Watches - another OCD problem
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@Giles visiting London next year and thinking about my IWC MKXVIII. Thinking that should be pretty low key.
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@Anesthetist it's probably worth having a chat with @ddtrash about this.
My understanding is that something recognisable like a Rolex, Nautilus, or Richard Mille will very likely draw unwanted attention. I've heard that a lot of collectors in London won't wear them for that reason.
If you are wanting to watch shop in London, most of the boutiques are on Bond Street, there's a huge Watches of Switzerland on Regent Street, and both Harrods and Selfridges have decent selections. Unfortunately, you cannot reclaim VAT (around 20%) post Brexit, which makes it expensive, though Duty Free at Schiphol in the Netherlands didn't have it when I passed through in July. I don't know about Gatwick.
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@Anesthetist London is pretty bad for watch crime these days. I never wear anything recognisable when I visit the city. The gangs seem to target bars and restaurants in the evenings. They spot a nice watch and then follow you away from the bar and then mug your for the watch.
One of my Patek collecting contacts got seriously hurt (week in hospital with head injuries etc) when he was hit on the head with a metal bar for his modern ceramic GMT master II. He had been followed out of a city centre pub/restaurant and mugged just before he entered his own apartment building. The police told him that his watch would have been into Continental Europe for sale within 24hrs of it being taken off his wrist.
If you are only going around town during the day with family sightseeing at the major attractions etc then you should be OK. If you are out drinking and partying in the evenings then this carries more risk for watch theft. I personally would not take the risk with anything easily recognisable, Rolex and certain Patek models are incredibly easy to spot.
The irony is that there have been incidents of people getting mugged for fake watches....
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@ddtrash it would be virtually impossible to tell the real from the fake from the distance these spotters are working at. Even with a fake watch, I’m sure the experience of getting robbed is not the best. The victim can, however, chuckle a little once the initial rush wears off, hoping a witnesses or security camera can identify these creeps.
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Coincidentally, Time and Tide has just published an article on London watch robberies.
https://timeandtidewatches.com/bbc-watch-theft-recommended-reading/
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I reckon it's down to how you wear it. I've never worn mine with a bracelet. and the gmt master 2 looks very downplayed on a nato. so much so most people think it's just a seiko..
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@JDelage This exactly how some of these gangs are operating. Attractive female spotters sent in to the pub / club / restaurant etc to scope out what is on peoples wrists. As @TinMan mentioned, it is a sad state of affairs.
This is not just prevalent in London. Barcelona also has a bad rep for this kind of crime.
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I watched the BBC programme referred to in the article. The lack of any kind of guilt or compassion for the victims was chilling to hear.
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Empathy is dead. “Civil”ization next.
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@mclaincausey a cheery message this festive season
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Merry Christmas! I wish I could afford to give away nice watches but all I have is existential dread.
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Been noodling this, lux watch problem.
Much love and appreciation for watches in general. Lux was historically not a priority. 3 to 4 years ago, decided to take the deep dive been researching and looking. very close to making a decision on my first luxury watch. Been part of ebay community since mid 2000. Within last couple of years I have noticeed a huge rise in gray market luxury watches and lots of new sellers. It’s possible it’s always been huge on eBay, just something I was not historically looking for.
Should first watch come the gray market or a dealer?
Now, I have an IRONHEART!!
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@TinMan The prices are way overinflated right now on the secondary market and I would only purchase if you can truly find a deal.
The problem with deals is often something is wrong with the watch or it is fake…
I would purchase new if you can find one, but they are and have been in short supply for the last 2 or 3 years.
The markets are starting to stabilize and the prices are starting to drop back down to where they should be.
If you can, wait for another 6 months or a year and you should be able to find some great deals from sellers who over extended themselves and need money now.
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@goosehd sound advise solid strategy. Definitely new to this market and I am not in huge rush, I got no problem waiting 6 months to a year. I will just fill the void with some IH gear
@JDelage I have kicked tires over on chrono24, just a couple times. It always good to hear feedback from some who has bought there.
Thank you for the help, I will keep y’all posted.
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@TinMan what are you looking for?
If I was buying something in current production, I'd start with an authorised dealer. That way you get the manufacturer's warranty (five years for Rolex and Omega), and you can be reasonably sure that you're getting the genuine article.
The problem with buying from a boutique is that if you want something that's perceived as being desirable, they can start playing games. I've asked about a Patek on a couple of occasions. The first time I was told that I'd have to build up a purchase history to prove I was worthy of it, the second I was informed that the model wasn't available.
In which case, @goosehd's advice should stand: Walk or run away and find one that doesn't try it on.
Outside of things like the Nautilus and Daytona, I suspect that most Patek and Rolex watches aren't impossible to get hold of despite the line that a salesperson is feeding you.
The grey market would appeal if it was the only way to get something. For example, a few years ago I saw a Hermes In The Pocket at a dealer. They were produced in a run of twenty-four pieces in 2012, and I haven't seen one since. Yeah, I should have bought it.
But if I saw a juicy discount on a model on the secondary market, I'd be tempted to see if I could get an authorised dealer to match it.
