A Comprehensive Guide To Choosing A Luxury Watch

Buying a luxury watch is a significant purchase not just in terms of price but emotionally as well. Perhaps you’re celebrating a personal milestone, ticking it off the bucket list, or maybe it’s just an investment opportunity. Whatever the intention, there’s one thing that remains unchanged, which is your decision.

It’s not unusual to feel excited or overwhelmed when buying or selling luxury watches. The wide choice of styles, brands and designs makes it tricky to determine the right watch. Plus, all the complex technology and terminology to wrap your head around can be too much. Therefore, to help you make that decision, we’ve compiled the most important things you should consider before choosing a luxury timepiece.

Start by asking yourself: Why do you want a luxury watch?

There are different reasons why you want to buy a nice luxury watch, and identifying the reason will help make the search easier. The good news is you’ve got a lot of great options!

Do you want an elegant everyday watch or something that portrays your style? Will your timepiece represent your status symbol, or are you simply interested in experiencing its quality and craftsmanship? Answering this will help you focus on the right watch. 

Now that you’ve figured out the reason let’s get to the factors you should consider:

• Brand

The luxury watch brand is one of the most important factors to consider. Brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet are renowned for their quality, durability, and timeless style. These brands have built a reputation for excellence over decades, and their watches are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. You can also consider other brands like Omega, TAG Heuer, and Breitling, which are well-respected in the industry and offer a range of styles to choose from.

• Style

Style is understandably one of the most important considerations when picking your luxury timepiece. From the dial colour to the bracelet/strap material, every detail is vital while buying your dream timepiece and you must check out different watch styles before settling for one. After all, it’s something you’d want to wear and enjoy at all events & occasions.

Here are some options:

• Dress Watches 

As the name suggests, a dress watch is designed for dressier events, although nowadays, it’s common to pair it with formal and semi-formal outfits.

Simplicity with limited complications, slim cases, low-key dial, minimalist hour markers and sleek leather straps are some of the common characteristics of a dress watch.

• Diver’s Watches

Diving watches are highly legible underwater in low light. For a watch to be called a diving watch, it must feature a water resistance of at least 100m.

A few must-have characteristics include a unidirectional bezel, a large & luminous dial and a case made of corrosion-resistant material.

• Military Watches

Military watches, also known as field watches, are tough and robust in extreme conditions. The manufacturers typically make them of steel or titanium. 

Features that make them stand out include high legibility in low light or high-stress situations, precise movements, a minimalist design, sturdy straps and tactical characteristics. 

• Pilot Watches

Pilot or Aviation watches are easily functional and highly legible, given they are more practical timepieces. A pilot watch is great if you want something classic with an impressive history.

Distinguishing features include a large dial with luminous hands, a black & white colour scheme for optimum legibility, a notable crown and a leather strap. Some of the important complications include chronographs and time zones.

• Racing Watches

Racing watches are more flamboyant to look at, and you can find them in various colour and style options.

A tachymeter and a chronograph function are two complications that define a racing watch. In addition, you’ll find prominent Arabic numerals on a large dial allowing easy legibility, a stainless steel case and a metal/leather strap.

• Materials

Brands produce luxury watches from various materials, including precious metals like gold, platinum, stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic. The materials used in a watch can affect its durability, weight, and overall aesthetics. It is important to consider the build quality of a luxury watch and the materials used to ensure that it will withstand the test of time.

• Movement

The movement of a luxury watch refers to the mechanism that powers the watch. There are three main types of movements: mechanical, automatic and quartz.

• The spring in mechanical movements powers through manual or automatic winding via the movement of the wearer’s wrist.
• On the other hand, a battery powers the quartz movement, which is typically more accurate and less expensive than mechanical movements.
• The majority of luxury watches have automatic, aka, self-winding movements. This means when you wear it, you don’t have to manually wind the watch as the motor moves as your wrist moves.

Apart from this, some luxury watches feature a hybrid movement that combines the accuracy of quartz with the craftsmanship of a mechanical movement.

• Watch Size

Only some things that appeal visually will look great on your wrist. For instance, what if someone with a smaller wrist opts for a 46mm watch, or those with a larger wrist size pick a 32mm case? Therefore, it’s important to understand what watch size will feel and look better. Going with the latest trend, you can opt for an oversized look if that appeals to you. Research the various case sizes and find out what looks best on you!

• Features & Complications

Beyond merely telling the time, luxury watches can offer a range of features like complex Chronographs, Moon Phases, GMT Complication, Minute Repeater, Power Reserve Indicator, Perpetual Calendars and Tourbillons. Consider the most important features that best suit your lifestyle and needs.

• Budget

Set a budget before you start shopping and consider the value that each watch offers concerning its price. Do you want a watch with complications or something dressier? Do some online research and see what options are available at your price.

The world of luxury watches is huge, and you won’t be disappointed. Brands like Breitling, Tag Heuer, Omega and others make fantastic options. For those looking for investment, Rolex is a good place to start.

• Lifestyle

Consider where you’re going to wear your new timepiece. Your lifestyle plays a key role in deciding the type of luxury watch you buy. Will you be wearing it regularly or buying it for a special occasion? Different luxury watches serve different purposes. Choose the watch depending on your lifestyle, habits and where you want to wear the watch.

• Investment Potential

Although all luxury watches are precious and collectable, not all timepieces hold similar value. For example, Rolex is a brand that secures the highest resale value, followed by Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Cartier. Therefore, if you want to fetch a good value when you sell your luxury watch, start by listing the most in-demand watches in the market. Remember, not just the brand but factors like rarity, materials, complications, etc., also impact the return on investment.

OUR FINAL THOUGHT

In conclusion, choosing a luxury watch is a personal decision that requires careful consideration of your style, needs, and budget. Considering the factors discussed in this guide, you can find a luxury watch that is perfect for you and will bring you joy and satisfaction for years.

Remember to do your research, try on different styles, and take your time when making a decision. A luxury watch is not just a timepiece but a timeless investment that will last a lifetime.