What is up with watch prices?

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Wario406
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What is up with watch prices?

Post by Wario406 » Tue Jun 06, 2023 8:21 am

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JP Chestnut
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by JP Chestnut » Tue Jun 06, 2023 8:43 am

I'm really getting priced out of this hobby. Even at retail, it would be hard for me to justify a modern Rolex. A GMT2 Pepsi is $10,900 plus sales tax. A two tone blue Sub is $15,600 plus sales tax. That's a lot of money.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by tmw » Tue Jun 06, 2023 9:02 am

Everything is expensive, but it feels like used rolex prices have at least levelled for now.

Getting new rolex - especially ss models is still impossible
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JP Chestnut
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by JP Chestnut » Tue Jun 06, 2023 9:29 am

tmw wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 9:02 am
Everything is expensive, but it feels like used rolex prices have at least levelled for now.

Getting new rolex - especially ss models is still impossible
I agree. I'm not sure if I'm just used to the prices now, the newer watches have increased in price to match, or prices have moderated a bit, but things that used to seem crazy overpriced (16610LV, five digit GMT2, etc) are just overpriced now. I've been eyeing the 40mm ceramic Sea Dweller and IIRC those used to be CRAZY EXPENSIVE and now they're hovering in that $10-$15k range.

The 36mm Day Date (5 digit or first gen 6 digit) is best deal in used Rolex right now. Some of those are almost reasonably priced.

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ssultan
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by ssultan » Tue Jun 06, 2023 9:57 am

I've enjoyed this hobby for many years - but lately, it seems to have lost it's luster. I am not interested in precious metals, and trying out interesting new pieces to 'play with' has become prohibitive.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by Morethan1 » Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:06 am

I'm finding a lot of cool pieces on AliExpress of all places. The prices are right, some might argue, you're getting a lot of quality vs price.

Still a lot of fun to be had, maybe not at the known brands anymore?

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by JP Chestnut » Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:21 am

Morethan1 wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 10:06 am
I'm finding a lot of cool pieces on AliExpress of all places. The prices are right, some might argue, you're getting a lot of quality vs price.

Still a lot of fun to be had, maybe not at the known brands anymore?
Grand Seiko still has some great deals. I just saw a beautiful spring drive GS in perfect condition for sale for around $4500. It was this LE model:

Image

Available new from Hoedinky for a still reasonable $6,600.

But the heart wants what the heart wants, and my heart wants one of these:
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by Bob1035 » Tue Jun 06, 2023 11:06 am

Since I don't really F with 4 figure watches, this is merely entertainment for me.

Gotta (still) love cheap old seikos

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by R@cerx » Tue Jun 06, 2023 11:44 am

Stopped by the local Rolex AD this weekend. Every slot in the case filled, 50+ watches, all "exhibition" pieces. Was advised the wait is 3 years for anything, yet I know VIPs get watches there with little to no wait. Go figure.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by JP Chestnut » Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:06 pm

R@cerx wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 11:44 am
Stopped by the local Rolex AD this weekend. Every slot in the case filled, 50+ watches, all "exhibition" pieces. Was advised the wait is 3 years for anything, yet I know VIPs get watches there with little to no wait. Go figure.
Even for a run of the mill Daydate? I miss the days you could get a NIB YG Sub off the forum dealers for $25K. The guys who earned back then, what I earn now, really had it good. I'm just thankful that I was able to get some nice five digit SS models when they were still just an expensive splurge rather than a hard to justify $15k proposition.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by R@cerx » Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:12 pm

JP Chestnut wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:06 pm
R@cerx wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 11:44 am
Stopped by the local Rolex AD this weekend. Every slot in the case filled, 50+ watches, all "exhibition" pieces. Was advised the wait is 3 years for anything, yet I know VIPs get watches there with little to no wait. Go figure.
Even for a run of the mill Daydate? I miss the days you could get a NIB YG Sub off the forum dealers for $25K. The guys who earned back then, what I earn now, really had it good. I'm just thankful that I was able to get some nice five digit SS models when they were still just an expensive splurge rather than a hard to justify $15k proposition.
They did have a "basic" DD, but still a 3 year wait, which I think is BS. I'm just glad the VIPs aren't interested in neo-vintage Rolex, they'd find a way to make that unaffordable too.

As for a DD, get a 18238 or 18038, easy to find and priced well too. I got a guy for those.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by JP Chestnut » Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:30 pm

R@cerx wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:12 pm
JP Chestnut wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:06 pm
R@cerx wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 11:44 am
Stopped by the local Rolex AD this weekend. Every slot in the case filled, 50+ watches, all "exhibition" pieces. Was advised the wait is 3 years for anything, yet I know VIPs get watches there with little to no wait. Go figure.
Even for a run of the mill Daydate? I miss the days you could get a NIB YG Sub off the forum dealers for $25K. The guys who earned back then, what I earn now, really had it good. I'm just thankful that I was able to get some nice five digit SS models when they were still just an expensive splurge rather than a hard to justify $15k proposition.
They did have a "basic" DD, but still a 3 year wait, which I think is BS. I'm just glad the VIPs aren't interested in neo-vintage Rolex, they'd find a way to make that unaffordable too.

As for a DD, get a 18238 or 18038, easy to find and priced well too. I got a guy for those.
While I think the five digit DDs are much better looking (I almost bought a perfect mint Tridor), I'm not sure that I want to deal with the hollow bracelet on a solid gold watch. The six digit models have the sleeves in the links, so much less scope for stretch.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by toxicavenger » Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:29 pm

They have been stupid for a long time. Heck when I buying Rolex's the previous owners thought the prices were stupid then. Luckily I have no interest in the brand anymore.

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What is up with watch prices?

Post by Wario406 » Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:47 pm

toxicavenger wrote:They have been stupid for a long time. Heck when I buying Rolex's the previous owners thought the prices were stupid then. Luckily I have no interest in the brand anymore.
I wish I could say that with conviction. My mind says I don’t need a Rolex for the money, but my soul wants one for stupid marketing reasons.

Isn’t my Opalene Monta a toe to toe contender with a white datejust? I think it is down on value vs a Rolex because it doesn’t have a crown and the Rolex marketing machine behind it so it keeps getting ground up into pulp.

I don’t know why I need to pay 4x for a watch just as sweet and similar quantity.

This is a crazy hobby!!!

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What is up with watch prices?

Post by Joeprez » Tue Jun 06, 2023 7:15 pm

It sucks that I’ve wanted a Pepsi GMT since I saw one on my grandmother’s brother when I was a kid. Coolest thing ever, a watch with a red and blue circle around the dial :)

It sucks because, as Jacob said, I now have the money to get one, but want to get it for 2018 prices.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by dukerules » Wed Jun 07, 2023 5:26 am

I just can't do it with most watches anymore. When a Sub retails for $10K, when in my head I know it's not worth that, I'm just out. I don't even think some of the better value pieces, such as Speedmasters, are worth anything close to current retail.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by ericf4 » Wed Jun 07, 2023 5:42 am

Same here. I haven’t bought anything in three years but now it’s like a different world as it comes to pricing. I’m not excited about any at these crazy prices.


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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by demer03 » Wed Jun 07, 2023 6:06 am

$15,000 for a new “Bond” omega??? GTFOH.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by r.palace » Wed Jun 07, 2023 6:08 am

demer03 wrote:$15,000 for a new “Bond” omega??? GTFOH.

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Let me second that GTFOH.
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by BramleyGreg » Wed Jun 07, 2023 6:27 am

I have fallen out with the likes of Omega and Rolex big time.
I have a couple of vintage / older Omegas, but I wouldn't play the "buy new" game.

There are many sweet pieces out there that aren't those brands. I am into more individualistic stuff these days anyway.

My contempt of late was accelerated by two things.

Rolex selling brand new pieces and not releasing paperwork with them etc. for a year. I don't care if that is stopped now... you can't stop a person selling something on that they rightfully own.

And Omega stopped servicing old pieces in Bienne. I had an old flightmaster 910 that was serviced there, when they did. This tactic was get you to invest in NEW pieces and sh*t on people who had their expensive pieces that were older.


Vile tactics, overpriced... on grossly overinflated overpriced lumps of metal that only serve to tell the time basically.

Greg.
Last edited by BramleyGreg on Thu Jun 08, 2023 8:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Jun 07, 2023 6:40 pm

Wario406 wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:47 pm
Isn’t my Opalene Monta a toe to toe contender with a white datejust?
In my opinion I say yes. But marketing says no. :mrgreen:

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by Wario406 » Wed Jun 07, 2023 8:22 pm

toxicavenger wrote:
Wario406 wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:47 pm
Isn’t my Opalene Monta a toe to toe contender with a white datejust?
In my opinion I say yes. But marketing says no. :mrgreen:
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by ezcheese » Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:15 am

Wario406 wrote:
Wed Jun 07, 2023 8:22 pm
toxicavenger wrote:
Wario406 wrote:
Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:47 pm
Isn’t my Opalene Monta a toe to toe contender with a white datejust?
In my opinion I say yes. But marketing says no. :mrgreen:
Image


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Those comparisons are fun but in all honesty, I would take the topper halios collab over a white op. Look at this!
IMG_5367.jpeg
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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by R@cerx » Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:44 am

The 114300 will continue to appreciate in value, the Halios will not.

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Re: What is up with watch prices?

Post by JP Chestnut » Thu Jun 08, 2023 6:42 am

R@cerx wrote:
Thu Jun 08, 2023 4:44 am
The 114300 will continue to appreciate in value, the Halios will not.
And, based on my experience, I would expect the Rolex to keep time and be water tight without service 20 years from now. Rolex is expensive due to marketing. However, Rolex is also expensive because it's not "Swiss made" with parts from China and the durability is without peer.

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