Horological Meandering

ArthurSG
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I'm feeling quite alone

I will not dispute that when it comes to resale value, Patek and Rolex are the kings but even then, I think it is model specific but perhaps less so than other brands?

But is buying luxury watches all about resale?  What would life be if all we are concerned about is how much something or someone is worth?  Isn't there so much more in life, non tangible on its own and/or attached to some tangibles that are worth so much more than the value of the physical item itself? Now everything in moderation of course and each will have his tolerance of how much he will want to pay for any non-tangible value he may extract.

We are also talking about luxury watch items so yes, one eye is on value (and I have no qualms about buying a great condition used piece from a reliable seller to hedge against the resale downside), but at this level of acquisition, do not some emotion and premium for aspects not related to price and re-sale come in?  It does for me but I can be off.  It's like cars... if we are talking a Toyota Prius and survived the recall , then yes, perhaps the cost of ownership and resale will key factors… but if I am at the level of a Bentley or Aston Martin (which I am not), I can see  myself buying these marques due to many non-monetary related reasons because they do so much more for me on both the tangible and non-tangible front for me.  For me, at this junior level of acquisition, I can’t just stick to Pateks and Rolexes.. I actually find them less interesting (I have one of each) for now and I realize I may change my view on this in future.

Watches for me are a personal, tangible and intangible hobby.  Its not just about the physical piece itself but about the joy and emotions owning one brings.  While I can’t dispute the history and watch making expertise of Patek and Rolex, for me at least, they don’t stir as much inside me as say some pieces from LUC, MB&F, Lange, UN etc to name a few brands with less resale value.  And for Pateks and Rolexes, owners have knowingly or not, bought an intangible in the brand itself which these 2 brands continue to so successfully manage.  And it is this brand management (yes, plus product reliability, servicing and the other tangibles) which is ultimately imo, why Patek and Rolex maintain such good after sale values.

I would quite safely say, if one if so concerned about the resale value, stay away from cars and watches in general (of course there are exceptions to every rule) and don’t even buy a Patek or Rolex. Get a Casio, put the money in the bank and take it to the grave or let someone else enjoy the fruits of your hard labor and hopefully they will show some level of appreciation before you croak.  I'm not saying one needs luxury material goods to get the most out of life but if you are buying luxury watches for yourself and not to keep up with the Jones and you buy for the tingle and joy it gives you each time you put it on and you look forward to putting them on, then resale pricing is a factor but should not be the most important.  Just me and to each his own and maybe I just haven’t had my AM coffee.