail piece, not really at the point where I was ready to buy but the price was excellent and highly tempting.... few days later ... already sold. :(
I guess they're grail level pieces because they're expensive but 😢
I guess they're grail level pieces because they're expensive but 😢
You're right! Prices were right but the wallet was not ready!