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How to Make $60k/Year Flipping Luxury Watches

Highly profitable side hustles and small businesses you can start today

How to Make $60k/Year Flipping Luxury Watches

⚒️ Niche: Reselling Luxury Watches
💰 Opportunity size: $2,500-$5,000+/month
💵 Initial cost: $2,500+
🧩 Difficulty: Medium
🏆 Competition: Low

GM, SideNerds! 💼💰

The world of luxury watches is deep and rich and your pockets can be the same if you know what you’re doing. 

Let’s take a look at how side hustlers are making upwards of $4k/month selling luxury watches. By the end of this email, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t start your watch-flipping side hustle sooner. 

As the saying goes: Time is money ⌚ = 💵

Overview: Luxury Watch Flipping

Flipping watches can be a worthwhile side hustle, especially if you're passionate about these stylish timepieces. Believe it or not, people can make as much as $20k/year fixing and selling these things. But to help you achieve a higher and more consistent income, we’re looking specifically at luxury watches.

Luxury watches are more than just time-telling devices; they're investments, fashion statements, and often, a legacy. This makes them a fantastic niche for flipping, especially if you have an eye for timeless pieces.

Initial Steps: Wind Up Your Venture

Like any venture, you must put in the hours if you mean business. If you jump in head-first with no idea of what you’re doing, this is one venture that may not work out for you. 

What Brands to Chase?

Before you spend a dime, understand what makes a watch valuable. Brands like Rolex, Omega, and Patek Philippe are known winners. But the devil's in the details—model, rarity, and condition play huge roles. Here is a more detailed breakdown of brands to chase:

  • Rolex - Perhaps the most iconic of all, known for its durable and prestigious watches.

  • Patek Philippe - Highly coveted for its intricate and sophisticated mechanical watches.

  • Audemars Piguet - Famous for its Royal Oak model, a staple in luxury sports watches.

  • Omega - Known for its precision and history with space exploration (the Moonwatch).

  • Tag Heuer - Renowned for precision chronographs and strong ties to the racing world.

  • Cartier - Not just a jeweler but a respected maker of elegant watches.

  • Jaeger-LeCoultre - Known for innovative and complex movements.

  • IWC Schaffhausen - Specializes in premium Swiss watches with a focus on technology and development.

  • Panerai - Known for its bold, distinctive designs and deep diving capabilities.

  • Breitling - Focused on high-performance watches, often associated with aviation.

  • Hublot - Known for its innovative use of materials and big, bold designs.

  • Vacheron Constantin - One of the oldest manufacturers of fine watches, known for its classic designs and superb craftsmanship.

Learn the Lingo

Know your chronograph from your tourbillon. Familiarity with watch terminology not only aids in buying and selling but also helps establish your credibility in the market.

The Little Things Count

Almost every successful SideNerd who’s an expert at flipping watches says the same thing: You will only turn a profit if you know what to look for; the well-oiled mechanisms that make no sound, the slight shift of its hands. This sounds obsessive, but you’d best take it seriously if you’re out to make a profit.

Start Small, Think Big

You can start with $2,000 - $5,000. This isn’t pocket change, but keep in mind we’re talking luxury watches. Consider it an investment in your business. 

Essential Gear

There are some basic but essential things you’ll need on your journey in this side hustle: 

  • Watch Toolkit: For basic adjustments. Keep in mind that some items may need more work than others. 

  • Magnifying Glass: To inspect for defects and authenticity.

  • A Reliable Vendor List: Connections are everything.

  • Storage Case: Keep your investments safe and sound.

Where to Find Your Watches

A huge part of your success will come down to knowing the right places to look for quality pieces: 

  • Auctions: They can be gold mines for valuable pieces at lower prices. Keep an eye on both local and online auction houses.

  • Online Marketplaces: Platforms like eBay and Chrono24 are great for beginners. They offer buyer protection, which is crucial as you’re learning the ropes.

  • Estate Sales: Often overlooked, these can yield vintage treasures at bargain prices.

Let’s Talk Profit Margins

On average, with smart buys and timely sales, you can make a 20-30% profit per flip. For a $5,000 watch, that’s about $1,000-$1,500 in your pocket. With experience and a keen eye, managing 5-10 flips a month isn't just possible, it's achievable.

Finding Good Deals

Knowing where to find quality watches is one thing. What about quality customers?

  • Consignment Shops: Some high-end consignment shops specialize in luxury watches. They take a cut, but they also bring in affluent customers.

  • Personal Network: Sometimes, the best buyers are in your circle or just one introduction away.

Diversify Your Business

Consider offering service work to watch owners and enthusiasts in addition to selling rare pieces. Service work on watches usually costs so little it may not be worth the effort. However, there are ways to make your service more unique and therefore command a higher charge: 

  • Strong branding: If your side hustle or business stands out as unique compared to “Tom” down the road who happens to fix watches, customers are more likely to spend their money. Start with relatives and friends and build out your business from there. People love (and trust) a strong brand. 

  • Add Value: To justify a higher charger, consider adding a simple but straightforward USP (Unique Selling Proposition) to your service. For instance, if folks usually wait one week to have their watches repaired, consider doing 24-hour repair services and charging 15% above the standard rate. Lead with this added value when selling your service. 

  • Create a website or online store: Long gone are the days when you’d have to establish your business with a brick-and-mortar location. Set up shop online and boost your authority in the eyes of customers.

  • Hire an SEO: This point is super important. By optimizing your online platform, you have a real shot at streamlining leads and creating a pipeline. A pipeline is important and one of the quickest ways to achieve making $4,000 - $5,000 per month. 

  • Service only rare pieces: If your business is specialized, this can create room to charge more for your services. 

Tips For Success

  • Patience Pays: Wait for the right buy and sell moments.

  • Stay Informed: Keep abreast of market trends and new model releases.

  • Network: Join Facebook Groups, watch forums, and local collector groups.

  • Document Everything: Keep records of authenticity and transactions.

Until next time, keep creating and keep hustling!

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