Where are the prices heading ? Watch prices are at insane levels and how is it affecting collectors ...

Apr 06, 2021,15:10 PM
 

Lately Iam shocked to see the prices of Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks and even certain Patek and Rolex references ..I think to myself and wonder who can afford all this ? AP steel blue dial 41mm selling at 120 percent premiums and with the news of getting an upgraded movement the 15202 st Ultra thin Ap is trading at almost 300 percent premiums .. is it crypto currency ? Or should I just quit what Iam doing as I can’t seem to afford anything anymore . Steel Daytona Panda at crazy levels and green gold Daytona has reached 6 digit club ...uffff !
Iam not worried about the bubble but it’s just that as collector you are tempted to flip and make an exit . Money is too good . This vary fact scares me ...Iam becoming one off Those !
What’s next ? For me I will look at same great values around . See some new Indies like Czapek , Moritz Grossman ... as they seem to be affordable ...as your current collection is becoming too expensive to wear ..
What do you feel ???









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I cannot understand the phenomenon at all....

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : April 6th, 2021-15:21
With printing press cranking out billions and trillions from nowhere, this has become a hedge against inflation. I’ve mentioned this before, too much liquidity floating around. A few seconds of silly dancing on social media, kids reviewing toys or influen... 

This is a difficult subject for us ...

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : April 6th, 2021-15:23
Collecting is about much more than price and who sells what for what. On a positive note there are plenty of choices for us and we should be supporting and enjoying the creativity of Independent watchmakers.

Certainly agree with this....

 
 By: nacelle : April 6th, 2021-15:50
There are a wide variety of choices.

Very true

 
 By: Gelato Monster : April 6th, 2021-17:16

Agreed Cpt

 
 By: NautNut : April 6th, 2021-17:39

If not there yet it's awfully close....

 
 By: nacelle : April 6th, 2021-15:49
When a watch is not a watch anymore...strictly a commodity.

I have been watching prices on a couple of well known sites for pre-owned watches. Some of the prices take my breath away.

 
 By: orahu : April 6th, 2021-15:58
Fortunately, I know the limits of my bank account and lifestyle. Fun to look and to dream, but I have several high quality watches that make me feel good and blessed beyond what I deserve!

This is so true. When I think about how many great watches I own...

 
 By: hoseachandra : April 6th, 2021-18:50
Something that i'd never dream before. I feel blessed, and will not following watch-as-an-investment trend. My family needs are more important.

Some of the best pieces are still...

 
 By: mdg : April 6th, 2021-16:05
...vintage. Even from top brands. Especially great if you enjoy 35-38mm.

Independents

 
 By: Fastwong : April 6th, 2021-16:37
Other than a few hot models and brands, all indications are that the watch industry as a whole isn't that strong. Look away from the hype spotlight and there are some great independent watch makers in the shadows that are doing well in part because what w... 

Very astute

 
 By: matto1 : April 6th, 2021-17:11
Many of the independents offer tremendous value at many different price points. I recently got out of a couple of the above mentioned pieces because the prices went absolutely crazy. Using the funds towards a Kari Voutilainen with no regrets!

Very astute +1

 
 By: Gelato Monster : April 6th, 2021-17:18

100%!

 
 By: matto1 : April 6th, 2021-20:31

Agree on the Independents, also too many limited edition reference from AP & Lange ...

 
 By: HobbyCentric : April 6th, 2021-17:52
Yes totally agree on your take on independents, especially from collector's and watch enthusiast point of view. Also agree with you on AP. Another gripe I have which has put me off collecting limited editions from them is that there are too many rendition... 

It’s a bubble. All of it, but I always buy at an AD via MSRP unless it’s a discontinued piece, so

 
 By: emcquillan : April 6th, 2021-17:17
The prices don’t bother me at all as I’d never pay double or triple the MSRP for a piece still in production just because it was temporarily in vogue. Even when the bubble pops collectors who paid MSRP will be fine. If it is a bubble then I wouldn’t feel ... 

I cannot understand but also can understand ... confusing?

 
 By: HobbyCentric : April 6th, 2021-17:44
Yes I cannot understand why there are persons willing to pay so much more than the precious metal prices for certain references as opposed to steel versions of the same .... I accept that steel watch may be more practical for daily wear and that the steel... 

I was at my favorite shop...

 
 By: kkochheiser : April 6th, 2021-18:26
Not a PP AD but for Lange, etc. and in their pre-owned case they had a beautiful 5170 that they took out to show me, just for fun. Absolute gorgeous with that wonderful movement. I joked about maybe next year for a significant birthday and commented that ... 

I am with you Kent on this. There's not much to do expect smile, or shake one's head. Or, if possible use the current situation to one's benefit.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : April 6th, 2021-18:46
There's a point for many when "selling into the hype" (as it was phrased above) is the only rational action to take. And if one is in a position to do that today there's some pretty amazing horological heft to be had where one's cost basis is that of a si... 

I am avoiding the big brands...

 
 By: Watches&Men : April 6th, 2021-19:26
I’ve the highest regards for Rolex and AP but their prices have gone crazy. Would go for other Brands, like Breguet and ALS, which provide greater horological value at more reasonable (and non-speculative) prices instead

It’s the historically high stock market coupled with

 
 By: CastorKrieg : April 6th, 2021-21:27
meagre returns in other asset classes. Some people over the last year made absolute bank and simply do not know what to do with the money. A lot of that is also due to watches being perceived as a speculative asset that will always increase in value - you... 

There are many well priced options for collectors from brands that haven’t been pumped up by flippers.

 
 By: Horo_Traveler : April 6th, 2021-23:02
We can leave the over-list-price male jewelry to those that need male jewelry And the investment thesis is suspect. I suspect it is more of a male peacock play, which the feather flashers are well within their rights to indulge in with a twerk thrown in f... 

Most collectors buy at retail price.. I certainly don’t pay premium. I rather wait a little longer..

 
 By: Fjan : April 6th, 2021-23:12
The good thing is.. usually I get bored of waiting n I fall out of love with the watch I am waiting for .. 😏

wise words

 
 By: SALMANPK : April 7th, 2021-00:21

I hope this eventually will calm down once people can shift disposable income back into traditional areas of investment...

 
 By: pfang56 : April 7th, 2021-04:34
This year, I had to cancel two family trips - take into account international airfare, lodging, and food - essentially I have excess disposable income which is making me have the urge to fulfil some kind of sensory equivalent of a family trip. Watches alw... 

Yes, I'm sensing a bubble as well. Fortunately the pieces I like, are readily available.......

 
 By: DouglasM : April 7th, 2021-09:30
I too watch the insane level that some of these watches are achieving and shake my head. Tulip craze, anyone? The good news for me, is that i find little beauty in these designs. Daytona? make it 42mm, take some writing off the dial, and make it MSRP. Nau... 

Indeed...

 
 By: pfang56 : April 8th, 2021-00:13
There are so many incredible options out there by different brands - I agree that Blancpain, as well as Breguet and Vacheron deserve a close look! Peter

Green Daytona?

 
 By: redcorals : April 7th, 2021-09:56

I honestly don’t mind

 
 By: toowoundup : April 9th, 2021-17:45
But that’s because my collecting has always been focused outside of royal oak/nautilus/Rolex. Trust me there’s so much more out there that you can pick up while everyone else is scrounging for steel sports models.