Anybody buying during the pandemic?

It occurred to me that I’m not really wearing my watches during the pandemic and I wonder if the watchmakers are suffering or if sales are chugging along? I have been keeping my eyes out for deals but haven’t really seen anything. :

I bought two watches during this pandemic. One is from DIY Watch Company where I assembled the watch myself. It appears they're doing well as some models have been floating in and out of in stock status. I have a thread here about the watch.

The other watch I purchased is a Detroit Watch Company M1 Woodward Moonphase. It's the most expensive model in this micro brand's line up. When I purchased it, there were I think 6 or 7 of them left out of the 100 unit production run. Part of the appeal is being able to pick your own serial number. I had talked to the owner of the company on the phone about the watch and how the demand was going. He didn't think the remaining units would sell out before Christmas. I decided to make it work and purchased the watch in November. I think within a month, he had sold out the remainder of his stock.

These are interesting times. A total bifurcation of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. A lot of luxury/upscale brands are doing well despite what’s happening. I think everyone is surprised about how well luxury car sales faired this past year considering the economic impact of the pandemic. We have a mall with a mini Rodeo drive in it housing stores like Tiffany, Luis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès and people are waiting in line to get in since they have occupancy limits. It’s crazy!

Myself, I have a bunch of decent watches sitting on winders and have converted to an Apple Watch for its utility. I curse myself every time I look at it but it’s hard to argue how convenient it is. It helped that my Breitling started losing time and needed service when all of this started. I never sent it in for repair/reconditioning, just started using the Apple Watch and haven’t gone back. . . Yet.

But I can say that this past year has really made me reevaluate buying new, expensive luxury items in the future. I think the long term effect for luxury brands may be more impactful than the short term effect.

I wear one of my Rolexs every day. I haven’t bought a new watch in over ten years. No rush to buy one now. I am happy with what I have.

Nothing on the horizon for me. I already have 28 timepieces in my collection.

I have bought many watches during COVID 19 ranging from Bliger to Grand Seiko GMT as well .

Last watch I bought was Christmas 2016. I bought fitbits for my wife and me, but I don’t count those as watches.

I sent my Sea Dweller in for it's regular 5-10 year overhaul. That's going to cost me $1300, does that count? I have been looking at a Seiko Gold Tuna and if I get weak I might pull the trigger.

I have bought 3 watches, sold a few, modded a couple, and plan on picking up a couple this year.

I`m always looking.
I bought a beater to wear around the house, and when I`m working on the cars a few months ago, I`m really impressed with the quality.

ive been buying and selling throughout it and actually saw my watch work volume go up during all of this.

While a lot of people lost their jobs and income, there are still a ton of people making money, and with how the stock market has been surging the last year, lots of new people making money as well. The watch market hasnt slowed down at all and prices are actually up from last year.

The majority of my friends have built their collection over the pandemic. This was the time to buy in my area as it is a very tourist centric area. Because of the pandemic all of the regular "high rollers" haven't come to town so the AD's have been offering up many pieces that we wouldn't normally would be able to get. There is still a game to be played, but not as much compared to before.

It's been interesting as they've been getting pieces, but the AD's have been wiped out at the same time. Nothing on the floor usually.

Funny story, I went into an AD here in Oakville to see if they had any of the new Tudors for sale and there was a gentleman sitting at the Rolex desk with a list of 22 watches that he was willing to purchase on the spot and they didn’t have a single one. He was so frustrated, and then saw that I was wearing a GMT and offered me a good price, but it took me so long to get it, I just couldn’t part with it.

Webb70 wrote

Funny story, I went into her AD here in Oakville to see if they had any of the new Tudors for sale and there was a gentleman sitting at the Rolex desk with a list of 22 watches that he was willing to purchase on the spot and they didn’t have a single one. He was so frustrated, and then saw that I was wearing a GMT and offered me a good price, but it took me so long to get it, I just couldn’t part with it.

I guarantee if that guy bought a ladies Datejust they would have magically produced one of those models that they "forgot" they had in the safe. With things somewhat going in the direction of "normal" AD's are starting to enforce history pieces again. An AD wanted a history piece for an Airking.

damageprone wrote

I guarantee if that guy bought a ladies Datejust they would have magically produced one of those models that they "forgot" they had in the safe. With things somewhat going in the direction of "normal" AD's are starting to enforce history pieces again. An AD wanted a history piece for an Airking.

8 of the watches were ladies, and 4 of the men’s were not sports models. They just don’t have stock.....

Webb70 wrote

8 of the watches were ladies, and 4 of the men’s were not sports models. They just don’t have stock.....

The AP AD here had zero on the floor. The sales staff was asked if they got robbed

TheWatchGuy wrote

ive been buying and selling throughout it and actually saw my watch work volume go up during all of this.

While a lot of people lost their jobs and income, there are still a ton of people making money, and with how the stock market has been surging the last year, lots of new people making money as well. The watch market hasnt slowed down at all and prices are actually up from last year.

Watches are now stonks. Greys trading with greys

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/933612730749176?ref=share_attachment

Does the $30 Casio I bought for my Bahamas vacation coming up count??

No

watches are still hot. ive been buying and selling during the pandemic. inventory is lower and prices are up.

The very reverse has happened... go see what any Rolex is reselling for.

I bought my sub for $8500, easily could sell tomorrow for $11k... I think anyone that hasn't bought a Rolex, AP or Patek really missed the bus at this point and those that sold early shot themselves in the foot.