To sell or not to sell?
I'd appreciate help with a true first-world problem: Should I sell or keep my Nomos Tangente Ref. 132?
I purchased this watch several years ago to mark a milestone event. I have a real soft spot for Nomos in general, and for the midnight blue/gold color combination of this dial in particular. Wearing the watch always makes me happy.
But: The watch is relatively small (35mm) and thin (6.2mm), and I always wished that it had a slightly greater presence on my 7" wrist. Probably as a result, I wear it less often than my other watches... maybe 1-2 days/month. If the watch brings another person more joy than it brings me, and will be worn more often, I feel a tinge of responsibility to sell.
I am worried that I will miss it and may regret selling a "milestone watch." However, I have bonded less strongly with the watch than I had hoped, so perhaps that's an unfounded concern? I also recently acquired one of Nomos' 2024 limited edition releases (photo below) -- with a 38mm case --, which I adore and which may make it easier to part with the Ref. 132.
Thoughts? How would you decide?
(I really haven't made up my mind about selling/keeping it. But if you're interested in the Ref. 132, let me know.)
Sounds like you like it. Looks fine to me. I would keep it, based on what you said.
Thanks, I will.
Once you've gone through the effort of making a post like this, you've already given the watch a lot of thought. The situation won't change, and how you feel about the watch won't change. It'll remain in the box for the vast majority of the time.
If keeping it there plus the joy of the very occasional wear is worth more to you than the money in the bank (or other stress of owning it), keep it. Otherwise the choice seems clear.
Its memory will live on in the 38mm, which you actually like enough to wear. 🙂
Nomos is a difficult one to sell I reckon, it's a sweet watch that you will miss, I can't part with my orange dialled Nomos campus 36, but wear it Sundays mainly for some reason!
Once you've gone through the effort of making a post like this, you've already given the watch a lot of thought. The situation won't change, and how you feel about the watch won't change. It'll remain in the box for the vast majority of the time.
If keeping it there plus the joy of the very occasional wear is worth more to you than the money in the bank (or other stress of owning it), keep it. Otherwise the choice seems clear.
Its memory will live on in the 38mm, which you actually like enough to wear. 🙂
Sage advice; thank you
Nomos is a difficult one to sell I reckon, it's a sweet watch that you will miss, I can't part with my orange dialled Nomos campus 36, but wear it Sundays mainly for some reason!
I can sympathize
I don’t get this thing where people sell watches they love because they don’t wear them a certain percentage of the time. When people collect other things they don’t give any thought to “using” what they collect.
Only you know what’s right for you, but I don’t see a problem having a seldom worn watch that reminds you of a life event.
Before you sell it, may I offer a small suggestion? Try it with a mesh bracelet. Metal bracelets tends to add more presence to a watch. It might just be the final touch you need to make this watch work on your wrist 👍
I don’t get this thing where people sell watches they love because they don’t wear them a certain percentage of the time. When people collect other things they don’t give any thought to “using” what they collect.
Only you know what’s right for you, but I don’t see a problem having a seldom worn watch that reminds you of a life event.
I actually agree with you (as far as my own collection), but clutter anxiety, as well as financial guilt around unused assets and opportunity costs, are real things.
Counterintuitive as it may sound, not everyone with a collection of watches are actually comfortable collecting, as it can feel like hoarding. Perhaps they're more "watch rotators" than watch collectors. 🙂
I actually agree with you (as far as my own collection), but clutter anxiety, as well as financial guilt around unused assets and opportunity costs, are real things.
Counterintuitive as it may sound, not everyone with a collection of watches are actually comfortable collecting, as it can feel like hoarding. Perhaps they're more "watch rotators" than watch collectors. 🙂
I never thought of it that way, but you’ve just explained some things I never understood. To me it seems wasteful to buy and sell the same watch, so I’d only sell if I didn’t like it. I just don’t like selling something for less than I paid.
I’ve shared my thoughts, but I don’t think what I would do is going to be very helpful to you. I’d say if it’s making you anxious, you should definitely sell the watch. Nobody needs more stress in their lives, especially not self-inflicted, easily remedied stress.
I never thought of it that way, but you’ve just explained some things I never understood. To me it seems wasteful to buy and sell the same watch, so I’d only sell if I didn’t like it. I just don’t like selling something for less than I paid.
I’ve shared my thoughts, but I don’t think what I would do is going to be very helpful to you. I’d say if it’s making you anxious, you should definitely sell the watch. Nobody needs more stress in their lives, especially not self-inflicted, easily remedied stress.
To be clear, I'm not suggesting the original poster necessarily has anxiety around it; just that I've heard that from a fair number of people over the years, so it could be the case here.
@mc_fly , you'll have to let us know down the road what you decide. 🙂 Best of luck with the decision!
Your situation appears to me like a reason I gave myself to remain in my first marriage. The love wasn't there but she was an excellent mixed doubles clay court tennis partner. Did I miss her? Hell yes, every year when I got knocked out of the mixed doubles club tournament & she wasn't the person to blame.
For me when the love's gone, the love ain't returning. It's either on the wrist or in the bin. You'll have the occasional nostalgic twinge which will be gone in seconds, much like I do for my ex-wife's running backhand, cross court winners once every 3 sets.
Disclaimer - The above story regarding my ex-wife being an excellent mixed doubles tennis partner may not be true. Me playing tennis also shouldn't be treated as true.
If it's a milestone watch, keep it. Don't be surprised if in years to come you start wearing it more again.
You shouldn't feel bad about letting a watch go if you haven't bonded with it much. You can always pass on the milestone to a new watch in spirit. What matters is that you're reminded of the feeling of your milestone when you look at that watch, whether its your Nomos or another watch that takes its place 🍻
Gotta go! No point keeping it imho.
I'm not a particularly sentimental fellow.
Keep it unless you need the money.
Could it be passed on? A child or partner? If not sell it.
In my book, a watch one considers parting with is already gone.
When the magic has disappeared, it’s only an expensive-ish filled slot in your watch box.
Flip it or, even better, give it to a loved one.
If your writing this post - it’s already GLWS
And you have already replaced it
Before you sell it, may I offer a small suggestion? Try it with a mesh bracelet. Metal bracelets tends to add more presence to a watch. It might just be the final touch you need to make this watch work on your wrist 👍
that's a great idea! I'll try a Milanese bracelet 🙏
I actually agree with you (as far as my own collection), but clutter anxiety, as well as financial guilt around unused assets and opportunity costs, are real things.
Counterintuitive as it may sound, not everyone with a collection of watches are actually comfortable collecting, as it can feel like hoarding. Perhaps they're more "watch rotators" than watch collectors. 🙂
really good point. I've generally been more inclined to call myself an "enthusiast" than a "collector".
Your situation appears to me like a reason I gave myself to remain in my first marriage. The love wasn't there but she was an excellent mixed doubles clay court tennis partner. Did I miss her? Hell yes, every year when I got knocked out of the mixed doubles club tournament & she wasn't the person to blame.
For me when the love's gone, the love ain't returning. It's either on the wrist or in the bin. You'll have the occasional nostalgic twinge which will be gone in seconds, much like I do for my ex-wife's running backhand, cross court winners once every 3 sets.
Disclaimer - The above story regarding my ex-wife being an excellent mixed doubles tennis partner may not be true. Me playing tennis also shouldn't be treated as true.
arguably the stakes of your decision were a bit higher than mine are.
Could it be passed on? A child or partner? If not sell it.
i'm considering that.
arguably the stakes of your decision were a bit higher than mine are.
Indeed. For what it's worth, I have a couple of Nomos watches & I did consider selling my Tangente not that long ago. The used market prices are terrible for Nomos, so much so I decided it was worth more to me to keep, than the sum I'd likely receive. Yours is a nicer model than mine, if you don't need the cash for a new tennis racket.....or wife, I'd say keep it 👍