How to value watches

[burauzaa]

I was looking for some tips on finding what watches are worth.
I have been clearing out a box of things and found some vintage pieces that I won’t wear. I’d like to list them for sale,but want to make the price fair without setting it way to low. I’ve checked sold listings on ebay but they’re all over the place.

Any tips from the HF hive mind?

[Piloten]

That is a really tough call. It seems that the factors that govern are (in order only of what makes sense to me, 'cause a bunch of it does not)
What is the movement and who serviced it. Is it rare enough to be the reason for someone to buy it.
Who made the case and are they still in business.
What did you pay for it.
Where is the "for that offer, I'll keep the thing" tolerance.
Are there gen parts. This is the bit that makes me scratch my head. I literally could not care less if some asian movement homage has gen dial feet or some shit. It's still a mongrel.
Best I can do. Sorry
GLWS

[bronzerai]

My smart-ass answer: they are worth what someone is willing to pay.

Outside of watches, a good formula I used to use: cost of materials + (hours spent on build * what you feel your time is worth).

[Yoda]

Value is a pretty difficult thing, it is partly what someone is prepared to pay, partly a question of rarity.

I think that we can answer this question better when we know what you have.

Post pictures and/or describe some details.

[burauzaa]

We're not talking anything of extreme value here, at least I don't think so, I just don't want to list something for $100 that's worth double that.
Here's an example (cell phone picture with poor lighting as it's still dark here, apologies):

IMG_20210318_061245906.jpg

A 1940s/50s Longines with a 10L movement. 10k gold filled case which is in pretty great shape, none of the plating has worn off like some I've seen. Very small: 31mm with crown.
It runs, but I don't know more than that. Ebay prices are all over the place for similar watches, but because of how things were cased then it's hard to find something the same.

[Yoda]

The dial will of course detract from the "normal" going price, but I know collectors who are all over the place because of the original and untouched look and the history, engravings and stains, the works.
In this case I would look up the prices, add them and calculate the average, I think that is the approximate price/value this would fetch.

[burauzaa]

Yeah the spots on the dial are the worst bit of that one, shame really.
I have a load of ladies watches too. They just don't seem to be worth anything even if they're recognisable brands.
I do have an Omega Geneve Dynamic ladies that's in pretty good shape. Again eBay prices are everywhere on it.

[calvinktlim]

The value of things...

In relation to builds in this forum, i think it depends on the cost of the materials, rarity and desirability, the value placed on the builder's time and efforts - usually by the builder himself... And of course the hype...

Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk

[tafari]

the value of something is what someone is willing to pay for it.....

[Emilio]

In that case, I would search on eBay to get an idea.