Watch collectors - let's talk watches here!

[f1eng]

Unfortunately the QUICKEST way to purchase a steel panda dial Daytona (the most popular config by far) is to suffer the overly inflated Grey market prices for a preowned piece (usually 2-3x retail price).

Even regular Rolex customers have often waited YEARS from their go to AD to obtain a panda Daytona.

A very profitable strategy for Rolex, their official dealers and collector dealers. Hats off.

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[Geno911]

Getting a new Daytona from an AD is brutal right now, even for long-time customers. Grey market prices are insane. I keep my Rolexes in the safe and rotate other pieces for daily wear. One I wear a lot is a Hamilton I picked up at Rogers & Holland, amazing everyday piece that feels good on the wrist and takes a beating without complaint.

 

[AlisdairH]

My modest watch collection. The gold watch is my Dad’s retirement watch from 1989. The Tissot on the right is his father’s retirement watch from 1973

 

[Watchesandburgers]

One alternative to suffering through the Rolex AD experience and secondary market is to explore other brands. You can get a Vacheron Overseas Chronograph, which is arguably a better watch, from a certified seller on Chrono24 for the same or less than a Daytona. Alternatively, IWC, JLC, Glashutte Original, and other brands have sporty watches available at lower price-points. Obviously, it's a very personal decision. Enjoy!

 

[Kayone73]

So Wed Oct 1 marks another series of retail price hikes by Omega, making this the second price increases across all new models in less than 1 year. I can speak from personal experience, I picked up a 2024 FOIS Speedmaster from a local Omega boutique at its original $7900 retail price (price at product announcement) in late April this year. This was about 1-2 wks prior to their anticipated price hike of the year. Shortly after I bought mine, the price went up to $8300.

Then today it went up to $8900. So basically in less than 6 months, that model is already up an even $1000.

 

[f1eng]

So Wed Oct 1 marks another series of retail price hikes by Omega, making this the second price increases across all new models in less than 1 year. I can speak from personal experience, I picked up a 2024 FOIS Speedmaster from a local Omega boutique at its original $7900 retail price (price at product announcement) in late April this year. This was about 1-2 wks prior to their anticipated price hike of the year. Shortly after I bought mine, the price went up to $8300.

Then today it went up to $8900. So basically in less than 6 months, that model is already up an even $1000.

Wow.
Mine was around £110 sterling 55 years ago!

 

[f1eng]

Some others!
I like the Blancpain best to wear but it hasn't been reliable, suddenly becoming very inconsistent in accuracy, after its third return to the maker I stopped wearing it.

 

[Watchesandburgers]

That's one of my favorite Speedmasters.

 

[Watchesandburgers]

Some others!
I like the Blancpain best to wear but it hasn't been reliable, suddenly becoming very inconsistent in accuracy, after its third return to the maker I stopped wearing it.

IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, FM Crazy Hours, GO PanoGraph, and a meteorite dial Speedmaster - you have quite an eclectic (and awesome) collection!

 

[Watchesandburgers]

Summer is over, so I swapped the white rubber strap for an autumn-appropriate orange leather strap I picked up last month. It‘s 20x16, which is not my favorite amount of taper. I’d prefer 20x18, and at that size I can use the OEM deployant clasp, but that’s OK….

 

[f1eng]

IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, FM Crazy Hours, GO PanoGraph, and a meteorite dial Speedmaster - you have quite an eclectic (and awesome) collection!

I have collected loads over the years! My favourite was a mother of pearl faced AP perpetual calendar which was stolen in a burglary
I have never owned a Rolex though!
Of those I showed I wear the Vacheron skeleton for black-tie occasions and enjoy the movement quality of the GO.
My daily for the last 15 years has been an IWC Portugesier perpetual, a bit big and heavy but I love the bezel-less look.

 

[Kayone73]

Some Moon fun facts: Oct 6th marks the full moon known as the 'Harvest Moon' and in many Asian cultures marks the time of celebrating the 'Mid Autumn Moon Festival'
.
So happy Full Moon day to any of the aforementioned groups or to anyone else who grew up in some kind of crazy Moon Worshipping Cult
.
Wearing what feels like the most appropriate piece in my collection today
.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon

 

[Watchesandburgers]

Some Moon fun facts: Oct 6th marks the full moon known as the 'Harvest Moon' and in many Asian cultures marks the time of celebrating the 'Mid Autumn Moon Festival'
.
So happy Full Moon day to any of the aforementioned groups or to anyone else who grew up in some kind of crazy Moon Worshipping Cult
.
Wearing what feels like the most appropriate piece in my collection today
.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon

The moon phase remains, in my opinion, the most romantic of complications.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I like Red Bull and I like TAG Heuer but 4000 is too much for a quartz chronograph. Notice I left someone out.

 

[Kayone73]

Attended a local Grand Seiko Owners event last weekend. Pretty nice venue in Hollywood, lots of new watches on display and some even for sale. And special guests like the designer of the Spring Drive movement who flew in from Japan to give a live Q&A presentation for attendees.

Also got to check out their traveling Masterpiece collection with some truly insane pieces, but my favorite attainable watch was probably their new purple dial 37mm UFA spring drive model, the SLGB005.

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