Back and Forth and Back and Forth.....you?

[citizenfox]

I think we've been through this before in more of a negative way toward boutiques, I'm coming at it the other way. I finally bought an Omega Seamster. Beautiful watch, a little small for me, but beautiful. Looking at watch next and thinking maybe Rolex (which I've owned)...but my other thought, and I almost did this yesterday, is sell the Omega and get a Helson and/or another boutique.

I actually think this is one of the more interesting subjects out there when discussed intelligently. As the materials, manufacturing and technology has progressed to where you can make/buy a nice 1000M Diver and sell it for $1k and the luxury brands prices are going crazy, $10k+ for a DSSD, its a real decision.

I suspect a lot of guys are where I am with this - despite making a very nice living, right now I'm not up for spending $8k for a watch, even if I thought I could get my wife to go for it. With 2 little kids it just doesnt work for me, not meaning the budget, that would be fine, in my head. Its still $8k not going into the 529s. AND...and this where the boutiques come in...it just kind of irks me. I cant help thinking, $8k, 600M steel diver, really? so I end up looking at used, even old, and thinking "I know the new Helson/Zenton/Etc...is probably as good, or better then some 8 year old swiss." I've got couple grand in the stash drawer and I'm thinking....

Note - Each paragraph begins with I becuase this is just my long running, back and forth, IMO and not an ethical rant or judgement. Genuinely interested in thoughts.

[lexvil]

No back and forth for me, I no longer care for the "name" brands, not just the insane price increases but the overall attitude of the corporate entities who market them, I do not care what others think of my watch "brand" it really is preferable to explain what a Helson is than live the pretentiousness associated with other watches, at least for me it is.

On the other hand if you care about the brand name and like the designs go for the 8K watch, enjoy life now while you can, for me taking the extra 7k and using it for a cool dive trip makes more sense.

I think we've been through this before in more of a negative way toward boutiques, I'm coming at it the other way. I finally bought an Omega Seamster. Beautiful watch, a little small for me, but beautiful. Looking at watch next and thinking maybe Rolex (which I've owned)...but my other thought, and I almost did this yesterday, is sell the Omega and get a Helson and/or another boutique.

I actually think this is one of the more interesting subjects out there when discussed intelligently. As the materials, manufacturing and technology has progressed to where you can make/buy a nice 1000M Diver and sell it for $1k and the luxury brands prices are going crazy, $10k+ for a DSSD, its a real decision.

I suspect a lot of guys are where I am with this - despite making a very nice living, right now I'm not up for spending $8k for a watch, even if I thought I could get my wife to go for it. With 2 little kids it just doesnt work for me, not meaning the budget, that would be fine, in my head. Its still $8k not going into the 529s. AND...and this where the boutiques come in...it just kind of irks me. I cant help thinking, $8k, 600M steel diver, really? so I end up looking at used, even old, and thinking "I know the new Helson/Zenton/Etc...is probably as good, or better then some 8 year old swiss." I've got couple grand in the stash drawer and I'm thinking....

Note - Each paragraph begins with I becuase this is just my long running, back and forth, IMO and not an ethical rant or judgement. Genuinely interested in thoughts.

[jstroh]

Until you've settled into a watch philosophy, such as "the micros give me the type of watch I want [design, fit and finish] without paying through the nose" or "micros are nice, but nothing beats the quality of a timepiece from an established brand," you will not be rid of the back and forth you describe. At least that's how it was for me.

When I was collecting micros, I found that few were able to keep my interest for long, so, while I respected the effort that went into those watches and never found them wanting in any significant technical way, I went to the "forth" side of the equation and consolidated my collection into the three in my sig, plus a few inexpensive watches to which I had become attached or felt wouldn't bring me enough to bother selling.

There are those who then go "back," missing, I suspect, the thrill of the latest catch that didn't require an extension of credit, with the expectation of more to come. Perhaps I will find myself there again.

I neither disparage the decision of those who stick to the micros and believe everything else is overpriced or sold by a conglomerate whose practices they dislike [a lot of truth in that] nor tout my own philosophy as being the more enlightened. To each his own. And back and forth many of us go.

[Goalie]

Oh boy, I know where this is going ! Actually it will be entertaining and I try not to be as serious about this stuff ! Now on to the OP and his topic. I wrestle with this all the time and I have to admit, while I agree with Lexvil on this and all the time actually in these threads, I do find myself reexamining quality over quantity as Ploprof Pimp is always pointing out. I'm looking at my current collection and thinking that I easily could have 3 really nice watches,(new PO, Breitling,) but I also enjoy this hobby and handling the different types of watches. I really do want the new PO and it's just not going to happen if I keep buying the new HcO Orca, a nice Helson homage, etc. I guess the bottom line for me is do I really like to wake up and have a option of picking from 10-15 nice watches or 3-5 REALLY nice watches ? That is also a recurring theme for many of us I guess .

[PloProf Pimp]

A nice mixture of all three (micro, cartel, and vintage) was the only way I was able to satiate my WIS cravings. Trying to pick sides and lay blame, really doesn't make sense and you will find yourself repeating the same circuitous and vicious cycle many times over. You can make all the arguments you want, each of the three has its merits. Trying to pick just one and ignoring the other two, is why you see so many of the same guys buying, selling, and trading the same flipped watches on the sales forums. We also live in an instant gratification and disposable society, so no watch (micro, cartel, or vintage) will ever satisfy a lot of WIS. As far as pricing and profits, the Asian micro brands do quite well, and the cartel brands do even better. I never pay retail for a cartel brand, I only buy used or grey market. We still won't know if the micro's have the same quality, durability, and longevity of the Swiss brands for another 20-30 years. Most micro brands have only been around for just a few years. So far, they have done well.

[Goalie]

A nice mixture of all three (micro, cartel, and vintage) was the only way I was able to satiate my WIS cravings. Trying to pick sides and lay blame, really doesn't make sense and you will find yourself repeating the same circuitous and vicious cycle many times over. You can make all the arguments you want, each of the three has its merits. Trying to pick just one and ignoring the other two, is why you see so many of the same guys buying, selling, and trading the same flipped watches on the sales forums. We also live in an instant gratification and disposable society, so no watch (micro, cartel, or vintage) will ever satisfy a lot of WIS. As far as pricing and profits, the Asian micro brands do quite well, and the cartel brands do even better. I never pay retail for a cartel brand, I only buy used or grey market. We still won't know if the micro's have the same quality, durability, and longevity of the Swiss brands for another 20-30 years. Most micro brands have only been around for just a few years. So far, they have done well.

I totally agree with the gray market statement. I have a Seamaster, and a Oris, both came grey market with no issues and saved a lot. I don't know if I could go Rolex that way and I'm seriously contemplating a new PO which will be a tough call also on the gray market. I don't want to hijack this thread but I would love to know how the new PO can be had already on the gray market for at least 1k off ?

[CHADSTER]

Based on my watch list, I like the little guys. I saw an ad a few days ago for a used Rolex sub for about $5K which was a nice but worn sub. It just had a $2K service and my very first thought was that "I could have two nice micros for that service" so the price metrics just seem off to me . . .Not saying I'd never throw money at a Rollie but not these days

I figure if any of my ETA or Miyota based micros blow a gasket then it's an inexpensive quick swap and I'm down the road still telling time. . .

[Chefdog]

I find myself drawn most toward the "mid tier" brands (Sinn/MKII/Zixen/Damasko/Squale etc.) nowadays. My budget isnt even close to the Rolex/Omega/JLC level. I'd like to think that even if it were, I'd rather have 2-3 watches from these brands than a PO or DSSD.

Conversely, I'd also rather save a little more and spend my money on one watch from the above mentioned makers than buy a couple of the more affordable micros.

YMMV, IMHO, etc.

DISCLAIMER:
If the mega-millions ticket in my wallet hits, I reserve the right to quickly change my mind.

[danielk]

My financial situation and the fact that I could not live with just 1 expensive watch has ultimately guided what I now own. The same conditions are probably true of many who frequent these forums.

[homathetes]

I'm with Jstroh that some decisions need to be made about what you are happy with, as much as that is possible! While I'm of necessity in the ~$2k watch camp presently, the higher end "brand name" watches of this price point have consistently been nicer watches overall, and in their various elements: case fit and finish, movement refinement, and provenance. There are some micros I would like to get back someday as well as some which I'll be glad to try when the opportunity arises, but they haven't had long term traction.