[On-site Appraisal in Yau Tsim Mong District] Why is the new Louis XIII more expensive than the old version? Unveiling the price inversion phenomenon and key points for appraisal.
The legendary value of Louis XIII and the market paradox of "new highs and old lows".
Louis XIII is Rémy Martin's finest spirit, representing the distillery's highest standards. It is a blend of over 1200 eaux-de-vie from the Grande Champagne region, aged for a minimum of 40 years and a maximum of 100 years, embodying the life's work of generations of master distillers. Since its inception, Louis XIII's hand-blown Baccarat crystal bottle has been considered a work of art, earning it the title of "King of Spirits."
However, an interesting phenomenon has emerged in the resale market for Louis XIII: the purchase price of newer versions (e.g., a reference price of approximately NT$40,000 to NT$70,000) sometimes exceeds that of older versions (e.g., a reference price of approximately NT$30,000 to NT$50,000). This seems to defy the common sense that "older wines are more valuable," but the reasons behind it are quite simple and involve market risks and brand strategy.
Analysis of Key Reasons – The Accelerating Increase in Official Pricing and the Bottleneck in the Growth of Aged Wines
The reason why the new version of Louis XIII can fetch a higher price than many older versions is mainly because the distillery adjusts the official price of the new version too quickly, making it difficult for the price of the older versions to keep up .
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A dramatic leap in official pricing: The earliest versions of Louis XIII (such as Whitehead) were priced far lower back then, around 10,000 RMB or less. However, the latest versions of Louis XIII are priced at over 70,000 to 90,000 RMB per bottle at airports. Although the buyback price of older versions of Louis XIII (such as Whitehead) has increased several times from their original price (for example, the buyback price for older versions is around 50,000 to 70,000 NTD, a significant increase), the extremely high base price of the new versions leads market buyers to tend to price them based on the higher price of the new versions, resulting in the phenomenon of the new versions selling for increasingly higher prices.
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Collector Psychology and Investment Goals: Louis XIII has evolved beyond a mere beverage; it has become a symbol of wealth and a benchmark for gift-giving . Many collectors who seek a complete set and the highest quality are willing to pay a premium for the newest, most officially priced vintage, especially for gifting or display purposes.
Key factors affecting the buyback price of older versions: lack of anti-counterfeiting technology and rampant counterfeit liquor.
The second key factor limiting the growth of the buyback price of older Louis XIII bottles is the lack of robust anti-counterfeiting measures in early production, which led to a market flooded with counterfeit bottles and indirectly lowered the price of genuine products .
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The Dilemma of "White-Headed Louis XIII": The oldest "White-Headed Louis XIII" (circa 1950s-1960s) suffered from weaker anti-counterfeiting measures in the past. This has led to a large number of counterfeit White-Headed Louis XIIIs circulating in the market today, making authentication extremely difficult. This high risk of counterfeiting deters collectors from easily buying and selling these older wines, thus limiting their price growth and influence.
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Potential changes in flavor: Although spirits can be stored for a long time, very old spirits (such as 1970s Louis White) can sometimes become less flavorful. While this does not necessarily indicate a problem with the spirit, it may not meet the expectations of some buyers who prioritize drinking value, which can affect its resale value.
The core elements for authenticating a product are "three-code matching" and the completeness of accessories.
Whether it's the new or old version, ensuring the high resale value of Louis XIII relies on authentication and the integrity of all accessories as unshakeable cornerstones.
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"Three-code matching" is the entry ticket for buyback: each complete set of Louis XIII has a unique serial number . Authentic products must meet the "three-code matching" principle: the certificate code, the laser code on the bottom of the bottle, and the laser code on the crystal head must be completely consistent. If these codes are inconsistent, even if the wine is genuine, its collectible integrity will be greatly reduced, affecting the buyback price.
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The "Pricing Power" of Accessories: The completeness and condition of accessories such as the Louis XIII box (e.g., the early classic red velvet box, square box, or shell box), crystal cork, certificate, and outer cardboard box have a decisive impact on the resale price. The absence of any original accessory reduces its collectability. For example, a bottle originally priced over HK$30,000 may lose thousands of Hong Kong dollars in value simply because it lacks the original box.
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The intrinsic value of the crystal bottle: The Louis XIII crystal bottle is a work of art in itself, handcrafted by Baccarat or Saint-Louis in France. Even an empty bottle, provided it is an intact crystal bottle with its original cork (usually with a serial number matching the bottle), original box, and certificate, still has high resale value.
Efficient recycling solution for collectors in Yau Tsim Mong District (Promise from Chun Heung Wine Shop)
Chunxiang Wine Shop specializes in recycling the Louis XIII series, including the Classic, White Head, Copper Plate, Square Box, Shell Box, as well as all special and limited editions such as Black Pearl and Rare Cask.
We offer the following professional recycling commitments to our customers in the Yau Tsim Mong district:
- Premium appraisal service: We have a professional appraisal team that can accurately assess your Louis XIII's version, age, rarity, and condition to ensure you get a fair and competitive buyback price.
- Convenient Door-to-Door Collection: Chun Heung Wine Shop provides safe and convenient door-to-door collection services throughout Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories (including Yau Tsim Mong District). You don't need to worry about transportation or safety; simply contact us, and we will arrange for a specialist to come to your designated location for identification and collection.
- Fair price conversion: We will accurately convert the market price into Hong Kong dollars according to the exchange rate of the day and provide a competitive buyback offer.
Louis XIII buyback price reference (converted according to the exchange rate of the day, for reference only, please refer to the final quotation):
- Rémy Martin Louis XIII (new edition): Estimated purchase price is approximately NT$40,000 to NT$70,000 (approximately HK$10,000 to HK$17,500 ).
- Rémy Martin Louis XIII (old version): The estimated purchase price is approximately NT$30,000 to NT$50,000 (approximately HK$7,500 to HK$12,500 ).
- Louis XIII empty bottles (including stoppers): estimated purchase price is approximately NT$3,000 to 5,000 (approximately HK$750 to HK$1,250 ).
Summarize
Understanding the market value and authentication details of Louis XIII is key to monetizing your collection. Whether it's an older "white head" wine subject to counterfeiting risks or a newly released rare vintage with soaring prices, Chunxiang Wines is committed to providing you with the most professional and impartial buyback service.
Contact [ Chunxiang Wine Shop ] now and let our experts provide free on-site appraisal and high-price buyback quotes for your treasured collection in Yau Tsim Mong District!
Business Name: Chunxiang Wine Shop
Contact information: WhatsApp: (852) 46135667
