Josh Thanos joins Tim Mosso to a no-holds-barred discussion of the lies watch dealers, watch brands, and social media tell us. From absurd claims of "investment grade" watches to spurious advertisements of watches "new in box," this episode is a hall-of-shame collection of the worst of watches.

The idea that a watch is an "investment" is partly a lie told by manufacturers, partly a lie perpetuated by dealers, and also a deception that a watch collector sells to himself. While certain watches such as the Rolex Daytona and Patek Philippe Nautilus do gain value after initial sale, such cases are rare. These are the exception, not the rule, and most watches simply lose value after initial retail. In fact, some watches lose tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in the months after they leave the watch boutique. Understanding this fact can protect collectors from making mistakes when they buy watches and enable more confident choices when they invest in real appreciating assets.

Another abuse perpetuated by the watch industry is endemic to the aftermarket: deceptive advertising. Many times online, watches that are for sale on preowned dealer sites or eBay are advertised as "new in box." But "new" watches reflect a status, not a condition; these are only available through authorized dealers. If a dealer is not empowered to activate a warranty card or make a warranty claim to the manufacturer, that dealer is selling a used watch. This is true no matter the physical condition of the watch. It's like driving a new car across the street from Ferrari to a used car lot. It's only a few hundred feet, but that used car dealer cannot claim to be selling a new Ferrari in the name of Ferrari, the manufacturer. It's the same with watches.

Moreoever, because "new in box" implies recent manufacture, it's important to note that an unworn watch may be years or decades old. "New old stock" means a watch is unworn but not truly new in the age sense. Some watches float from dealer to dealer for years or decades before finding buyers. Especially within the grey market, watches often trade hands many times bewteen dealers before an end user - a watch collector - decides to buy the watch. As a result, it's common to see new-appearing watches that are years past their service interval and require the attention of a watchmaker immediately. Buying a non-functional watch advertised as "new in box" is more than just a theory; its a threat. Ask questions - including the ones Tim and Josh advise in this episode.

Tonight's episode takes you under the veil of an industry that thrives on little white lies and half truths; the spin stops here.

Tonight, Tim Mosso shares these and more unpopular opinions about collecting luxury watches.

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