Historical Returns
Recent media coverage such as these articles below well document the phenomenal returns careful watch collectors have seen over recent years. These returns have continued when other more tradition investments have suffered through global downturns, recessions, and other acts of God.
Collecting and investing in watches is an area that is continuing to grow due to worldwide growing demand and shortage of quality supply.
"The value of premium second-hand watches has ticked up even in the tough economic times of late."
"Prices for some watches have doubled in the past 12 months and, like other markets where there is only a limited number available, prices have to go up."
"The price of the most collectable second-hand wristwatches is rising by 5 per cent a year thanks to their old-fashioned appeal."
"With the current demand for vintage watches showing no signs of letting up it’s never been a better time to look at their investment potential, says Paul Maudsley, International Specialist-Director Watches at Phillips in London."
Read more
"No one would have taken you seriously 30 years ago if you told them that come the new millennium, their money would be better off in old watches than savings accounts, bonds or shares."
"We see thousands of new people interested in vintage watches every year, and explosive growth in values, and this is just over the last five years or so."
HMRC Working For You
What also undoubtedly helps the current collector is that vintage watches are classed as Wasting Assets by HMRC, a delightful phrase that reflects the nature of their mechanical construction and the belief of HMRC that most mechanical items have a lifespan of only 50 years (I won't tell them if you don't!). All of which means any profits made on the sale of the watches are not subject to Capital Gains Tax! This simple fact makes the purchase and collection of Vintage watches a more than a sound investment.
SPEEDMASTER 105.003-65
July 2008 - Sold £2,750
June 2010 - Sold £3,250
May 2013 - Sold £3,450
Aug 2015 - Sold £5,550
Sep 2017 - £14,500
INCREASE OVER 9 YEAR PERIOD
+427%
SPEEDMASTER 2998
Dec 2010 - Sold £4,750
May 2013 - Sold £5,550
Aug 2015 - Sold £7,950
Sep 2017 - £14,800
INCREASE OVER 7 YEAR PERIOD
+211%
SPEEDMASTER 105.012-65/66
Oct 2009 - Sold £3,350
Jan 2010 - Sold £3,200
Nov 2012 - Sold £3,450
Nov 2016 - Sold £7,800
Sep 2017 - £10,250
INCREASE OVER 8 YEAR PERIOD
+205%
SPEEDMASTER 145.022-69
July 2008 - Sold £4,750
June 2010 - Sold £5,550
Aug 2012 - Sold £7,950
Sep 2015 - Sold £2,450
Sep 2015 - £5,750