Why I unloaded a bunch of Rolex

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by yOyOYoo

About a month ago I let go of my Submariner Ceramic Date. It was a wedding gift from my wife 7 years ago. The reason I let it go was because I really wasn't wearing it that often. Turns out I prefer having a watch without a date since I found it annoying setting the date so much. I kept the sub in the safe for a while, thinking I'd save it for my son someday. I am not one to have material attachments, and figured my son may not even want it. I've been cleaning out the house of a lot of random things taking up space (like my old high school yearbooks) and figured it was time for the sub to go to a new home.

My WG Daytona on Oysterflex is my new daily.

You still married to that wife? Don’t think I would have sold that one. Gifting to my son would have been my choice. Hope you at least gave her the proceeds.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Yes, as I stated, I was really surprised how many passing compliments the Hulk got. Way more than the smurf...

Very true. When I owned mine, a lot of curiosity from people wondering why a green watch in general and those that knew it was a Rolex but never seen a green one.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Everyone views collecting differently, that’s what makes this hobby fun. It’s sounds like you followed what you truly wanted and not what most of us would’ve done. And that’s one magnificent Patek! Congrats!

[Hollie_Rollie]

Originally Posted by Pam673

More like Rolex is upset and will direct AD to ban OP.

Oh, stuff Rolex, they strategically formulated the SS drought anyway by limiting the amount of SS to ADs.

COVID is terrible but one thing it did for watch lovers is tearing up the flippers market and will soon allow enthusiast to be able to walk into an AD and buy their watch without bullshit.

I don’t think COVID did that. I think the hype was over prior to COVID but once the virus hit full force it definitely acted as a catalyst. I’m confused why everyone thinks the prices will go back up after this is all over. Prices were on the downward spiral (aka flippers margins were getting smaller and smaller slowly) prior to COVID

[nyyankees]

Sounds like your timing and planning worked out perfectly! I sold one last year which I regret and that was my Sub ND. On a whim I traded a nice sedan I had only had for 3 months for new truck that I found a great deal on and was a new
Model year I was really intrigued with. Stoopid to sell the sub because I didn’t need to do it and my wife told me not too but I sold the sub because I was feeling like I was being too superfluous with my spending (think about even a used car deprecating over 3 short months). Sold Sub put the cash towards the truck (also not overly smart as the watch was appreciating and truck was depreciating!). I just figured I was done with Rolex. Fast forward about 5 months and I picked up and Pelagos and then a couple months later at DJ41. Sick hobby. Would have liked to pick up another Sub but the price was already much higher than what I had sold my sub for just a few months before and I couldnt get myself to spend more for something I already had.


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[omx5o]

Archie, is that you?

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by snoware

Even though I love my SD43 (I have a 20cm/8inch wrist) I strongly believe that you did the right thing.

From a collectors point of view having too many same-era pieces weakens the collection and the PP adds depth to the assembly!

May I inquire: how long have you been collecting your watches?

I am just at the beginning of my journey and love hearing about other people’s watch stories!


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Hi, good question. I’ve been into watches since my late teens and I’m now in my early 50s. When I first started making any meaningful money I started buying a watch that spoke to me (and others) about my personality. For a long stint I was a one-watch guy, mainly due to the fact that I traveled extensively for my career and could only really have one watch with me, which was always on my wrist. In my 30s I began to acquire more pieces which coincided with my world travel slowing and me being more grounded for extended periods. So I’d say that its the last 2 decades that I began truly collecting. My tastes have obviously transitioned as my disposable income has increased but, I started out with a passion for Rolex after my first late 80s foray into the then popular cartier era and, I have held Rolex as the mainstay of my collection since then

[Maverick_1908]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Hi, good question. I’ve been into watches since my late teens and I’m now in my early 50s. When I first started making any meaningful money I started buying a watch that spoke to me (and others) about my personality. For a long stint I was a one-watch guy, mainly due to the fact that I traveled extensively for my career and could only really have one watch with me, which was always on my wrist. In my 30s I began to acquire more pieces which coincided with my world travel slowing and me being more grounded for extended periods. So I’d say that its the last 2 decades that I began truly collecting. My tastes have obviously transitioned as my disposable income has increased but, I started out with a passion for Rolex after my first late 80s foray into the then popular cartier era and, I have held Rolex as the mainstay of my collection since then

Nice journey and one I would love to have as well. Mine is just starting since I’m in my early thirties.


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[MHB]

Nice post. What an ingenious and meticulous way of selling off your collection. You pitted the sharks against each other and assuredly saved yourself thousands by doing so.

I definitely would have kept the GMT though! Enjoy your PP!

[brandrea]

Sounds like a good move.

Less is more IMO and I’d never be able to cope with owning more than 4 or 5 watches to begin with, let alone a collection like you had.

[Galaga167]

Ballsy move but good on you.

[A971]

Thanks for sharing this.

As someone that has a few in my collection that I'm looking to drop, it helps to hear your process.

And congrats on the very beautiful PP. A bit jealous... anything beyond the 5711/5712 too big for my wrist!

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

I sold my AP RO 15400 silver dial to fund a Smurf, which I am still patiently waiting on. I might be investing the cash soon if there is another big dip in the market since the likelihood of getting it in the next 6 months is low.

Lol what? The smurf is is sitting in some AD cases, this is not a hard watch whatsoever to find, not even at the peak

[Rolexander]

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

I sold my AP RO 15400 silver dial to fund a Smurf, which I am still patiently waiting on. I might be investing the cash soon if there is another big dip in the market since the likelihood of getting it in the next 6 months is low.

There are multiple Smurf at DavidSW up to 10k under MSRP... that’s my grail watch...


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[djyolky]

Originally Posted by dmash

Lol what? The smurf is is sitting in some AD cases, this is not a hard watch whatsoever to find, not even at the peak

True dat!

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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by MHB

Nice post. What an ingenious and meticulous way of selling off your collection. You pitted the sharks against each other and assuredly saved yourself thousands by doing so.

I definitely would have kept the GMT though! Enjoy your PP!

[Malvolio76]

Stunning and brave


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[Onikage]

16710 is the only one I'd miss. Everything else can go $$$. Way to go.

[Zoran]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

You must be a bass player, cause your timing is impeccable.

What's impressive is not the monetary gain. But the levelheaded, strategic logic in your decision. It's the same reason I love Tudor. There are those how think 'if he only could afford a Rolex he'd see the difference." Nonsense. I started w/ Patek, bought [and still own] Rolex, and now I choose Tudor because it fits who I am and offers references that interest me.

You've decided what is right for you. Your collection focus has evolved and you followed your gut. Well done and it's refreshing to see honest self reflection.
dP

Well said, Dan!
Many of us go through different phases before we end up with the watches we like most. Many times different brands come into play and price is not always the deciding factor.
It all comes down to different periods in life and getting to know your personal preference rather than playing the market hot pieces.

OP you did very well and I'm happy for you. Enjoy that new 5980 although we both know you will be reaching for that 5513 very soon

[travisb]

Makes sense. Well done.

[SkyJuice]

Another good thing from consolidation is now you only have to pay for 1 watch to be serviced.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

This is one of the best posts I’ve seen on here for a while.

I really appreciate the honesty and that’s a fine collection you've liquidated for something special which is refreshing to hear.

My collection has ballooned somewhat and having received a call from my AD last week probing to see if I’m still in the market to buy, I have been reflecting this week on which, if any, of the watches I have I should liquidate to consolidate down to less watches and just a few I know I will wear. Some of my collection are still stickered in the safe and in all honesty that’s probably not a good thing if I’m never gonna wear them, trouble is, now isn’t a good time to be selling!

[ap1]

Kool read OP. My collection always ebbs and flows from 20 (absolute max) to 9 and every number in between. I’m towards the low number now and recent Rolex pricing makes this
Task easier to unwind pricing wise as you point out. I do fear adding more again of less “sticky” values as the unwind phase would be painful. The guys who move a lot on here have had absolute nirvana the last couple years. That’s defiantly gonna be the anomaly moving forward I’d say

[tng11]

Love the honesty in the OP! Cheers to that!

In the last year I also did a bunch of shifting around of pieces. Sold some pieces that I liked but couldn't justify keeping given the opportunity cost. Among them was the PP 5712/1A, AP 15202ST, 116519LN, black 116500LN and Oyster BLNR. Used the profit to fund a Lange 1815 Chronograph, a grail piece of sorts that previously I was worried about buying because of the lack of liquidity/value retention. I'm now down to 5 pieces and find myself enjoying a narrow collection much more.

[Gdaso]

Great move OP!
Congrats on the Patek! Stunning watch
I admire your discipline in planning and executing this move!

[IR201]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

You still married to that wife? Don’t think I would have sold that one. Gifting to my son would have been my choice. Hope you at least gave her the proceeds.

And what about the yearbooks? I would miss those too :)

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by tng11

Love the honesty in the OP! Cheers to that!

In the last year I also did a bunch of shifting around of pieces. Sold some pieces that I liked but couldn't justify keeping given the opportunity cost. Among them was the PP 5712/1A, AP 15202ST, 116519LN, black 116500LN and Oyster BLNR. Used the profit to fund a Lange 1815 Chronograph, a grail piece of sorts that previously I was worried about buying because of the lack of liquidity/value retention. I'm now down to 5 pieces and find myself enjoying a narrow collection much more.

[Wristwatchcheck]

This thread will not age well lol

[pholzer]

Originally Posted by inadeje

In February 2020 I unloaded 7 Rolex watches, these were: Batman 2019, Hulk 2019, CHNR Root Beer TT, Sea Dweller 43, DJII Blk Roman, EXP II Polar 42 mm, 16710 GMT II Stick Dial.

My GF asks me if I miss them and, from time to time I recall the excitement of getting each one of them. However, like many TRF members, the ever bloating of my collection became dull and, even though I have never owned a watch to speculate any future profit, I felt that I was probably at the top of the market, and now was a good a time as any if I wanted to consolidate. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all amazing pieces and I loved owning each one of them, it was just that the blend of reduced wrist time for each, allied to lack of overall time, it seemed like the right moment. From the group I sold, the ones that garnered the most compliments were the 16710 GMT II Stick Dial and, (this surprised me) the Hulk.

These are my personal feelings: I always felt that the Batman 2019 was not as cool as the original oyster version. The CHNR, while a beautiful watch, didn’t really appeal to me the way a watch should. The EXP II Polar 42 mm was a spur of the moment purchase that I made because I was shocked to see a sports Rolex for sale at an AD . The SD43 I found a little top heavy for my liking and it never really won any meaningful fight for wrist time against my smurf or 5513 birth year. The DJII was supposed to be my dress watch but, I realized that I rarely dress formally these days, and when I did, I always found myself wearing something else, thus never wore it much.

I know that many of you could be longing for some these pieces or, may own them and be thinking “what is he talking about??”, nevertheless, I think that as collectors we constantly search the next “fix” and that the “chase” is sometimes more exciting than eventual ownership in some instances.

I moved all the funds into just one Patek, so I went from 7 to 1 you could say. I then picked up a 2020 BLRO replacement from the AD, because I missed the 16710 GMT II Stick Dial (which I sold for 14K) quite a bit.

Full disclosure – Based upon my original purchase prices, I made $19,908 USD on the sale of the group. That was not the motivating factor of letting these pieces go though, in fact, that economic upside had zero bearing on my decision.

I’m wondering, with all of this COVID19 time on our hands, if any other members would like to chime in and let us know which watches they let go over the past year and reveal the underlying reasons or rationale behind their decisions? I ask because we see so many euphoric “incoming”, of which I myself have been many, but seldom do we read about TRF members who have moved some pieces along nor why.

Thanks for sharing, sounds great.

[Swaye]

The collection is looking fantastic buddy! You know I did the same thing last year (sold a dozen Rolex over the year) because of the exact same reason - bloated collection, acquiring just to acquire, no wrist time, etc. I know exactly what you were going for here because I did it. I got two FPJ's and another Jumbo out of the deal, and feel my new, much smaller collection is much more diversified, wearable, and fun. I am glad you did it, glad you held onto the Omega, and think your collection is in a great spot!

I should add I think my Hulk is leaving in the next couple of months. A very good friend, who wants his first proper watch, has asked me if I would sell it to him. What a killer first watch for him. Winnowing down is sometimes a very good thing.