Does JLC hold their value

[gargir78]

Opinion's please it seems to be split on if they do or don't

[Watchbreath]

Depends on the model, but not as well as you would hope.

[Jebhut]

And you'll always get split opinions and a debate on any brand, over most any question, on forums. That said, there's always a market for one of the top recognized, most respected brands on the market...you'll never take a bath on a JLC...(like many other brands with no secondary market)...if that's what you mean?!

In fact, until recent years, with the advent of computers, forums, auction sites, etc., no one even used to sell their watches privately, much less 'flip' - unless to a friend or as a trade in (for a fraction of what you paid) towards a new watch at your watch shop! So resale value, is a relatively new watch term/scenario.

So...by 'holding value', do you mean after 5 years of 'wear', or a 'safe queen' you flip in a year then might do better with a Rolex (more buyers just going by name/status symbols). If the former, 99.9 % of watches will depreciate seriously in value if worn after 4 or 5 years - assuming you paid 'retail', of course...with the very rare exception of a few higher end low production models. (Despite the numerous forum members who brag how they had a watch 2 years and didn't lose money). Right. Kind of like the never ending folks whose watches are 'dead on' accurate after a year...but unless you buy used from someone desperate to sell, or a fire sale, etc, (or someone with so much money, they don't care)...and sold to an overly excited...well...you get the idea! :)

(As a side note, Panerai, for years, until the recent economic catastrophe, was the only brand I saw in 25 years of collecting, that actually appreciated across all lines, where most earlier owners, actually made money...but no more - (demand and price jumps from popularity, outpaced their low production...literally saw guys argueing over one in a store years ago at their peak - NEVER seen that befoere or since) - but then...they were one of the hottest watch phenomenums we've ever seen in the watch industry

Long answer...sorry...but too many variables...wear, timing, economy, model...but over the years, since I first got on forums near a decade ago, I've heard nearly as many wrong opinions and advice as turned out to be right..so...like to give a well balanced, unbiased answer! :)

If you love it, buy it - a couple grand difference in resale value after years of wear really shouldn't affect what you purchase...

[SGexpat]

From what I can tell, you really want to buy used if managing resale value is key for you. I usually do. I'm pretty sure if I sold one of my jlc's I wouldn't lose much on the ones I purchased used. The new ones yeah I'd expect a 25+ percent hit at least. I think that's fine for a luxury item.

[Bubblemunche]

The sad truth is that most watches depreciate the moment it changes hands. JLC is not spared either, unless you are talking about ultra exclusive unique pieces that appears in auction houses decades later. Even so, the 'gain' is greatly moderated by the time value of money.