Need Opinions on Watch

[Vettn71]

Is it better to purchase a solid gold manual wind watch (JLC) or, all things being equal on condition, one that has date and the Memovox (alarm) functions? Stated another way, should I look for more complications or the 18k gold case?

TIA

Jim

[Watchbreath]

You have to consider, added complications makes repair or service costs more complicated.

[Vettn71]

That is a consideration. The two watches I'm considering are about the same price, but I was wondering if a watch bring an automatic with complications would hold value better than a manual wind gold one?

Thanks for the response. I'm thinking in terms of passing it on to my children

Jim

[omega1234]

That is a consideration. The two watches I'm considering are about the same price, but I was wondering if a watch bring an automatic with complications would hold value better than a manual wind gold one?

Thanks for the response. I'm thinking in terms of passing it on to my children

Jim

I tend to shy away from yellow/rose gold, I prefer less obvious white metals steel, white gold, platinum, etc. I'm also fascinated by extreme complications, so I'd go more complicated over gold, but if you want good value, the price of gold will only go up.

[Vettn71]

Well, in the absence of any common sense I decided to buy what I like. Probably a bad move, but I just really liked the looks of a 1945 solid gold JLC. Good price and fabulous condition (I think). I'll know for sure when I get it later this week. I fought myself on this for some time, bouncing back and forth GP/JLC, gold, complications, etc. makes my head hurt, because there's so much out there that I like. At least it won't be too terrible to maintain, as it is manual wind, time only. Thanks for the help, guys

Jim

[Stargazer1]

Well, in the absence of any common sense I decided to buy what I like. Probably a bad move, but I just really liked the looks of a 1945 solid gold JLC.

I think you made the smartest move of all, buying a watch that you really like. It's important to maximize your enjoyment because that is a much better investment than trying to predict future value. Also, if you pass it on to your children as something you really loved and enjoyed, hopefully the sentimental value to them will outshine any monetary compensation.

[mleok]

...but if you want good value, the price of gold will only go up.

It really depends on the watch. If you look at preowned vintage watches, and compared the going price for two watches, one in stainless steel, and the other in gold, unless you're considering a very expensive watch, often the price of the gold watch is determined almost exclusively by its melt value, whereas the steel watch seems to retain some value as a watch. The level of depreciation on a gold or two tone Rolex, particularly the sports models, is much higher than the corresponding steel model. While this in part reflects the larger discount one can obtain on gold and two tone models, the price premium in going from a steel model to a gold model far exceeds the actual cost of the gold used in the manufacturing process, and does not necessarily increase the desirability and valuation of the preowned model in a proportionate manner.

[Vettn71]

Here's a few pictures of my new watch. It's 35mm in diameter, not including the crown. It has a restored dial, but that's okay with me. By the time I pass it along, it will look vintage again. I really like it's sleek classy look. As a friend of mine would say, it's neat, but not gaudy






Jim

[NielsZ]

Lovely watch! Something I would immediately buy at a good price.. When looking at vintage watches I also tend to go for gold because they've depreciated a little more dan it's stainless steel complication counterparts.. Thus making the gold watch the better buy imo, because initially when new, the gold one was more expensive than let's say the memovox ;)

[Tick Talk]

Firstly, congratulations on stepping into the vintage collecting realm; I hope you find it a source of great satisfaction and historical learning. I don't mean to discourage you, but as you are new to vintage (please correct me if wrong) your choice of a reprinted dial may be a fatal flaw for future collectability. Of course its always a balance, and a complicated movement that is original to the case may justify purchasing a watch with restored dial, but for a simple timepiece overall originality is most important for collector value - even more than condition to a certain extent. FWIW, as soon as I saw the photos, without reading your comments, I knew it was restored...its pretty obvious

This is a subject of great interest to beginning collectors so I welcome others with experience to comment...