I’ll be the first one to say it… the watch world’s most recent model trends in the past 5 years have gotten BORING!!!
If it isn’t another bland, over-marketed, circle case dress piece that’s getting shoved down buyers’ throats like the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, it’s a blue dial steel sport model being over-hyped, and over-inflated by droning fanboys who care more about what other people think of them than what really excites them or boosts their wallet.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions here, but I’m not alone in this sentiment. Most timepiece enthusiasts, collectors, and traders alike agree the manufacturers have gotten so lame with what they’re delivering.
Why is this? Predominantly it’s because the large conglomerate watch holdings companies like Richmont, LVMH, Swatch, etc care more about returns to their investors than pleasing their dedicated audience. This is not to say that it’s not right to aim to make profits as a company at all. That’s not what I’m targeting here. I’m begging the position that if they put more into creating designs that actually excited people, the returns would follow.
Fortunately, there are some brands that are making some amazing new model lines that have me super excited. For example, Ulysse Nardin, Hublot, and Vacheron Constantin aren’t shying away from trying something new with skeletonized dials and open workpieces.
Skeleton design timepieces have always been a favorite and they’re so good-looking for the dollar you can pay on them. They add a supplemental desire and retail sale value because they’re aesthetically enticing yet don’t need to break the bank. Even brands like Girard Perregaux are trying their hand at pressing the label with their Laureato model and other new pieces. GP has usually carried an older buyer traditional feel and has made the shift.
Panerai has since joined this movement too and is using experimental materials like Gold Tech, Orotech, carbon composites, and new lume materials. Although Panerai still has a long way to come from their issues in the past 5 years since the retirement of CEO Angelo Bonati this is an excellent next step to get back into the spotlight and win back the hearts of the Paneristi fan base.
Hublot (now owned by Louis Vuitton) under the design guise of Virgil Abloh has not held back at all with their all sapphire cases, skeleton tourbillons, and wild color composite designs which can be had at a fraction of the cost of any regular steel AP, Rolex, or Patek. They are unapologetically the brand that wants to attract those that love bold artistic and out-of-the-box lifestyle gear.
Even Ulysse Nardin with their Freak X, and Marine experimental designs are getting enthusiasts revved up again about enjoying cool pieces!
So how can you make money understanding this resurgence of a focus on design leading the way? Start looking into watches that have a high MSRP or seem to be way more expensive than you can actually pick them up for. An example is the all-sapphire Hublot Unico which retails for $70K+ that can be had for about 50 cents on the dollar or less. You’re basically getting much more wrist presence and wow factor than something like a Rolex Daytona.
Or you could try a Ulysse Nardin Freak X under $15K and make a healthy profit trading that when done enjoying it.
Even at the $5-$10K price point, there are some cool options when it comes to design like Omega and Hublot classic fusion moonphase, or minimalistic dials that are skeletonized.
If you want to know how to enjoy these pieces and make a killer profit, message me as I execute trades like this all the time.
Do you agree or disagree with the way that designs have come back to the market? What are some of your favorites?
Until next time… Cheers Watch Clique!