However, when I look at the vastly inflated sums that some of them change hands for, I can't help but think of 'a fool and his money'......
Not always, I know lot's of people who have made very, very serious money out of watches and watch collecting brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe. it maybe for some a high entry cost, but buy the right watches and you can make very serious money out of a hobby, all of which is CGT free.
Of course like classic cars, the point at which you first enter the market and then leave it can be critical to the size of the return on investment.It can take years of understanding the brands and which to collect and those that always bomb in value as soon as you take them out of the shop.
So what some may consider to be fools, are often actually quite switched on to the opportunities out there. It can also be a very rewarding and involving hobby and require detailed research eg I researched the ( completely unknown outside of the industry) adoption of Tritium and it's sources, in replacing Radium in the 60's to paint dials and hands and how that change manifested itself on Rolex dial markings. A real case of knowledge is power. (scientia potentia est) .............
Some may find that a little obscure but can influence relative values especially at cutover periods and short term dial markings especially relative rarity. and often the prices commanded..
