I’m a long-time watch enthusiast. And between eBay and estate sales, I’ve managed to build-up a great watch collection. I’ve got everything from old Cartier dress watches to a quartz Omega Seamaster, and even a 1980’s Patek Philippe.
Additionally, I bought these watches when they were cheap. So, I didn’t spend that much on my collection.
Less than $10,000 total.
Recently, I sold my watches because – quite frankly – I don’t wear them and they’re a hassle to travel with. And this netted me over $12,000.
What did I do with that money?
Bought 1,250 shares of a Colombian oil stock called Ecopetrol. This is a company that pays $1.50 in annual dividends. Meaning my 1,250 shares will pay me $1,875 a year – enough to live rent-free in many cities around the world!
This isn’t financial advice or a stock recommendation.
However, I wanted to share this story because there are several useful lessons that you can takeaway from it.
1. Use What You Know To Make Money
Because I like watches, I naturally know the value of different timepieces.
When I saw a quartz Omega Seamaster selling for $250, I knew it was undervalued. Likewise, there’s a demand for used watches right now. And that “insider knowledge” allowed me to sell my unworn watches for a profit.
You might not care about watches. But there’s probably something you’re into – whether its guns or cars or action figures – and you can use this knowledge to your advantage. Weird as it sounds, there are people who buy old silver quarters for face value – and then they flip these coins for a 16,000% profit!
Sometimes your best investments and business ideas come from things you’re already passionate about.
2. Own Physical Assets
I bought most of my watch collection in 2020 when interest rates were low.
Had I skipped watch buying and done the “responsible” thing of putting my money into a bank account, I would have earned less than 1% interest per year. All while inflation ate away at my nest egg.
Instead, my watch collection appreciated by almost 40% in three years.
That’s 400% more than a “high yield” savings account would have returned.
Stocks and crypto are great – if you know what you’re doing.
But physical assets are a terrific “dumb money” play that protects your wealth from inflation.
Case in point, gold delivered an 11.7% compound annual return from 2008 to 2020 – beating the S&P 500.
If I were looking for a way to beat inflation, without having to research stocks or collectables, I’d go to Buy Gold and Silver Bullion Coins and buy silver bars or gold coins as a long-term store of value.
Precious metals are always valuable and their rate of appreciation outpaces inflation.
Do I Regret Selling My Watch Collection?
No.
Every Instagram guru and social media influencer tries to make you feel like a loser if you don’t own expensive luxury goods. And truthfully, most of these items have minimal benefits – at best.
A $50 bottle of cologne will get you more compliments than a $1,000 watch.
And many luxury goods are incredibly fragile, limiting the situations where you can use them.
I’d much rather wear my Casio G-Shock to a club than a vintage Patek dress watch. The Casio has far more functionality, doesn’t require you to wind it on a regular basis, and it is infinitely more durable.
In other words, you can have a good time without worrying about damaging your watch.
I’m much happier now with my cheap but functional watch collection of a couple Timex and Casio pieces. Plus, the money I made from my old watches is generating hundreds of dollars per month in passive income – providing more opportunities to relax and enjoy life.