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PRE-OWNED WATCHES

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THE PASHA IS BACK

THE PASHA IS BACK

FIVE TIPS FOR COLLECTING PRE-OWNED WATCHES

s watch collecting an investment? Sure, it can be, but watch collecting, at any level, is also a passion. Wearing a pre-owned timepiece that you love, or one that exudes status or style, is one of life’s great pleasures. Here are five tips for first-time pre-owned buyers.

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1. VISIT THE PRE-OWNED WATCH DEPARTMENT OF A REPUTABLE

RETAILER. Buying from your trusted, bricks-and mortar retailer is all about knowing your seller and being able to see a watch before you buy. Their pre-owned watches are usually sourced from the store’s other customers, who are trading up by selling off other perfectly good timepieces from their collections. 2. IN-HOUSE MOVEMENTS MATTER. An in-house movement or a fine base caliber generally translates into more value for your watch. In-house movements are made by the brand name on the dial and often developed specifically for the watches in which they are cased.

I3. SIZE MATTERS. Large watches are a fad. Some really look good, but consider your wrist size, because an oversized watch on a small wrist looks sloppy. If you do buy a large watch, make sure your shirt cuffs will fit over it. You don’t want to have to redo your wardrobe to fit your watch. 4. MAINTAIN, BUT WITH CAUTION: If you’re buying a vintage watch, make sure it’s in good shape or that it can be repaired or restored. And if you own a good watch, make sure it gets serviced every few years, but never polish the case or engrave the back: original cases fetch a premium on the secondary market. 5. QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY: Buy the best quality you can afford; otherwise it will be difficult to trade up for any real value. A collection of four exceptional watches is better than a collection of 10 mediocre ones. Be selective. Buy what you love, not what you think others will love. Buying strictly for investment can easily end in frustration and saddle you with a collection you will never enjoy.

by CAROL BESLER

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