Fed, directionally speaking, do dealers offer a better deal for your watch's value on a trade versus sale? Ten percent, twenty percent more in value?

I ask as I sold some coins to a jeweler and they gave me 20% more value versus cash if I put it toward a watch. I did. I'm thinking now of seeking a trade plus cash for a piece. Thanks.

Video below:

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What are you wearing?

https://www.chrono24.com/jaegerlecoultre/jaeger-lecoultre-reverso-tribute-limited-edition-rose-gold-chronograph--unworn--id46605252.htm

This is as cheap as I've seen but still seems very pricey to me. It is a rose gold case and rose gold movement. But there are a lot of other pieces in this price range. Really love this one though, am I dreaming to think this will be in the $30's one day?

hi, is 20K a reasonable price on this omega: 210.60.44.51.03.001

pricing on the internet is all over the map but lower prices are consignments on auction websites, ghost listings, or outside the US.

is this the kind of watch you think you'll eventually come across in the grail hunt (should I hold out for a while?) or is this one you're unlikely to come across in the next let's say 6 months?

What do we think the right price on this one is?

https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/explorer-ii-1655-mk1-straight-hand-circa-1971--id33740413.htm

"A highly collectible Rolex Explorer II Ref. 1655, featuring the coveted MK1 “Straight Hand” configuration, serial 3.362XXX, dating to circa 1971. The stainless steel case is in excellent condition, having been polished in the past, and shows light wear consistent with age. The original MK1 tritium dial is very good, with eggshell patina and perfectly matching tritium hands. The bezel is a later Rolex service replacement in excellent condition. The watch is fitted with a period-correct Mexican Jubilee bracelet, which shows very light stretch for its age and complements the vintage look beautifully. The caseback was recently replaced by Rolex Geneva due to damage, and the serial and reference numbers between the lugs remain well defined. This watch has just returned from a full service by Rolex Geneva in 2024 and is offered in excellent overall condition. An iconic and increasingly rare early Explorer II — the “Steve McQueen” — combining vintage character with modern Rolex service peace of mind."



For background, I kind of think unpolished all original isn't the be all end all, I value serviced and no headaches and much as I value all original and dealing with vintage nonsense, I rarely sell anything so these are not investments. I like to wear these things and I am less concerned with impressing the vintage bros. My family can deal with the bad decisions I make when I die and they can go to sell them.I dont view this as being cheap. Theoretically I can afford the unpolished and all original version and know exactly what I am doing here but I also dont like spending that much just to baby a watch.

Knowing all of that, all of these serviced but kind of sort of mostly maybe a little original watches have a value. This one isnt the worst possible frankenthing so there is some value. I just have no idea what the right price should be.

Any words of wisdom? That is the exact wrong price for me but there has to be a correct price. Teens?

Please also feel free to disagree and say "no - not under any circumstances bro." The counterargument that this is just a waste of money is also valid.

IWC Tribute to Pallweber — IWC’s Most Underrated Modern Complications?

I wanted to share some thoughts on a watch that I believe deserves more attention from collectors: the IWC Tribute to Pallweber.

Introduced in 2018 as part of IWC Schaffhausen’s 150th Anniversary Jubilee Collection, the Tribute to Pallweber was the first time IWC brought a digital jumping hour and minute display into a wristwatch. This was not simply a design experiment, it was a revival of one of IWC’s most important historical innovations dating back to 1884.

The inspiration came from the original IWC Pallweber pocket watches (Picture Above) created from Josef Pallweber’s patented jumping numeral system. Instead of traditional hands, these watches displayed time using large rotating discs:

• jumping hours
• jumping minutes
• small seconds

At a time when mechanical watches were still evolving, Pallweber created what was essentially a mechanical digital watch more than 100 years before electronic digital watches existed.

The original concept was revolutionary but short lived. Production lasted only a few years, making original Pallweber pocket watches some of the more fascinating early IWC collector pieces.

The modern Tribute to Pallweber continues that philosophy with IWC’s in-house Calibre 94200. The movement is not just a reproduction, it was completely re-engineered for a wristwatch. The digital display uses its own dedicated power system and separate gear train, allowing the jumping discs to operate without disturbing the accuracy of the main timekeeping train.

The result:

• Manual-winding movement
• Jumping digital hours and minutes
• Small seconds
• 60-hour power reserve
• Mechanical adjustment of the display discs through the crown

Production was extremely limited:

• 25 pieces in platinum
• 250 pieces in 18K red gold
• 500 pieces in stainless steel

775 TOTAL Pieces made

What makes this watch special is that it is not just another limited edition. It represents a genuine piece of watchmaking history, IWC taking an invention from the 1880s and successfully adapting it into a modern wristwatch.

The Pallweber was not copying vintage design. It was bringing back one of the earliest examples of mechanical digital timekeeping.

In my opinion, this is one of the most impressive watches IWC has ever created a true engineering marvel.

Think about what they achieved nearly 150 years ago. The concept was far ahead of its time, and the modern Pallweber is impressive because IWC recreated the original mechanical idea instead of simply making a modern design inspired by it.

The lacquered dial, with its multi-layer finishing, polishing, and curing process, adds another level of craftsmanship. On a watch this clean and open, every detail has to be perfect.

One interesting fact is that this watch was a pre-finalist at the GPHG 2019 "Iconic" Watch category, where it competed against the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin. Personally, I disagree with the result, there was no Iconic innovation here, just a thin case, and a different variant dial, what AP keeps doing with the Royal Oak. For me the Pallweber represents a different level of innovation of watchmaking. The complexity behind the jumping digital display, the engineering required to make it work reliably, and the connection to Josef Pallweber’s original concept make this piece truly unique and iconic for this award. (Just My personal Take)

This movement has to manage incredible energy demands, with the minute disc jumping 1,440 times per day and the hour display changing instantly as well. This is mechanical engineering at its best, technically challenging, and built like a tank to withstand that level of constant mechanical stress.

To put it into perspective, the first-generation A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk (2009–2022) has a 36-hour power reserve, (70-90K price range) and the F.P. Journe Vagabondage II has around 30 hours of power reserve (800k-1.5m price range). Both are incredible high-horology movements with advanced engineering, but the Pallweber represents a different solution to the same challenge.

What makes the IWC so impressive is how much engineering was achieved at a fraction of the cost compared to these two high-horology pieces that were in the making around that time era, and almost the same resources. It is a true example of mechanical innovation and represents exceptional value for a collector looking for something unique, a watch with real technical substance, craftsmanship, historical meaning, a great conversation piece.

Curious to hear everyone’s opinion...

Is the IWC Tribute to Pallweber a future collector piece, or will it remain an overlooked modern complication?

Hi Fed,

I'm interested in buying my first Lange and really like the Langematik in White Gold with the big date (308.027). I remember seeing prices were under 20k around last year but now surprised to see all the Chrono24 listings closer to 30k. Is this what I should expect price wise? Any leads people have are welcome :)

Thanks!

One of my grail list items. Catch a Tarpon

another is catch some big snook. I have several bull red over 45” one 47”. A good guide recommendation and the best time without fighting crowds. At this point I would rather catch numbers vs targeting giant fish. We have tarpon on the Texas coast but they are hard to find..

If there is no price constraint, what do you think is the best GMT watch?

I like the Patek Travel Time, for example (not even sure if it's considered a true GMT)

That F Ronzon was such a good deal!! Congrats on whoever picked it up! I was too late in seeing it haha

Hi Fed,

Would you say that a pre-owned AP ref. 25770st.oo.d001IN.02 would be fair at $18k ? Thanks.

Picked up my first Sarpaneva today. I tend to lean towards independent brands and this is one I had not heard of before seeing it at the store. It immediately caught my eye and I was even more intrigued after trying it on. It is a limited addition of 20 pieces.

I decided to leave to have lunch and research the company. I liked the story of the founder and history of the company so I went back and bought it. The one I bought is called Stardust Mars but they also had a white dial Pluto version. I liked both very much but in the end I felt the Mars was more wrist art. Thanks for looking.

OK, I simply used GROK to ask for a color change representing each of the 9 planets. (I'm so old...) I've dropped my 2 fav's. The link should show all.

https://x.com/i/grok/share/1efcb2452295494ba8220bbe5ac11c17

Hey Guys

I have an offer to buy spacial AP yellow gold with turquoise dial 37 mm for 150 US dollars.

you guys think its a good deal?

Thank you

I think we have a few car guys in here... Let's see what everyone is driving!

Hi Fed, I was wondering about the "Find my grail" feature in our member profile. Is it a feature we can use to find specific watches we're interested in buying, even if they're not our ultimate grail? I ask because there are a few pieces I am looking for (and am ready to buy now) that are not necessarily my ultimate, end game grail, which in my case they are over $100K and I might not be ready to pull the trigger on them immediately. If this is not the intended use, is there a possibility to add this feature?

Thanks!

Hi Fed

Curious about your thoughts on an A. Lange & Söhne, Arkade ref 103.021 | Box & Papers | 18k Yellowgold from 1999 for $17,750 ? Worth it?

Thank you.

What is everyone wearing?

Some advice for the members selling in the market. Please note this is all my opinion but I believe it to be true...

THE PRICES YOU ARE ALL ASKING ARE HIGH!!!

90% of these watches would be priced lower if they were in the dealer's market and all those watches are professionally checked and backed by a well known dealer's reputation (me).

The reason we are all here is because we are savvy collectors and we want a good deal. You cannot expect other members to pay top dollar. Not how this works... Some of you guys are even asking more than retail dealers on chrono24!

That being said, my job is to just approve appropriate listings and follow the process. I have no say in pricing and do not want to give individuals advice on pricing (I have no time for that). But I think it was time for a reality check.