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Happy Sunday, watch lovers.
Is my purchase history not good enough?
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What is the best watch brand and why is it TAG Heuer?
Bowl Leader
Haha, Jeff Daniels might have something to say about this question.
Heuer = Awesome
TAG Heuer = Depends on the Person
Not all watch brands need to speak to all people. I've owned lots of brands, including TAG (granted it was a heritage model that only said "Heuer" on the dial), and I like it enough to buy it, but I didn't love it enough to keep it.
Chief
Just want to say thx for helping pull together this community - it’s my favorite watch group either online or in person.
Bowl Leader
Thanks! And it's my pleasure. :)
Bowl Leader
Ladies and gentleman, our 24 hours is up. Thanks to everyone for supporting and participating in the Luxury Watch Bowl Q&A!
🙏
Love this bowl!
Rising Star
Let’s get this one out of the way - how do I buy a Submariner at retail?
Bowl Leader
I just read a forum article about exactly this: the answer is to be a genuine watch guy who is courteous, and most importantly, not a douche.
So many people come into an AD and berate the sales reps because the cases are empty. I wouldn't want to sell to someone like that no matter how much money they had.
Your best bet is to be nice, be patient, and be ready to buy if it gets offered to you.
Chief
Can we see your full collection
Bowl Leader
Partner 2; I was up to 10 Rolexes at one point and it was just too many.
My main rotation is Yachtmaster, Batman, Submariner, Explorer 1, and OP39 White.
I could certainly sell the Milgauss, DJ36, and Daytona, but I still enjoy owning them, even if they rarely see wrist time.
My main selling goals are to jettison most of the vintage and a couple Tudors.
Just wanted to throw out a thank you to t he e bowl leader. This is the only bowl on fishbowl that is consistently positive and supportive and not just bickering and complaining. As others said this is my favorite gathering place of watch enthusiasts
Bowl Leader
You’re welcome, and I’m so happy the bowl has grown up in such a constructive way. I couldn’t do it without all the other watch fans out there, so thank you to you guys and gals for creating, maintaining, and fostering such a great culture in our tiny little corner of the watch world.
This bowl and your guidance has helped me get my first luxury watch. Went with the Tudor BB36 as my starter and now wear it everyday. My next target is a Datejust 36mm, oystersteel and white gold, with a Wimbledon face. How would I go about getting that through my AD? Also, thanks for your helpful insight to help guide me to the BB36.
Bowl Leader
Awesome watch, and a true "GADA": Go Anywhere, Do Anything.
As for the DJ36, the key is the same as what I mention above: be kind, be patient, and be committed to buy. Talk to the different sales reps at the AD and express your honest enthusiasm for the brand and that specific watch. And then just make sure your expectations are such that you're still happy if you end up having to wait for ~6 months.
Also, make sure to love and enjoy what's on your wrist. No need to emotionally cheating on the BB36 by fantasizing about the DJ36. :)
Enthusiast
I know it’s a personal decision but how do you allocate/budget your spend on watches vs other big ticket items? Eg mortgage, nicer car, Childrens tuition
Bowl Leader
Hi, and thanks for being question #1!
So my life path has been a little less traditional; I'm not married, no kids, and I've only ever rented an apartment/condo.
I also have no car loans, student loans, or credit card debt, so all cash that comes in either goes into investing or to fun stuff.
When it comes to buying a watch, I only ever buy with cash (well, a credit card and then immediately pay it off). Never take out a loan to buy a luxury item unless you get 0% interest and pay it off before incurring any costs.
I also have to ask myself, "if this watch got lost, stolen, or damaged, could I buy a second, brand new one without losing sleep over it?" If the answer is no, even if it's insured, then I probably shouldn't buy it in the first place.
Bowl Leader
PSA: Timeless Luxury Watches of Plano, TX (my former employer) has been sold to Watches of Switzerland. Super happy for Dan and Anna.
Bowl Leader
No idea. There are already several Rolex dealers in the DFW area. If I read the email correctly, there will actually be a new location for the store somewhere in Legacy West. Tudor will likely come back, but Rolex and Patek are impossible to even guess.
Bowl Leader
Turning in for the night. I’ll be back to answer any remaining questions tomorrow morning.
Thanks to everyone so far who’s submitted questions or who has been following along! 😴
I’ll be dreaming of my soon-to-be incoming!
Chief
Couldn’t name everything offhand, but from memory, you have a very large collection that’s heavily concentrated in Rolex (mostly steel) and Tudor. Ever feel like there’s too much redundancy?
Bowl Leader
I have 8 Rolexes and 5 Tudors, and yes, I have way too much redundancy (I have 4 dive watches from the Rolex family...). It's nice that the market has gone up and value has increased on almost all of them, but I really only wear 5 or 6 different watches, and they're either Rolex or one of my 3 Casioaks.
That said, it took me buying, owning, and wearing all of them to figure out what I like and what I'm comfortable with.
New Zenith 38mm chronomaster original or 3861 omega speedmaster as my only chrono?
Bowl Leader
Speedy. I love Zenith (and I've owned several), but the new 38mm is so busy with all those damn hash marks, and the white-painted hands just don't do it for me.
And I just realized I lied in one of my previous responses, haha, my next watch will likely be a 3861 sapphire speedy that I'll get by trading in an old Tudor panda chrono.
Enthusiast
What are your top 5 candidates for a one watch collection?
Bowl Leader
I’d say Explorer 1. It’s a more comfortable watch, and there are some size options depending on the size of his wrist. Plus, it’s very easy to read the time on it.
First of all, thanks for doing this, really appreciate all the insight you have provided so far.
My question - are there any “non-luxury” watches in your collection? If so, what are you recommendations under $2k.
Bowl Leader
The MVMT was a gift from my parents. I actually got more compliments on that watch than any Rolex, lol.
What is the best way to get over wanting an unobtainable watch due to artificial scarcity?
Bowl Leader
That was the exact watch I had in mind. :)
Visual Storyteller
What’s the best way to trade up? And get started on making selling watches as a side gig? Thanks for doing this, and your advice as always 😊
Bowl Leader
Sites like Crown & Caliber, Bobs Watches, European Watch Company, and many others have incredible selections and will make it very easy to trade up. Some will even send you a pre-paid box to ship your watch to them. I prefer to see any pre-owned watch in person, so you can also find a local watch store and bring your trade-in pieces with you. I've done this several times.
Also, don't exclude new time pieces. I had this false belief that I would always have to live in the pre-owned world. Turns out, at an AD, they actually have margin to work with, and depending on the piece, you may be able to get a better deal on a brand new piece vs one that's like-new pre-owned (depending on what they took it in for).
And sadly I think the ship has sailed when it comes to making this a side gig. I was tempted at one point, but it's a massive hassle, you need to have an in, and there is a lot of risk. You sort of have to be an expert or you have to have access to watches already in high demand. We all see these crazy high prices, but how many people are actually buying them at that price?
I want a gold watch with gold bracelet (yellow or rose). looking at used. I have my mind set on Rolex sports watches, maybe a Day Date, and really like the Omega Speedy in Moonshine. What else should I be looking at? Are there any bargains in the gold watch space?
Bowl Leader
Greed is good.
Enthusiast
I have those same black Cole Haan’s, bowl leader, and they’re 🔥. Now I just need a Rolex 😆
Bowl Leader
I'd add Seiko, Grand Seiko quartz pre-owned, Oris, Nomos, and Monta to the list.
My choice would probably be a Monta Noble or the Oris Divers 65 Timeless LE.
Bowl Leader
Somebody ask me a question about Grand Seiko!
Bowl Leader
I like this group.
Chief
What’s your retirement watch?
Owner of Rolex boutique in Boston wears this daily in the store