Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Watch Shock!

Well I’m shocked as well

I have a 4 year old 114060 Sub no date which I bought new from Preston’s of Bolton

I think I paid £2,000 and part exing a 1993 white face Explorer 2

The retail price of the watch I seem to remember was around £4,800

But what amazes me is that they had one at the time. I remember them saying it had just come in and that they only had one between the two jewellers they owned (another shop in Wimslow) But there was no waiting list and the one they had in was available for sale to me as a walk in customer

I’ve just checked in line and this model now has a retail price of £5,760, the average waiting list is now 2 years and recent second models are going for between £7K-£8K

All the GMT II prices moved up like a rocket, especially the Batman. The Pepsi ones became even more expensive. (second hand market)
Rolex does a very clever trick in keeping the market just a little bit short of supply. You can get any GMT on the grey market (for nearly twice the official shop price)

In the late 70s I was in the Goodyear F1 Team and the fashion was for expensive watches...Most of the Goodyear Team had Omega Speedmaster which suited the image well !!

I duly bought a new Speedmaster from Watches of Switzerland in Wolverhampton...I still have that watch because...

In 1979 Georg Loos Porsche 935s won the World Champioship series and he rewarded everybody involved with an inscribed Rolex Submariner..I was on the tyre team.

Wore that for many years and sold when I got married as funds were needed for house purchase etc… (wish I had kept it !!!..but needs must )

Years on bought myself a Submariner with gold trim from The Old Watchshop in Southport..a great shop..he has one of the largest personal collections of Military Rolex watches.

When my son was 21 I bought a ss Submarnier from the same outlet.

My watch has kept perfect time for 20 years,,as a treat this year I had a full Rolex service to ensure continued good service.

A mate of mine bought one on a market in Turkey. The maker's name was 'Bolex'.

I have a Sky Dweller in steel and this seems to be quite sought after..... I don't buy to subsequently sell, but I have a few watches that have doubled in value. Crazy prices some of them.

Not at all keen on Rolex, they are like Porsche's, everyone has one. If you really want a vintage then the place to go is the Burlington Arcade off Piccadilly. There you can buy a watch to match your birthday but every jeweller has at least a couple for sale.
Be a bit daring and go for something a little unusual from an independent company of which there are many. such as Garrick. I had my Morgan watch made by them and, as such, it is the only one in the world!!

When NASA were developing the Apollo missions they tested watches for the astronauts to use. Omega was the one chosen as it was the only one that passed all the required tests.
They currently have anniversary models for sale.
I have a Tissot automatic bought for me by many years ago. It has had one service /replacement glass and keeps time well. Not expensive but I love it. All I need to do is get the strap fixed! It is a design feature but I forget to take it in.
As a general everyday cheap “ so what if it breaks” Casio bought in Argos that cost £14 two years ago. Just put a new battery in and it runs faultlessly. Plain black dial with white numbers.
On some special occasions I wear my grandfather’s watch and chain handed down to me. Inexpensive Waltham that was a replacement in the1930’s but a heavy gold chain with a couple of medallions dated 1915 when he was a Sapper in France. He wore it every day in his waistcoat. No huge value but I like it and it works well.

I bought a second hand Omega Speedmaster in gold for 's birthday some years back. It suffered some small accidental damage a couple of years ago and we sent it to the factory for repair and a complete overhaul. Fabulous watch and it never misses a beat, unlike the Rolex, and she loves it. For me Omega is definitely recommended.

Watch now sold to a TM member which really pleases me.
Thanks to the others who were interested

BR
Colin

Been through loads of watches through the years !!! Omega, IWC tried Rolex etc etc. Became a bit silly at one point !
Rolex never floated my boat. To many people buying them for the 'Ive made it' status symbol rather than a love of watches.

This IWC is current big ££ one at the mo ,but my fave watch ever is the humble CWC Chrono