Hi Tomvox1,

I think the main explanation for early bidding on vintage Heuers is to prevent auctions from ending early and also as a signaling tactic to keep people from listing watches with low buy-it-nows. It is of endless frustration to see a great watch, like the 2446 GMT, appear to sell off of eBay. I can almost guarantee the seller would have been better off letting the auction run.

It is always amusing to see the Question and Answer section on Heuer eBay auctions and see the number of people making ridiculously low offers for an immediate sale. If I see a watch I want on eBay, I often message the seller and encourage them to under no circumstances end the auction early.

Rolex auctions are rarely ended early as sellers know the brand name and are aware that Rolex watches are valuable. Heuer does not have the same brand recognition. As a result, you sometimes see people getting rare Heuers for a few dollars at garage sales. Likewise, I know someone who found a super-rare Blancpain Milspec watch in a bag of military gear at a Salvation Army and it was under $10. The watch went on to be sold for 5 figures.

Eric