The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Ive bought both new AD watches and used ones from members here and elsewhere. I always hear about the thrill or excitement of a brand new AD watch. After having gone through both, I dont really find one to be more exciting than the other. I find it just as exciting when a Karl Malone shows up with a used watch.

Am I alone here?

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-RJ

One of my favorite watches is one that I bought preowned, sold, then bought back from the buyer. I absolutely love it and it will remain with me for life along with my GMT IIc. I get equal pleasure from a good quality preowned (the many I bought from shark) and the new ones from ADs.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

True RJ...

never bought one from an AD because I can't really justify the price difference... for me it's all about the money...

Call me a cheapskate but for me I can't get past the "why pay retail when you can pick one up mint or excellent for cheaper" mentality... of course the warranty, the relationship building, etc. I've thought of but still... in the end it's still on your wrist... new or used... I like ADs to try on a piece before pulling the trigger though.

Either way though even if I did get one from an AD brand new or used from a forum/secondhand there's nothing like the thrill of getting an addition to the collection... almost an adrenaline rush...

Now mayyyyybe... if a discount comes into play then it might be a different story.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I guess that the process lasts longer with a new watch, but for me the thrill of coming home to a package is just as great as walking to the AD and going through the purchasing process there. Best thrill is strapping it on for the next day though!

Hi All !

To be honest I find no difference between buying new or used in regards to pure "rush" when acquiring a new timepiece. I am all about the price point; as a result I only purchase second-hand from authorize dealers (do not want hassles or headaches) with warranties. However, I just bought my Panerai brand new - it was my first brand new watch in over 13/14 years. The only reason I bought new was because I had a $500.00 coupon and with pre-owned Panerais prices are awfully close to new. You just can not beat the savings of buying pre-owned or pre-loved as I like to say.

Cheers,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

My nicest watches have been preowned, so there's something special in that. Still, the couple of times I have bought new at an AD have been special in a different way, just the fuss of the warranty card, the absence of any marks, even minor desk marks on the watch. It is unique, and something of an indulgence I gave myself last year after several years had passed. I have a third way, buying pre-owned from a small independent store I have known and worked with for years. We go through the process of what I like, where my collection is and where a prospective new piece fits in it. The dealer and I know the process of selection with which I'm comfortable, and it can be a bit deliberate. Sometimes he has talked me out of a watch. He knows everything I have owned, even those I didn't buy from him, and it has become a personalized process. When I buy from him it's buying a watch I want from someone I want to buy from. I probably enjoy that most.

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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

I've never bought new but purely in the interests of science I may have to in order to conduct a thorough study.

I've bought both new and used and in some ways the thrill of opening a package with a used watch inside can be higher than buying new, especially if you know you got a good deal on it. That said, I'm quite anal about watch condition, so it's also easy for me to be a little disappointed with a used watch if it rocks up needing a polish and/or service.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Now that you mention it, you are right buying new is an extra-special indulgence but fat-free!

Cheers,

Enezdez

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IWC - Big Pilot 5002 - 01
IWC - Pilot Chrono 3717 - 04
Panerai - 183
Omega - Speedmaster 145.012 / 67
Rolex - Explore II (Black Dial) - 216570
Rolex - Explore I 114270
Blancpain FF 5015

I have bought both new and pre-owned, but due to where I work, I've not had the luxury of purchasing or developing personal relationships with an AD in person. I have had to rely on the wonderful world of the internet to develop my horological relationships, mostly with a select few small independent shops. I find these relationships no less special than if I had actually darkened their doorway and I always check with them first when in search of making a new addition (New or Pre-owned). In some cases they will actually contact me when they acquire a piece I have expressed a prior interest in. At any rate there has not been any difference in the level of excitement when the package finally arrives and I get to strap it on for the first time. No matter whether new or pre-owned, the thrill for me is in waiting for that package to finally arrive.

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I've never bought a pre-owned.
Did once with a car,BIG mistake!! never again...
So I equate the same with other things....
It's like I've never sold a watch...I give them away.

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"In the end there can be but one"

I'm a bit of a hypocrite, but generally if I can afford it I buy new. I wouldn't buy a watch second hand if the model was still available new and I had a realistic chance of affording it.
I'd rather wait, save, push for heavy discount and wait some more rather than go pre-owned. My snobbery is straightforward...I want to be the first to open the box.
I am anal about condition and I want the inevitable dirt, scratches and slight creases in the documentation (however slight) to be my dirt, my scratches and my creases.
I'm willing to pay a premium for this facet of pleasure in the overall purchasing and un-packing adventure.
That said, there are plenty of older watches I'd love to own, and brand new is out of the question...theres a dilemma I'm sure I'm going to have to face sometime or another.
I'm the same with cameras, mobile phones and shoes, but I'm perfectly happy to buy second hand cars and shotguns....theres where the hypocrisy comes in.

If I was really honest with myself, I'd accept I'm being a little picky....even financially frivolous. Who knows what great horological opportunities I may have missed out on with this mind-set. Deep down however, pushing the limits financially and paying 'more' is somehow part of the thrill to me.

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"Per Ardua Ad Lingi"

Agree with the OP. I've bought a handful of watches brand new, but mostly I buy near-mint models second hand.

The way I see it, all watches are pre-owned . . . owned either by another collector, or by a watch company/AD. And regardless of whether I buy from one or the other, the thrill is the same because it's a new watch to me -- and the experience is made even more thrilling if I've just saved hundreds or thousands of dollars by NOT being the first person to walk out of a store with it.

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

My favorite watch i bought was a preowned 5001 from serge who i think bought it from sharkman. I used to flip like crazy until i bought that one. Has been in my small collection ever since!!

i have purchased both AD, private, Net...
and i love the rush it brings everytime ,
going to bed one night knowing my watch may be the next
gets me all fired up ... love it

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I shop at (Andrew Michaels Jewelle's )