The Breitling Watch Source Forums

A little background on me.

I am a 90% disabled Vet, and I also work full time for the Department of veterans Affairs. My disability check has pretty much been going into savings for the last 8-9yrs. I dont really spend much out of my disability check other than to buy old US Coins...I buy alot of mostly old silver coins, but have bought 63 old gold coins....I mainly do it as an investment, and my 10yr old son, when I die will get all of the old coins I have collected.

I would like to start collecting watches now. I have had a couple of Rolex watches when I was in the Army that I bought through AAFES...they were about $800.00 bucks back then..just plain stainless ROlex watches..nothing big.

What Breitling is a good, collectors watch that will hold, of not increase in value "if there is any such creature"

Can someone guide me or give me a website to do some research as to what I should start looking at?

Any help and guidance will be most appreciated!

Shawn

I have to wonder at the ability of a watch's value to outpace inflation over the long term, especially after the cost of regular servicing to keep it in shape.

It'll be interesting to see the comments on this.

I agree Wrangler. I dont want to just start buying some watches and in 10-20yrs the money I have invested in buying them, plus servicing is more than the value of the watch. I have no idea if this is a worthy investment, or if having an expensive watch is just to be flashy and for bragging rights.

I could drop 50k on a watch right now, but if its not going to increase in value over time, I am not going to waste my time. I could always invest my money in real estate...I have 5 inexpensive rent houses and the money I have invested in them is about 40% of what they are all worth. And like the gold coins, I have bought them off people hurting for money, or have gotten good deals on them and if I absolutely HAVE to, I know there is not 1 gold, or silver coin I have that I couldnt sell and make money on..

I want a nice watch, but I dont want to just blow my money to just say I have a nice watch!

I say keep the GOLD and Real estate!
Watches are for wearing. IMO

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"In the end there can be but one"

Then don't buy a nice watch. If you're looking to make money them invest in something else, seems like you're doing that already, and buy a Seiko for $100. Im sure there are vintage watches out there that you could scour the earth for and maybe turn a profit but that doesn't really sound like a great investment plan. Find a double red sea dweller or a red sub and you might make a couple of grand in a decade but who knows what will be collectible.

I like watches and appreciate the work and craftsmanship that goes into them, what their value will be in 20 years really doesn't matter.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

Thanks for that info roman4405. That definately helps. I am sure as of right now, I dont appreciate a fine watch like you guys do...yea I am relatively new to this but who knows, maybe I will buy a nice watch just to appreciate the craftsmanshipthat goes into them.

I dont mean any disrespect to anyone who collects or buys nice watches. I am just trying to figure out if the majority of people buy them for bragging rights, as an investment, or just because they just love high quality.

Heck, I have a couple of pool cues that are worth around $8000.00 and some people think I am silly as hell for having cues that expensive.

Again, I truely appreciate yours, and everyone elses comments and points of view on this!

Shawn

I would venture that hardly anybody here owns their watches as investments. We feel fortunate if our watch holds its value, unless we really bought it right. Some models, over time, have appreciated in value but they are few. The Rolex GMT Master I sold went up in value from nine years ago when I bought it, pre-owned but would have been close to a break-even if I had purchased it new then. Your Rolexes may have value, may not, and only dealers or true afficionados who tend to form the vintage market would know. Some special editions and special versions are more likely to retain value or maybe appreciate, but unless quite rare, I would guess the level of appreciation is typically not that great. For the time value of money, generally speaking, you better enjoy having and wearing the watch as well.

In the few years I have followed watches, certain models of watches have done well. The Rolex Daytonas with Zenith El Primero movements have done pretty well. Old Omega "Pie Pan" Constellations from the '50s are worth more than I'm sure anybody dreamed back then, but we're still not talking a lot of money. "Red" Rolex Subs have some value. If there is one Breitling model which could increase value someday I would guess it would be some rare form of Navitimer. I think certain vintage Navis have good value. Most Patek Phillipe watches seem to at least keep value, maybe gain some. If there is one brand that could become a good speculator's watch, because of it's rabid and younger following, it could be Panerai. Some very unique limited editions (they're practically all limited, but some more than others) . Still, appreciation is a major exception to the rule, and not much appreciation typically at that.


If I may be so presumptious, most of us love the quality and technical sophistication of the mechanical watch. Status and fashion do have a role--let's face it, guys tend to be pretty boring when it comes to wardrobe, and even a suit can seem more of a uniform for many of us. The watch does set us apart a bit. Some of our peers, right or wrong, weigh a bit of our personal substance and circumstance by what we wear. Quartz watches are more accurate across the board--none of us really need a mechanical watch. But here's a machine, arguably technically exotic in some iterations but at least in most, the product of design and function of some intricacy, that is compact and other than service every few years, doesn't require upkeep. Many of us here have a compulsion for these things, and compulsion robs you of rational thought at times. We're not in it for financial gain and often walk the line just short of getting into trouble with spouses or significant others with what we do spend. on them. We (ahem) waste too much time thinking about them at home, work, whatever. As I'm sure you know, emotion and investment don't usually mix.

If you can find a really nice watch with enough uniqueness and rarity that it would appear a good investment, I hope you get it and perhaps gain an appreciation for what it is as you wear it. That's because you just can't bank on its future value--might make it, might not. If at the end of the day it appreciates, good. If you learn to love it and it appreciates, great. If it doesn't appreciate but you are enriched by having it, I submit that this has a value all its own. But if you're in it strictly for the bottom line, look elsewhere.

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Scott

AP Royal Oak 15400, silver
Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Classic Cars
Vintage gold Corum
Rolex DJ 36 TT, oyster dial, oyster/smooth
Baume & Mercier Riviera 200m, silver dial/aquamarine bezel
Breitling Superocean 57, rose/stainless

An investment quality watch that will go up in value over time would probably be a vintage Rolex or Patek Philippe, not Breitling.

As others have said, watches make bad investments. If you want a nice watch then buy one that you like, if you want a nice investment, keep looking.

And some of us have to buy a Navitimer to complement the pilot certificate.

Accessorizing, I guess.

Then I must get one for my puddle jumper. Probably not as nice as other pilots planes on here. But I have only been flying for 2 yrs and got a great deal on this Archer.. A local pilot retired and just wanted out from under this plane...low hrs on the engine....I couldnt pass it up for $14,500.00 cash..


Ok, I can understand everyones views on watches. So, I shouldnt do this as a way to invest...I should just look at this as a way to appreciate something mechanical.

All comments are very much appreciated!

Shawn

That's an incredible deal.

I've got some time in those. Here's me landing at TYQ:

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=486551

Where are you based?

Nice plane, great deal! I remember when they were called Cherokees!



LL

It's still a Piper8-)

Sent from my Galaxy SII using Tapatalk

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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

90% disabled, own and fly a plane??? How did you pass the Medical?

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Breitling Navitimer: Black Dial
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional
Steinhart Nav.B-Chrono II
Elgin-Hamilton 37500 (Aircraft Clock)