Month: January 2018

2018 Spring/Summer Wrist-Watch Buying Guide

Time of the year to look what’s worth buying. Swiss-watch collectors are certainly in a daze, price for some collectable models had surged. Nowadays buyers tend to more prudent; watch acquisition has become a very selective and deliberate process. Probably that’s the main reason why some particular Rolex and Pateks commands such high resale prices nowadays.

Les Précision recommendation:

$0-1000
– Swatch Sistem51
– Seiko automatic

$1000-5000
– Tudor models
– Omega Seamaster past 007 Limited Edition models
– Omega 3570.50.00 Moonwatch (discon)
– Panerai PAM 380

$5000-7500
– Rolex Explorer 214270
– Panerai (discon) PAM0000 or 0005
– discon Rolex 40mm Explorer2 16570 (*best value),

$7500-10000
– Rolex Explorer 2 216570
– Rolex Milgauss 116400GV
– discon Rolex SeaDweller 16600
– discon Rolex Submariner 14060m or 16610

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$10000-15000

– Rolex ceramic GMT2 11670LN or Submariner 116610LN
– Rolex DeepSea 116660;
– Rolex 2-tone: Yachtmaster 116621, GMT 116713LN; Datejust 2 116333 (discon)

 

$15000-20000
– Rolex Yachtmaster2 116680 (old Dial & hands)
– Rolex DeepSea 116660 (Deep Blue dial)
– Rolex SD4000 116600 (discon)
– used AP Offshore Black Themes or Volcano (discon)
– AP Royal Oak 15300 (discon)

$20000-25000
– AP Royal Oak Offshore Bumble Bee (discon)
– Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5167A;
– Rolex Yachtmaster2 (2tone) 116681
– Rolex GMT master 2 16718 (discon)

$25000-30000
– Rolex GMT2 green dial 116718LN;
– used Rolex YG Daytona 116528;
– discon Rolex Submariner 16618 (Blue Dial)
– Vacheron Constantin Overseas (2016 release)

$30000-50000
– Patek Phillippe Nautilus 5712/1A or 5711/1A
– Patek Travel time 5164A
– Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
– A.Lange & Söhne Grand Lange 1 Moonphase

$50000-$100000
– Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980/1A or 5980R
– Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G
– Rolex Platinum Daytona 116506,
– discon Rolex Platinum Day-Date2 218238;
– AP Royal oak perpetual calendar or Equation of time;
– used Patek Philippe 5070J, 5070G, 5070R (discon)
– A.Lange & Söhne Platinum Datograph (power reserve)

$100000-$250000
– Patek Philippe 5070P (discon)
– Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5650G (Advance Research)
– Patek Philippe World Time 175th 5575;
– Patek Philippe World Time enamel dial 5131R/J/G
– Richard Mille RM011

$250000 and beyond
– Patek Philippe 5004, 5970 or 3970 Grande complications;
– Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon 1

 

SPECIAL SECTION: Watch value picks for 2018

Many of the collectable models are now simply too expensive to keep for investment. Or rather low lying fruits have been picked. Hence it is paramount for Collectors and Investors to be even more careful in the selection process. Fortunately there are still some well liked models that are still having bearable prices.
*Tips: When searching for watches, go for one with full set. Not just the box and paper; tags and operator’s manual is best accompanied with the timepiece. Also have to make sure all the accompany accessories are that of the correct era. This will ensure high resell value and more highly sough after.*

Here’s some recommendations:

Omega:
Omega watches seem to be less affordable now, mainly thanks to the push towards in-house movement. As such many of the older model seem relatively under-valued.
– Likes of non-ceramic Sea-master or Moonwatch professional 3570.50 seem to be a good bet.
– James Bond 007 limited editions (like sky fall, Casino Royal, etc.) is worth a keep if you are a die-hard Bond fan.

Rolex:
Noticed this time round the much loved Rolex models such as 16710, 16610LV, 116610LV, 116520 are not in my list above. Quite obvious, there are some element speculative elements harping up their market prices. Hence, they are been omitted,
For 2018 my pick:
– Full Gold GMT master 2 with Brown dial 16718;
– discontinued black Submariner 16610, Explorer 2 216570
– Also the Explorer2 16570 (40mm) that’s always super good value.

Patek Philippe:
Stainless Steel Nautilus resale price are sky high at the moment, nevertheless, the Annual Calendar pricing is still pretty decent
My Pick:
– used Nautilus 5726/1A or 5726A seem slight under-priced (relative to other Nautilus counterpart like 5711 5712 or 5980)
– World Time Enamel dial 5131R;

Audemars Piguet, AP:
AP wouldn’t have survive the quartz crisis if not for Royal Oak. For me AP is all about the Royal Oak. The popular Offshore is in a mini delcine. Hence I’ll advise to be more careful with Offshore. Traditional Royal Oak ultra-thin 15202 (st), with its legendary 2121 movement, has seen a large price surged. Hence, I will see AP 15300 comparably as a more value of money option now.

Panerai
Perhaps the main driver (along with AP offshore) for the big watch trend which we saw over the past decade. Now this brand had sadly over-run itself. I will not regard most of the modern PAMs as “investable”, as over-production had eroded Panerai appeal to collectors. Perhaps now it is better to avoid. Only the base models are worth a consideration .

Remember, number 1 rule is buy what you like to wear. Most of us only have limited funds or budget for watches. Buying an illiquid watch will run into difficulties to resale later on. My list above will probably contains some of the most resellable in today’s market.

But do remember: bigger things in life, like family and housing do come first. Invest sensibly and please don’t buy on impluse. Wishing all a better and safe 2018! Happy investing!!