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Measuring a Watch's Resale Value |
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There are many factors that can impact the resale value of a watch. While
some can influence it positively, most are negative. Like most things, the
value of a watch tends to decrease rather than increase once it leaves the
display case. Still, if someone has a luxury watch that they wish to sell,
there are three factors they should to keep in mind. These factors are:
1.
Positive factors: These are the aspects that actually improve the resale
value of a watch. Perhaps the most important is the exclusivity or rarity
of a particular watch. For example, if it is a vintage watch or a watch
that has become hard to find in the current market, its price
automatically jumps up. Sometimes manufacturers create limited editions of
watches to celebrate an anniversary or other moment of some importance.
Such watches also tend to enjoy a higher resale value. Because many people
are willing to pay a good sum of money for watches that have an added
value generated by a prestigious previous owner, it is important to
consider whether a celebrity has owned the watch. Watches that have been
worn in movies command a premium resale price. On the more mundane end of
the scale, a watch whose warranty is still in effect (and is transferable)
also retains a considerable part of its value.
2. Mixed value
factors: Unfortunately many watch owners considers a watch to have a high
potential resale value because it happens to be an allegedly rare or
limited edition. But sometimes manufacturers dilute the value of such
watches by selling them in vast quantities. In the process of doing this
the value of the watch is lowered: a "limited edition" isn't very limited
or rare if several hundred thousand units were sold. There is also a
belief that a higher value can be expected if the seller retains
possession of the original box and purchase papers of a watch. This is
typically only a minor factor, however, and may or may not noticeably
impact on the resale value. Also, while sometimes there are watches that
possess 'remarkable' serial numbers, such as the date of manufacture of
the watch or numbers with interesting or significant patterns. While this
certainly adds a novelty interest to the watch, it does not tend to do
much for its resale price.
3. Negative factors: There are certain
factors that consistently reduce the resale value of a watch. For
instance, watches that are heavily decorated with precious metals or
stones tend to depreciate over the years. Many manufacturers create
cheaper, bottom of the line models. While these watches may bear the
premium brand name (such as Rolex), they do not command much respect or
desirability. Finally, watches from which the serial numbers have been
removed or defaced beyond recognition are condemned to the lowest rung of
the resale ladder, as this is the mark of a stolen or "hot" watch.
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