[SophSoph85]

Hi,

My husband has a fantastic collection of Swiss timepieces but has recently been looking into not only purchasing watches that catch his eye but, in particular, 'investment' pieces. He is too proud to ask for help, so I thought I would take the liberty of asking all the great watch experts on this fantastic forum for your insights.

Plus, I would love to see his face when I say something he thought I had no idea about.

Any advice and help would be much appreciated!

 

[BarracksSi]

The best way is to find a time machine and learn which ones appreciate in value.

I'm also guessing that "watches as an investment strategy" is another excuse for buying more watches.

 

[lcheowl]

Unless that watches are very limited in supply, chances are most of the new watches will lose the value on the spot once you swipe it with your credit card.

If happen you come across a AD willing to pay you a premium above your cost price , do let me know.

 

[Dace]

A new watch will never appreciate in value. Its a myth and anyone who says otherwise is delusional. Some watches depreciate less then others, but they all depreciate. No one can predict which watch will fetch tidy sums in 20-30 years. And usually they are the watches that cost the same as a house right now.

I would tell him to stop worrying about it and buy what he likes. Then hopefully down the road something will be in his collection that someone else wants really bad.

 

[Bergarn]

I'd say that the Henry Graves Supercomplication is a reasonably sure bet to appreciate, but the threshold for entry is a bit steep...

 

[R.P.J. Jansen]

I'm thinking limited editions of exclusive brands and haute horlogerie.

Most of these watches have that love it or hate it look but because of their rarity there's a good chance the price goes up after a while because they are not available anymore.

But then we are talking about very high investments of hundreds of thousands $.

Just to name some examples.

Vintage Rolex Paul Newman Daytona.

De Bethune has some watches that qualify.
Just as an example the Skybridge.

Absolutely over the top Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon. (now we're talking about millions here)

Vianney Halter Deep Space.

Or you should take a look around the web or auctions for a unique vintage limited edition from a respectable brand.
Hours and hours of research will do the trick.
Success.

 

[RBleigh81]

I guess this depends upon what you consider an investment, appreciate in $ value over time? good luck! The best mere mortals can hope for is that the timepiece can retain its value over time in which case feel free to step in the Rolex line

 

[aardvarkbark]

Look at results from the last year or so at the Important Watches auctions conducted by Christie's, Sotheby's and Bonham's. For the pieces that sold at astronomical prices, find the common thread. Then PM me so I can know too please.

 

[CMSgt Bo]

First of all, welcome to WatchUSeek!

There are some watches out there that consistently appreciate over time like the Sinn EZM1, but I would never raid my investment portfolio to buy one.

There's an old saying among WIS's: if you want to make a small fortune in watches, you'll first have to spend a large fortune.

And good luck understanding this obsession...I haven't got it figured out yet myself.

 

[Toothbras]

He likes buying watches, and tells you they are sure to go up in value. I say the same thing to my wife, though not sure she's buying it.....

 

[Perseus]

Watches are a horrible investment.

 

[Bradjhomes]

Watches are a horrible investment.

Blunt. But true.

 

[anothernewphone]

Hi guys, what's a cheap watch that nobody knows about that I can buy for pennies that will be worth thousands and thousands of dollars in a few short years? I need to be able to buy it at Costco, I don't want to buy anything over the Internet.

 

[Alex_TA]

Buy him steel Rolex Daytona or any Patek Philippe. It may be called investment.

 

[watchloco]

I love Vianney Halter designs and the Deep Space is no exception.

 

[ari.seoul]

hello, welcome to the forum,

watch as an investment ... has to be a 'collector' piece and as Barrack mentioned, you'll most likely need a time machine to know as there's really no set formula to figure our 100% which will be a collector's piece.

but a 'safe' purchase where the watch will not depreciate as much would be a Patek Philippe ... bought from a grey dealer.

 

[Stellite]

Watches are a horrible investment.

Thank god my wife does not read this forum. I'd be in big trouble.

 

[UKMike]

Unless you are buying-in at the heady prices of truly handbuilt watches, the best you can hope for is a watch that maybe holds its cash value better than the competition. Traditionally this has meant Rolex, beautifully made but nevertheless churned out in sufficient numbers for them not to be rare. There are a few exceptions in terms of special/limited editions but for most mortals watches give minimal, or more commonly negative investment returns.

Although I think it is unlikely, you should also bear in mind that in 20 years time we may be so besotted with our do-all electronic smartwatches that we no longer care about quality mechanical watches and the market could collapse. (Yeah I KNOW!)

Save up and buy a 1960s racing Ferrari instead (although most of the bargains there have already gone), or invest in property.

 

[ari.seoul]

watch(es) appreciating in value (due to it being a collector's item) does happen, but very, very rare and rather unpredictable,

the dirty dozen WWW line comes to mind,
the Grana model now can fetch up to $7000, not bad for a $20-30 watch back in the days

 

[Yung]

Hi guys, what's a cheap watch that nobody knows about that I can buy for pennies that will be worth thousands and thousands of dollars in a few short years? I need to be able to buy it at Costco, I don't want to buy anything over the Internet.

This is exactly the sort of .... that is making WUS a hostile place.