It is a phenomenon under hyperbole, started a handful of years ago, which has reached delirious heights thanks to the global pandemic.
A single glance at the Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe sales catalogs of the 90s, or even the beginning of the 2000s, is enough to see the abyssal chasm that has widened between the prices of new items in stores and the amount displayed by the same references on the gray market.
Some even exceed 350,000 euros for steel middles, which has also prompted Patek Philippe to discontinue one of its most sought-after references (the 5711/1A-010) in a vain hope of bringing the trend back down.
However, some experts are beginning to report that the peak of speculative fever has passed, so info or intox?
Sure value
While time and hindsight are imperative to be able to confirm the decline of this vintage curve, certain tremors indeed suggest that the peak of the wave has passed.
Passionate about watchmaking data, the market research consultant who hides behind the Watchanalytics account has noted an average drop of 7.3% common for the Nautilus 5711 and the Royal Oak 15202 since the beginning of March. The reason?
There would now be more sellers than buyers.
A classic phenomenon surrounding any auction star, historical performances pushing more and more owners to resell their timepieces, when future buyers hesitate in the face of the offer and the unreasonable prices.
However, the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Royal Oak of the Swiss manufacture, coupled with the shortage of watches in stores, continue to rekindle the desire of collectors.
In the comments, many enthusiasts also mention a drop linked to a simple price adjustment, which should quickly start to rise again, and their desire to own one as quickly as possible.
We just have to wait for the proof.