VinnieD
2849
The models you mentioned are collectible, limited editions
And that is for one of the hotter brands around, hence a market price that is higher than their intrinsic value (cost of assembly, R&D for the movement, case material etc.)
Let's assume their initial retail price was less than half of their market value. The link between intrinsic value and market price is blurred by the frenzy from collectors and their expectations of value increase.
I wonder what proportion of high complications watches are bought as pure investment and stored in climate controlled rooms in basements/banks.
Sometimes you have to pause and reflect about the price vs. value ratio. A few weeks back, I saw an older Aquanaut (a model that I used to own and still really like) in scattered pieces at a watchmaker and I thought "this is really not worth the current market prices" as these prices approach the value of a second hand Porsche 911 for example.
Personally, I find it more reasonable to either
1. buy vintage models that are "below the radar" and offer some interesting value
2. buy new (and if possible limited editions ;-)
In this luxury area, people buy these goods to satisfy an intellectual/social urge that has little to do with value.
Otherwise, nobody would buy gold/diamonds watches, where the precious metal is priced at least 4x its actual cost.
More posts:
Please don't take this the wrong way
I always look at the Collector's Corner forum just to see what all is available. I did recently see a couple of time only Patek Phillipes in the $50,000 range. I absolutely love watches, but that being said I can't justify $50k for a time only watch,or a ...
I think I could be made to enjoy a time-only watch if:
1)It was well finished and offered something I find enjoyable like guilloché. In other words, the factor of hand work made the watch attractive front and back. Examples: A Dufour Simplicity (obviously) or the no-CNC custom watches by Atelier de Chronometr...
Not taking this the wrong way at all. In fact, I agree with you!
I personally own a watch or two that is now worth more than what I think it's worth and 2-3 times what I paid for it many years ago. And I've kept onto that one and others despite the market conditions because I really enjoy that piece. I've been told man...
I think it's a reasonable point, but most perspectives on this topic are quite reasonable. Simply put, some watches are pieces of art, and it's just hard to find them below a certain price.
Some people buy exclusivity or hand-made or bespoke at $50k (or above), and time-only watches easily make it into this category nowadays. Others just don't bother to justify the price of a luxury item, for as long as it's a fair market price at which they...
Another angle
Considering the amount of micro-engineering that goes into them, I find the price of simple generic ebauches astonishingly low. I do not own any artisanal timepieces, but it is not difficult to imagine the amount of highly skilled labour that goes into th...
Everyone has their thresholds
Personally I could imagine myself owning watches in every price category imaginable assuming I had requisite funds/income for such things and I deemed the quality commensurate to its price. This being said, the most expensive watch I own is a Big Pilot in...
Like everything else in this world there are things that may make no sense to us.
Sometimes that’s a purely individual view, and other times it’s more widely held. You know very well the vast majority of the world would think not $50k but $5k or even $500 is absolutely ridiculous money to pay for a watch. Everyone here, every single on...
The models you mentioned are collectible, limited editions
And that is for one of the hotter brands around, hence a market price that is higher than their intrinsic value (cost of assembly, R&D for the movement, case material etc.) Let's assume their initial retail price was less than half of their market value. ...
Enjoyment is all that matters
What works for me, might not for someone else. We all have different priorities, it isn't just a matter of what one can spend on a watch or what one finds to be worthwhile. So many watches are works of art or represent the pinnacle of a craftspersons' art...
Several independents
are time only and at a much higher price point. Its all about appreciation of the watch and enjoyment in wearing it.
In the tiny red dot that I and a few others here lived in,
We can easily spend 60-160K for a base model car that is only usable for 10years. Mann that is ridiculously stupid compared to 50k fr PP, 5k for omega or 0.5k fr seiko. Not to say, some watch brand model do retain value. Left 9 years for my tri-star wheel...
