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I have frequent this forum since Dec 10 and notice many are buying and selling watches for various reasons. Some because of brands, some for investment, some because of fancy and some hoping their watch would worth millions in 30 years time! Perhaps sharing my experience in collecting watches may help fellow members to better appreciate the watches they have or going to buy/sell.
I started collecting watches in 1991. Back then, I did not think it was worth paying more than $200 ($400 in today’s term) for a watch. I prefered quartz for their accuracy and found automatic troublesome to maintain. To date I have collected more than 50 quartz watches. However, I have less than 20 in my procession now. What happened to them? I throw them away because they were beyond repair or corroded by the humid weather! And it was painful every time I had to throw away cos’ each has a bit of history!
Maybe due to current social trend of environmental friendliness, I need to stop such wastefulness and heart pain. So I examine the reasons for such watches being damage. Quartz has a circuit board for the battery where the joints will open up due to humidity through time. Once the board spoilt, it was near impossible to find a replacement cos’ it was out of production or the cost is higher than the watch itself
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In my ‘leftover’ collection, I notice that I have a Seiko, bought in 1991, yes my very first watch, and an 11-year old Pronto automatic using ETA 289 movement still ticking without maintenance. Why were they so? My pair of Cyma watches, also 11-year old and more expensive, gone thru’ 2 repair and finally, to my horror, the circuit boards gave up last year. They were my wedding day watches! Luckily, I was able to find replacement, but I was warned if the board gave up, good luck. This means another horror show in ten year times!
From these experiences, I think I need to get automatic and from manufacturer that has a long history of building quality lasting watch. To confirm, I read many forums, went to auction, spoke to many traders, and sought advice from servicemen. All confirm that if one wants to keep a watch for a very long time, possibly into old ages, get a quality brand automatic. Why quality brand? Because of quality of material used and workmanship. Why automatic? Because quartz has the above mentioned circuit board problem and battery leak besides short-circuiting the board, it may deface the dial; and manual winding due to broken stick/crown due to frequent winding.
So in Jan 11, my wife and I went to buy a pair of pre-owned Rolex Datejust to commensurate our 10th anniversary (and to avoid the horror show in ten year time). Why Rolex? Don’t know any other brand that has watches lasted 30 years 
. Why pre-owned? Cos’ cannot afford new!
Ever since, I am on the journey to build up my watch collection again, and this time only quality brand automatic to avoid the mistake made 20 years ago. And if I want to re-sell when I become poor, watch with precious metal/stones and function(s) beside telling time – this is from auctioneers speaking from their experiences:”Most bidders (or collectors) are looking for something precious and unique, not your every day time telling stainless/plastic watch. And the brand should be around for at least 100 years.”
Hope this help and not offending anyone and if so, my apology.
I started collecting watches in 1991. Back then, I did not think it was worth paying more than $200 ($400 in today’s term) for a watch. I prefered quartz for their accuracy and found automatic troublesome to maintain. To date I have collected more than 50 quartz watches. However, I have less than 20 in my procession now. What happened to them? I throw them away because they were beyond repair or corroded by the humid weather! And it was painful every time I had to throw away cos’ each has a bit of history!
Maybe due to current social trend of environmental friendliness, I need to stop such wastefulness and heart pain. So I examine the reasons for such watches being damage. Quartz has a circuit board for the battery where the joints will open up due to humidity through time. Once the board spoilt, it was near impossible to find a replacement cos’ it was out of production or the cost is higher than the watch itself
.In my ‘leftover’ collection, I notice that I have a Seiko, bought in 1991, yes my very first watch, and an 11-year old Pronto automatic using ETA 289 movement still ticking without maintenance. Why were they so? My pair of Cyma watches, also 11-year old and more expensive, gone thru’ 2 repair and finally, to my horror, the circuit boards gave up last year. They were my wedding day watches! Luckily, I was able to find replacement, but I was warned if the board gave up, good luck. This means another horror show in ten year times!
From these experiences, I think I need to get automatic and from manufacturer that has a long history of building quality lasting watch. To confirm, I read many forums, went to auction, spoke to many traders, and sought advice from servicemen. All confirm that if one wants to keep a watch for a very long time, possibly into old ages, get a quality brand automatic. Why quality brand? Because of quality of material used and workmanship. Why automatic? Because quartz has the above mentioned circuit board problem and battery leak besides short-circuiting the board, it may deface the dial; and manual winding due to broken stick/crown due to frequent winding.
So in Jan 11, my wife and I went to buy a pair of pre-owned Rolex Datejust to commensurate our 10th anniversary (and to avoid the horror show in ten year time
). Why Rolex? Don’t know any other brand that has watches lasted 30 years . Why pre-owned? Cos’ cannot afford new!Ever since, I am on the journey to build up my watch collection again, and this time only quality brand automatic to avoid the mistake made 20 years ago
. And if I want to re-sell when I become poor, watch with precious metal/stones and function(s) beside telling time – this is from auctioneers speaking from their experiences:”Most bidders (or collectors) are looking for something precious and unique, not your every day time telling stainless/plastic watch. And the brand should be around for at least 100 years.”Hope this help and not offending anyone and if so, my apology.
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