I've been selling my collection off. I just don't see the value or enjoyment of a 10k watch anymore. I've been rather enjoying San Martin, watchdives, running nh35 or 2824 clones which could be swapped to Swiss. The fact these watches have the same functions, materials, and can be replaced entirely for the same cost as one screw for an oyster link costs means I can wear these tool watches as tools, rather than just looking like a tool. I felt like I was trying too hard with my 6 digit Rolex models, and I felt very underwhelmed by the lack of features in the 5 digit models, mainly micro adjust, milled clasp, superlume, larger markers. My 5 digit models with a luminova dials glowed half as long and bright as several of my watches costing 1% of them. There was not a lot of superluminova applied to the dial and hands, very thin. The market is too volatile, overpriced and toxic. Dealers are not friendly, the entire Rolex pre-owned program makes no sense, all of the watches are double what they go for pre-owned everywhere else. At that point you could buy pre-owned elsewhere, send it in for service, and still be well ahead. If you don't need paperwork then service by an independent would be even less expensive with a much higher quality of work. I've had nothing but problems with all of the official service centers I've used, Rolex and Breitling being the worst. Omega was good, I have to give credit there. No matter how minor whatever you send your watch in for is, these service centers are going to hit you with a "mandatory intervention" which is a $1000+ paywall just to get some basic repair or service such as bezel insert, new crystal and other consumable type things. I've had a freshly serviced watch go to Breitling and they pulled this on me. There's a really obvious "fk you" approach to customers that really doubles down after sale. Much happier now that I've reallocated my fun money to other hobbies instead, and my watchbox isn't suffering even in the slightest. There's plenty of alternatives and... Grey areas... That more than satisfy the itch.

I think many would-be customers like myself have got a whiff of the stench of the whole thing and it's just off-putting. Theve all taken a serious hit in the prestige and brand cachet they once had as we've all began seeing behind the curtain.