Risk aversion.

Sep 27, 2011,05:44 AM
 

With the current financial turmoil, it really isn’t a good time to splurge on unnecessary luxuries, e.g. watches. But what are we going to do to feed our insatiable appetite for these superfluous timekeepers? Go pre-owned or search for bargains in the vintage market? Better still; find enjoyment in lesser timepieces without the fancy names, prices or hype?

I know some of you will find it difficult to downgrade from your current stable of Journes, Pateks, Langes or whatever, with the fine finishing and super price tags to match. Let alone consider something not totally in-house or worse still, sporting an ETA movement.

 

My previous one experience with acquiring a pre-owned vintage piece didn’t work out too well and left me with a bitter taste. It was partly my own fault for not doing my homework and not realizing that it’s a minefield out there, with fakes, after-market parts and dishonest sellers etc. I vowed never to go that route again and stick with my trusted AD whose loyalty and integrity is unquestionable. A case in point (I’m sidetracking now): a few months back after collecting a watch from him I casually mentioned that maybe the watch would looking better on a brown strap or something, as I wasn’t too keen on the original. It wasn’t a request but just a comment and I had forgotten about the matter. Yesterday, to my utter surprise he presented a beautiful brown croc. strap that he had specially made for me for this watch, whilst I was window shopping there with the missus, FOC. That’s what I call customer relationship!

 

 To get back to the topic: this year I decided to venture back into the used market, partly because of ‘the thrill of the hunt’ and also because these pieces were no longer available brand-new. Along the way I acquired some first hand experience and met some genuinely nice folks and enthusiasts. I did encounter a less than honest person who tried to pass off a different watch to the one advertised. I’m glad I noticed the small detail on the dial upon inspection. It’s still a minefield out there but I reckon if I tread softly and not reach for the sky it won’t cause too much grief even if I did make a mistake. I do like the PN Daytona that I saw but at a 6 figure sum, it might cause some disharmony at home and a sense of guilt may prevail if the economy continues its tailspin.

 

So far I’ve been lucky this year and picked up two pre-owned pieces that I like and continue to do so. Both Rolex: the Rootbeer and Explorer 2; no regrets whatsoever!

 

Now here’s the third; nothing special like the PN Daytona but I’d like to think there are similarities. I do own the modern Daytona, although a great watch, it somehow looks ordinary.

 I do like the contrasting dials and the black bezel and at a fraction of the price of the real McCoy, it was worth a shot. A Valjoux movement you say; yes a workhorse and if regulated correctly is just as accurate as any Rolex, something that I can attest to. I do hear a faint rotor wobble unlike on any Rolex but none of the crazy spinning I have experienced on other watches with the Valjoux movement. I do believe the early Rolex Daytonas up until 1991 also used a manual version of the Valjoux. Experts pls. correct me if I’m wrong.

 

I’m not trying to make a case of trying to compare the two; they are a world apart. If I own the PN Daytona, I would call this a cheap copy, as most refer to it as the poor man’s Daytona anyway! smile

 

On it’s own, after living with it for a week, it isn’t half bad. You may not like the date with the Cyclops, which I didn’t at first but now am getting used to it. The bezel rotates, smoothly and without the pronounced click. Again you get used to it. So far, it gains a sec/24hrs. which is quite impressive. It wears like any other Rolex, which I think is a good thing. The chrono pusher action requires a tad more effort when comparing to the modern Daytona but no worse than the Omega Speedy for example. IMO it’s a small price to pay.

 

Lastly, please forgive my rambling on and thanks for reading this far. What I’m really trying to express is the fact that a pleasurable experience in horology doesn’t always necessary equate to what people perceive to be the best and how much you spend. It’s all relative and I get a thrill each time, from any new acquisition, big or small.

 

Maybe I’m getting a little ahead of myself now and probable in a couple of months time when I look back at this post I will be feeling a little embarrassed at flaunting this poor man's Daytona ( no offence or discredit to those with the same watch)smile. It may have already been relegated to the unused and unloved watch tray! I sure hope not but who knows? Don’t we all go through this phase sometimes?

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Best Regards,

 

 

Fernando

 

Almost forgot, the pics:

 

 

 

 













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Comments: view entire thread

 

Pleasure in watches has nothing to see with ( big ) money, indeed.

 
 By: amanico : September 27th, 2011-06:14
And thanks, Fernando, for reminding us that " golden " rule. For example, I spent even less than your Tudor Chrono, with the RCAF Breitling Chronomonopusher, and I can tell you that the pleasure I felt, once I found it, was immense, and absolutely not pro... 

I can feel your pain..

 
 By: fernando : September 27th, 2011-06:39
with the Langematik anniv. Nicolas. It not a piece you see often and I really hope you can get it back one day. I have no idea about most of the vintage prices but when I see some of the ones you have and they project a certain aura, looks good on the wri... 

Now is perhaps best time to buy some rolex vintages

 
 By: Hororgasm : September 27th, 2011-20:42
Seems like their prices have eased off late. So given a choice of buying the newest n latest Patek, or buy a proper papered vintage Rolex for same money, and strictly with value retention and creation as a consideration, I will still buy vintage rolex. Ap... 

Your dollar will buy a lot of fruits Horo!

 
 By: fernando : September 27th, 2011-21:29
Are we seeing a buyers market now, especially for pre-owned and vintage? There should be more flexibility in pricing for these compared to new watch prices, eg. Patek, which are pretty fixed. Just this morning someone called me offering their vintage Role... 

I think it's a buyers market now

 
 By: Hororgasm : September 27th, 2011-21:35
I have a PN daytona and a double red mk3 dew dweller offered this week, and the mind is crunching the numbers, counting the amount of fruits and vitamin c I am giving up Best, Horo

Give in to temptation!

 
 By: fernando : September 27th, 2011-21:41
Make him an offer he can't refuse. Take vitamin C tablets instead.

No compromise on passion

 
 By: ling5hk : September 28th, 2011-07:48
It can still be achieved by getting some pre-owned and vintage pieces. However, more homework is required in order to avoid disappointment. Once you get what you want with a fraction of price, you will smile even before you put it on your wrist. Inevitabl... 

Good piece of advice Ling :) [nt]

 
 By: fernando : September 28th, 2011-18:41
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