AD or Private - For investment

[controlz]

As an alternative investment (and my love of watches) I want to start building a collection of watches, predominantly Rolex and Patek.

With the intention of spending £50,000 - £75,000 over the next year or so, should I build a relationship with a single AD and hope I get early slots on steel sports watch waiting lists, or should I just look around for deals from multiple AD's and private jewellers?

Ultimately I think the value is in receiving watches such as the 116500LN, Nautilus etc...

I also have no idea how much spend you need to make with an AD to be considered a VIP customer with early access to rare watches.

Any strategic help would be appreciated - especially from somebody who has been there and done it!

[Zakalwe]

Stick a hat on mate. Preferably one made of 904L stainless.

[vlps]

no chance of getting a 5711 or 116500 from an AD in the next few years

[Al1969]

One of these again?

[Fat_ninja]

Im just a small WIS but these are my suggestions...

You would need the AD relationship. Think access to IPO vs secondary mkt.

VIP starts probably hundreds of k in GBP. Most people that truely have access likely have been buying over time and have probably gone past 1 mil mark. Keep in mind...not all watches are keepers.

I buy watches as a hobby and as an investment and to be frank, I think of it as an asset class. Its no different than a portfolio except its something I can enjoy. I dont believe you can have a hobby if you consistently lose 20-30% on every watch you own. Unless you ate uber rich.

I joke with my Some friends. That i have a 5711 plan for my kid vs a 529 plan (US College savings plan)


Good luck

[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by Al1969

One of these again?

Lol ... this is turning into an “investment” forum, i swear. Just wait until these mouth breathers start unloading if the economy turns (knock on wood). I wonder if they all get their investment advice from the same source.

[lecorsaire]

You have no chance buying a 5711 or 5712 in steel from an AD at all. Even if you bought another Patek from them above 30 grand. Personally I would stay away from that watch until there is an economic downturn. It is overvalued at 60k. Think about what the 5711 Nautilus really is. It is Patek’s entry level sports watch along with the Aquanaut. If you were to spend 50-60k on a watch you should buy a watch that is actually worth that price or more like a Platinum Daytona, gold Royal Oak or gold Patek.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

Lol ... this is turning into an “investment” forum, i swear. Just wait until these mouth breathers start unloading if the economy turns (knock on wood). I wonder if they all get their investment advice from the same source.

It’s unfortunate but that’s the reality. This is the reason these watches never make it to the display case. If all of them depreciated 50% most people would not be buying them. The speculation talk will not change until the market as a whole changes.

[Vanmarsenille]

Oh dear.

[enjoythemusic]

You need at least four or five times that just to be noticed by a London AD.... before you even stand any decent chance. Under a hundred thousand British pounds.. that's pocket change to City of Londoners. I apologize if that bursts your bubble, it's simply a fact.... especially in England. We welcome you to our wonderful community and hope you stay.

Have you ever thought about shorting the British pound or some other easy investment?

[Naples09]

Originally Posted by controlz

As an alternative investment (and my love of watches) I want to start building a collection of watches, predominantly Rolex and Patek.

With the intention of spending £50,000 - £75,000 over the next year or so, should I build a relationship with a single AD and hope I get early slots on steel sports watch waiting lists, or should I just look around for deals from multiple AD's and private jewellers?

Ultimately I think the value is in receiving watches such as the 116500LN, Nautilus etc...

I also have no idea how much spend you need to make with an AD to be considered a VIP customer with early access to rare watches.

Any strategic help would be appreciated - especially from somebody who has been there and done it!

Why would you want a 116500LN from an AD when you are buying one pre-owned? Just to flip for profit?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=664059

[controlz]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Stick a hat on mate. Preferably one made of 904L stainless.

Thanks, a great welcome to the Forum!

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by Naples09

Why would you want a 116500LN from an AD when you are buying one pre-owned? Just to flip for profit?

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=664059

OP?

[controlz]

Originally Posted by Naples09

Why would you want a 116500LN from an AD when you are buying one pre-owned? Just to flip for profit?

Wow, what is it with the sarcastic egotistical responses on this forum. I've only been on here a day. Not particularly welcoming.

The fact I am purchasing a pre-owned one (as a gift) is mutually exclusive and has no relevance to this post.

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

Lol ... this is turning into an “investment” forum, i swear. Just wait until these mouth breathers start unloading if the economy turns (knock on wood). I wonder if they all get their investment advice from the same source.

[controlz]

Originally Posted by Naples09

Why would you want a 116500LN from an AD when you are buying one pre-owned? Just to flip for profit?

Not quite sure what relevance me purchasing a pre-owned 116500LN this week has to me asking about whether to build a long term relationship with an AD or not. Mutually exclusive. The 116500LN is being purchased regardless as it is a gift for a loved one.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by controlz

As an alternative investment (and my love of watches) I want to start building a collection of watches, predominantly Rolex and Patek.

With the intention of spending £50,000 - £75,000 over the next year or so, should I build a relationship with a single AD and hope I get early slots on steel sports watch waiting lists, or should I just look around for deals from multiple AD's and private jewellers?

Ultimately I think the value is in receiving watches such as the 116500LN, Nautilus etc...

I also have no idea how much spend you need to make with an AD to be considered a VIP customer with early access to rare watches.

Any strategic help would be appreciated - especially from somebody who has been there and done it!

Are you buying for an alternative investment or your love of watches?

To be an alternative investment in this case the watches would need to be collectables, which modern Rolex are not.

If your love of watches, spend money on big ticket items first and the rest will come. But if looking for price appreciation, I think silly. These are stores of value (adjusted for inflation) at BEST

[904VT]

Originally Posted by lawrence1

Lol ... this is turning into an “investment” forum, i swear. Just wait until these mouth breathers start unloading if the economy turns (knock on wood). I wonder if they all get their investment advice from the same source.

With Rolex introducing models in the method they are right now, it won't make one bit of difference to SS Daytonas, Subs, or GMT Masters. Perhaps DJs and PM models slight drop. It took almost a decade on the market and the worst recession in a few generations for the SS Daytona to drop just slightly below retail on the secondary market.

[Juantxo]

If you want to pursue vintage watches you must spend a good amount in time pinpointing the decent, honest ones. They come far and few between.

If you want to start a collection of new watches, stick relentlessly to authorized dealers. Ideally, work up a relationship with one or two and stick with them if things work out. The learning curve has a cost in time and money.

[exador]

Here ya go

https://www.reddit.com/r/investing/c...ng_in_rolexes/

[jfmiii]

Good lord. I cant wait to see what happens when this thing pops.

[Sublovin]

Please stop

[tng11]

Sigh. This hobby has just been perverted... a shell of what I remember it used to be.

No AD in this market is going to entertain you if you walk in and say I want to spend 6 figures only on the hot, premium, flippable pieces. And why would they? So you can walk out the next day, make 6 figures and put their AD status at risk when they get caught?

Almost everyone ends up paying market one way or another.

[peterpl]

Make sure you buy each and every single watch you get offered. I will guarantee it will go 100000% profit for you for certain. :)

[Steerpike999]

With all due respect and assuming you are asking sincerely, Buying watches as an investment is a bad idea. Anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves and / or trying to sell you a watch. Enjoy the hobby for what it is.

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by controlz

As an alternative investment (and my love of watches) I want to start building a collection of watches, predominantly Rolex and Patek.

With the intention of spending £50,000 - £75,000 over the next year or so, should I build a relationship with a single AD and hope I get early slots on steel sports watch waiting lists, or should I just look around for deals from multiple AD's and private jewellers?

Ultimately I think the value is in receiving watches such as the 116500LN, Nautilus etc...

I also have no idea how much spend you need to make with an AD to be considered a VIP customer with early access to rare watches.

Any strategic help would be appreciated - especially from somebody who has been there and done it!

Gotta say....there’s MUCH better ways to invest money over a years time. Waaaay too much unknown, work, trying to find watches at msrp, (probably won’t happen) etc....
These aren’t THAT great a return in a short time....40 yrs from now....yes

[ChronoSloth]

Just posted this in the vintage section. Seems appropriate for this thread...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/s...e-watches.html

[dkg1616]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

I joke with my Some friends. That i have a 5711 plan for my kid vs a 529 plan (US College savings plan)


Good luck

Lol this is hilarious

[Steerpike999]

Originally Posted by ChronoSloth

Just posted this in the vintage section. Seems appropriate for this thread...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/s...e-watches.html

When main-stream media like the NYT start talking about

"here’s good news. The Watch Fund, run by Dominic Khoo, a shareholder and watch specialist with the auction company Antiquorum, offers people a chance to invest in rare and limited-edition watches at prices that can be 50 percent or more below retail."

You know things have gone too far. This is a train wreck waiting to happen and it does not seem to be slowing down.
At least the 1%sters can afford it, it's the schmucks that believe this crap that will get hurt.

Thanks for the link BTW

[jimcarver]

I see you are getting quite a lot of stick on here, but in all honesty its not a great idea in terms of investment. It is possible to make money but also possible you could spend a huge amount of hours searching for something you will never find.

There are so many people trying to get the hot watches to flip for a profit. The kind of numbers that some people spend in AD's will be astonishing, if you were to go into a small town AD and spend £50-75k on Datejusts you would probably get their attention...but then you would have failed on the investment aspect.


If you have a passion for watches then buy the ones that you consider most likely to keep their value, enjoy and hope for the best. Beyond that, its a non starter.