Why do people sell their watches after a few months?

[KrakenCali]

Hi,

Do you view it as a red flag when someone resells their watch after owning it for only a few months?

I was browsing a popular used watch website and noticed a used version of a beautiful watch with a known (non-Rolex) brand. The watch is selling for a discount to MSRP and the papers are dated only a few months ago.

I understand the real reason the seller is selling is unknowable to us, just wondering if it raises any of your eyebrows. I see this with Rolex but that appears to be people that buy a hot watch and then sell it for a big premium. This JLC is at a discount.

[dchang81]

Sometimes don't bond and want to move on to the next thing. Sometimes it hurts but there are very few watches that I regret having sold.

[PBJ1925]

Another reason could be many are purchasing site unseen these days due to availability, pandemic related health reasons, etc... I'm guilty of this myself where I purchased a couple pieces that looked great online/reviews but didn't quite sing to me in person due to xyz reason including comfort on wrist.

[sgrossma]

Some people buy things just to get their spend up or because of required bundling that an AD will propose to get a more desirable piece. The goal is to sell the unwanted pieces and as long as the loss on the unwanted pieces is less than the difference in price of the desired watch you got on bundle and the grey market price, that person is a winner.

[Nav01L]

Originally Posted by sgrossma

Some people buy things just to get their spend up or because of required bundling that an AD will propose to get a more desirable piece. The goal is to sell the unwanted pieces and as long as the loss on the unwanted pieces is less than the difference in price of the desired watch you got on bundle and the grey market price, that person is a winner.

The so called “opener”

[_speedmaster_]

Another reason could be they got "the call". Because of the way things are now, people put their names on numerous lists for watches they want. You're on these lists for undetermined amounts of time, never really knowing when or if you will be given the privilege (I say this sarcastically) to buy the watch you really want. If someone bought a watch, but a couple months later got "the call" for a dream watch of theirs, they may sell the watch they just bought.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by KrakenCali

Why do people sell their watches after a few months?

Why do people do many of the things they do?

Buyers remorse?
Another item came along?
Don't like it?
Got told to sell it?
Had to sell it?
Making a quick profit?

[GreenLantern]

Also, it's harder to try things on these days since nothing is ever in stock.

So a lot of people buy stuff that they think they'll like (or like the fit of), only to realize they were wrong.

Just ask yourself why do people return so many things at Forever 21? Same concept.

[SoylentGreenChi]

I bought 6 watches over the summer that I’ve sold off or am in the process of selling off. In my case, it was realizing that I would rather have 2-3 watches in the 20-30K range rather than 10-11 watches in the 6-10K range. So I’ve been selling some really great watches (Cartier Santos, Zenith El Primero, Grand Seiko . . .) in like new condition because I’m consolidating them and buying a smaller number of watches at a higher price point.

[KrakenCali]

Soylent, what's in the consolidated collection?

[SoylentGreenChi]

Originally Posted by KrakenCali

Soylent, what's in the consolidated collection?

Mostly dress watches, which to my surprise I seem to reach for more than sports watches. I picked up a Patek 5196, Patek 5227, and an ALS Up/Down, while selling off six watches (which I also really liked).

[Greglaw]

No red flags for me I have had several that I sold or traded...honeymoon was over, and so was the watch...not a flipper for profit or investor...if it doesn’t stick, it goes. I can say I love having had so many experiences...and some stay much longer, but, if I don’t like it after a few weeks or months or it loses its charm I have no issue letting it go. I would have loved working in a multiple brand watch dealership where I could just wear them all and rotate. We are all different.

[donas]

I buy most my watches via the internet. With that said, I try and see one in person, try it on etc before purchasing. This simply can not be done much of the time, particularly now. I have purchased at least two watches that I just didn't like once I got then on my wrist. Funny enough, one was a Deep Sea Sea Dweller that I purchased in person. I thought I liked it in the store and after wearing it 2-3 times I just knew it wasn't for me.

So, I see nothing wrong or unusual with selling shortly after purchasing on occasion.

[GB-man]

Generally because they pick up shiny objects then put them down in order to pick up a new shinier object.

[scarlet knight]

Originally Posted by dchang81

Sometimes don't bond and want to move on to the next thing. Sometimes it hurts but there are very few watches that I regret having sold.

I like the idea of a watch. But something doesn’t work when I wear it for awhile.

[gajag]

regret after an impulse buy

[ap1]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Generally because they pick up shiny objects then put them down in order to pick up a new shinier object.

Guilty

[1William]

The easy answer is because they want to sell them or have to sell them. Each collector is different and with time many buy/sell/trade frequently to own different watches for all kinds of reasons. I buy/sell/trade at will for things I want. This is my hobby and while it is not free at least I have fun with it and can recoup most of my money when I want. I also get to own some great watches.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by ap1

Guilty

It’s my M.O.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by GB-man

It’s my M.O.

I know a thing or two bout this


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by ap1

I know a thing or two bout this


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I’ve noticed from now on just call me and we will send them back and forth to save us the time and money.

[Stranger]

If you don't live (or regularly travel) to a major city, it can be impossible to see a watch in person, much less try it on. In such a situation, it's not a crazy approach to buy the watch online, but there's a risk you'll never really fall in love...

[WatchEater666]

I do it all the time. Just get bored easily.