Should You Trust Special, Numbered or Limited Edition Watches? 

Lovely video, thank you. However, I think the watch collecting community needs to be aware of the largest hoodwink - in many instances, limited editions only reflect the absolute maximum number of pieces a company will sell of a given model. The watch may be limited to 1000, but the mantufactre knows they will never, ever sell any over that amount. In other words, the term, "limited edition" is a cheap trick to get our attention.

One thing I discovered. The more rare a piece, the more difficult it is to get parts if wear or damage occurs. If one is trying to enjoy a timepiece for a lifetime and pass it to the next generation, it seems that being able to get exact parts for a given model would be a priority. However, I too have several limited or special edition watches. One of them, I bought additional bezel inserts.

Depends on the volume, design and brand. Seiko have a habit of limited, not being so limited

JLC Sector Dial - what a watch, especially the chronograph! I like an LE, but mainly because the limited nature allows the designers have more input as the piece is not destined for mass appeal. This way you often get interesting historical features, design quirks or odd sizes, which often make the watch more interesting or historically relevant. Certainly, you have to watch the numbers - it would be interesting to have included some production numbers in this vid. Some LEs are truly very low number, some more than standard models! I'd say anything over 2000 is daft, sub- 1500 good, sub- 500 ideal. I also think LE status can cloud your judgement on a watch - FOMO n'all - bottom line: do you like it?

Fascinating episode. I'd buy a limited /special edition if it was within my budget - not for any sort of value retention as that's really not of any concern to me, but because it makes an already rare piece feel more special. Cheers 👍🏻👍🏻

Nice piece. I just put in my deposit for that Sinn limited edition you showed a few images of in your video and I did it first and foremost because I love the watch, but secondly because I don’t see it losing value because Sinn has such a big brand loyal following.

First of all, I only buy watches I like and wear; this is my absolute first priority. The rarity, value retention or increase always take the back seat as far as my considerations are concerned. Having said that, I found that different manufacturers apply different ethics to their limited editions and in some circumstances it can be a rather unethical marketing trap. In 2006 I bought the IWC Ceramic Doppelchronograph which was limited to 1000 pieces. A lot of people wanted this watch perhaps because it was limited, at least that is the feeling I got. I bought it because it was made of matt black ceramic, would not scratch and would remain a rather discreet watch to wear which I always prefer. Many of the IWC forum people were surprised, disappointed and some even angered when a few months later IWC released the Top Gun version of this watch as well as other several declinations… hence totally diluting the initial perceived exclusivity of the Ceramic Doppelchronograph limited edition. Many people as well as myself felt betrayed though it was a lesson learnt the hard way. Consequently I have decided that I would never buy any IWC watch anymore. The so called in-house mouvements claims for non in-house movements reinforcing this resolution. In comparison, in 2008 I bought the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Tribute to Polaris 1968 which was again limited to 768 pieces. Jaeger-LeCoultre did not follow the same path as IWC and has not betrayed their customers to this day as the Memovox Tribute to Polaris 1968 was never tweaked to sell more of the same. Very different, more modern iterations with 3 crowns were released but to my view point none express as much charm and romance as the Memovox Tribute to Polaris 1968. So a good point for Jaeger-LeCoultre for being ethical and respecting their customers. I’ll keep my eyes open to buy any Jaeger-LeCoultre I may fancy in the future. More recently, Omega released the Seamaster titanium 007 connected to the No Time to Die opus. Although this watch is not limited per se but only a special edition for that movie, I was smitten by its neo-classic design with reminiscences from the 60ies and 70ies, it’s titanium lightweight slim profile case, Milanese bracelet, colours scheme and doomed crystal. I think that although releasing many limited, numbered or special editions, Omega follows impeccable ethics, similarly to Jaeger-LeCoultre, in managing these things. I like that.

Very interesting discussion. Rarity has never been a factor of consideration for me, even though I have limited edition numbered watch from a micro-brand that just produced 50 of them, and i even have a customized unique one-of-a-kind watch. I bought these regardless of their limited number because I liked them and would have bought them even if thousands were produced.

Good topic!

I have a Lumtec with a 100 piece limit. Which wasn't the reason i bought it, i just love how it looks:) It also took 4 months to get to me as it was day 1 of the pandemic, so it will always be a memory of this strange period The number thing is a nice little extra.

Not so much a fan of limited editions, but when watch manufacturers put a watch out under the radar... that's so much more interesting!

Although the Omega FOiS was only numbered and not limited, production ended at around 15000 pieces made over a span of 8 years (for comparison, that’s less than the number of normal Speedmasters Omega makes in a year). Soon after discontinuation, the price for an unworn model went up over retail and is now rising further. Yes it’s not as mainstream as the normal Speedmaster, but that’s exactly the point. At £4080 it was also the most affordable way to get a Speedmaster. - I’m not a fan of limited or numbered editions, because I want to wear the watch and not worry about it becoming more valuable. So I wish they had just continued to make it 😂

What's the watch at 0:03 at the intro? (the blue accented one with white texture dial background)

My problem is that typically the limited or special edition watches tend to look better than the same old, same old standard production. It doesn't cost the company 30% more to make a different colored dial but they charge it because it will still sell.

Considering there were only 50 made of my Bell & Ross Tornado limited edition, I'd wager that they do provide value retention as there are a lot of fighter aviation enthusiasts around and will be in the future.

Surprised you didn’t mention the Chopard Mille Miglia. There are many versions of this watch, commemorating each year of the event.

Worst part of it is that if popular enough, the company will make more. Take the Spectre. The lollipop hand ended up on the new seamaster. Which I'm lucky enough to own. Or the Doxa, they just kept making them. That said if it's special enough to you it should hold its value. Like the blue bezel Tokyo seamaster. I don't think omega is going to roll out another one anytime soon.

JLC sector dial series of 2017 novelties is so rare...please will pludge in near future

I always felt that your decision to by a watch should be based on three factors. Can you afford it? Will it retain value over time? And most importantly, do you love wearing it?

I have fallen for the limited and uncommon edition hype phenomenon from Omega and Rolex but at times when they were unloved or passed over because I liked them. Liking the watch because it’s interesting to the owner is what matters. I’m intrigued enough by Frédérique Constant’s Highlife Chronograph to have ordered one. I’m confident that I will like it more than the average enthusiast ever would.

I have JLC sector dial, date only.....my wife bought it for me a while back and, if she could even find one for sale now, couldn't afford it due to the sizeable value increase

WOW very interesting super kool ,1st class great info.,, AAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++ again great video I liked it a lot ,keep up the great work.

I always thought the jlc sector dial was supposed to be a one year run,surprised when it make it to one and a half years

We just have to look towards food brands especially fast food, chocolate and crisps (chips) These are open about the fact that every time they bring out s special or limited run there is a huge interest and upsell. McDonalds literally do it every month....it's just a marketing ploy to generate interest or buzz. But it's still down to the actual product itself.

I have several numbered editions from Omega, Seiko, CFB, and even Vostok. The Omega has increased in price a good deal since it was new in 2018, the others not so much. I bought them because I really liked the designs, not so much the prospects of future price increases.

Breitling navitimer 747 limited edition

I am wearing

Most "limited edition" is only limited to how many they think they can sell.

Can anyone tell me the reference number of the Omega Seamaster at 2:40?

Not if they're Invicta's,Seiko's or bloody Omega

l have only one piece of limit edition: save the ocean from Seiko, and it proves a quality and value piece that you can count on.

I like Seiko, but their never ending productions of same watches mostly just change colors then called it limited & special edition, are too much... Not to mention their QC problem that I read so many online.

Lets face it, if they think it will increase sales or increase profits a limited edition will suddenly appear.

I would never bother with either numbered or limited editions. All markets for all kinds products exercise these tricks to scam the consumers. Anyone bought the Depeche Mode numbered edition 12" single Leave in Silence #21,564, or Nike Kyrie 5 Pink sneakers? It's ridiculous. And even if they produce something like a Minuit Planétarium piece: If you need to stress the point only 80 pieces will be built, the watch doesn't really sell itself (notwithstanding the "risk" of it being altered in some small detail to sell a new numbered edition). As for special editions: These are little more than Swatch specialities. To make a TAG Heuer "George Russell 2022 Mercedes F1 Special Edition" only stresses the fleeting value of the thing. A watch should last a lifetime, at least. Who cares for John Miles today? Who'll care for George Russell in 2037?

once i read its limited edition etc... i turn the next page. time wasting to read if i knw my chances of getting one

7007 pieces seems like a limited edition actually limited only by the overall market demand for this kind of overpriced toy.

“You’re unique, like a snowflake - just like everybody else.” If every fourth watch release is a Limited Edition, then it could be said, that none of them are. Exact opposite, in fact. Think: Flying first class and Bachelors degrees. No distinction anymore.

Limited edition limited edition 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️💸

No.

"luxury" mechanical watches are scam anyways