So I thought coin collecting was a pricey hobby...

2ltdjorn · January 18, 2016 2:16AM

While I still find coins to be pricey...

After looking for a new watch...

I discovered people collect Rolexes....

Wow!

Then you add the Pateks...

BillJones · January 18, 2016 2:20AM

I have never understood the ultra high priced watch thing. I have an ecodrive that keeps perfect time, fits my thin wrist and cost me $125. Why would I need a big clunky thing that doesn't fit me that costs $3,500 and up? And that for one made out of stainless steel. Gold would cast me more.

AUandAG · January 18, 2016 2:24AM

I quit wearing a watch some ten years ago. Battery died and I never got a new one. Clocks are everywhere, phones, computers, cars, etc. Just don't miss it.

bob

mbogoman · January 18, 2016 2:26AM

I have never understood the ultra high priced watch thing. I have an ecodrive that keeps perfect time, fits my thin wrist and cost me $125. Why would I need a big clunky thing that doesn't fit me that costs $3,500 and up? And that for one made out of stainless steel. Gold would cast me more.

Me, too. Form and function is all I ask. I also have an Eco-Drive, one of the original from 1997, and it still keeps accurate, spot-on time. Citizen even replaced the solar cell and battery for free, after the Warranty had expired the year before. I would always be afraid of losing a very expensive watch...

ctf_error_coins · January 18, 2016 2:27AM

I just got into Hobby Grade RC 4x4 trucks with my 8 year old son. Talk about a money pit hobby, Wow, but it sure is a kick in the pants.....

I have made a living in one hobby (photography), am making a living in second hobby (coins), and break even in a third hobby (Kayak Fishing) , but I realize the RC truck thing will cost $$$$$$$$$$

pennyannie · January 18, 2016 2:30AM

I came across a great deal on 3 rolexs a few years back, 2 mens and a womans. I sold mine and my sons within 30 days and my wife has worn hers about 5 times.

JCMhouston · January 18, 2016 2:37AM

And Rolex collectors can't understand why anyone would spend $1 for a dime!

SeattleSlammer · January 18, 2016 4:06AM

Originally posted by: BillJones
I have never understood the ultra high priced watch thing. I have an ecodrive that keeps perfect time, fits my thin wrist and cost me $125. Why would I need a big clunky thing that doesn't fit me that costs $3,500 and up? And that for one made out of stainless steel. Gold would cast me more.

For the same reason that you prefer to have the far nicer copper piece over its widget peer.

TomB · January 18, 2016 4:13AM

Originally posted by: BillJones

I have never understood the ultra high priced watch thing. I have an ecodrive that keeps perfect time, fits my thin wrist and cost me $125. Why would I need a big clunky thing that doesn't fit me that costs $3,500 and up? And that for one made out of stainless steel. Gold would cast me more.

It's the same thing with coins.

I am not a watch collector, but I am quite active on a well known watch forum and I read quite a bit about horology. The watch game shares many of the same folks, pitfalls and rewards as the coin game; you just have to know a little bit about what you are doing.

mariner67 · January 18, 2016 4:20AM

It is all a matter of personal preference and what you can afford.

Collecting one is no better or worse than collecting another.

Watches, coins, baseball cads, whatever. Do what you like and don't criticize others for doing what they like.

keyman64 · January 18, 2016 4:25AM

I enjoy watches that are larger/cooler/different than most. Rolex watches are too small. 50 Years ago they were a nice size but not any more. They are behind the "times," so to speak. To me, they scream...Hey I have no idea what to do with my money so I went to the local pawn shop(or coin show) and bought this silly thing that cost way too much money, no one cares about, looks like a million other watches out there, I have no taste, I am not unique, no one ever asks me about my watch, I just go with the crowd etc etc....

Granted, I can't afford one but I have also never wanted one.

When it comes to some expensive watches, I have been a fan of Breitling and especially

their Breitling for Bentley brand.

I have also liked the Breitling Emergency since I

have spent time hiking through the Amazon Rain Forest for weeks at a time, far from

civilization, and then also the Costa Rican jungles following troops of monkey through

the jungle. A watch with an emergency beacon like a downed aircraft screams cool

factor to me! Just don't let that beacon get pulled by a child when you are in a city

somewhere though...YIKES, you will have fines coming and some questions to answer.

I wear two different watches these days.

NIXON large 52mm case 300m Stainless Steel with black face and Swiss Movement...it's pretty

and gets enough attention. Good to wear with anything. Cost a few hundred. The cool

part is that it has a dial that shows high tide and low tide on it. Quick and useful for all

of the time that I spend on the beach. It's heavy. Lol

TESLA-

I was just at Winter FUN for 4 days. I wore my watch that is very different, looks expensive

and draws out a ton of questions from EVERYONE! It is big, bulky, steampunk style...you

have to be careful with it, but if you smash it...it really didn't cost very much! If you want a

conversation time piece, this is THE ONE! Once people asked me about my watch, I asked

them (that had a Rolex or knew people with a Rolex) how many questions or comments

you think they would get during a 4 day event such as FUN...their answer was "None." In 4

days I had over 50 questions/comments about my watch. I even invited them to guess

how much it cost while telling them I didn't care if they thought I got it for 50 cents out of

a gumball machine. I had guesses that ranged from $200 to a few thousand. Of course

no one had a clue. I even took it off for people to check it out. It's heavier than most

watches, even with a thick leather band. The price? $69.99 and it is a FUN conversation

piece, whether you like it or not...it draws people in to ask questions every time I wear it.

If you like, Tesla, Steampunk, Vacuum Tubes, history etc, maybe this will be for you?

LINKY

TommyType · January 18, 2016 4:45AM

I have the same theory for watches and cars:

Don't buy anything so expensive you are afraid to drive (or wear) it.....

BillJones · January 18, 2016 5:29AM

Originally posted by: TommyType
I have the same theory for watches and cars:

Don't buy anything so expensive you are afraid to drive (or wear) it.....

You sound a bit like my brother-in-law. He's had a one Rolls Royce or another for years. The trouble is he's afraid to drive it or park in certain areas and is always afraid the kid at that vallet parking lot will damage it.

jerseycat101 · January 18, 2016 5:36AM

I am surprised that the knowledgeable coin collectorshould on this forum are questioning the motives of watch collectors. What's the difference?

MidLifeCrisis · January 18, 2016 5:36AM

I'll spend my money the way I want to...but thanks for your input.

Boosibri · January 18, 2016 5:37AM

A good IWC is tough to beat.

drwstr123 · January 18, 2016 5:42AM

Originally posted by: BillJones
I have never understood the ultra high priced watch thing. I have an ecodrive that keeps perfect time, fits my thin wrist and cost me $125. Why would I need a big clunky thing that doesn't fit me that costs $3,500 and up? And that for one made out of stainless steel. Gold would cast me more.

My dear Uncle Sam explained it to me. He was an artist and goldsmith.
He had shown me an expensive pair of 18KT cuff links he made while at David Webb.
I asked why would someone spend that much money?
He replied...because it is considered gauche to shove your bankbook in a person's face.

ricko · January 18, 2016 6:04AM

Years ago (mid 70's) I was working for a firm in California... they had a sales office in Hong

Kong... so every couple of months the head of sales would go there. He would ask if people

wanted any duty free stuff - even had brochures. Being a young guy, I was looking for a nice

watch. So I got an Omega Seamaster, gold.... for the princely (at the time) sum of $325.

I still have that watch and wear it.... a month ago, I was checking some watches on display, and there was the identical Omega Seamaster... only now it is $3500..... nice return on investment.

Cheers, RickO

mustangmanbob · January 18, 2016 6:05AM

I am 4th owner of a Rolex. Bought by a Friend, given to his dad, he inherited it when his dad passed.

He sold it to me to give to my dad for his 75th birthday. He wore every now and then. When my dad passed, I inherited it.

It mostly sits in the SDB.

The internet sales company I worked for, a division of Amazon, would sell returns to the employees, open bid, silent auction. We had 6 Breitling Bentley watches come back, false credit card information, intercepted and returned.

THAT was an interesting silent auction, people hovering over the tables to be the last bidder. It was interesting, looking at the wholesale cost of these.

They sold for $1500 to $1700 each, about a $5500 watch.

While all the attention was paid to them, no one paid any attention to 2 cases of high end fishing reels, Shimano. 8 per case. One was a case of Stellas and one was a case of Beasts. Each of these sell for over $500 each. I bought the cases for $5 per reel, grand total of $80.

Thank you Breitling Watches.

291fifth · January 18, 2016 6:06AM

Few young people wear watches. It is the I-Phone for them. Think of what this will mean for the watch market in the years to come.

Boosibri · January 18, 2016 6:11AM

Originally posted by: 291fifth

Few young people wear watches. It is the I-Phone

for them. Think of wht this will mean for the

watch market in the years to come.

I wear a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera and I think I'm still a young guy. Might buy an IWC Portuguese soon.

TomB · January 18, 2016 6:13AM

Originally posted by: 291fifth

Few young people wear watches. It is the I-Phone for them. Think of what this will mean for the watch market in the years to come.

I guess they will be in the same boat as coins; few young people carry coins as they use credit cards all the time.

TomB · January 18, 2016 6:13AM

Originally posted by: 291fifth

Few young people wear watches. It is the I-Phone for them. Think of what this will mean for the watch market in the years to come.

I guess they will be in the same boat as coins; few young people carry coins as they use credit cards all the time.

Jinx86 · January 18, 2016 6:16AM

Watch collecting is actually quite a rewarding hobby. Ive only been at for a few years now. I myself dont own a rolex anymore, Ive had a several but I typically trade them off to coin dealers/customers.

Here is an image of a 1930's Charles Nicolet chronograph that Ive been working on for some time. The hunt for parts has taken over a year now. I didnt count individual parts when I disassembled it, but I would say its around 90-110. I was able to buy this watch at a rummage sale for $20, I have around $300 into at this point. Last running example I saw went for over $2300.

ricman · January 18, 2016 6:22AM

Originally posted by: BillJones
I have never understood the ultra high priced watch thing. I have an ecodrive that keeps perfect time, fits my thin wrist and cost me $125. Why would I need a big clunky thing that doesn't fit me that costs $3,500 and up? And that for one made out of stainless steel. Gold would cast me more.

I bought a $5 stainless steel twist flex band watch (made in Japan) from a NYC street vendor at least 10 years ago. Every 3 years or so I take it to Kmart for a new battery. It keeps time just fine for me.

guitarwes · January 18, 2016 6:24AM

I never wore a watch until I entered Radiologic Technology school at the age of 24. We had to have one for timed xray exams, charting, etc. Stupid thing is, when i'm looking at my iPhone and need the time I'll put it aside and glance at my watch.............when the time is clearly at the top of the screen on the phone. Old dog, new tricks.

My wife has bought me 3 Fossil watches since we've been married (nothing wrong with any of them as all are still working). All have been perfect and I'm not worried about getting blood and vomit on a $3500 watch at work or breaking it slamming it in to something.

jonruns · January 18, 2016 6:25AM

Just bought my wife a gold Rolex for Christmas LOL...and got myself a 1842-D $5...her gift is probably more functional than mine...but if it gives you pleasure or makes you feel more confident...I say go for it...life is short...

cmerlo1 · January 18, 2016 6:30AM

I started collecting them a few years ago- nothing super expensive. Most of my watches cost me between $100 and $200, with the exception of a 1965 Bulova Accutron Spaceview that I paid more for. The coin shop I go to also sells pocket watches, and they put me in touch with their watch repair person. He does cheap, good work, and that has enabled me to buy some broken watches in bad shape that are collectible (and would be out of my price range if working and in good condition) and get them repaired/restored cheaply. I like collecting them because I can actually use them instead of locking them away and taking them out to look at every once in a while.

TomB · January 18, 2016 6:33AM

That's a good looking Nicolet chronograph.

DennisH · January 18, 2016 7:06AM

I've owned two used, basic gold Rolexes. Sold the first one in 1993 to buy appliances for our new house. Didn't replace it until the depth of the Great Recession in early 2009 when used prices went insanely low and I bought an immaculate 1987 model. Worn it every day, keeps perfect time, and never needed service. I'm horrified by today's watch "fashion"; the dials are so big they look like something out of a clown circus.

SkyMan · January 18, 2016 8:37AM

You guys are talking chump change. Here's what happens when you throw in a little space history with a watch... a measly $1,600,000...

GizMag

oih82w8 · January 18, 2016 9:00AM

I have a few Antique RailRoad Grade Pocke*****ches. Those can get expensive in a hurry as well.

"Pocket watches" good grief!

TwoSides2aCoin · January 18, 2016 9:04AM

Chump change here. Nothing to report.

coinkat · January 18, 2016 9:32AM

I like watches- I just do not collect them

ms70 · January 18, 2016 9:39AM

I always wanted a Breitling. Saved up, about $4K later.... that night I discovered there was no light. I returned it the next day. They weren't happy. For $4K I want some illumination.

Elcontador · January 18, 2016 9:47AM

Look into quality digital photographic equipment. Adding to the cost, is a never ending learning curve. It's educational though, and seeing your improvement is rewarding.

Jinx86 · January 18, 2016 11:05AM

"I always wanted a Breitling."

I too have always wanted one just hard to justify the cost. I too like a watch with lume on the accents. For that I choose a Huguenin Professional, they contain the same base movement as the Breitling Navimeter at a fraction of the cost. They have the look of a vintage military pilots watch with modern accuracy.

also those who hate large watches can blame the popularity of them to Breiting. In the late 90's they started making over sized( 40mm+) watches and it caught on with designers.

Currently my favorite watch to wear is an Omega Railmaster in 39mm. I have a thing for vintage (looking) watches.

unclebob · January 18, 2016 11:12AM

I bought a Rolex Explorer (14270) and wear it daily. The older 36mm watches fit me nicely and was price just right. Should have bought one years ago. A few more cherry picks and I'll likely buy me a Batman GMT or Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Duo. It's a commidity in their own right.

Weiss · January 18, 2016 11:30AM

I really liked them back in the 1990s. Loved the idea of having an 18k gold or solid platinum case and heavy band on me at all times. Bought a basic Omega model and wore it some.

Then realized I was pretty hard on watches and started to have second thoughts. Then I got my first cell phone. Immediately realized how superfluous a watch of any kind is.

Kind of strange to see people still wear them. They're cumbersome, fragile, expensive, and at best provide two, maybe three pieces of the most basic information now available literally everywhere, constantly. Unfortunately I don't see anything quaint or sophisticated about them, either. They just look out of place, like wearing motoring gloves when you drive an 4-door sedan. Now a big expensive watch looks about as tacky as garters for long brown socks.

I don't really agree that they're on par with coins. Maybe artwork, but even that comparison seems dubious. Luxury cars? No. A luxury car can still do some things an economy car can't. But there's not a cell phone or tablet in the world that can't do 1,000 more things than the most complicated watch ever made.

I mean, good for those who like them, wear them, or collect them.

Lakesammman · January 18, 2016 11:36AM

Coins require less maintenance.

I coveted the gold band Langematik for a while until I actually saw one - way too bulky.

csdot · January 18, 2016 12:33PM

I'm not a watch collector, but have two Rolexes. The first is a submariner that my wife bought me for Father's Day 16+ years ago when our son was born. The second is a date just that my dad bought a few years later, that I inherited on his death.

I still wear the Father's Day gift daily.

Zoins · January 18, 2016 12:39PM

Originally posted by: SkyMan

You guys are talking chump change. Here's what happens when you throw in a little space history with a watch... a measly $1,600,000...

GizMag

Nice Bulova watch! Would be nice to see more folks wearing the classic brand.

Zoins · January 18, 2016 12:43PM

Originally posted by: 2ltdjorn

While I still find coins to be pricey...

After looking for a new watch...

I discovered people collect Rolexes....

Wow!

Then you add the Pateks...

Here's one that I think is cool, Christophe Claret's X-TREM-1:

This Patek is starting to get into coin territory. Auction estimate of €400-600K. Auction net of €2.95M or about $4M.

RYK · January 18, 2016 1:37PM

I would not say that I collect watches, but I do wear and enjoy them. I own two Rolexes, a stainless steel model that I wore for about twenty years and a gold-and-steel model that my father recently gave me, one that he wore for many years.

I currently wear a Panerai PAM 125 for everyday, one my wife purchased for me for our 10th anniversary, and I own a second, a titanium 44mm Panerai that I wear for dress occasions.

I enjoy the craftsmanship, history, and design. Unlike coins, that typically sit in an SDB, the watches get out and about and serve a purpose. Unlike coins, I do not consider them to be asset on the personal balance sheet, though they all probably have some value to collectors.

It is silly, IMO, for coin collectors to show disdain for watch collectors (or any other collectors, for that matter) as at some level, we are all very similar.

tradedollarnut · January 18, 2016 2:03PM

Walkerfan · January 18, 2016 2:15PM

Pateks may be expensive but I don't find them attractive.

I love the looks of the Rolex, though.

coinsarefun · January 18, 2016 2:22PM

As with anything.... If bought well, it's not so bad.

mariner67 · January 18, 2016 2:38PM

"It is silly, IMO, for coin collectors to show disdain for watch collectors (or any other collectors, for that matter) as at some level, we are all very similar. "

Well said RYK

Lakesammman · January 18, 2016 3:12PM

mustangmanbob · January 19, 2016 12:10AM

Who needs a watch: FITBIT is now on my wrist.

When I was in the Army, the Special Forces guys all seemed to wear Rolexes. I was in the 1/75th Ranger Battalion, and we wore Timex watches.

My great Uncle, long since deceased, was a master clock and watch repairman. He closed his service station / auto garage in the late 1930's, and got into watch and clock repair. But he never got out of the Depression mind set.

So, in the 1990's, I would visit his shop, and there would be packages from all over the world, watches sent for repair. If it needed a new gear, spring, etc., and he could not find it, he would machine it out of brass, steel, whatever was needed.

He would then give the invoice to his wife, "Milled 4 new gears, brass: $2" His wife then would adjust the invoice to $80 or so.

His shop garage was AMAZING. I have a 1930 Model A Ford, got it in 1969, still have it. I mentioned it to him one time, and we went into the old service station, and the walls were covered with old parts, still in the boxes, from the 1930's. Zephyr, Ford, Reo, on and on. He poked around and brought me some shock absorbers (they were gold back then), spark plugs, and a set of pistons, and just gave them to me.

So I thought coin collecting was a pricey hobby...

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