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I need a job, please can someone assist me ?
Chief
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Additional Posts in Luxury Watches
Any Breitling fans out there?
Visual Storyteller
Visual Storyteller
My one and only
Rising Star
Loving the green
Where do you buy vintage watches?
Enthusiast
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Conversation Starter
Visual Storyteller
Visual Storyteller
NWA❗️
Got the call for this piece yesterday.
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Rising Star
She’s right IMO.
Enthusiast
Would she also never drive a car under $100k?
Live in a house under $3M?
Conversation Starter
A couple of things;
1) there's cool stuff at every price point, which leads to
2) if there's a $1k watch that you really like, then buy it.
3) least important point - it's kinda weird that your wife is so concerned about your watch not being expensive enough.
Having said that, if there's a watch you really want and it's in the $5k-ish price point, then you're better off waiting to buy the one you really want instead of paying for a $1k watch, then paying for a second $5k watch later
There are plenty of respectable mid tier watches. No shame in them. We all start someplace, and they can still stay in the collection and rotation later.
She is right for her. Plenty of others, myself included have enjoyed wearing a nice "beater" watch while life presents more important ways to spend the $20k I will need for my version of a nice watch.
Get a Hamilton for a few hundred bucks.
Enthusiast
And tell her it was $5k
Visual Storyteller
If you want a specific 5K watch, the buying the 1K or any other isn’t going to scratch the itch
Listen to your wife. If you have no watch now, save up for a "nice" $5k if that's your ultimate budget. IMO, I'd rather have 1 nice $5k watch than 5 $1k watches but that's just me being a watch snob. Altho I'd consider a one $3500-4k and one $1k as an option. If you feel a desire to wear a watch, you can get a Seiko for $100 to tide you over.
IMO there’s no problem with a $1k watch so long as it’s what you want and you’re not settling. Early on I wanted a Submariner so badly. It was out of the price range so I tried a Seamaster and then a Tudor. They didn’t scratch the itch even though I really liked the Omega. Luckily I bought both of those second hand so I actually made money on them when I flipped them.
I second this. If you’re trading-in or trading-up on a used watch, you will likely make money too, if you waited 1-3 years after buying the used watch.
I made money on my trade-in used IWC pilot chrono for my used omega speedmaster white dial. Some traders offer more value for trade-ins vs cash.
Just do what makes you happy man. You’re buying it for yourself!
IMO, she is right IF you’re buying new. If you’re buying preowned, both types won’t matter. Let’s clarify the metrics: I’m speaking in terms of depreciation and liquidity (how easy it is to let go if you change your mind). I’ve already conceded that my tastes will change and it is not to mark a special moment in my life << I’ve had watches like this and I find I have to keep them, just because it was gifted by my wife etc.
The depreciation on a watch at the $5k preowned price range is about 30 to 40% , so if the price of a new IWC is $8k, you can get it preowned at $5 to 6k. If you buy this preowned, you can sell on your own at the same price or sell to a dealer at circa $3.5 to $4k.
At the $1k mark, it is very hard to sell it. That price is not compelling enough for others to buy used and watch sites like grailzee or chrono don’t make much from those so they don’t prop it up for “display” in their email alerts. I’ve been stuck with $1k watches without it ever moving - the only time I can move it is when I trade-up to a dealer for one of their watches. This is also how some collectors get stuck with 20++ watches in their collection.
Bruh that’s more of a Ball issue, than a $1k watch is hard to sell issue
Pro
She is right if the only thing that you like about watches is spending money on them.
But hopefully your horological interests are deeper than that.
Depends - why do you want/feel the need for one? Aesthetics? Telling time? Reward? Success? Personal achievement? Passion? Story? Status? Etc…?
Depending on the answer to that question, she may or may not be right. If you’re looking for a watch that tells time, looks good, and has a cool story, you can certainly find one at 1k. Otherwise, or if you’re obsessed with a specific watch, maybe save up until you can afford it.
Also, IMHO, I needed much more then 5 k$ saved up in disposable before I could justify putting that much on a watch. YMMV.
Ask yourself why you want a watch and then you’ll know whether or not it’s worth it to buy now or wait.
What makes you excited about owning a watch? What would your 'goals' for the purchase be?
If you want something that looks good and is well made, you can definitely get that done for $1k. But if you want a status symbol you'll probably want to save up for one of the more well known luxury brands
Lost of good input on this thread. Think of it as a journey. I think you could go a couple of directions. I do like Hamilton sub-$1K. You could get a great field watch. Pre-owned is another direction, but you may need to go to $2K. If you like dive watches Zinn could be an interesting used one, if you can find one. The great thing about used is that depending on what you pick, it will not depreciate much more if you choose wisely. In this market, seeing the watch appreciate is probably not likely.