The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Folks, help me out here with your thoughts.

If you found a watch you had been wanting for a long time, but the price was higher than you would prefer, what would you do?

I've been looking out for a particular discontinued model for a long time, even trekked back and forth all over Singapore for a weekend last year hoping to find a NOS or mint one.

Anyhow, I've found one LNIB but the asking price is pretty steep, and I doubt I will be able to bargain it down much. I can afford it and I know the watch is what I want, the only doubt in my mind is that I will know I'm paying over the odds and I could get one in 90% condition for less (would vastly prefer the LNIB one though).

Part of me thinks I should just treat it like buying a new one, i.e. accept that I have to spend more than the usual second-hand value in order to get what I want in the condition I want. What do you think?

My thought is you should get it. You've got two birds in the hand, versus one in the bush. You want LNIB anyway, and it's right in front of you. For the sake of saving some cash, you would pass it up in the hopes that you might eventually find a used one in 90% like-new condition, which (1) you don't know you will actually be able to do, and (2) the used one isn't really what you want anyway. The cash is always a bigger deal when you have to part with it than it is a year later, when you're still loving the watch you really wanted.

That's a difficult question to answer for someone else. For me the most relevant question is this: if you buy this watch, will the price you paid detract from your enjoyment of it? If the answer is no, then go for it. Remember, you can rationalize almost anything.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Yep, that's what I've been thinking. Paying a premium will stick in my throat for a bit, but probably only until it's been shipped and I get the email with the tracking number.

Thanks guys. I am admittedly pretty good at rationalising when I want to buy something!

Buy it!


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SHARKMAN

Such rare, unqualified advice from one in our profession, shark. I couldn't possibly refuse to take it!

Sounds like the decision's made Otto!

But for what it's worth, I'd agree - if you want it and it's discontinued, and if the premium isn't too horrendous, just buy it. In the grand scheme of life, I'm sure the pain of paying a little over the odds for something you really want will pass pretty quickly. Do it!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Excellent. Thanks all, I knew I would find some enablers here.

In all seriousness, I was put off just a bit by the prospect of paying more than the original buyer might have paid. But I can get over that. When I couldn't find one last year, I bought the 'next best' option, and am already in the process of flipping it.

It's an easy decision for me because I don't sell so not worried about 'losing', if the piece is worth what I am being asked to pay then I'll pay it, even if that is a premium over second best.

You'll be enjoying the piece long after the price is forgotten.

I'd buy it not think twice!!!!

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"A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure."

Since nobody else has asked, I will: What watch are you chasing? Or is it a surprise?

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day

Otto,I recently decided that I really really wanted the Planet Ocean LiquidMetal LE that was released a few years ago. I called about 30 ADs and no one has seen one in years. I called Omega and they said there were only two left in their company owned boutiques. My options were 1. find an AD who had one and possibly get a discount, 2. Find a preowned which rarely rarely ever come up, 3. Find an omega boutique that has one of the two left and pay full retail plus tax.

I chose option 3, I found one, and haven't looked back. I love it. Sure I overpaid, but I have received PMs from guys on other boards who said they will give me over retail for it. No chance!!! I don't mind one bit that I had to pay full retail because I love the watch and they're all sold out now

Buy whatever watch your hunting for and you'll cherish it.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Many thanks again to you all, it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in thinking like this. Yes, the piece has been ordered.

It's nothing exotic, but I am excited because it is IMHO the best looking Seamaster of them all, the 2234.50 black GMT on a Speedy style bracelet:
http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/seama ... t/22345000

I love dive watches and GMT watches, and this one ticks both boxes. Yeah, I know they come up second-hand fairly regularly, but not end-of-the-run models in LNIB condition with clean papers.

Oh shoot, easy call there! A classic. Enjoy it.


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SHARKMAN

Otto - Congratulations. I hope you'll post photos when it comes in.

Serge - LiquidMetal is drool-worthy.

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David
Je suis désole pour mon mauvais français.

Zenith Pilot Big Date; IWC Vintage Collection Aquatimer; IWC Portuguese 7-day