Regrets over past flips

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by Colnago

Very very true.....I think of this in relation to cars more than watches.....very very rarely does someone keep a car for more than a few years, but my watches are for life (unless things really go pear shaped)...

I had 5 TVR's over an eight year period, the longest I had one was three and a half years, the shortest, six months.....but I loved every minute of ownership even though at some stages I really couldn't afford to have them.....absolutely no regrets looking back and I think your statement matches the feelings I have for those cars perfectly.....

But my watches are for life....

I'm with you on this point. I've had multiple Ferraris and Lambos over the years. The longest time period was 3 years and the shortest period was about 2 months when I sold the last for the car I have now. But I've had my TT black faced Sub since '99 and will keep my TT Daytona forever! Must be something different about watches as opposed to cars.

[ingmar]

My wife was a member of a group where you "rented" handbags (to change styles, for specific events, etc). I was actually thinking a similar business w/ watches might be good, but now I see so many "I don't flips".

I don't comment much on forums as I tend to end up in the For Sale zone. But I have flipped a bit. Submariner, Aqua Terra (actually owned one model twice after forgetting why I got rid of it)- I now have 2 midsized, Planet Ocean, Seikos, Bell & Ross, Sinn, etc... I just bought an Oysterquartz & may flip it as I can't get the bracelet to fit right (too tight, too loose). I had this same problem w/ an Oyster Perpetual, the Belle & Ross, Seiko Spirit (not Grand Seiko) & Sinn...

Every time I think I might sell my Explorer to try something new I put it on & realize it's a keeper. But others always seem to have their minuses (fit being the major one w/ me).

[wantonebad]

I flip all the time, I don't regret any of my flips... so many watches, so little disposable income c'est la vie

[RLX-lvr]

When I first joined here, I kept seeing people flipping watches all the time and said to myself these guys are nuts I'll never sell a watch.
And here I have, moved three in a few
months so I can upgrade Impo. Last week I had a deal done where I would of also had to have sold my GMT IIc as well for a deal, and as much as I'm a vintage man now, it made me uneasy to my stomach and i had to cancel at the last minute.

[JJG]

I originally purchased these three in the mid 90's during my "Elvis in Vegas Period", and eventually traded them. Yes I lost money (don't ask how much), but I was ready for something new and didn't want to spend tens of thousands of fresh dollars.

The two diamond string dials are pretty cool because they are 18K, and you can feel the extra weight when you heft the watch.


This one got traded in on a plain everose 36mm DD with oyster bracelet a couple years ago. I had a hankering for everose (my first and only one so far) and less bling. I think it was just before the everose Daytona was announced. If I had known, I would have waited for the Daytona. One feature I miss on the pictured watch is the pinstripe hands w/o lume.



This one was traded for an 18K Sub 16618



This one - OMG, I can't remember what I traded this one for
Should have kept this one just for that 18K dial.



I enjoyed them for a good amount of time, so they were worth it

[Yazo]

I've flipped 5 watches (3 Rolex, a Tag and an Omega) don't regret trading any of them as I now have what I want.

In fact I'm getting ready to flip 2 more... don't anticipate any regret there either.

[HL65]

I wish I can say I never made a mistake flipping--too many-- sad to say!

[2th Dr]

This is the Omega I wish I still had. And it's not in production anymore!
DSC02581.jpg
What the hell was I thinking!

[Colnago]

That's a lovely looking watch, Mark

By the way, above in post 35, JJG, how come the first watch in your line up has a T SWISS MADE T dial which signifies Tritium lume has been used and yet there is no lume on hands or dail? Were the original (lumed) hands changed for the pinstriped ones you miss?

[sakuraba]

I'm a keeper, not a flipper, Bill.

However, I've flipped a 16713 rootbeer because I got tired of TT. I have yet to regret this flip, but every time I look at the watch I flipped the rootbeer for (16600), it just reminds me that I did the right thing.

[ghormley]

I traded a ss sub date and a ss omega seamster auto for a tt blue sub. ahh sometimes i think about it other days i dont. i like the gold look!

[Watch Fan]

I flipped a two tone Breitling Chronomat and a Breitling Blackbird to get a Daytona. I don't regret getting the Daytona, but I do miss the Blackbird.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Colnago

By the way, above in post 35, JJG, how come the first watch in your line up has a T SWISS MADE T dial which signifies Tritium lume has been used and yet there is no lume on hands or dail? Were the original (lumed) hands changed for the pinstriped ones you miss?

Hi Bill,
That is the way the hands and dial came from Rolex, I didn't make any changes. I bought it new from my regular AD in the mid 90's. You know, I never thought about the T SWISS MADE T marking back then. I have only learned about those markings in the last three or four years since I discovered the various Rolex forums.
Thanks,
John

[Colnago]

Originally Posted by JJG

Hi Bill,
That is the way the hands and dial came from Rolex, I didn't make any changes. I bought it new from my regular AD in the mid 90's. You know, I never thought about the T SWISS MADE T marking back then. I have only learned about those markings in the last three or four years since I discovered the various Rolex forums.
Thanks,
John

The reason I ask, John, is that I have a Datejust which is a re-dial (and re-hand), I have had it since new in 1988, I had a bad cycling accident and it got pretty smashed up (below are before and after pictures).....some keen eyes on here spotted it was an old model (it has lug holes) but it has a non T, Luminova dial which is not consistent with its age........I started to look for discrepancies such as these after mine was spotted....of course I knew why mine was like that, I just wondered if you knew why yours was that way.....by the way, all three of those watches are beautiful

[sphereman]

i flip quite frequently but no regrets so far. that is because I buy, try and only sell the ones I don't have any heart for. All others stay :)

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Colnago

The reason I ask, John, is that I have a Datejust which is a re-dial (and re-hand), I have had it since new in 1988, I had a bad cycling accident and it got pretty smashed up (below are before and after pictures).....some keen eyes on here spotted it was an old model (it has lug holes) but it has a non T, Luminova dial which is not consistent with its age........I started to look for discrepancies such as these after mine was spotted....of course I knew why mine was like that, I just wondered if you knew why yours was that way.....by the way, all three of those watches are beautiful

Thanks Bill,
I like your 16220, I miss the datejusts of that era. Speaking of regrets, back in that same mid-90's time frame I had a 16220 with a silver or slate tapestry dial and sold that one too once I got the bug for something new. In hindsight I am really missing the 16220 with tapestry dial! Never took a pic of that one

[Colnago]

My Datejusts are both actually 16030's....the 16220 is the model with no lug holes and sapphire crystal which came after the 16030.....I would never part with them unless things got very very bad

[matt.wu]

I don't regret too many of my flips. SD16600 comes close, though.

[TurboWatch]

Traded it plus cash for a Daytona F series in 2005. Loved the Daytona but regretted selling the LV. I've been searching a replacement for 5 years w/o any success. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[walds11]

Been there, done that. I am on my 3rd SS Sub and 4th SS Daytona. Doesn't that tell you something :)

[Colnago]

Originally Posted by walds11

Been there, done that. I am on my 3rd SS Sub and 4th SS Daytona. Doesn't that tell you something :)

Yeah Walds......your wallet/cc must be aching!!!

[Howie]

I sold my white IWC Mark XV Gadebusche (only 50 made), and I regret it. To make matters worse, it's not like I can even find another to buy back :(

[Psmith]

I am a serial flipper, but usually have no regrets. However I have also owned multiples of the same model...

I flipped this PAM a few months ago and missed it immediately... will get another a.s.a.p...


Cheers

[philgb]

Rubberclad ROO chrono is my one regrettable flip. IWC big pilot , 3 Panerais and a 16613 ( blue) were never missed . 16610 & 16600 are without doubt keepers