Why I Sold All My Watches - Reasons and Regrets

[@Khanh.Nguyen369]

Episode we’ve all been waiting years for. You’re the reason I fell in love with the Duometre, realized the dream, and then sold it.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Wow, thanks for being patient! If I'd known, I would have had this talk six years ago. Best, Tim

[@JamesCarian]

Tim! Thanks for getting personal on this episode, it was great hearing about your own journey with watches and stepping us through the JLC collection. Man, some truly epic pieces here. It's amazing how our perception of what we do can be such a factor in our decision making in or around the career. I can only speak for myself but...I'm super glad you're still in the watch industry! Thanks for what you've been doing over all these years. You'd make an amazing professor if you ever decide to leave. 🙂 Cheers, James

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you, James. Your feedback on this means a lot to me. Best, Tim

[@donculp9094]

TIM! Your contribution to our pashion is not dinky and stupid. You are doing what you love and I assume are making decent money at it with plenty of opportunity to move forward in the industry. Don't leave us. We love you man.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Wow, that means a lot. I don't regard or take myself seriously, so it's helpful to know that my work has had meaning to others. I really hope I do move up in the industry. The mechanical side is where I still have a lot of interest and hope to find a new path. Even if I go in that direction, I'll still work on the communication side of our business and keep this channel going as long as there's an audience. Best, Tim

[@ameeral-shammaa9012]

Tim you’re the nerd I deeply admire, and pathologically envy for his vast knowledge of the watch industry! I have to commend you for the great job you do at this channel, and the fact that a lot of people envy you for what you do. You are a celebrity thanks to this “KZbinr” job you do!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you! I do my best to give something of value back to the community. I really hope there's more to me than just a salesman. Best, Tim

[@supremegalacticcommander2783]

Very interesting explanation of your watches Tim. I have a JLC Master Triple Calendar, non moon-phase in steel and I love it. You mentioned "a couple hundred bucks to service it", mine was $1,200 for a complete overhaul at JLC in 2015, sounds like I got robbed. Sorry if it's in poor taste to mention costs. Loved this video! Take care. Ps don't undersell yourself as being a mere "KZbinr". You're a walking encyclopedia of horological knowledge, your command of the English language is impressive, you're witty, intelligent and a very entertaining guy to listen to, not to mention you seem pretty good at French too!

[@lawrenceg7341]

Thank you Tim for the story! That duometre and reversal tourbillon!

[@RussianStyle1987]

Just a KZbinr? Brother, you will only realize the freedom you have after you lose it. Being a neurosurgeon, lawyer, insert any professional career, is not any better than a KZbinr. Those people are trapped in their careers. You have freedom. Stay doing what you do best and embrace it!

[@dielalex89]

Very true

[@randys766]

Absolutely loved this episode. Speaking as someone who has gone all the way in education, I wish I could talk to you about the mixed emotions that come through many of your episodes. Maybe you’ll read this, maybe not. You are not a KZbinr (insert starch joke). You appear to be a mechanical timepiece historian, and may one day be an expert builder or curator. While I’m sure you could have achieved any profession, you have found one where you could be considered perhaps the world’s authority, and I suggest you jettison modesty and accept that fact. And you do it in a field where you appear to have autonomy and financial success. May we all be burdened with such regret.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I appreciate this perspective, Randy. Of course, I do have a ton of autonomy and schedule flexibility at work, and I operate almost completely without a manager or supervision. That has immense value to me. The grief arises when I remember the crowd I rolled with in high school and college. All of them are JD, MD, PHD, MBA... I was as smart or smarter than they were. And they hold doctorates... and my colleagues are 10-year olds who post toy unboxings, weirdos with cat videos, and YT watch community clickbait artists. I'm just angry at myself for not doing something I can respect. I'm grateful for a comfortable life, but I absolutely don't respect what I do and what I've become. I might respect "Tim Mosso, Certified Watchmaker," but I'm light years from that with no real path. I make YT videos. Best, Tim

[@johnr4265]

Tim, your feelings are yours, and incredibly open of you to share them freely. From my perspective your ‘colleagues’ in the YT world may include kids and cat videos but never forget the amazingly helpful and informative content (health, financial, hobby, on and on) providers out there. Holding a degree is great but can be way overvalued. How incredibly cool to be THE Professor when it comes to horology! Add to that your title of US Navy Veteran. Thank you for your service and for all the education and entertainment you provide. Keep going Tim.

[@MrPolowu]

Thank you Tim & team

[@dska2294]

Go get the Amvox2. As a memory of the collection. The sporty flair suits you. Get a different variant with the slightly open face and brake caliper. U wore that the most. Thank u for sharing… I just lost my father (Father’s Day) and I’m awake middle of the night in Oregon listening to your show. I suspect this was a more challenging episode for you. It was wonderful for us. Thank u for sharing. Come out to Oregon and u can wear my Amvox and drive my Ferrari in the Oregon countryside…

[@tictocbang7443]

So sorry for your loss. Mine died in March. I need to get a watch to commemorate him every day. Be well!

[@mauriebarnes8272]

Hey Tim, I remember when you sold off your collection, six years ago! WOW. At the time I thought maybe you were getting sucked into that vortex of over-collecting and you decided better 'cash-out'. As you say in hindsight you need not have sold them but who is to say if you'd kept them your future may have turned out different, it’s all about the journey isn’t it? I'm sure if you really wanted those pieces you'd have reacquired them: such is the [craziness of the] watch game and I, along with others here appreciate your honesty on your reasonings. Also, you are much more than just a KZbinr, your professional presentation skills, vast knowledge, on-camera personality have clearly placed you as the #1 ‘go-to’ authority on watches. These are hugely transportable skills into many other endeavours. Thank you for the precision and laughs over all these years.

[@FirestormAA]

Thank for sharing the reason why u sold ur collections. Was wondering for years the sudden lost of ur love for JLC, im wrong, ur love still runs deep is just the reasons to sell them outstripped the love u hv. Great show Tim, always appreciated ur show. U aint a KZbinr,,, instead u are a watch representor to me 😊 A guru that share his knowledge with the rest ard the whole world.

[@REB1313A]

Hi Tim -- I'm a long time viewer from the left coast (we met at Watchtime LA in 2019) and do remember that shortly before you were exploring an "exit" grail in a member of the JLC Master Minute Repeater family and I was floored when you decided to sell the collection instead. I always thought the Duometre was "you" and was sorry to see it go. You're more than just a "KZbinr" and I'll continue to follow the content as long as you continue to produce it. Best, Ralph B.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you, Ralph. I hope to see you again; we're in Newport Beach now, and I make periodic visits to that store for events and collector meetups. Best, Tim

[@RunningFast]

Great show Tim, thanks for sharing your story! Always wondered what happened to your JLC collection. I had a platinum boutique edition Duometre Chrono and an Extreme Lab 2, both ran great, until they didn't, at the same time, and JLC service was a clown show of failures for over a year. When the watches finally came back after multiple trips I was scared to use them the joy was gone, and so were they. On the plus side, their sacrifice made room for my DB28 😉

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Sadly, JLC customer service has been in a downward spiral for years. When I mentioned "Richemont-era cost-cutting" in the show, I meant exactly what you've experienced. Some of it manifests in products made faster, cheaper, and less carefully... other times its the standard of service you get. But it takes a toll either way. That's why most of my interest today is independent brands driven by personal relationships -- or old American pocket watches. Best, Tim

[@netanelostrov3425]

You make every week better:) thanks for everything you do!

[@Eric_Nielsen]

Tim - I went back to school, 6 years of it, at age 40. The level of responsibility the VA entrusts me with today is a little scary and very satisfying. Never too late.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you, Eric. I still hold out hope that I have a sixth gear and more road ahead after social media. Best, Tim

[@hexiplex]

The series of articles on your collection over on Quill&Pad impressed me greatly.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you. I'm glad *somebody* read that stuff! Best, Tim

[@jeffreysbaysurftrips3686]

Top watch content! Soooo nice to listen!

[@watchpillar]

Tim, that was an exceptional episode, really great! I didn't make it to the live shows unfortunately these last months, but I am enjoying every episode, you are doing a great job! Cheers from Munich, Alex

[@scene.objects]

Tim, I really appreciate your insights here. Just as much as it's fascinating to hear why collectors buy their watches, it's equally as fascinating to learn how and why collectors refine their collection. I don't think we hear enough about the latter, this was fantastic. Also, to refer to yourself as a KZbinr is to refer to Lewis Hamilton as having a drivers license. I've learned the most about watches from you in the 15 years I've been in this hobby, you've added so much value to the watch world and we are all grateful for that.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I sold the watches years ago, but I think it took this long to get a handle on why I parted with each. In the moment back in 2018, it seemed like the right thing to do. Now, I'm ready to collect again, but it'll be a very different looking collection than my original. Best, Tim

[@el.priest6518]

One of the best episodes Tim. Appreciate your honesty a lot.

[@Newerasamearea]

Good episode 👏 Rare authentic authenticity in sea of youtube posturing.

[@logwind]

Enjoyed hearing about your JLC collection Tim.

[@RebirthBeyond]

I recall seeing an older video soon after you sold your collection, and you referenced you wished you had been a better brother. Hope I remember that right. That made me tear up a bit as I have brothers of my own and sometimes feels we don't get along so well. Besides that, thanks for this episode. Vintage JLC definitely beats current day offerings.

[@chrisjetko4220]

Another amazing show, bravo!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you, Chris! Best, Tim

[@monicawilson896]

I learned a lot from you watching this. Thank you.

[@donculp9094]

To wit , It was your watch reviews which are emensly intertaining and informative that were critical in helping me idendify the watch I ultimatley decided to buy. An daunting tast to be sure. I could only get one "big watch" (Breguet Marine Royale WG) There is so much information and choices out there and you bring it into focus for us like no one else. Thanks for being there.

[@Tuneitupful]

What a show👍🏽 thank you Tim

[@TwentyOne_Five]

I have actually been wondering for 6 yrs why you sold. I assumed you were buying a house or something. Now I know. Tim I’ve been watching you on and off since 2014.

[@bluemystic7501]

Great episode.

[@dnew5000]

Wow Tim this is required reading on JLC! That duometre was so insane I had to rewind that one right away

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it! I know how much that watch meant to me, and it really was the ultimate chronograph. No regrets about buying it... some for selling it. Best, Tim

[@amintaslneto]

Very cool video Tim! Thanks for sharing your learnings along your watch collecting trek. That's it. After all, it's not about the destination it's about the journey!! Cheers

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thanks for being with me for so much of that journey, Amintas. Best, Tim

[@ThomasBroadbent-r1k]

Thank you Tim I am very appreciative of the work you do, the knowledge and perspective you share. You do a great job. Seems like this is a personal break through preparing for the next move, good luck, Trust, Performance and Endurance Tom

[@jbbittencourt]

Awesome show, Tim!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you for being so supportive of my work! Best, Tim

[@jbbittencourt]

@@the1916companywatchreviews Tim, you are part of the reason why many of us are a bit more educated about watches. Thank you.

[@jesseseiko]

Tim, the day you retire from youtube will be the day my favorite content creator leaves my most used social media platform. You are incredible and I hope to shake your hand some day! Cheers

[@ICYMIKE]

You are a professional media personality and entertainer. No different than Adam Savage. You are a producer, anchor, and educator. We all have aspirations to be more than where we are, but sometimes where we are gives us the legitimate freedoms to do what we want. You could become an attorney, but it's cheaper to hire one. LOL!

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thanks, I'd be honored to be a producer, anchor, OR an educator! Best, Tim

[@ICYMIKE]

@@the1916companywatchreviews you already are. 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@nikr1d3r32]

Frankly it’s crazy that you spend so much money on watches so early when you didn’t know enough about them and made so many “mistakes” I will call them only because the level you were playing at money wise 😮thanks for the honesty, this is how everyone of us is getting better 👍

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I think you're missing quite a bit in the discussion. I enjoyed all those watches. The reason I sold them was to fund a new career path. The individual reason I let each go wasn't because I didn't enjoy it or feel I got my money's worth. Best, Tim

[@nikr1d3r32]

@@the1916companywatchreviews that’s fair 👍

[@Theo-ul8qm]

Love hearing your personal collecting stories, Tim! I've always wondered what someone who gets to see so many watches every day would pick for their own collection. I see that quite a few of your watches had issues with refinishing. I don't really understand the popularity of refinishing in luxury watches. If your watch is scratched, and you refinish it, you will inevitably scratch it again. So you've just ended up with a watch that is still scratched, but also refinished, which is worse than just having the scratches. Seems strange to me that so many owners choose to refinish their watches.

[@jpg6482]

I mountain bike with my overseas too - thought I was only one lol! Always on the rubber strap though - its underrated - so comfy!

[@Juansvids]

Loving these videos. I’m nerding out

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

Thank you, Juan! Best, Tim

[@ericweis9771]

Thanks for sharing Tim

[@gerardocortes5943]

This one and the IWC episode are maybe two of the best. Funny that Tim can squeeze so much juice out of the Richmond Group. I hope they are taking notes.

[@masterwatch]

Just me but I do prefer box & papers and never polished.. I think Tim's explanations and this video is great.

[@MichiPlank]

You should've kept at least one, those pieces are incredible Edit: just heard, that youve kept one 😅

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

The hardest one to find, and the one I'll never sell! Best, Tim

[@YukiTsunoda7]

*does anyone knowwhat episode Tim was throwing the JLC around on the floor???*

[@alectang1614]

A very sincere and unfeined episode Tim. Yes, no regrets, these little useless trinkets can always be rebought anyway. I've always felt you should rebuy the Duometre and the EZM 1.1 as they defined your personality and were seen as part of your character. YOLO etc.

[@mambo9644]

What is this future you envision outside of the watch industry? Keen to understand, as I really love your content and will be sad if you were to depart.

[@franco2739]

1st time watching Tim in a while. WTF! where are the glasses? And how much did they pay you to take them off?

[@avmelidor]

The first 2 were my faves

[@davideljones1982]

Great diversity in wrist shots this week

[@hobbybobby6767]

Tim, you’re not a KZbinr, just a TV Personality who happens to distribute content over KZbin and other new media channels. Very famous individuals like Bill Simmons and Conan are the same as you

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

That's very flattering. I hope I can live up to it. It's always gutting when some orthopedic surgeon at an event asks what I do, I say "You Tube," and he responds that his 10-year-old kid also does that. Best, Tim

[@TheVarskvlavtbichuna]

I remember Tim You would go down to details about JLC or any watch, and I absolutely understand your motives and watch industry changed. But we love and know watches “we know what we love and whats cool 😎. Only I feel sorry for those folks who came late and see watches from money prism oh social media hype or told whats cool by “watch journalists”

[@carlkim2577]

Tim's an insider so he knows. Prices are still headed down. Maximize value when you can, then buy in later at the bottom.

[@rickgreen7393]

Did you disclose to the buyer the issues with the perpetual calendar?

[@bryanryan4504]

Just curious why not having box and papers (naked) is bad? I bought several watches from the likes of jomashop (omega, tag, etc) over the years, all came w box but no original warranty, but ive only had great experience w all of the watches i own.

[@siddhant46s54]

21:28 what is going on with the digital clock in the background?? 😳

[@erikiverson1762]

it is a mode that clock can go into to avoid "burn in" from the digits . it is completely controllable via an app, very cool!

[@rajmehta6210]

Tim would love your honest opinion on the hublot stormtrooper ?

[@dannysimenauer5745]

Many of your fans are in Tim's debt. I appreciate Tim sharing your experiences from his personal collecting journey. Tim helped me avoid many future problems like buying a watch without box & papers. Now if he can convince The 1916 Corp to stop charging over list for a Rolex CPO watch. Makes no sense with all of the unnecessary costs involved with the process.

[@troyHD]

You the man Tim!

[@sutats]

Ah, the goold days of WUW. Thank you Uncle Tim for a trip down memory lane. At least you didn't use your established KZbinr credentials to pump and dump own brand NFTs and own brand cryptocurrencies or questionable financial services.

[@kimchiwasabee]

Was it platinum or WG now!??

[@dannysimenauer5745]

Tim, JLC raised their prices at retail by 40% two years ago. Would you buy a JLC today?

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I only bought two of my nine from ADs, and even then, I did so because I paid *my* price and got my target discount. I didn't pay retail a decade-plus ago, so... I think you know how I'd respond to a 40% price hike! Best, Tim

[@tomasinacovell4293]

I think I'd've sold them off too. Do you have a cat, girlfriend anything, I bet you have a lot of bike stuff and fancy too?

[@edblair5253]

The muppet boiler room secondary grey luxury watch market is dead

[@Rizzy1634]

Tim could sell snow to an Eskimo.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

My $400 phone has an alarm...and duel and triple GMT time...and so much more 😂 😂 😂

[@Jennie-w6n]

Tim, your experience highlights the practical and evolving considerations of a luxury watch collector. Despite the allure of your Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso pieces, issues like maintenance costs, vulnerability of precious metals, and the importance of documentation can lead you to sell your prized watches. Your journey reflects the balance between passion and practicality in watch collecting.

[@jackominty3633]

Tim, you still have zero understanding of the relationship between watch and wrist size. Despite your rookie mistake, you shamelessly recommend big watches to people with wrist sizes 'as small as inches'. Anything to get a sale, who cares if it is inappropriately sized.

[@BenTramer]

Tim, Great show. Inspired topic and execution. Thank you. A couple of questions... - What about the Amvox signaled it was not refinished well? Would like to learn from your experience here. - OK, none of my business, but, I can't help myself here, so your partner/significant other wears your SnowDrop? Thank you!

[@the1916company]

The Amvox 2 has particularly crisp and well defined lugs with hard creases to match. When those go, it starts to affect the appearance of the watch. Also, the loss of caseback design and serial/reference numbering depth reveals the same kind of malpractice. The SnowDrop is in the permanent custody of a good friend who has been a mentor and guide to me in business. Best, Tim

[@BenTramer]

@@the1916company Thank you for your response Tim. This show was so awesome because it had a personal angle regarding your collecting journey, lessons/guidance for collectors of all brands, and showcased JLC in a sincere and informative way.

[@BenTramer]

@@the1916company Another question RE: loss of caseback design and serial/reference numbering depth ...why do I often see that casebacks are polished? It must have no/negligible scratches?

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

@@BenTramer I never understood all the caseback polishing. I'd much prefer the caseback untouched with a handful of meaningless scratches or swirls. Reflexively polishing casebacks is -- one -- calling card of watch butchers who are in the wrong business. Best, Tim

[@wadsworth2351]

What are you left with, anyway? Don't tell me that you switched to a horrible Apple watch...

[@edblair5253]

Stop maintaining these flim flaming cockaroaches go fast red car and CRM Jewelry raffle sketches

[@NickElias]

I owned a 42mm yellow gold limited edition Duometre. While I got it for a good deal, it needed servicing soon after I purchased. $2200 and 10 months later I got it back. Needless to say this experience left a bad taste in my mouth so I sold the watch at a net loss as I thought it would be better to invest the money. That watch is probably worth more today than whatever I invested in. Such is life. I absolutely love the new copper dial Duometre moon phase but now we’re getting into grail watch prices at $70k+

[@Doggo-frencton]

If you’re referring to the new reference they showed at Watches and Wonders, the movement isn’t German silver anymore and it now has fully mechanically-applied anglage. Hard pass from me. I’ll take the older models any day

[@NickElias]

@@Doggo-frencton ah I didn’t know that. Yeah the German silver movement was the main reason I owned that watch.

[@the1916company]

@@Doggo-frencton I saw the same thing. I was pretty broken up to see such a downgrade. When I mentioned "Richemont-era de-contenting" during the Master Ultra Thin 34 segment, I meant specifically stuff like this new Duometre movement. Best, Tim

[@nikr1d3r32]

Typical rookie mistake Tim, I’m sure they got you with the whole “the watchmaker watchmaker”.😂 kidding

[@taytrong]

Just use a sun dial and buy a motorcycle.

[@the1916companywatchreviews]

I've owned both. Best, Tim

[@osobad1127]

Poor Tim Mosso 😢this feels like window to his pain

[@zeviklein1289]

Love the clock in the background

[@the1916company]

Check out the website of Dalibor Farny, the creator of the clock. Best, Tim

[@darkmaster701]

Hey! Joining live from Bristol UK!

[@the1916company]

Thanks for joining me from the UK! I know your town as home of the SS Great Britain and former home of Bristol cars. Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of Lange, loves Bristol cars from the immediate postwar era. Best, Tim

[@RobinHood-us7sg]

@@the1916companyalso home of Banksy, Massive Attack, Nick Walker etc

[@davetaddeo]

i was 1 of the 366 watching live! (one of the few times i've been home at 5)

[@courtneyrobert-john503]

Peace Tim

[@JL-OnwardandUpward]

Looks like you needed the money. Coming up with BS excuses...please.

[@GEMSofGOD_com]

I'm telling you, Flik-Flak "Game Over" is the ultimate end-game piece