For watches bought as an investment, should they be stored in their original box with the plastic protective film still attached, or should it be removed?

I would hate to bring it out in 5 or so years, and find the protective film has amalgamated with the watch. 
Gone - Range Rover Supercharged 2006

Assuming it's a decent watch (has to be if it's an investment) then it will have a sapphire glass. Leave the film on Justin.

Dom

As a slight aside, I was advised by my insurance company to make sure all the paperwork associated with the watch (especially the warranty card) in the box is removed and kept secured elsewhere in case of theft. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Watch noob question...

Are they really an investment or just a nice thing to keep and go up a bit in value?
Is it going to go up about 8%+ per year in true value?

Time will tell, but going on how the price has climbed for Rolex watches since I bought my first one in 2004, then I feel it's worth a punt. The new one is also very rare. 
Gone - Range Rover Supercharged 2006


Last edited by JustinP on 22nd Aug 2012 9:54am. Edited 1 time in total

Simes will know! Mine was a blue one!

And, on cue, here he comes!

First off - I always say caution with watches as an investment. Yes, in the last few years, some watches have done very well in terms of resale value, especially with the huge hikes in new prices. But, the bubble could burst at any time, or the current trend could continue...

I personally won't buy a new watch as an investment as you lose the VAT/dealer discount etc value straight away, unless it's a very limited edition. However, a watch that is 20k today, could climb quickly, as mentioned above, depending on what it is and who wants it when you come to sell it.

Make sure that the one you buy isn't just rare today, because it's a new model, and will be common as muck in a fortnight

Storage, cool, dark place (like a safe) with the labels and hang tags still attached everytime. Once you remove them they wont go back on the same. I know - I always wear all of mine (not at the same time) and you can't get the labels back on right.

Papers - two schools of thought - yes certainly store them somewhere else to the watch, but again in a cool dark place. Some people prefer them unstamped, others like to see them stamped by the selling dealer and made out in the buyers name (depends a bit of how long you are going to keep it before selling on - if it's a few weeks, then unstamped, a few years then stamped).

So, leave the labels and films on, and the hang tags. Don't put all your money in watches, but a speculative flutter isn't a bad thing! Rolex have always been seen as a safe investment - not because they are anything particularly fine - although they are good, but because Rolex control the whole retail chain and are strict on dealers offering dicounts and hike their prices (without much justification it has to be said) year on year. As the new prices climb, and there are few discounts available, then the second hand price is protected somewhat.

Even sitting in your safe, the lume and the oils and greases will degrade somewhat - so if you decide not to sell it, but to wear it after (say) 5 years, expect £500 to £700 for a service before you do use it. Dried up oils mess up the long term like of a movement that same as old oil in the engine of a car. Once serviced, it will lose it's labels and hang tags! So, probably expect the next buyer to haggle the cost of the service off you when you sell...

Good luck - what is it out of interest? I guess a Rolex or a one of the new Tudors?

I'm a collector and have been buying quite a lot for investment over the last 3 or 4 years. I've got all sorts of brands but generally old Omega's is my thing.
Have a look at tz-uk.com although I have to admit it's hard work trying to join (limited take on certain days of the month)
But you'll be able to get good advice there. I've just bought a couple of early 70's TV dialed omega megaquartz as a speculative investment. A very expensive watch at launch, more than a Speedy or SMP and now only a few hundred quid. I'm sure they'll move over the next few years. Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

Hi Mark,

That's more my take on it - buying 'collectable' watches - and hunting them down - again a speculative investment, but it's half the fun!

Tell my Wife.... She went mad when the 50th arrived this week....

(A Very Lovely Seiko Monaco from 1974 though!!) Regards
Mark

2009 D4; 1993 Classic 3.9 VSE

Bless 'em - they don't understand!

BTW - for the OP - Joining TZ-UK.com is dead simple, but you need to apply during working hours. Any applications outside of normal working hours just get automatically binned. Eddie (site owner) can't be bothered wading through the spam requests and bots that seem to accumulate outside of normal (UK) working hours so has set the system to bin the lot.

Quote: JustinP "Time will tell"

(shows I am paying attention!) .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

I've submitted my TZ-UK.com account request, now waiting patiently  
Gone - Range Rover Supercharged 2006

I've tried a few times on and off, so I thought I'd try again not expecting much success, only to find a got enrolled straight away!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Heh - now get involved - 30 days and 50 posts then you can see Sales Corner......


Hehehehehehehehe...