Thoughts on "cheap" watches

[bremersm]

So I have been thinking about something lately. As we continue this lockdown and with the impact it is having on all of us I have thought long and hard about getting rid of the clutter and downsizing my collections. Whether this be dress shoes, watches, clothing, or anything else I am looking to get back to basics and only keep what I need and use.

To this end I am thinking of selling off the "cheaper" watches in my collection. My question to the forum is this. Is it worth the effort. These watches would bring in little in terms of money but to have the extra space might be worth the effort. I have 3 cheaper watches that in total would bring in less than $500. I bought them because they were fun but I quickly lost interest.

The question is should I keep these watches as they do not take up much space or sell them?

Has anyone else dealt with something similar since this all started?

[betterwatchit]

Just give them away. Selling too much hassle and you’ll feel good to de-clutter and pass onto new owners ..

[TheVTCGuy]

Interesting question, I only own two watches, (well, not counting the GPS watch I wear when hiking in the mountains), a Rolex and a Seiko. They are both very nice of course, and both have their times to be worn. Now, I am a minimalist. My philosophy is if you haven’t used something in at least a few months then you don’t need it and get rid of it. I know there are several TRFers that have substantial collections of Rolex and other fine watches, and wear them routinely, more power to them, but from a minimalist point of view, if you are not using them, sell/donate/gift the watches to someone that will.

[jrs146]

I wouldn’t bother. For the small amount of money you may as well keep them.


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[Dr.Brian]

If they’re taking up space and you’re not going to use them, and don’t want them, just dump them on eBay or the WUS forum and get what you get. I have a few relatively inexpensive watches and I find that I use them occasionally, but I also have several that never get any wrist time at all. They are wonderful dust collectors. The difference is that I don’t care if they are collecting dust in my watch drawer.

[brandrea]

For me price doesn’t really enter into it... regardless of price, if I don’t wear it, I move it on

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by bremersm

Has anyone else dealt with something similar since this all started?

Not with watches but with a whole host of other things.
I've probably moved out 20% of my personal belongings over the past 6 months, and so far, haven't missed any of them.
Didn't sell anything. Donated or dumped.

[Knappo 1307]

I'd give them to maybe a younger person who shows some interest in horology. I think that would make their day and yours.....

[Blansky]

I've run into the same thing in a big way as well.

Watches I don't wear I sell or give away. But some are worthless really and I have no one to give them to. When I hang around places where young people hang out, someone always calls the cops.

My problem these days is photography equipment. I had a studio for 40 years and have a ton of stuff that I don't feel like putting on ebay and dealing with. Also some of it can be heavy and cost more to ship than is worth the effort. The cameras are relatively easy to sell but professional lighting equipment and stands and tripods and backgrounds, printers, dry mount presses etc are harder to deal with. And tons of photographers have been screwed by Covid so they aren't in the mood to be buying stuff.

[FTX I]

To me cheap watches are like ugly woman. I love them too and there's always a right moment for them.

[Tools]

Cheap watches?

I've got some. I keep them in a cheap pair of socks in the drawer of a cheap dresser.

I put one on every now and then.... lasts about an hour or so. But they look and feel so cheap.

I think that I'll let the kids figure out what to do with them. Might be worth a fortune by then, or maybe they will still be cheap.

[Burlington]

I had a similar issue with my iwc pilot chrono after adding the AP. Just stopped wearing it, so it was a gift to my brother.

For me, one watch, plus a gym watch is all I want.

[GradyPhilpott]

I like cheap watches.

[BreguetRolex]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I've run into the same thing in a big way as well.

Watches I don't wear I sell or give away. But some are worthless really and I have no one to give them to. When I hang around places where young people hang out, someone always calls the cops.

My problem these days is photography equipment. I had a studio for 40 years and have a ton of stuff that I don't feel like putting on ebay and dealing with. Also some of it can be heavy and cost more to ship than is worth the effort. The cameras are relatively easy to sell but professional lighting equipment and stands and tripods and backgrounds, printers, dry mount presses etc are harder to deal with. And tons of photographers have been screwed by Covid so they aren't in the mood to be buying stuff.

Way to much PROFOTO STUDIO Lighting here..! I have some killer stuff like never used..":)

[BreguetRolex]

How much "SPACE" can a watch really take up..? wow a watch is very very very tiny in the over all scheme of things and takes up virtually ZERO SQFT sizes....You can put a 1000 watches in a safe or more...

[JSolution]

If one is a seiko skx keep it :)

[austinp]

Originally Posted by BreguetRolex

How much "SPACE" can a watch really take up..? wow a watch is very very very tiny in the over all scheme of things and takes up virtually ZERO SQFT sizes....You can put a 1000 watches in a safe or more...

Have to agree with this. How much space could they possibly be taken up?


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[HHIslander]

Keep them, you may need them. I travel a lot and I’ll never travel with a Rolex again. I wear one of my cheap ones and don’t shed a tear if I lose it or it disappears.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

I'd give them to maybe a younger person who shows some interest in horology. I think that would make their day and yours.....

/\ THIS /\

[AF_Rob]

I’d give them away to a few deserving people. They would get more value out of them than the money you would gain.


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[White Collar Boy]

Unless you want to give them to your kids or someone close who actually cares enough to wear them, I’d sell them. (I gave my niece a watch, and she never wears it.) However modest a sum, then maybe put it towards a book or two on watches, some straps, or a service?

I have a few cheap watches — a Casio, Citizen, Seiko and a Swatch. And like you, I have thought of downsizing, so I would spend more time wearing my two “nicer” watches (in my case, an old Air-King and a Speedy Pro). But the truth is I still really like those cheap ones too, and except for the Swatch, I enjoy wearing them. I even occasionally wear my son’s Casio F91-W. I really like it.

[Pw92676]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

I'd give them to maybe a younger person who shows some interest in horology. I think that would make their day and yours.....

This is great advice and I would recommend.

I tried to do this and the lesson I learned is that it is key to find someone who is genuinely interested in watches. Otherwise the recipient just misinterprets its “they got a nice watch and are dumping their cheap watch off on me.”

[bremersm]

Thanks all. For those that might recall I wrote a post about the "year of new watches". I have bought each of my four young children a new watch this year and plan to end the year with a new watch for my wife,

The "cheap" watches in question are a Timex Marlin and Q as well as a Gruen Curvex. I might just hold on to them for the kids.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by BreguetRolex

How much "SPACE" can a watch really take up..? wow a watch is very very very tiny in the over all scheme of things and takes up virtually ZERO SQFT sizes....You can put a 1000 watches in a safe or more...

It's not really a space issue. Its sort of a waste to keep something you never will use until it rots away. Then you have a better excuse to throw it out. After a few years watches deteriorate, the hands and dial get barnacles and nasty.

I think people would rather gift something so people can/may use them.

[spoilsofwar01]

Hi There I prefer to use the word "Affordable" as I remind my nephew you have to walk before you can run, when he lust's after a Rolex, he's 14 and possibly swayed by the expense rather than the complications of the mechanical movements, however hes still learning, I would like to learn what you are looking to move on as they may be of interest

[T4ME]

Can't imagine getting rid of my Timex.. mandatory to have one + in the collection

[scarlet knight]

I own a couple of handfuls of expensive watches and a large number of Seiko, Casio type watches. If I don’t wear a watch much and don’t expect to, I gift it.

[Mifune]

Originally Posted by bremersm

Thoughts on "cheap" watches

they're cheap for a reason...

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by bremersm

Thanks all. For those that might recall I wrote a post about the "year of new watches". I have bought each of my four young children a new watch this year and plan to end the year with a new watch for my wife,

The "cheap" watches in question are a Timex Marlin and Q as well as a Gruen Curvex. I might just hold on to them for the kids.

Is a Gruen Curvex a cheap watch?

[jatco]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Is a Gruen Curvex a cheap watch?

I'd say no.
That's why I'm keeping a few of the old family classics from that era.
Just sayin...