Value Based Purchasing Questions
how often if any, do you evaluate a potential watch purchase based on value comparison?
For example, lets say you want to buy a speedy that's 5k.
You currently have a tudor bb58 that you paid 3k for and a longines (can be any brand) that you paid 2k for.
"Is the speedy worth both of those watches combined?" "Would I rather have the speedy than the tudor + X"
The why: I've been window shopping some JLCs (Reverso and Sector dials) and the specific models I'm looking at are around 7k. Do I think one JLC is worth my speedy and bond seamaster? Not really...
Would love to hear your thoughts! And if i'm crazy for thinking that way
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It's the watch collector in me that says "2 watches are better than one."
It's the Grail collector in me that says "A BB & a Longines for a Speedy? Trade made, no takey backsies!"
Would I trade 2 of my Grails for a JLC? No.
So for me, it depends on the watch.
This is a tough one. My wife is talking about a big watch purchase for my birthday next year, but I keep thinking of how I could get 2-3 other watches I really like for that much. Personally, I think that’s how I will go, but I’m still not sure.
So yeah, I got nothin for ya. Sorry.
It's the watch collector in me that says "2 watches are better than one."
It's the Grail collector in me that says "A BB & a Longines for a Speedy? Trade made, no takey backsies!"
Would I trade 2 of my Grails for a JLC? No.
So for me, it depends on the watch.
I see. My thinking is "yeah the JLCs are nice but not 7k nice"
It's the watch collector in me that says "2 watches are better than one."
It's the Grail collector in me that says "A BB & a Longines for a Speedy? Trade made, no takey backsies!"
Would I trade 2 of my Grails for a JLC? No.
So for me, it depends on the watch.
Gotta agree here. Depends on your priorities.
I heard someone once say ”buy few, but buy well” and that has been my driving force to not just go for everything I like.
I traded my Speedy, a Hamilton Murph, a white Hamilton Chronomatic and the limited edition black dial Chronomatic for a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. They were all great watches and each has a large fan base.
Was it worth the trade? Hell to the Yeah. I love my Bathyscaphe. I have never looked back at the models I traded and wished that I had kept them.
I probably didn’t even get the better part in the financial equation of the deal but I don’t care. I may never have been able to acquire a Blancpain had I not found a guy willing to make a 4 for 1 trade.
I used to be a big believer in quantity over quality. Buffets? Love 'em. All you can drink margarita deals at the local Mexican eatery? Every Friday night!
Nowadays, as my gut has grown considerably with age, I'm thinking maybe less is more?
Then again... I also can't seem to stop buying watches of any kind. So... yeah, like @thekris, I'm totally useless too.
I used to be a big believer in quantity over quality. Buffets? Love 'em. All you can drink margarita deals at the local Mexican eatery? Every Friday night!
Nowadays, as my gut has grown considerably with age, I'm thinking maybe less is more?
Then again... I also can't seem to stop buying watches of any kind. So... yeah, like @thekris, I'm totally useless too.
#America
I traded my Speedy, a Hamilton Murph, a white Hamilton Chronomatic and the limited edition black dial Chronomatic for a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. They were all great watches and each has a large fan base.
Was it worth the trade? Hell to the Yeah. I love my Bathyscaphe. I have never looked back at the models I traded and wished that I had kept them.
I probably didn’t even get the better part in the financial equation of the deal but I don’t care. I may never have been able to acquire a Blancpain had I not found a guy willing to make a 4 for 1 trade.
big big fan of blancpain, although it is mighty difficult to resist the urge to buy something when I'm "on the list" for a ym40, the LHD GMT, and an Exp1 (for my dad)...also plan on getting a FF next year hopefully
If it's the grail watch you want, then buying 2 or possibly 3 watches for the same price sounds great but in the long run you'll still wished you'd purchased that one watch. So having a watch box full of nice watches is never going to make you happy, well not in the long run that is. Just hold out and get the one watch that will make you happiest.
Sort of make sense? It does to me 🤣
I have thought like this many times. It depends where you are at in your watch collecting journey. You can only wear one watch realistically at a time, so buy few and what you really really like ! 👍
I see. My thinking is "yeah the JLCs are nice but not 7k nice"
JLC is worth 7K, but to me there are a number of issues that come into play.
This is indeed the ultimate question. As @dogsfault says, it depends on where you are. For me, I am at the stage where I enjoy seeing out things for myself and experiencing many different brands. As such, I would generally prefer a $3k watch + a $2k watch over one $5k watch....although I could see that mindset change in the near future😀
No. Not trading my watches. If I want another, I will get to it.
From my perspective I would have to make sure that a watch that is several times more expensive would make me several times happier. Currently I really just can't see that.
If it's the grail watch you want, then buying 2 or possibly 3 watches for the same price sounds great but in the long run you'll still wished you'd purchased that one watch. So having a watch box full of nice watches is never going to make you happy, well not in the long run that is. Just hold out and get the one watch that will make you happiest.
Sort of make sense? It does to me 🤣
in my view, I'm not killing the opportunity to buy X watch. I'm just re-ordering my priorities as I hope to eventually own most of the pieces on my list. So far, I've been extremely happy with my watches and each one gives me the same amount of satisfaction regardless of the price. Although my speedy was twice as much as my seamaster, it doesn't give me double the happiness
JLC is worth 7K, but to me there are a number of issues that come into play.
Well, the Reverso was the first sport watch, and I think it would be great in my collection as my first
I don't really view it as locking up money on one watch, since I have my eyes on some rolex models beyond 7k. It's just whether I think the market price of X is worth it for the watch. On my previous purchases, I've been able to snag deals (great price relative to market + amazing condition)
No. Not trading my watches. If I want another, I will get to it.
Yes! it is a marathon not a sprint
From my perspective I would have to make sure that a watch that is several times more expensive would make me several times happier. Currently I really just can't see that.
it's good that you know that about yourself. I just can't quantify my satisfaction from wearing a watch because I don't rotate on a daily basis. I just go until I feel like swapping to something different/new
I definitely consider value when weighing a watch purchase. So, speaking to the OP, I think you are quite sane and rational for taking value into consideration in watch collecting. Unless a person just hit the lottery, money matters for pretty much everyone. I might like a Rolex Submariner, but didn’t consider buying one when compared to the Omega Seamaster Diver 300. Since any Rolex is unavailable, and thus cannot compete hands on at an AD side by side, one can only weigh the purchase on the published specs and the real market prices. By the specs, the Seamaster is a better watch (coaxial movement is simply a better design). Compare prices, I was able to get a pair of steel/Sedna gold Seamasters for less that an overpriced Sub and I didn’t help fund the Ferrari Fund for a grey market dealer at the same time. So you are not alone in using rational value considerations in collecting.