Selling a watch is a first for me, I must admit I’m a little nervous. The watch is a C1 Bel Canto Verde/Green Limited Edition. It has never been worn and came to me by chance when I visited No:1 Park Street. CW offered me the watch as I’m always looking at ways to raise money for charity.

Originally I was going to raffle the watch but having gained no interest in the idea and that’s despite the success of an earlier raffle I ran, a Christopher Ward prototype C63 Sealander Sapphire Bronze, general-discussion/kindness-generosity- ... 59549.html.

Hence, now deciding to sell the watch with proceeds going to my local acute NHS Hospital Trust.

Before I list it I would be interested to hear of your experiences, especially what to do and what to avoid. I’m aware of the sales pages here but that’s a very limited audience and frankly I want to get the best possible price without being greedy.


Thanks

Richard D wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 10:50 am Selling a watch is a first for me, I must admit I’m a little nervous. The watch is a C1 Bel Canto Verde/Green Limited Edition. It has never been worn and came to me by chance when I visited No:1 Park Street. CW offered me the watch as I’m always looking at ways to raise money for charity.

Originally I was going to raffle the watch but having gained no interest in the idea and that’s despite the success of an earlier raffle I ran, a Christopher Ward prototype C63 Sealander Sapphire Bronze, general-discussion/kindness-generosity- ... 59549.html.

Hence, now deciding to sell the watch with proceeds going to my local acute NHS Hospital Trust.

Before I list it I would be interested to hear of your experiences, especially what to do and what to avoid. I’m aware of the sales pages here but that’s a very limited audience and frankly I want to get the best possible price without being greedy.


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Thanks

I was surprised that you didn’t let the raffle topic run a little longer, Richard. A generous gesture for a very good cause. It was over a bank holiday weekend when lots of people might well have been out and about doing other things.

I had spotted it and was awaiting further info. I would certainly have had a dibble, and I suspect many others would have done the same, but when I came to look again it had disappeared.

Good luck, however you decide to proceed.

I, too, am surprised the raffle isn't going to go ahead. The watch looks stunning.

I tend to limit my sales to watch forums, or people I know.

How were you gauging the interest in the raffle Richard? I was also willing to put a bid in, but like Steve, was awaiting further info and a link like last time.

I didn't realise a response was required?

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:13 am I was surprised that you didn’t let the raffle topic run a little longer.

atnits wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:15 am I, too, am surprised the raffle isn't going to go ahead. The watch looks stunning.

StrappedUp wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:20 am How were you gauging the interest in the raffle Richard? I was also willing to put a bid in, but like Steve, was awaiting further info and a link like last time.

I didn't realise a response was required?

I tested the waters on several platforms and got no interest except for 3 likes here. I wasn’t looking for a specific response, maybe just to start a conversation. There were posts made over bank holiday here and on other social media sites, my offer of a raffle fell flat.

Anyway, nothing is fixed in stone as to what I’m going to do with the watch. I have a target figure in mind which will help fund life saving clinical equipment.

Back to my question re your experience of selling a watch.

Why don't you open a raffle with a fixed-duration, set a minimum amount required for it to go ahead, but no cap on funds raised?
Isn't that something similar to the Omaze draws advertised on TV?

I know some may think it's unfair as odds are uncertain, but it's for charity and I'm sure the odds will still be better than winning anything but a lucky dip on the lotto.

StrappedUp wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 12:47 pm Why don't you open a raffle with a fixed-duration, set a minimum amount required for it to go ahead, but no cap on funds raised?
Isn't that something similar to the Omaze draws advertised on TV?

I know some may think it's unfair as odds are uncertain, but it's for charity and I'm sure the odds will still be better than winning anything but a lucky dip on the lotto.

It’s a good thought, I will have to crunch some numbers. Where this offer differs from the Sealander raffle the Bel Canto was not gifted by CW.

Raffle for a good cause sounds great

Deej wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 2:40 pm Raffle for a good cause sounds great

My preference would have been to raffle the Bel Canto but there just isn’t enough traffic on the forum. As for Facebook, last time it was hard work, over 2 weeks, just to keep the interest alive. I would need a group of like minded enthusiasts to help me to make it happen. I would have liked the watch to have gone to someone who ordinarily it would be out of their reach. It’s a stunning watch and one I’ve no doubt will be cherished.

For the raffle to be a success I would be looking at improving on the 2000 tickets at £1 a ticket sold last time. As this watch was not gifted by CW, unlike last time, I would need to cover the retail price paid; and hope to attract enough additional tickets to make a small profit. However, as a UK tax payer if I sell the watch and donate the money through Gift Aid the charity can claim an extra 25p for every £1 I raise and it will not cost me any extra. The charity cannot claim Gift Aid on a raffled item.

I still have some thinking to do.

Do you have an amount in mind? If you do then you can divide it by a sensible ticket price and then you will have the number of tickets needed to be sold, i.e. £5000 / £5 = 1000 tickets. Most people would buy more than one reducing the odds and giving them a greater chance of winning.
I feel as though it's easier and quicker to sell a certain number of tickets rather than wait for them to be sold as you can always update the forum with numbers of tickets left , prompting people to part with their money.

To your question about selling: I’ve sold a few, but just in the last year have I ever sold any watches. I’ve been acquiring watches since the late ‘70s. So, other than gifting, selling has come much later in my life.

I’ve sold on the Chrono24 site. I like their escrow payment process by which they receive payment from the buyer, and only release funds to the seller when the buyer receives the watch with time to inspect it. Chrono24’s escrow allows payments via several methods: bank transfers, credit cards, PayPal. Other sales I’ve conducted have been through direct contact with known individuals. Payment was via PayPal.

I must have missed your raffle post. Sorry for overlooking it.

stuartl226 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:05 pm Do you have an amount in mind? If you do then you can divide it by a sensible ticket price and then you will have the number of tickets needed to be sold, i.e. £5000 / £5 = 1000 tickets. Most people would buy more than one reducing the odds and giving them a greater chance of winning.
I feel as though it's easier and quicker to sell a certain number of tickets rather than wait for them to be sold as you can always update the forum with numbers of tickets left , prompting people to part with their money.

I guess I have two figures in mind, one lower than the other. A raffle or sale on the forum would be lower because I would hope whoever was lucky enough to get the watch would cherish it as I would. I’ve not seen a Bel Canto Verde for sale on the preloved market, the Azure has fetched thousands. I need some advice on what would be reasonable. By the way, CW are fully aware of my intent to raise funds using this watch and are completely supportive. Either way I want to be able to make a good donation to the charity.

The Sealander raffle was managed in exactly how you suggest, set number. Most tickets were sold to members from other groups. Hence, I’m not confident there is enough interest here. However, it’s not an idea that I have discounted. I need to do some more research on the commission charged for an online raffle versus an online sale. There is insurance, packaging and postage to consider. Also, the charity will be able to claim Gift Aid (25%) on a sale but not on a raffle.

thomcat00 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 12, 2023 7:57 pm To your question about selling: I’ve sold a few, but just in the last year have I ever sold any watches. I’ve been acquiring watches since the late ‘70s. So, other than gifting, selling has come much later in my life.

I’ve sold on the Chrono24 site. I like their escrow payment process by which they receive payment from the buyer, and only release funds to the seller when the buyer receives the watch with time to inspect it. Chrono24’s escrow allows payments via several methods: bank transfers, credit cards, PayPal. Other sales I’ve conducted have been through direct contact with known individuals. Payment was via PayPal.

I must have missed your raffle post. Sorry for overlooking it.

No problem, your advice is helpful and a good steer. I’ve had a quick look at the T&Cs for listing a watch on the Chrono24 site. Seems straightforward, thank you.

After listening to my friends and colleagues I’ve decided it will be good to raffle the Bel Canto Verde rather than just sell it. It gives more enthusiasts the opportunity of owning this beautiful watch, described by many as a ‘masterpiece’. The money raised will go to my local acute NHS hospital.

The Bronze Sealander raffle proved highly successful with tickets selling out in a matter of days. Funds raised contributed to a £20,500 donation to purchase life saving baby heart monitors. As before, I’m hoping the Bel Canto will go to a watch enthusiast who will cherish the watch.

I’ve set a target of 1500 tickets at £5 each with no time limit on the sale and on how many tickets can be sold to an individual. An automated draw will take place once the last ticket has been sold. The winning ticket holder will be notified by telephone and by email. The watch will be despatched shortly afterwards. Entrants are welcome form any country.

The watch is currently with Christopher Ward at their head office in Maidenhead. The link to purchase tickets online will be made available in the coming days.

Thanking you in advance.

Fantastic and especially for such a good cause !