While we can sit back in the comfort of our own home, and with the click
of a mouse, buy that watch or car we have our eye on. It is easy to stop and not
go past the price we have set to pay.
Going to a live auction is a completely different experience, and how many of
us have ended up paying more than the limit we had set ?
Even though I will be attending, my first thought was just place an absentee bid or two and be done with it. No
stress, or getting caught up in the auction and going past my price.
The values of Arno's watches will command a premium, and I think we will get
a flavor very early on, just how much.
With the auction not being on the internet, we may not get the full "Omegamania" effect, and this
one fact may keep prices from going 2X or more the values we think that 2447 Carrera may be worth.
I still remember seeing the Connie pie-pans and 1967 321 Speedy's selling for crazy prices at the auction
and for months afterward.
My crystal ball tells me to expect 50% premium over market for the non special watches. But then again,
maybe all of Arno's watches are special. See I am hedging already.

See you all there

: A few thoughts, on the subject of the Bonhams-Haslinger auction:
: Yes, many of the Bonhams estimates seem high, compared to what
: we see in our little community. But this is the power of the
: Bonhams / TAG-Heuer / Haslinger collaboration; they are
: expanding and going beyond our little community, to bring in new
: buyers, who have not previously focused on the humble Heuers.
: This auction has been supported by a world tour, that was
: announced in the Spring (at Basel), and the publication of two
: books -- Arno's book and the auction catalog. These will not be
: the "usual suspects" bidding, but new entrants into
: the vintage Heuer world. In terms of the new buyers who will be
: attracted to this auction, maybe it is the "car guys"
: and maybe it is the "high end watch guys", and maybe
: it is the oil money or the oligarchs who live in London . . .
: maybe it is all these groups. This will bring a lot more
: currency into the room than our community could deliver. We have
: large collections, and we sweat the dollars (or Euros) on most
: of our watches. We debate whether the NOS Calculator is worth
: $2,800 or $3,200, or maybe even $3,500, and guess what . . . in
: this room it will go for $5,000, to someone who might think that
: it is a fun watch to buy in this price range. And let's not
: forget . . . these are truly exceptional samples of these
: watches. How many true NOS or mint watches do we see? And when
: we see them on eBay or on a dealer site, we have to wonder
: whether the "NOS Buyers" will see the watch and bid.
: Now, after these books and world tour, and all the articles and
: promotion, I believe that we can be confident that the buyers
: will be participating. Finally, Omegamania created so much
: interest and desire in the community that people wanted to buy
: one, so that they could leave the event with a "party
: favor" or a "door prize". Yes, this has been a
: big worldwide party, but guess what -- There are only 81
: "party favors"!! So if you want a "goody
: bag" (as the kids call them), or a nice souvenir to
: remember the event, then you must bid on one of the 81. Maybe
: the Easy Rider or maybe the Solunar, but why go
: "cheap"? OK, so move up to the entry level
: two-register Autavia or Carrera . . . at least you will have a
: souvenir of this amazing event!! Just a few thoughts . . .
: please share yours!!

: Jeff

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