The Breitling Watch Source Forums

...a theoretical question:

If you were to sell your whole watch collection, what would be the most advantageous way to recoup your funds?

a) sell the lot to a jeweller - after calling around for the best price per dealer

b) sell them singularly on eBay - and lose out to eBay and Paypal

c) sell them on forums such as this or TZ

d) a combination of the above 3 methods

Where I have sold watches in groups to dealers, I have been disappointed by the residuals. Especially when I see the watches back on sale at 40-50% more.

When watches were sold on Ebay, I didn't like surrendering the 3-4%, plus listing fee, plus final auction fee.

I've not sold on TZ or the like, so is it a more viable option?

Would be interested to hear your experiences...

Thanks

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

I think the first step is to fully research the going prices for the pieces in question. In other words, completed listings on eBay, live auctions on eBay, and other places like Chrono24. It's also worth running a search on forums to see what people are asking and what things seem to be selling. Finally it's worth a look at secondhand watch dealer sites to see what the "pros" are listing things for.

Once you have an idea of the going rate, then I'd be tempted to try all the methods you listed. The one that is likely to produce the smallest return is undoubtedly going to a jewellers or other on-line watch buying company, asking them to take them off your hands. Firstly they will always offer less than the going rate, especially if you are looking for a straight out-and-out sale, not a trade, and ESPECIALLY if you are selling more than one! Having said that, I've come across dealers who have offered me very close to what I've eventually sold a watch for, so for ease of sale, dealers may be a decent option. Obviously though, this is where having an idea of the going rate comes into play.

Another option is selling on commission at a dealers - i.e. they list your watch(es) on their site or in their shop window, and when it sells you get the lions share of the profit. From what I've seen, this will generate the most money, BUT (and there's a big but), the dealer can list your watch for whatever they like and as a result they can take months to sell.

Selling on eBay is very much in the lap of the gods if you run a no reserve auction. I've seen some items go for way more than they are worth while others go for peanuts. You can counteract that with a reserve price, but be aware a reserve often puts some buyers off.

Selling on forums again can produce good results without the hassle of fees, BUT forum users tend to be very price-savy so you won't get top-dollar. Also you won't be targeting the biggest possible audience as plenty of people who like watches don't use forums.

So... my personal advice for selling a collection would be to do a lot of research on the going rate for each piece, and then decide how quickly I wanted to sell them. If a quick sale is more important than cash, then a straight sale to a dealer is the option.

If you don't care about the time, then selling on commission at a dealers will probably produce the most cash........eventually...... and provided they even sell at all.

For something in-between these options, then I'd personally list each watch separetely in multiple places - eBay, Chrono24, forums, etc - and for a reasonable price.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hey thank you very much for your advice, some very good points raised there.

The reason i asked was that I came to question myself whether at all I needed 'X' watches.

Maybe I should just have 1 or 2 - casual beater and occasional?

To be honest the money could go to more important things like family, a new family car, pay off some of the mortgage, holiday etc. Its not like we're struggling but I do wonder sometimes, why I have these watches just sitting in the safe.

I may test the waters by letting go of one or two, if the market is "buoyant" and i see a good response to a realistic asking price, I could be encouraged to do more. If not, I'll just keep hold of them all. Maybe this whole idea is a silly one?!
I'll wake up and it was all a nightmare!

Thanks again

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

Not really an answer to your question - just an unsolicited opinion (if it's also unwanted then my apologies and please ignore)......

This hobby of ours isn't really about the watches themselves in many cases, it's about how those watches make us feel. If your current collection (or perhaps more accurately the size of your current collection) is making you uncomfortable then that's something to consider changing. If your watches aren't on rotation then perhaps you can consolidate - sell 2 or 3 pieces and replace with one 'better' piece, or as you suggest put the money towards other aspects of life. Just make sure that it's not a temporary feeling, you don't want to regret sales later.

Thanks Roff

I did ponder similar sentiments myself, too. Thinking of getting a Port Royal or "just" a Blackbird using the proceeds from a double sale; but as with my (departed) Speedy Solar Impulse, I found myself not wearing it due to fear of damaging it. I do like my collection, and I certainly like the choice....but is it necessary? No.

I digress.....

I do regret some of my (mint) watch sales, especially when i see nothing but tired/well-worn examples on sale now.
The selling-up feeling stems from the current risky economic climate (although I'm lucky to still be in full time self-employment), and my (private schoolteacher) wife and I having a baby boy (now 10mths old). I have finally come to the conclusion that I have other responsibilities and should be less selfish? If work was guaranteed for the next 12 mths, and wife was working full time, I wouldnt have these thoughts. I guess I'm paranoid.

Jeez, this is turning into a therapy thread! lol

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

Some great advice by our two mods there.

I would just like to add, from experience:

Try your AD first for a trade in. You never know until you ask. I have been surprised in the past. If you can't haggle to an agreeable deal then try advertising on a watch forum. It's free to advertise to a fairly large and interested audience. Insist on a cash sale to a local buyer first. Then offer it globally but have the buyer pay the PayPal fees, or include it in the price. If still no joy try dropping the price a little and keep bumping .If you have no joy then try Ebay but have a reserve close to what you want plus the 3-4% needed to counteract Ebay and PayPal. It "only costs" a couple of quid just simply advertise your watch. The real costs come when you sell. Do your homework on this because it can become expensive to sell an expensive item. Also, be very wary of scams. A "great" one was reported here recently whereby the buyer recorded the "fresh" parcel being opened only to find a brick in the packaging and not the watch. Never sell to any foreign country where the buyer is buying for his friend/brother, etc and needs it shipped to another foreign country.

If you do decide on the Ebay route then post your intentions here. The friendly members will be only too happy to offer their advice.

There are some real #*&*~s out there.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

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I'm with you 1952. Looking at a new baby on the way, wife wanting to stay home, so I trimmed down to almost nothing, 1 watch. Ling daily. Figure later I can rebuild my collection in a different direction, and selling things paved the way for a relocation to the US from Canada.

When it's all rainbows and butterflies again, I'm, sure I will have the opportunity to add to my meager "Collection".