So, I’ve been tinkering around with this whole watch flipping thing for a while now, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. I figured I’d share my experiences, the ups and downs, the whole shebang. It’s not as straightforward as some folks make it out to be, but it’s definitely doable if you’re willing to put in the work.
First off, I started by, like, totally immersing myself in the world of watches. I mean, I was reading articles, watching videos, browsing forums, anything I could get my hands on. I needed to know what was hot, what was not, and most importantly, how to spot a fake. That’s a biggie. You don’t want to get stuck with a counterfeit piece. Trust me, it’s a headache you don’t need.
Then, I began scouring the internet for deals. It is a full-time job. I set up alerts on, like, a dozen different websites, checked out online marketplaces, and even hit up some local pawn shops and antique stores. It took a lot of patience, but eventually, I started finding some promising pieces.
My Initial Attempts
- First Purchase: I snagged a vintage Omega Seamaster for a pretty good price. It was in decent condition, needed a little cleaning, but nothing major. I was stoked!
- Listing it up: I took some decent photos, wrote up a detailed description, and listed it online. I made sure to highlight all the details, the history of the watch, and anything that made it special.
- The Wait: This was the hardest part. I was constantly refreshing the page, waiting for that first offer. It took a few days, but finally, someone made a reasonable offer.
- Sold! I negotiated a bit, and boom, I had my first sale. I was over the moon! It was a small profit, but it was a profit nonetheless.
After that, I got a bit bolder. I started looking for more expensive watches, rarer models, and even some that needed a bit of restoration. I learned how to do some basic cleaning and polishing myself, which helped increase the value of the watches I was flipping. This is the hard part. It is not easy as it looks. Sometimes, I can’t even move the needle.
Scaling Up
Eventually, I started hitting up auctions. This was a whole different ball game. The competition was fierce, but the potential profits were much higher. I had to be careful, though. It was easy to get caught up in the bidding frenzy and overpay for a watch. I stuck to a pretty strict budget and tried to only go for pieces I knew I could flip for a good profit.
It’s been a learning process, that’s for sure. I’ve made some mistakes along the way, lost money on a few deals, but I’ve also had some big wins. I remember one time I found a rare Rolex Submariner at a local auction. It was in rough shape, but I knew it had potential. I managed to snag it for a steal, spent a few weeks restoring it, and then flipped it for, like, triple what I paid. That was a good day.
This whole watch flipping thing, it’s not for everyone. It takes time, effort, and a bit of luck. But if you’re passionate about watches and willing to put in the work, it can be a pretty rewarding side hustle. I mean, it helps pay the bills, and I get to play with some pretty cool watches. What’s not to like? Don’t expect the easy profit. There are many times that I am stuck with a watch, and I have to sell it at a loss. But overall, I still make a profit with those rare gems.
Anyway, that’s my story. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m still learning new things every day. If you’re thinking about getting into watch flipping, just do your research, start small, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s all part of the process. I wish I could earn a living doing this. But I still have to do my 9-5 to support my family. Maybe one day, I can ditch my daily job and flip the watches full-time. That is the dream!
