Value of the Forum Project watch

[Citizen V]

How come you chose to part with it? Did not like the end result?

Ya just some of the design choices like i would have liked bregeut hands and non-blue rotor. Also have to save some extra money for a trip :). I do admit when the watch arrives i thought about keeping it since it looked better in person. But i had already made the deal.

Sent from my LG-LS855 using Forum Runner

[MHe225]

...... However, for a forum member to immediately flip one with a price markup definitely goes against the spirit of this project and shows ill intentions over someone who was displaced from the original signup list who might've actually appreciated the watch and all the effort that went into it rather than just try to make a quick buck.

"We" have had the exact same debate on the MKII forum ..... you may have heard me mention the Kingston project - that taught people patience:

There's a total of 300 Kingstons and the first 100 (Plank kits) came with a bunch of spare parts - essentially a 2nd watch minus the movement and case-back (bezel and dial could be spec-ed differently) - for the very affordable sum of $700.00 Many Plank owners have flipped their watches.; the current going rate is around $1,800.00 and I think the most expensive one sold for $2,500.00

There has been a bit of name-calling

I am still waiting on my Kingston (#225/300) and that one will never come up for sale. Same for our WUS Moonphase SE's.

RonB

[ioulove2]

Most of us can drive a few miles (or km) and purchase a watch. However, how many watches do you get to vote on the design and impact the outcome. How many watches do you have to wait several months to get. How, many times do you hear "I or someone I know ....has that watch".
How many times do you get to explain the history of how the watch was created from design to delivery knowing all aspects including the designers.
I feel honored knowing I was part of this process so it will not be sold by me.

[Chascomm]

I am a bit curious as to the thoughts on the value of the watch.
The reason I ask is that a forum member here offered to trade his forum watch for a Tissot Visodate in like new condition.

What is any watch worth really?

What makes your question difficult is the fact that a Tissot Visodate is only worth what it is worth because that is what people will pay for it. As far as I can see, apart from the logo, there is nothing about it that can't be had for a better price from another brand (Seiko springs to mind).

Likewise the value of the forum project watch is in the intangibles. For those who want a memento of the creative process that went into the watch, it would take a lot of cash to part them from their watch. But for those for whom it is just another Chinese multifunction auto with a textured dial, then the price paid was merely 'competitive' rather than 'bargain of the century'. It also depends on how much you like the watch. I guess the person wanting to trade for a Visodate simply didn't enjoy the appearance of the watch on his wrist. That can happen.

For me personally, the result 'in the metal' was better than I expected and suited me more than I expected. So the idea of trading it for a generic piece by Swatch Group's budget brand seems absurd. But then, I like the watch. If you don't like it then there is no point keeping it.

[AsAnAtheist]

What is any watch worth really?

What makes your question difficult is the fact that a Tissot Visodate is only worth what it is worth because that is what people will pay for it. As far as I can see, apart from the logo, there is nothing about it that can't be had for a better price from another brand (Seiko springs to mind).

Likewise the value of the forum project watch is in the intangibles. For those who want a memento of the creative process that went into the watch, it would take a lot of cash to part them from their watch. But for those for whom it is just another Chinese multifunction auto with a textured dial, then the price paid was merely 'competitive' rather than 'bargain of the century'. It also depends on how much you like the watch. I guess the person wanting to trade for a Visodate simply didn't enjoy the appearance of the watch on his wrist. That can happen.

For me personally, the result 'in the metal' was better than I expected and suited me more than I expected. So the idea of trading it for a generic piece by Swatch Group's budget brand seems absurd. But then, I like the watch. If you don't like it then there is no point keeping it.

Actually I can't find anything in Seiko's line up available for purchase in the USA or Japan stores willing to sell to USA that matches a traditional vintage piece including subtle features (claw styled lugs, pie pan dial, bent seconds hand, domed sapphire crystal) but thats besides the point and I honestly don't understand your post, not sure why you had to try devaluing a fine watch with no specific data to back up your claims (such as exactly models from Seiko or other brands which bring about a similar faithful vintage design. This thread wasn't even meant to be a evaluation of the trade I just wanted to get a sense of what the forum watch is valued at.

[ioulove2]

I understood the post perfectly, and I have to agree with the Mod. It's about a connection to something, and not merely collecting to be collecting.
I never try to state the author's words better than he or she that wrote it... but I read it one time and fully understood it and agreed.
I accidently gave you a "like" and I meant it for "Chascomm" but its all good we all need a like or love in life.

Actually I can't find anything in Seiko's line up available for purchase in the USA or Japan stores willing to sell to USA that matches a traditional vintage piece including but thats besides the point and I honestly don't understand your post, not sure why you had to try devaluing a fine watch with no specific data to back up your claims (such as exactly models from Seiko or other brands which bring about a similar faithful vintage design.

[AsAnAtheist]

I understood the post perfectly, and I have to agree with the Mod. It's about a connection to something, and not merely collecting to be collecting.
I never try to state the author's words better than he or she that wrote it... but I read it one time and fully understood it and agreed.
I accidently gave you a "like" and I meant it for "Chascomm" but its all good we all need a like or love in life.

I understood the part about having a connection with the watches making and I fully agree with that. What I didnt understand was why the other part of the post had to be included, which was saying Visodate was one out of millions made (that's obvious).
Anyways I always like to go into specifics, work has kinda forced me into making that bad habit at times.

[Chascomm]

Actually I can't find anything in Seiko's line up available for purchase in the USA or Japan stores willing to sell to USA that matches a traditional vintage piece including subtle features (claw styled lugs, pie pan dial, bent seconds hand, domed sapphire crystal) but thats besides the point and I honestly don't understand your post, not sure why you had to try devaluing a fine watch with no specific data to back up your claims (such as exactly models from Seiko or other brands which bring about a similar faithful vintage design. This thread wasn't even meant to be a evaluation of the trade I just wanted to get a sense of what the forum watch is valued at.

We're talking about this model?



Good point about the claw lugs. Don't see many of those any more. But as for the rest of the detailing, I don't see much that is different from several Seiko, Orient and Sea-Gull models that I have seen recently (wasn't there a comparison thread on Afforables?). Even Sea-Gull do a pie-pan dial. But yeah, if you want that exact combo, then you will be willing to pay a good price for it.

I think perhaps the question should not have been; 'would any of the current owners be willing to pay however much for the project watch?' Rather; 'What do we think is the estimated market value for such a watch?' (the asumption being that the 'market' is the WUS sales forum or maybe ebay)

[AsAnAtheist]

We're talking about this model?



Good point about the claw lugs. Don't see many of those any more. But as for the rest of the detailing, I don't see much that is different from several Seiko, Orient and Sea-Gull models that I have seen recently (wasn't there a comparison thread on Afforables?). Even Sea-Gull do a pie-pan dial. But yeah, if you want that exact combo, then you will be willing to pay a good price for it.

I think perhaps the question should not have been; 'would any of the current owners be willing to pay however much for the project watch?' Rather; 'What do we think is the estimated market value for such a watch?' (the asumption being that the 'market' is the WUS sales forum or maybe ebay)

Yes that model.
Yeah the issues I have with most watches, besides Seagull is that many of them have far more modern designs than vintage pieces.(probably the one of the few manufacturer making so many traditionally designed watches and faithful vintage designs).
I dont see many Seiko's to be honest that match a true vintage look, there are some but very few.

Yes I agree, your questions are far more to the point of what I am getting at.

[ColinW]

Thanks Colins, would you pay $200, $300, or $400 for the forum watch personally?

No, probably not. I do think it's worth $200, and maybe more, but I'm more interested in adding a few very expensive (to me anyhow) pieces to my box over the next decade or so rather than lots of inexpensive pieces.

I stumbled upon this project while looking into the 1963 Air Force chrono and thought, "I've never done a project before and this sounds like fun... and affordable! And I've never had a moonphase, either!"
Now that it's done, it's also my first big-date and my first Chinese movement, but the best part of all was the Project itself!!! Although many votes didn't go my way, I think I got my $130 worth just hanging here with you guys!

So, I love the watch for what it physically is (it is a very nice looking watch) and for what it means to me because of the Project. One of the prices you asked about was "$400". If you walked into my house and put $400 in cash on the table and offered to trade it for Chinese Mechanical Forum Project Watch #42 (the one that's on my wrist right now), I would say...., "That's very generous of you, but I can't. I love the watch and means too much to me."

I think that's the spirit behind a watch like this!

And yes, I need to get out more! lol