How much would you pay a GEN?

[P4GTR]

I think its all relative. If I could buy a $10,000 watch for $4,000, I would to sell it. I don't think thats the question though. How much am I willing to pay for a gen, still is such an elaborate issue.

I'll be waiting outside with Fortey for the publishers clearing house van if anyone needs me.

 

[Bomba]

I've paid more than $4k for my gens, and I buy them only after trying out the rep to make sure that I feel the watch is worthy of the money. A good example is Panerai, as I wasn't sold on the look and feel of the crown guard and all, until I got a rep 111. Loved it, now I own 2 gens. One new and one pre-owned (which can be fantastic values, BTW).

Same was true of my 45.5 Planet Ocean gen, I wasn't sure I was going to like big watches, so I bought the UPO. Loved it and got the Gen.

While the UPO watch shopping was going on, I did some trial and error. So I also bought an IWC Big Pilot and a 42mm Ingy. Two excellent reps, and I found that the Big Pilot isn't comfortable on my wrist as the crown bites into the back of my hand, and the Ingy while gorgeous looks wimpy compared to the UPO. Ergo, UPO led to a gen PO purchase.

Now admittedly, I have not bought a gen watch in more than 4 years now so I'm not sure where I stand in this conversation. But I will say that I've bought more than 25 reps in that period, so either I have no urge for a gen or the rep game has taken over. It's likely that I'm all about reps these days.

A personal reason which drove me to reps is that I'm living in a foreign country, and I preferred to leave my gens in the safe at home in the CONUS. The new concern will be bringing my 25 reps back into the USA when I repatriate... LOL...

Sometimes you can never win with this hobby...

 

[PremierPegasus]

I would say 2-3k is the limit, but I'll pay whatever I think it's worth. I cannot understand the inflation of luxury watches in the recent years. Was quoted 7.5k for a sub, way over what i think it's worth.

Then there's the 4.1k PO that can be had for 3k or less (the other 1.1k going into MSRP just to "push" omega closer to rolex). I'm guessing that the total production cost is a fraction of MSRP. Another value proposition for reps.

 

[Wuggy]

If I had the dough I might drop $3000 on a gen. that's about as high as I'd go even if I had more cash. MSRP for stainless subs is $8000, I would never consider it.

keep in mind that all the luxury brands are selling most to China/Hong Kong right now. If you look at their web sites the first language is Chinese. Lots of new money in Asia. They don't care so much about Europe or America any more, they see money bags in the East.

 

[bigdeal]

1.5-2x what a top notch rep of the same would cost. Where the watch was made means very little to me...

 

[boostin20]

If I think I'm getting a good deal and it feels right, then I'm fine paying up to $4k for a gen that I can't live without. After that, I start to have a lot of "do I really need it right now" thoughts.

That being said, with the ever growing support for reps, and the good quality, I don't really see much of a reason to buy many more gens.

 

[revhrd]

I agree with $4.5k being the most I would pay for the new dssd, is it realist? Not really but I do feel that almost $10k for that particular watch serves no real purpose as I am no professional diver.

Exceptions of course are those grails most of think us about, AP diver is going $11-$13k gray market, but if I saw one for say $8-9k I would sell a gen or two to get this one. Though really in an abstract sort of way, the BR02 is it's long lost twin at a fraction of the cost (inner bezel, different than regular diver shape).

Of course we know that most brands lose their value crazy so if one is a savvy patient shopper one can get a gen under $4k easily. But definitely not all rolex, pam models. This is mainly breitlings, omegas, zeniths and in my experience a blancpain or two.

Oddly enough that's my grail which I got under $4.5k, BP 50F C2K which is inhouse and 100 power reserve. Retail was much more but lucky for me BP value in this isn't as much as a regular 50F. Do I wear it a lot, not really that bracelet is not the most comfortable so until I get a BP kevlar strap I wear others and now it's a dd 21j from here.

Value is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Wuggy]

I just posted this in another forum, but I think it's relevant to this discussion:

---------
In 2009 (probably hasn't changed much since then) the median American household income was $49,777. If a new Rolex steel sub retails for $8000, that's 16% of that family's income.

In 1981 the median household income was $19,074. 16% of that is $3050.

Was the MSRP for a steel Rolex Sub $3050 in 1981? If not, then the very same watches consume a much larger chunk of the average family's income these days, meaning they're no longer "tool" watches.

*Data taken from: http://www.davemanuel.com/median-household-income.php

EDIT:

In fact, I've found that prices for Stainless Date Subs were $950 in 1980 and $1175 in 1982, so we'll average that and say it was about $1050 in 1981. Meaning that--taking inflation into account--the Stainless Sub is about 3 times more expensive now than it was 30 years ago. If they were priced the same as they were back then in relation to family income, they would be retailing for around $2700 today. Instead they're going for $8000.

$2700 is "tool watch" territory, $8000 is not.

*Data taken from http://www.minus4plus6.com/PriceEvolution.htm
---------

But what's most hilarious are the responses to my post in that forum. That is to say, there was none. Just a bunch of

and

.. I'll link to the thread here, it's funny as hell:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=178278

My post stands out like a grown man in a child's wading pool. Rolex people are definitely not Einsteins.

 

[bigdeal]

I just posted this in another forum, but I think it's relevant to this discussion:

---------
In 2009 (probably hasn't changed much since then) the median American household income was $49,777. If a new Rolex steel sub retails for $8000, that's 16% of that family's income.

In 1981 the median household income was $19,074. 16% of that is $3050.

Was the MSRP for a steel Rolex Sub $3050 in 1981? If not, then the very same watches consume a much larger chunk of the average family's income these days, meaning they're no longer "tool" watches.

*Data taken from: http://www.davemanuel.com/median-household-income.php

EDIT:

In fact, I've found that prices for Stainless Date Subs were $950 in 1980 and $1175 in 1982, so we'll average that and say it was about $1050 in 1981. Meaning that--taking inflation into account--the Stainless Sub is about 3 times more expensive now than it was 30 years ago. If they were priced the same as they were back then in relation to family income, they would be retailing for around $2700 today. Instead they're going for $8000.

$2700 is "tool watch" territory, $8000 is not.

*Data taken from http://www.minus4plus6.com/PriceEvolution.htm
---------

But what's most hilarious are the responses to my post in that forum. That is to say, there was none. Just a bunch of

and

.. I'll link to the thread here, it's funny as hell:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=178278

My post stands out like a grown man in a child's wading pool. Rolex people are definitely not Einsteins.

I didn't read the whole thread, but this made me laugh:

"...Lying on your deathbed and saying "I wish I had worn it more often..." "

Wow...

 

[believer123]

Then there's the 4.1k PO that can be had for 3k or less (the other 1.1k going into MSRP just to "push" omega closer to rolex). I'm guessing that the total production cost is a fraction of MSRP. Another value proposition for reps.

That is very Sad, because the Omega was once considered the "Affordable."

 

[PecMan]

lets say i love a gen watch , it is my dream , and there is not replica , i have been waiting years and no replica , and if there is , it is really bad so (remember i love the watch! ) quality is amazing! movement is nice and hard to replicate or imposible to replicate ,so that way i would spend 10 k if i have 300 k in the bank account

 

[ochaves]

USD 1500 for Ball, Oris and Hamilton (maybe less for a Hamilton)

USD 200 for Seiko and Citizen

That's the top my very underpay economy let me buy. Anyway still saving for a Hamilyon Khaki Aviator 46mm (the mechanical version)

 

[tflgee]

i just bought a gen TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre S. as said before, if it uses an ETA, id just go the rep, but the Calibre S is quite unique. cost me 1300 USD, second hand but as-new condition

I just bought a new one for $1050. It is a pretty cool movement. Probably one of the only watches you really do have to read the manual.

 

[joshtammi]

I just bought a new one for $1050. It is a pretty cool movement. Probably one of the only watches you really do have to read the manual.

DAMNNN 1050... what a bargain, where did you steal that from?

 

[rsea]

I see enough value to commit 2.5k but beyond that you're just paying for name and that annoys me.

Having said that the vintages I love go for 60k+ and are worth every penny

 

[joegrimm]

The way i see it is a watch is a piece of jewelry, plain and simple. So the value of it is in the eye of the beholder.

Would i pay 8k for a SS submariner? Yes, and i have
Would i pay 30k for a gold rolex? Yes , and i have

even though most people think your just paying for the name and a watch coming directly from an AD is way over priced, compared to a very very good rep, i do somewhat agree however even though they look 99% similar they are not at all the same quality in build.

A SS rolex that costs 8k is made of very high quality materials including a costly 904l grade steel.

A SS noobmarimer that cost 400$ and is advertised to be 316 grade steel, is probably made of melted kitchen pots and pans.

now dont get me wrong, im not trying to knock anybody down here, as i am the proud owner of many many reps and also the proud owner of many many gens. However when looking at the value of something you have to look at all the factors involved. Not just the fact that it looks "similar" so why would i pay 20 times the price?

I'll give you guys another scenario to think about. Some of you have already gone through this and most of you will go through it in the future.

Its time to propose to your beautiful future wife... are you gonna buy her a 5k diamond ring? or are you gonna buy her a 79$ cubic zirconia? the CZ looks and feels exactly like the real diamond. Nobody is ever gonna now its a CZ. But is the value of the CS's looks equivalent to the value of a Diamond?

Everybody is entitled to there own opinion and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Just like i think people who spend crazy amounts of cash for paintings or statues are just being dumb, meanwhile the same guy who spends 25k for a statue looks at me and thinks im the dumb one for spending 10k on a watch with a leather band...

A watch is almost like a piece of art, in the sense that it is somewhat of an investment. You can pay 15k for it and wear it for 3 years and probably be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it.

 

[rsea]

The way i see it is a watch is a piece of jewelry, plain and simple. So the value of it is in the eye of the beholder.

Would i pay 8k for a SS submariner? Yes, and i have
Would i pay 30k for a gold rolex? Yes , and i have

even though most people think your just paying for the name and a watch coming directly from an AD is way over priced, compared to a very very good rep, i do somewhat agree however even though they look 99% similar they are not at all the same quality in build.

A SS rolex that costs 8k is made of very high quality materials including a costly 904l grade steel.

A SS noobmarimer that cost 400$ and is advertised to be 316 grade steel, is probably made of melted kitchen pots and pans.

now dont get me wrong, im not trying to knock anybody down here, as i am the proud owner of many many reps and also the proud owner of many many gens. However when looking at the value of something you have to look at all the factors involved. Not just the fact that it looks "similar" so why would i pay 20 times the price?

I'll give you guys another scenario to think about. Some of you have already gone through this and most of you will go through it in the future.

Its time to propose to your beautiful future wife... are you gonna buy her a 5k diamond ring? or are you gonna buy her a 79$ cubic zirconia? the CZ looks and feels exactly like the real diamond. Nobody is ever gonna now its a CZ. But is the value of the CS's looks equivalent to the value of a Diamond?

Everybody is entitled to there own opinion and there is nothing wrong with that at all. Just like i think people who spend crazy amounts of cash for paintings or statues are just being dumb, meanwhile the same guy who spends 25k for a statue looks at me and thinks im the dumb one for spending 10k on a watch with a leather band...

A watch is almost like a piece of art, in the sense that it is somewhat of an investment. You can pay 15k for it and wear it for 3 years and probably be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it.

We're all suckers
It's only the depth that varies

 

[tflgee]

DAMNNN 1050... what a bargain, where did you steal that from?

Got it on sale at Ashford.com

A SS rolex that costs 8k is made of very high quality materials including a costly 904l grade steel.

As an engineer every time I see this statement I want to puke. Sure 904 steel is more expensive than your typical 300 series steels. It is quite a bit more expensive and does have better corrosion resistance. But this stuff is for super corrosive environments. We will never notice any difference in the real world. As far as the cost goes it's about 40% more than typical 300 series CRES. However a watch case used about $5 worth of steel. So that Rolex case has about $7 worth of steel in it. The machining and the finishing costs are many times more than the cost of the raw material.

 

[rsea]

a watch case used about $5 worth of steel. So that Rolex case has about $7 worth of steel in it. The machining and the finishing costs are many times more than the cost of the raw material.

I've no doubt this comment is true
I used to work for a very large manufacturer of "products" with an excellent reputation. Retail prices have absolutely nothing to do with manufacturing costs in most cases.

 

[phillycheez]

I'd agree with that Joe. I think I'm nuts for paying any more than $300 for a rep... if I told somebody I paid $800 for a fake watch they would think I'm a sucker... I probably am but **** em.