What's the market like where you live?
For the last eighteen months or so in the UK the watch market has been ridiculously slow. I buy and sell on eBay, as it is realistically the only buying format for used watches. To say it is a buyers market is an understatement, and whilst I have picked up a few bargains, I am almost having to give away watches to get rid of them. I listed an orange Helm Komodo a few weeks, which is their most popular watch in the most popular colour. It is in mint condition, only six months old, and has hardly been worn. I am only asking the retail price, whilst others are asking considerably more. As you may know there is supposedly a two year waiting list, and the opportunity to buy one is quite rare, yet I have had no interest at all.
I have a YouTube channel, therefore the buying and selling of watches is quite important to me, as very few get sent to me by brands. I just wondered if it is the same everywhere, or just here.
I own approximately 30 watches, ranging from budget through to Rolex. I also have a YouTube watch channel
The pandemic boom is well and truly over now and the market has drastically corrected itself across the board.
I think the general cost of rising living prices has left most of us with a lower expendable income. Household bills and food shopping are up so non essential and hobby purchases have to go down 🥺 ! I think as watch enthusiasts ( addicts ) we all enjoy the hunt and excitement of our next watch but for me I’m trying to just enjoy my collection and be grateful for what I have this year . 🤝
I think the days when you could hope to get your money back on niche brands are gone. I’ve sold 5 watches on eBay in the UK in the last 3 months, but only by discounting around 30 to 35% on what I paid. None were well known brands.
People on eBay want bargains. Those who don’t price accordingly just sit there for months and months - I’m thinking of a Fortis Flieger which the seller is stoically holding out for 25% off retail, and has done for about a year now. At some point the post just becomes stale.
I guess that makes it an expensive business to run a YouTube channel on that basis, though. Maybe you’ll have to borrow watches instead of buying.
Here’s a buyer’s perspective for you.
A huge part of buying a new watch is unboxing and taking of the wrapping, sizing it, etc. And the significant pleasure I get from that is factored into the premium that I pay for buying a watch new.
If I am looking at a pre-owned, used, secondhand watch then, even if it’s in near new condition, I’m not prepared to pay full RRP if that part of the experience won’t be there.
I generally don’t buy used watches but if I see one I like then I might buy it if it feels like good value. RRP does not feel like good value for a pre-owned watch. And there is always an element of risk in buying pre-owned in that your and my expectations of subjective terms like “excellent condition” may differ.
Now there are enough watches out there and dozens in the pipeline so I don’t need to get in enough of a frenzy about one watch to pay too much (IMHO) for it. Happy to wait and keep my powder dry.
On Helm in particular - I am on two of their waiting lists and my opportunity will come up on each of those within the next six months. And I haven’t spent the 2 years plus while waiting pining for a Helm - as there are so many other watches out there.
Presumably your YouTube channel is monetized and so videos, throughput and volume views are your main objective? If you’ve made money from the video relating to the watch throw someone a bone sell it at a small discount and it might go quicker freeing up money for more watches, more videos and more views. The small discount is bit like a psychological “buy me” trigger to those browsing. I know from your perspective it’s “as good as new” but from mine it certainly isn’t.
Hopefully helpful in sharing another perspective.
Here’s a buyer’s perspective for you.
A huge part of buying a new watch is unboxing and taking of the wrapping, sizing it, etc. And the significant pleasure I get from that is factored into the premium that I pay for buying a watch new.
If I am looking at a pre-owned, used, secondhand watch then, even if it’s in near new condition, I’m not prepared to pay full RRP if that part of the experience won’t be there.
I generally don’t buy used watches but if I see one I like then I might buy it if it feels like good value. RRP does not feel like good value for a pre-owned watch. And there is always an element of risk in buying pre-owned in that your and my expectations of subjective terms like “excellent condition” may differ.
Now there are enough watches out there and dozens in the pipeline so I don’t need to get in enough of a frenzy about one watch to pay too much (IMHO) for it. Happy to wait and keep my powder dry.
On Helm in particular - I am on two of their waiting lists and my opportunity will come up on each of those within the next six months. And I haven’t spent the 2 years plus while waiting pining for a Helm - as there are so many other watches out there.
Presumably your YouTube channel is monetized and so videos, throughput and volume views are your main objective? If you’ve made money from the video relating to the watch throw someone a bone sell it at a small discount and it might go quicker freeing up money for more watches, more videos and more views. The small discount is bit like a psychological “buy me” trigger to those browsing. I know from your perspective it’s “as good as new” but from mine it certainly isn’t.
Hopefully helpful in sharing another perspective.
Sounds like there’s a deal to be done here? 🤷♂ Just saying … 😉
For me, orange ain’t my colour, and divers ain’t my style.
Sounds like there’s a deal to be done here? 🤷♂ Just saying … 😉
For me, orange ain’t my colour, and divers ain’t my style.
😂 no - orange not for me either. I do recognize that they have the best legibility under water but there are only so many underwater watches I need.
Also find the Helms generally a bit chunky. I may end up passing on one of mine when it comes up for that reason. The other is titanium so I will likely give it a go … and sell it at a small discount if I don’t get on with it.
You do see a high number up for sale - partly flippers trying to make quick money but I suspect also as many of us want the experience but don’t need it to be enduring?
😂 no - orange not for me either. I do recognize that they have the best legibility under water but there are only so many underwater watches I need.
Also find the Helms generally a bit chunky. I may end up passing on one of mine when it comes up for that reason. The other is titanium so I will likely give it a go … and sell it at a small discount if I don’t get on with it.
You do see a high number up for sale - partly flippers trying to make quick money but I suspect also as many of us want the experience but don’t need it to be enduring?
You speak wise words. It seems like everywhere I go I see a Baltic MR01 for sale. Probably not because they’re bad, but everyone wanted to try one and now it’s time to sell on. Some watches just seem to capture the imagination like that, and it’s one approach to the hobby to try a few out and then move on to the next thing.
It’s hard to do that whilst not losing some cash though (or rather, paying for the experience). I also think that:
Most buyers on eBay want to be able to make an offer, rather than be told the price; and
There must also be a further discount if the seller did not themself purchase from the manufacturer.
You speak wise words. It seems like everywhere I go I see a Baltic MR01 for sale. Probably not because they’re bad, but everyone wanted to try one and now it’s time to sell on. Some watches just seem to capture the imagination like that, and it’s one approach to the hobby to try a few out and then move on to the next thing.
It’s hard to do that whilst not losing some cash though (or rather, paying for the experience). I also think that:
Most buyers on eBay want to be able to make an offer, rather than be told the price; and
There must also be a further discount if the seller did not themself purchase from the manufacturer.
Different price bracket but the other watch I am seeing a lot of pre-owned for sale is the CW Bel Canto. Sure I can recognise some are flippers but is the actual experience simply a fleeting one such that people are keen to move them on while they can?
As someone who buys vintage watches on Ebay, I've bought a few lemons. Vendor has refunded, or Ebay has stepped in to refund.
I find it annoying when a watch has a 7 day presence on the site, but the vendor often state "not checked for timekeeping".
Wind it up, set the time, look again in 24 hours. Simple. Then update the advert, or run it before advertising.
The other one is, "keeps time", just too vague.
Messaged a vendor the other day about how it runs over 24 hours, not replied. So, I'm no longer interested.
Comments about " not checked for timekeeping" are just a "get out of jail free, card" statement.
What's your Ebay name?
I've never gone over about £160.
Different price bracket but the other watch I am seeing a lot of pre-owned for sale is the CW Bel Canto. Sure I can recognise some are flippers but is the actual experience simply a fleeting one such that people are keen to move them on while they can?
I can see that. I could see myself getting excited about hearing a chime each hour, and then thinking, once I’ve heard it a few times, that there’s no occasion other than a watch meet up that it really suits, and I could achieve the same goal with a G Shock.
It is easy to get caught up in novelties and hype.
Yup, UK resident too.
I've ended up giving watches to friends that I couldn't sell. Certainly a buyers market at the moment (typical, I'm skint) , I tend to do swaps on Facebook (UK watch gang) as I get better deals there.
I never buy new, don't see the value in it.
Low stock, especially on even remotely popular models. Ordering off the web, half the time “out of stock”. Rolex is still a joke and not available despite reports and NWA for Rolex I see on here, at least where I live.
Prices are high and yes, I don’t think wages are keeping up and many folks are being priced out of new retail. Oddly, I’m not seeing many deals or used pieces moving quickly either. Probably because they were purchased high.
I think the days when you could hope to get your money back on niche brands are gone. I’ve sold 5 watches on eBay in the UK in the last 3 months, but only by discounting around 30 to 35% on what I paid. None were well known brands.
People on eBay want bargains. Those who don’t price accordingly just sit there for months and months - I’m thinking of a Fortis Flieger which the seller is stoically holding out for 25% off retail, and has done for about a year now. At some point the post just becomes stale.
I guess that makes it an expensive business to run a YouTube channel on that basis, though. Maybe you’ll have to borrow watches instead of buying.
I have borrowed a few, but most brand owners only want reviewers with many thousands of subscribers
Here’s a buyer’s perspective for you.
A huge part of buying a new watch is unboxing and taking of the wrapping, sizing it, etc. And the significant pleasure I get from that is factored into the premium that I pay for buying a watch new.
If I am looking at a pre-owned, used, secondhand watch then, even if it’s in near new condition, I’m not prepared to pay full RRP if that part of the experience won’t be there.
I generally don’t buy used watches but if I see one I like then I might buy it if it feels like good value. RRP does not feel like good value for a pre-owned watch. And there is always an element of risk in buying pre-owned in that your and my expectations of subjective terms like “excellent condition” may differ.
Now there are enough watches out there and dozens in the pipeline so I don’t need to get in enough of a frenzy about one watch to pay too much (IMHO) for it. Happy to wait and keep my powder dry.
On Helm in particular - I am on two of their waiting lists and my opportunity will come up on each of those within the next six months. And I haven’t spent the 2 years plus while waiting pining for a Helm - as there are so many other watches out there.
Presumably your YouTube channel is monetized and so videos, throughput and volume views are your main objective? If you’ve made money from the video relating to the watch throw someone a bone sell it at a small discount and it might go quicker freeing up money for more watches, more videos and more views. The small discount is bit like a psychological “buy me” trigger to those browsing. I know from your perspective it’s “as good as new” but from mine it certainly isn’t.
Hopefully helpful in sharing another perspective.
Thanks, but no my YouTube channel isn't monetized, as my subscribership isn't very high. The Helm I am selling is virtually new, so the asking price of £299 is very low considering the waiting list. Like I said, the only other two are also used and selling for £410 and £450 respectively
Sounds like there’s a deal to be done here? 🤷♂ Just saying … 😉
For me, orange ain’t my colour, and divers ain’t my style.
So apart from that it's perfect 😉
As someone who buys vintage watches on Ebay, I've bought a few lemons. Vendor has refunded, or Ebay has stepped in to refund.
I find it annoying when a watch has a 7 day presence on the site, but the vendor often state "not checked for timekeeping".
Wind it up, set the time, look again in 24 hours. Simple. Then update the advert, or run it before advertising.
The other one is, "keeps time", just too vague.
Messaged a vendor the other day about how it runs over 24 hours, not replied. So, I'm no longer interested.
Comments about " not checked for timekeeping" are just a "get out of jail free, card" statement.
What's your Ebay name?
I've never gone over about £160.
Here is the link. I totally agree on the timekeeping thing, as to check the accuracy is sooo simple
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256438908517
I really don't know where and why is there the thinking that you should get the "only" FRP price back ( on 99,9% of watches, not just this one ).
Firstly, listed price is not sold price. Secondly, you are selling a niche in a niche brand with orange dial and use two (???) public listings as reference. So what if there is aledged 2 years "waiting list" if people are not buying it/there is no demand. It is not a Rolex, AP, PP and even those are coming down on secondary.
And to answer general question yes the days of Covid boom are over and we should be glad it is so. Demand is weaker and all statistics confirm that. Some brands suffer more, some a bit less but preety much all are selling less than 2 years ago. It is called market correction as last 3 years were not normal.
I don't know if this is pertinent or not, but I was looking to consolidate my watches. Meaning, I have 12 Omega's that I want to cut in half, approx.. I'm not a retailer, so I thought I'd go the trade-in (against more expensive precious metal models) route. There's only three of my twelve I'm committed to keeping.
That said, I talked to a couple folks. That ended quickly. They were low balling the heck out of me. To a point of being laughable. Yes, they have to make money. But suggesting I have to sell them my watches for less the wholesale value isn't going to get it.
One guy tells me, '...we really want your watches." Who wouldn't at the prices they wanted to pay? Soft prices, soft market? I'm in the US.
Two questions: 1) What's your YouTube channel? 2) Why do you say eBay is the best place for selling watches? Versus, for example, Chrono24?
I really don't know where and why is there the thinking that you should get the "only" FRP price back ( on 99,9% of watches, not just this one ).
Firstly, listed price is not sold price. Secondly, you are selling a niche in a niche brand with orange dial and use two (???) public listings as reference. So what if there is aledged 2 years "waiting list" if people are not buying it/there is no demand. It is not a Rolex, AP, PP and even those are coming down on secondary.
And to answer general question yes the days of Covid boom are over and we should be glad it is so. Demand is weaker and all statistics confirm that. Some brands suffer more, some a bit less but preety much all are selling less than 2 years ago. It is called market correction as last 3 years were not normal.
I don't know what you know about Helm, but the demand is far bigger than the supply, albeit world wide. Also, the orange variant is the most popular. I believe if I was USA based it would have probably sold in hours, but alas I'm not. With now 26 watchers I believe it will sell, however I suspect it is like the housing market, and people need to sell to buy. Ultimately my point is that the market in the UK is very stagnant, and from the posts I have read it would appear things are the same pretty much everywhere else
Two questions: 1) What's your YouTube channel? 2) Why do you say eBay is the best place for selling watches? Versus, for example, Chrono24?
My channel is watch alot. I don't have very many subscribers, partly because I don't use other forms of social media. I have considered other selling formats, and have tried a few, but the selling traffic compared to eBay is minimal.
I don't know what you know about Helm, but the demand is far bigger than the supply, albeit world wide. Also, the orange variant is the most popular. I believe if I was USA based it would have probably sold in hours, but alas I'm not. With now 26 watchers I believe it will sell, however I suspect it is like the housing market, and people need to sell to buy. Ultimately my point is that the market in the UK is very stagnant, and from the posts I have read it would appear things are the same pretty much everywhere else
Well obviously the demand is not as strong as you believe, otherwise you would sold the watch at FRP since rest of offers are x2 even with being based in UK. Shipment and customs for 300$ watch don't equal another 200-300 on top. Vocal minority doesn't equal market situation, I have managed to sell quite a few watches lately but been more known brands and positioned at more realistic price.
Not trying to argue and you should sell at price you prefer but try to be realistic and look outside our watch bubble. Good luck selling the watch, wishing you all the best.
Well obviously the demand is not as strong as you believe, otherwise you would sold the watch at FRP since rest of offers are x2 even with being based in UK. Shipment and customs for 300$ watch don't equal another 200-300 on top. Vocal minority doesn't equal market situation, I have managed to sell quite a few watches lately but been more known brands and positioned at more realistic price.
Not trying to argue and you should sell at price you prefer but try to be realistic and look outside our watch bubble. Good luck selling the watch, wishing you all the best.
It sold yesterday for the MRP
It sold yesterday for the MRP
You see the market is not that bad afterall😉in all honesty happy for you