Me & My Money Series (Sunday Times)

Hi arthur - it is not true that watches have to be very expensive to have possibly for value retention. Brands with a long history of watchmaking excellence (including their own movements) such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Jaeger LeCoultre all produce very good complication models which have long term resale values. These brands also produce in limited numbers (a few tens of thousands of pieces at most per year) and when you net off their "fashion" watches, the "normal" models are even less (note that Patek is not into the Royal Oak offshore type of watches) which helps to retain value.

Other brands you can consider are Lange (which has excellent craftsmanship) although the Langes of today belong to the brand resurrected by IWC in the 1990s or Glasshutte Original for a piece of affordable German engineering.

Most of the above brands, even their entry level watches, cost upwards of 20k with the exception of GO which some could be found for < 20k. Personally I prefer complication models - these are generally more than 40-50k for Pateks - the rest could be had for slightly lower I think. And I prefer brands who have the capability to manufacture their own movements (not buy cheap ETA bases and rebuild them and claim that its an in-house movement).

(29-10-2012, 12:47 PM)arthur Wrote:

(29-10-2012, 12:23 PM)thefarside Wrote: 200k would have bought her a very good Patek (possibly a custom one), which would have value retention much better than the Hublot (tourbillon or not). Maybe the Hublot would have good value over the next few years as it rotates in fashion, but not one which transcends generations. Just my humble 2cts on 200k watches.

Guess you are a true watch connoisseur.
Any advise for someone who wish to buy watches that can leave for legacy?

Does Patek has higher retention value as in "transcends generations" than other brands? Must they be of value >$100k before its value retention is there?

F.I.Y
PP complication (split sec chrono) watches start from 300k retail price and waiting list for at least a year. If u add in the moonphrase and tourbillion and min repeater, it will cost close to a million and longer waiting list.
Usually u need to pay a premium to get it from third party.
(update: normal chronograph starts from 90k)

(29-10-2012, 01:47 PM)thefarside Wrote: Hi arthur - it is not true that watches have to be very expensive to have possibly for value retention. Brands with a long history of watchmaking excellence (including their own movements) such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Jaeger LeCoultre all produce very good complication models which have long term resale values. These brands also produce in limited numbers (a few tens of thousands of pieces at most per year) and when you net off their "fashion" watches, the "normal" models are even less (note that Patek is not into the Royal Oak offshore type of watches) which helps to retain value.

Other brands you can consider are Lange (which has excellent craftsmanship) although the Langes of today belong to the brand resurrected by IWC in the 1990s or Glasshutte Original for a piece of affordable German engineering.

Most of the above brands, even their entry level watches, cost upwards of 20k with the exception of GO which some could be found for < 20k. Personally I prefer complication models - these are generally more than 40-50k for Pateks - the rest could be had for slightly lower I think. And I prefer brands who have the capability to manufacture their own movements (not buy cheap ETA bases and rebuild them and claim that its an in-house movement).

Thanks thefarside.
Thats very informative for a noob like myself.

I am looking into Patek, maybe the constant adverts on The Economist made some subminal impression onto me.
So I guess its the "normal" Patek that has more value retention than the "in fashion" ones hur.

(29-10-2012, 01:49 PM)WolfT Wrote: F.I.Y
PP complication (split sec chrono) watches start from 300k retail price and waiting list for at least a year. If u add in the moonphrase and tourbillion and min repeater, it will cost close to a million and longer waiting list.
Usually u need to pay a premium to get it from third party.
(update: normal chronograph starts from 90k)

Hmm.. the most expensive watch I am wearing is Seiko and I still have to think about the price when I bought it. Ahahaha.
1+ 6digits hur! Think I better invest harder before I can feel free to buy these watches.. Maybe I would be 6 feet under before I get to that stage.

Nay.. my purpose is to leave couple of nice stuffs behind for my young loved ones for memories. Thanks for the shocking figures though!!

Haha! I was trying to test water in such a value investing forum with my ignorant knowledge on watches. I didnt really expect any replies. It will be eons for me to even dream buying a 200k watch.

Arthur, check out this website. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/10/04/...ches/1.htm

(29-10-2012, 11:15 PM)mrEngineer Wrote: Haha! I was trying to test water in such a value investing forum with my ignorant knowledge on watches. I didnt really expect any replies. It will be eons for me to even dream buying a 200k watch.

Arthur, check out this website. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/10/04/...ches/1.htm

Now now, with a spare cash of few millions to splurge on watches, we could also use it to buy other cashflow generating assets or just start a foundation to donate to some charities after we pass on.
People who can afford these watches are in the UHNW value range probably >$100m.

I think I prefer a G-shock solar multiband atomic watch.
http://www.casio.com/products/Watches/G-Shock/GW6900-1
Auto Time sync. Solar powered.

Throw down from 20 storeys also ok.

But no resale value ..haha.

Agree it's a good watch to own.
i own a SEIKO automatic for more than 30 years and is still working fine. Never service even once. i don't wear a watch since HP give me a "free watch". I don't like to wear anything on my body. i can tolerate wearing it only for a few hours - except my clothings of course!
i am quite amazed my Seiko is still working fine though i just chuck it in one of my drawers.
It has become an antique like me. Still working you know!
Ha! Ha!

i love SEIKO automatic watches and owned close to 20 pieces...usually take out and wind them up during weekends!
IMHO, they are extremely durable and very affordable for my tiny hobby budget!

(30-10-2012, 11:02 AM)brattzz Wrote: i love SEIKO automatic watches and owned close to 20 pieces...usually take out and wind them up during weekends!
IMHO, they are extremely durable and very affordable for my tiny hobby budget!

Ha! Ha!
Good for you.
i did not even take out my SEIKO watch once in a year or even longer for many years already. But it's still working fine. i don't know about Rolex, Omega or the like. Money no enough to pay for the experience. Anyway, i am happy with my Asia's made Rolex Watch....Er..... i mean Seiko watch.
Just for laugh! Ha! Ha!

I myself have 5 seiko(all automatic diver) and 3 casio( protrek, frogman and g shock)
I have abt 50 watches but i don't have 50 hand to wear them all...
It is not how expensive the watch is, it is the sentimental memories of those who wear them.
I have a rolex watch(6694) wore by my grandfather which cost only 1500sgd in mkt now but to me, it is priceless.