Can you make money investing in watches?

[JohnDe]

My brother in-law has been collecting expensive Euro watches for a long time. About 12 years ago he purchased a watch for the price of a cheap small car, I was flabbergasted and thought him a selfish fool.

That watch has now doubled in price.

Goes to show, don't judge a book by its cover.

We caught up on the weekend and had a good discussion about watches, the world of watches is very complex and detailed. I previously thought that the watch was an endangered species with the smart phones and smart watches being the slayer. But that didn't happen, the watch world is back with a vengeance.

People are putting watches back on to read the time, instead of pulling out their phone. Consumers are tired of having smart watches with a useby date governed by technology and apps.

Now would seem to be a good time to invest in quality rare watches and lock them in a safe.

Or is it?

I think that ship has sailed.

Any watch investors on the forum?

I have three that I have collected over the years. One is a dress watch, a 21st gift from my grandfather. Another is a dive watch gifted to me by my wife. And the third is one I chose for lap times. They are all sellable, like anything, but none will contribute to my retirement or a flight to Europe

 

[SirRumpole]

You can make money investing in a lot of things that aren't made any more, including watches, classic cars, meccano sets, art, Hornby train sets, the list goes on.

Things that were popular in their day and aren't made any more will usually increase in price.

 

[moXJO]

Whatever is on trend. I've invested in some weird stuff. Everything goes through cycles and crowds get drawn to certain areas. I think TikTok and Instagram drive a lot of interest to particular investments.
Things get a run and eventually blow up though. My 9 yo son was killing it with pokemon a few years back. Well... till the bottom dropped out of the market.

You just have to notice the interest early.

 

[sptrawler]

My brother in-law has been collecting expensive Euro watches for a long time. About 12 years ago he purchased a watch for the price of a cheap small car, I was flabbergasted and thought him a selfish fool.

That watch has now doubled in price.

Goes to show, don't judge a book by its cover.

We caught up on the weekend and had a good discussion about watches, the world of watches is very complex and detailed. I previously thought that the watch was an endangered species with the smart phones and smart watches being the slayer. But that didn't happen, the watch world is back with a vengeance.

People are putting watches back on to read the time, instead of pulling out their phone. Consumers are tired of having smart watches with a useby date governed by technology and apps.

Now would seem to be a good time to invest in quality rare watches and lock them in a safe.

Or is it?

I think that ship has sailed.

Any watch investors on the forum?

I have three that I have collected over the years. One is a dress watch, a 21st gift from my grandfather. Another is a dive watch gifted to me by my wife. And the third is one I chose for lap times. They are all sellable, like anything, but none will contribute to my retirement or a flight to Europe

View attachment 191064

I've got a few watches, I just like mechanical watches, to me the 1960's-70's watches are works of art.
When I started my apprenticeship as a scientific instrument maker and repairer, that's what it was called back then. Lol

There was an older tradesman who was the leading hand, he did his apprenticeship in Holland as a watchmaker and when we had spare time, he would show me how to pull down a watch, I've loved them ever since.

I have never seen them as an investment, just something to enjoy like a piece of art.

The other problem I found with these new smart watches was, when travelling they are difficult to deal with time changes if your phone doesn't have an internet connection.
i actually gave my Samsung Galaxy watch to one of my grandsons, I just didn't use it.

Like everything in life, it is personal choices and not trying to impose your preferences on everyone else.
That seems to be the part everyone has trouble with these days. Lol

Enjoy what you can while you can and if you chose something because to love it, you will always be happy with it. Lol

 

[frugal.rock]

I always wanted one of those Casio calculator watches.
Remember regularly looking at them in the pharmacy window and dreaming.

Wonder if they are worth anything now?

 

[sptrawler]

I always wanted one of those Casio calculator watches.
Remember regularly looking at them in the pharmacy window and dreaming.

Wonder if they are worth anything now?

Your fingers will be too big and your eyesight to poor these days, to use one. Lol