9 Best Luxury Alternative Investments To Consider For Your Portfolio In 2025

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Forget all creatures great and small.

At Chrono Hunter, we specialise in different types of watches big and small.

Be it grail watches like the Rolex Daytona ref. 6263 worn by some of the greats like Tom Brady and James Bond, or those covering the whole spectrum of the rainbow in blue or green and even purple (no names, Atelier Wen Perception Millesime Mu…)

However, we are here today to talk about the best alternative investments for your portfolio. And like the seven-time Superbowl champ, the field is ever changing. While timepieces retain their position in and among to put down your dough, there are also plenty of other options to consider.

For example, you could turn to Bitcoin, in order to ride the bulls and bears in hopes of maxing your wealth.

You may prefer something a little more tangible such as luxury handbags from Prada or sought after art pieces from Edvard Munch, Leonardo Da Vinci or Banksy whose Love Is In The Bin, according to the Guardian, sold in 2021 for a cool £18.5 million.

Diversifying your portfolio is essential to ensure you keep a balanced fiscal ship in the asset world. Remember the story of Daedalus and Icarus?

Fly too close to the sun and you will get your economic hide burnt. After all, too much in one thing results in a greater risk of failure, as opposed to equal shares across a range of (hopefully!) consistent assets.

That is unless you know what you are doing and if you have your A-game face on like LeBron James.

LEARN MORE: LeBron James Watches Are A Slam Dunk For Any Keen Horophile

Doesn' t matter if you splash your hard-earned cash on hedge funds, peer to peer lending, or want to store football memorabilia and sneakers in your reinforced safes or man caves.

There are a plethora of alternative investment options available. And if you are dipping your toe in for the first time, you are in the right place.

Before we expose any of the details, it’s best that we first give a low-down on the highly reliable Knight Frank Wealth Report which is a key point of reference.

Eyes down for a second…

Knight Frank Wealth Report 2024

The Knight Frank Wealth Report is an annual publication that gives an insight into the current trends behind global wealth, the current status of luxury assets and real estate markets.

This report typically analyses two types of individuals; high-net and ultra-high-net worth. Their assets will typically surpass the £1 million mark, and can result in excess of £30 million, depending on if they are high net or ultra-high-net.

While the report covers content like philanthropy and social responsibility, alongside the next generation of wealth and the impact of geopolitical tensions, we will be focusing more on the alternative collectibles, and how they have performed throughout 2024.

While 2023 demonstrably showed the success of luxury assets, shown through record-breaking individual sales, there has been a positive financial market return in 2024.

This led to a change of allocations, causing luxury asset values to slightly drop. However, some assets saw some positive changes.

Below are the stats on a few of the best alternative investments that underwent an impact last year;

Alternative Investments (2024)	Luxury Investment Index (%)
Furniture	-2%
Art	+11%
Classic Cars	-6%
Whisky	-9%
Handbags	-4%
Watches	+5%
Jewellery	+8%

It appears that while some assets like furniture and classic cars may not have proved to be overly effective choices, other alternative investments like art, jewellery and watches have been strong players.

We do say that watches are the way forward, especially the pre-owned market!

DISCOVER MORE: Question Time: What Are The Best Pre-Owned Rolex Watches To Buy Right Now?

Interestingly, Crypto like Bitcoin is not exclusively mentioned in the report.

However, while these sectors tend to be as volatile as a Fury vs Usyk press conference, we are seeing investors and possible collectors under the ultra-high-net-worth category, choosing to diversify their portfolios with NFT’s and blockchain purchases.

Other financial products many veer to, like peer to peer lending bypasses traditional banks while hedge funds pool investors money to make positive returns. So, could the lonely world of traditional stocks and shares be on its way out?

LEARN MORE: Business Watch: Luxury Swiss Brands Outperform Stocks, Gold And Bitcoin

These percentage points aren’t too damning on collectors' portfolios, even if classic cars and handbags have decreased in value.

In keeping with high spirits (little alcohol pun for you there), why don’t we take a deeper look into what we think are some of the best alternative investments that can get your portfolio looking Oscar or Emmy worthy?

Alternative Types of Investment

While this will be almost exclusively made to suit the gent looking for luxurious, tangible assets, it’s important to note that there are other possibilities out in the market, aside from luxury watches.

**DISCLAIMER** We are a market leading online luxury watch platform and media hub. All opinions stated are our own, and the money you invest is at your own risk.

Hedge Funds

Essentially, these allow investors to funnel their money into one fund, which is then subsequently invested in order to make a larger, positive return. Typically spotted in mutual funds, some hedge funds have previously allowed for returns to be superior and more risk-adjusted.

In most cases managed by professional fund managers, they take full control of the hedge funds money, making educated estimates and decisions on what constitutes a worthy investment, across a number of trading strategies and asset types, including stock bonds, real estate and land..

Thanks to hedge funds, they allow you to pool your money with others and use aggressive strategies to attain larger market returns. However, it’s important to note that they will not always perform better than other investments.

Bitcoin

This became synonymous with huge rises and falls when it first became viral back in 2010.

With well-known watch collectors like Andrew Tate moving into the Crypto world and calling for coins to be pumped and released, Bitcoin has become a very popular, modern way of trading.

MORE ON ANDREW TATE: Escape The Matrix For A Second With Andrew Tate's Watches Worth More Than £7 Million

Bitcoin essentially operates on a decentralized system, meaning users get transparency and security in their transactions. Due to most cryptocurrencies being in limited supply, and with more people coming to the platform, the value is naturally appreciating, and in turn attracting investors.

This digital form of currency is completely virtual, and used to support peer to peer lending transactions without a central bank. Utilising blockchain technology, you can do everything from “mining” to improve the blockchain and get paid in Bitcoin’s. However, it is known for being highly volatile and risky.

BREAKING NEWS: The price of Bitcoin has gone through the roof as of December 2024 surpassing $100,000. Sparked by the incoming US President Donald Trump and potential less regulation, it may well be a boom time to invest.

According to Mike Novogratz, CEO of US crypto firm Galaxy Digital speaking in the Guardian;

“We’re witnessing a paradigm shift. After four years of political purgatory, bitcoin and the entire digital asset ecosystem are on the brink of entering the financial mainstream…This momentum is fueled by institutional adoption, advancements in tokenization and payments, and a clearer regulatory path”

Peer To Peer Lending

Otherwise known as P2P lending, this puts borrowers in contact with lenders.

You simply loan money to people or businesses, and then they pay you back with interest. This is a method that does not use a conventional bank, allowing you to offer higher interest rates.

With peer to peer lending, there is a risk of losing money if the business defaults and does not pay, or the lending platform goes bust.

However, if you do your research and keep abreast of the best sites to use for peer to peer lending like Investopedia, Moneysupermarket and Zopa, you could glean higher returns through a much more accessible form of investing.

Speaking of laying some money down on the line, shall we invest a little more time into some of the other best alternative investments out there?

Read on!

1. Fine Art

First on our list is something that isn’t just to flaunt in your living room.

It actually quantifies as one of the most popular alternative investments for those interested in looking to buy outside of the traditional FTSE 100, NASDAQ and such like.

Most expensive artwork sold: Salvator Mundi - Source - Salvator Mundi Revisited

In the previous Knight Frank Wealth Report, it was understood that 59% of Ultra High Net Worth individuals moved towards art as investments. Considering the art market rose by around 29% in 2022, this is not at all surprising!

It comes with a number of pluses. For example, it’s understood that when you buy fine art, you will be engaging in an industry that is significantly more risk averse than stocks and shares or ETFs.

How so?

In effect, art will likely rise in value over time for a number of reasons. As collections from deceased creatives are already classified as being limited, they will likely decrease in production even further. Unfortunate incidents such as theft or general damage will inevitably make the remaining works more desirable as the supply drops.

While art is a long-term investment, you will likely need to ensure you have enough financial capital to keep your portfolio steady, so you can hold onto the art for as long as possible, and therefore glean the best value…

similar to all the luxury watch big hitters such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus Jumbo 3700 or a rare Omega Speedmaster Albino (3893.20)

Art is typically split into three schools as explained below;

Emerging artists are by far the riskiest option to choose. They have only just made a name for themselves, and therefore their future is uncertain. If they become incredibly successful, their price will likely exponentially grow. However, this is accompanied by the possibility of loss if their art does not take off.
Established artists are one step above emerging artists. They have already made a name for themselves in the sphere, but are not quite world renown. This means while most of their works will be desirable over time, it will likely be consistent in value and not a huge growth.
Blue-chip artists, think Andy Warhol (Cartier Tank), Roy Lichtenstein and Pablo Picasso, who have already achieved great notoriety. They are very desirable, and by default, are already very expensive to buy. As a result, their works offer lower investment risk as they will hold significant value…similar to Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Phillipe in the horological world.

Below are just a few examples of art pieces that ended up being sold for astronomical prices. We’re sure you’ll recognise a few names:

Artwork/Artist	Price	Date It Sold
Salvator Mundi - Leonardo Da Vinci	Around £355 million	2017
Interchange - Willem de Kooning	Around £236 million	2015
Card Players - Paul Cézanne	Around £197 million	2011
Nafea Faa Ipoipo? - Paul Gauguin	Around £165 million	2015
Number 17A - Jackson Pollock	Around £157 million	2015
Standard-Bearer - Rembrandt	Around £156 million	2022
Shot Sage Blue Marilyn - Andy Warhol	Around £153 million	2022
No.6 Violet, Green and Red	Around £146 million	2014
Portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit	Around £142 million	2015
Water Serpents II - Gustav Klimt	Around £134 million	2015

2. Jewellery

Now who said diamonds are a girl’s best friend? Oh yes, that’s right…it was Marilyn Monroe.

Our next best alternative investment that many opt for is jewellery. This is perhaps the most glitzy selection from this list that is both timeless and enduring. Some say diamonds aren't forever, but we say they can be if you know where to put your finances!

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIAMONDS: Lab-Grown Diamonds And The Impact On Luxury Watches

Most expensive diamond jewellery - Hope Diamond - Source - The Telegraph

So, to break it down a second, what exactly should we be looking at in order to place our hard-earned cash?

Diamond Jewellery

To quickly ascertain what constitutes a collectible diamond, we must refer to our C’s.

Carat - How much the diamond weighs

Clarity - How clean the diamonds are

Cut - How the diamond is shaped
Colour - Does the diamond have colour or not.

Look, some precious stones of this nature released are just truly ultra-valuable. One called the Eternal Pink comes in at 0.57 carats and offers a purple and pink lustre. The Knight Frank Wealth Report 2024 found that one sold for around £27.5 million in 2023.

FUN FACT: They actually calculated that this could buy you 1,139 square metres of prime London property.

You may be asking yourself, what sort of diamonds should I be investing in? Well, it’s entirely up to you. However, it’s best to avoid lab-grown diamonds as they do not hold their value due to them not being authentic.

Some examples of collectible variants are round brilliant cuts, or coloured fancy diamonds that go from faint to fancy deep (as per the Gemology Institute of America’s colour grading scale).

Below are our top five examples of diamond infused pieces that sold for some pretty impressive figures.

Hope Diamond	Around £197.3 million
Pink Star	Around £56.2 million
Oppenheimer Blue	Around £45.4 million
L’Incomparable	Around £43.4 million
Blue Moon of Josephine	Around £38.2 million

Gemstones

Gemstones are the vibrant brother of diamonds.

Totalling minerals that are cut and polished, these are realised as precious stones, and come in a plethora of exciting colours. We say a plethora, as the range of gemstones you can choose from is truly exceptional.

Emerald	Stunning green lustre.
Ruby	A pinkish red shade.
Sapphire	Available in a number of shades, sapphires have become a firm staple.
Amethyst	Amethysts come in a beautiful violet and purple colours.

It’s understood that over time, gemstones have appreciated between 5 to 8% each year, despite any global economic troubles since 1955.

While most of the jewels from the above table will perform well, there are some exceptional variants that yield very impressive figures at resale.

For example, there is the Bahia emerald that weighs 752 pounds and has an estimated value of around £315.4 million. To be fair to this price tag, this rock features the largest single shard of emerald ever found.

Don’t even get us going on emerald. You can choose from a plethora of stones, with some producing some phenomenal prices. For example, we could refer to the priceless Stuart Sapphire that forms the British Crown Jewels. Or how about the £110.4 million Star of Adam sapphire that totals 1,404 carats?

Pearls

Pearls are collectible across the board, but for the big bucks, you will want to go with saltwater pearls.

This is in contrast to cultured pearls which are manmade. Typically, a farmer will place a small item into the oyster in order to stimulate it. Then, the item is coated with calcium carbonate which hardens, and eventually becomes a pearl.

On the other side, are saltwater and freshwater pearls. These are made naturally in their respective environments. These tend to be more durable than their cultivated counterparts. You will typically spot these pearls on a variety of designs, including beads, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

Pearls also have the chance to offer phenomenal resale value. It all depends on its type and whether it is natural or cultured.

Typically, if it’s natural, it will be priced more than its alternative. However, both natural and cultured pearls are classified as fine gems, similar to emeralds and sapphires, so either could be potentially worthwhile.

Don’t sleep on pearls though.

Some items with pearls in can sell for some truly obscene sums! For example, the La Peregrina was worn by Queen Mary I of England and eventually formed the Crown Jewels of Spain. Travelling through history, it eventually was brought to Cartier to be turned into a necklace. It sold at a Christie’s auction for a tidy £9.3 million.

Platinum

Platinum is always in demand because it has so many uses in various industries due to its sensational hardness, including cars and electronics.

DISCOVER: Here are Our Thoughts On The New A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone Platinum Watch

At the time of writing, platinum is currently acting below its usual value.

This could pose a top investment opportunity, especially if the market resurges. Since platinum has a different selling power to gold and silver, you may find that it behaves differently in the marketplace and is therefore an excellent precious metal to diversify your portfolio.

Be aware that platinum is currently sourced predominantly from South Africa. Due to the burgeoning political tensions and environmental activism against how it’s mined, it could become exceptionally scarce, again, more a reason to invest now before supply drops.

It was estimated that platinum was originally trading at around £850 to £900 per ounce at the beginning of 2023. However, towards the end of the year, its value surged due to supply issues through strikes in South Africa, seeing its price rise to between £950 and £1,050.

Early 2024 has been good to the material, seeing it remain steady at around £1,000 to £1,100. As of December 2024, it currently totals at £720.

Yet, with the Russia and Ukraine war raging on and posing a geopolitical risk to the global economy, South Africa remains on edge with its strikes and political instability.

Demand could suddenly plummet at any time. Make sure you are switched on to it!

Platinum is defined by its hardness and rarity when compared to other precious metals like gold. Understood to be one of the worlds most premier metals for jewellery, the material also has uses in many other industries, such as fertilizers, fibreglass and petroleum, furthering its level of demand.

Of course, platinum jewellery has had its fair share of exponential booms over the years. The Laurence Graff Pink Diamond Ring is crafted out of platinum, boasting a flawless pink diamond totalling around 24.78 carats. Yep, that £36.1 million price tag seems quite reasonable!

3. Classic Cars

Time to heat your engines with our next best alternative investment this year.

Whether you like the roar of a Ford Mustang or the burning tires of a race-worthy Shelby Cobra, there’s surely a classic automobile out there that suits your demeanour.

LEARN MORE: 13 Best Racing Watches For The Petrol Head

Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale - Source - Classic Driver

In fact, classic cars have become so prominent in the industry that watch brand, Breitling decided to dedicate an entire line to them:

READ HERE: Chronographs and Classic Cars: Our Thoughts On Breitling’s Top Time Lineup For 2023

Classic cars are typically understood as being over 20 years old. However, to be properly “vintage”, we expect them to rest between 1919 and 1930. As you can appreciate, these models won’t be produced anymore, making them ultra rare and highly collectible around the world.

There are a few pointers that indicate the possible price of a classic car:

Well Preserved

Everything must be kept looking sharp. Rust and signs of wear will likely take away the potential value of a car.

Original Components

Known as “matching numbers”, this refers to if a car has matching components and elements. For example, an original engine and catalyst.

Low Mileage

If a car has low mileage, this contributes to the price as it typically guarantees the quality of the technical elements since they haven’t been abused.

Limited Production

If there is a special edition or only given a select production number, these are very rare due to their scarcity. These can include cars with unique design elements. The 1957 Jaguar XKSS with its sleek curvature and definition as the “first supercar”, is a top example of this!

Iconic Aesthetics

Those cars that introduced brand new design codes, completely revolutionised the car industry, or have some notable features, are classified as being very valuable. For example, the Mini Cooper S that defied the traditional Mini aesthetic with a sportier, no-top design and neon yellow design.

Cultural Influences

Some cars note an era in time. For example, the American muscle car was a huge presence of the 1950s, just like the Cadillac that was popularised across the 1950s and 70s.

Some incredible models that we’ve noted are the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. Produced through the 1950s, this luxury sports car introduced the winged, hing-style doors.

Another phenomenal example is the Porsche 911 from the 1960s onwards. Revealed by their big eye headlights and sloped bonnet, this car is a pioneer of the road-worthy race-car.

Below are the most expensive classic cars we’ve noted:

Classic Car/Date	Price
Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale / 1964	£20.7 million
Ferrari 275 GTB/4S NART Spider / 1967	£21.6 million
Ferrari 290 MM / 1956	£22 million
Mercedes-Benz W196 / 1954	£23.3 million
Ferrari 412P / 1967	£23.8 million
Ferrari 335 Sport Scaglietti / 1957	£28.1 million
Ferrari 250 GT0 / 1962	£30 million
Ferrari 250 GTO / 1962	£38.1 million
Ferrari 250 GTO Scaglietti / 1962	£40.7 million
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe / 1955	£111.8 million

In summation, cars can be a very credible source for those interested in stashing their money in something valuable. Many classic cars have the ability to offer appreciation due to their limited production and iconic status.

These motors offer buyers the chance to diversify their portfolio, and some could hold their value, if they are in demand enough.

One example is Jay Leno’s car collection. duPont Registry found that his collection runs over 181 models and 160 motorcycles, and has an estimated value of around £40.75 million.

4. Football Memorabilia

Kicking off our next alternative investment is memorabilia from the beautiful game.

If you are a Red Devil, mad Hatter or a true Blue, you will likely appreciate the opportunity to invest in football memorabilia.

Used to diversify your portfolio by many, it allows you to blend your passion for the sport, with limited edition or scarce items like jerseys and match-balls that could potentially increase in price over time.

Diego Maradona - Source - The Guardian

Here are some key points that indicate potential value:

Popularity And Lineage Of The Player - One of the biggest factors behind the possible merit of football memorabilia is the association with the player. For example, stars like Pelé, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo all have incredible football careers, and are therefore exceptionally collectible associations in the industry. Signed souvenirs with a certificate of authentication enhance the value of certain sports memorabilia of this ilk.

“Discontinuation” Of A Footballer's Career - When a footballer sadly passes away or retires, memorabilia related to them goes up to a degree in value. In turn, this becomes ultra-desirable as their legacy is cemented among the annals of the true sporting greats.

Rarity - For individual items, such as a game-winning match ball, signed jersey or just a unique piece, these will likely hold or appreciate in value over time.

Authenticity - A huge feature in the potential value, for maximum success, certificates or records confirming the authenticity of the item will be a big influence on price. On the other hand, if an item cannot be legitimised, it may harm its value as it could be deemed as a fake or replica.

Condition - Be it signatures or the state of a football, the better the condition, the higher the potential figure. Classified as “mint” condition, items that are not torn, worn or damaged will perform well. The best are those that are museum quality, meaning they are kept away from all elements. For example, a Jules Rimet Trophy Replica sold for around £254,000, and Diego Maradona’s Panini sticker sold for more than £400,000 at auction in 2021.

Historical Influence - If you have a piece that is tied in with some huge events like the World Cup or the Champions League final, these are more exclusive, and tell a tale of a significant event. This can even relate to individual players, for example a ticket to the match where Lionel Messi had his first cap, or Cristiano Ronaldo (eventually!) surpassing 1000 goals.

Current Market - Interest in a certain player may grow or wane, depending on their performance. However, for the game’s legends like Messi, this is not likely a problem. For new stars like Lamine Yamal, only time will tell!

Furthermore, maintaining the quality of your memorabilia can be hard to do. Unless you have a dedicated space that avoids light and has no risk of potential damage, it can be a challenge to ensure that your memorabilia is kept safe and in pristine condition.

Ensure you buy an authentic piece that is completely legitimate, it has a relation to a significant event or player, and if you eventually decide to buy, you ensure to keep an eye on the marketplace to buy low and sell high.

Below are our top 5 examples of collectible football memorabilia items:

Player/Event/Trophy	Price
Diego Maradona - “Hand of God” Argentina Jersey - Mexico 1986	£7.142 million
Lionel Messi - World Cup Winning Argentina Jersey - Qatar 2022	£6.1 million
Sheffield Football Club Rule Book - 1859	£881,250
FA Cup used between 1886 and 1910	£760,000
Lionel Messi - Napkin that featured a deal for Messi to move to Barcelona.	£350,000

5. Whisky

Ah it’s time for a wee dram.

What are we talking about? Well this one ain’t for the faint hearted. For those made of stronger stuff, whisky is firmly on the rundown of the best alternative investments.

From the boardroom dwellers to Grammy winner Willie Nelson singing “Whisky River” (ironically prompting a small batch of bourbon called Old Whisky River to be created), the sweet nectar is a statement of wealth and prestige.

Oh we’ll drink to that…

Emerald Isle - Source - Faberge

It’s understood that it was first made by St Patrick in Ireland’s grand shores over 1000 years ago.

DISCOVER: The Best Green Rolex Watches For Saint Patrick's Day

Now, it’s grown into a multi billion pound industry, and with an estimated growth of around 6.4% from 2024 to 2032, we can expect it to remain an investment favourite for many years to come.

Before you jump into the triple-distilled, single malt and Tennessee blends, we recommend you identify what you need to look for in order to choose an investment worthy, high-performance whisky barrel.

It’s understood that it has actually outperformed other investment assets such as art, gold and stock over the past decade. If we take a look at the very useful Rare Whisky 100 Index, we can witness the rarest bottles to give you some idea.

We can see a 10-15% per year appreciation for these bottles over the last decade. Of course, that’s not taking into account the sensational limited edition bottles that have garnered some excellent returns over a longer period.

Since it is finite, it’s not a continual product like stocks, meaning it is inherently rare and has the potential to become scarce. Therefore, we can expect that limited edition bottles will increase in price over time. Iconic titles like Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are the best bet for brands that offer the best performance.

Just like football memorabilia, it offers a personal interest element. You can physically own the bottles, as opposed to owning mysterious stocks and shares in the investing ether. Plus, the older a bottle gets, the more collectible (and tasty!) it becomes.

To this day, whisky remains one of the best alternative investment classes. It is historically very impressive in terms of worth, it’s becoming globally attractive across huge nations like China, as seen by the number of enthusiasts in China exploding from 300 to an estimated 1 million in the last 20 years.

But, what are the details you should know before investing in whisky?

Rarity

Rare bottles will always be exceptionally collectible on the marketplace.

We recommend you turn to limited-edition releases, such as Macallan Archival Series Folio 1 or The Ardbeg Guaranteed 25 Year Old, or bottles that have come from shut-down distilleries.

However, you can still buy whisky bottles from operating distilleries like Macallan and Highland Park, yielding good returns due to them being so desirable.

Some bottles are equally rare due to their associations or cultural links. For example, when the Macallan 1926 single malt sold at Sotheby’s in 2023 for £2.1 million, it instantly became the world's most sought after Scotch whisky.

Another example could be the Dalmore Decades No.6 Collection that combined bottles from six important milestones in the distillery's history, 1951, 1967, 1979, 1980, 1995 and 2000, as chosen by master distiller, Richard Paterson.

This sold for a whopping £977,170 in 2021.

Casks

Casks, or the actual liquid itself, is a collectible point of interest for many investors. This is a tantalising prospect, as it’s perfect for those looking to buy something that will appreciate in price.

We say over time as you will need to wait around 10 to 20 years before your cask fully matures. This can be a point of contention for some investors, as it is a substantial period to wait for a suitable figure to be returned.

It’s integral that you do your research on how your specific dram ages, the average length, and the potential costs of maintaining and storing the cask to reach its top performance.

What’s The Difference Between Single Malt vs Blended?

The main split that divides single malt and blended whisky is where the malt or the whisky is produced.

For a single malt, this is made from one single distillery using traditional methods of fermentation. Made using barley, water and yeast, the single malt is a direct spawn of the manufacturer, and is generally considered to be more expensive than blended.

For blended, this is a combination of many whiskies, found in various casks and of all different ages.

You will see an average composition of around 70% grain and 30% malt. While there are some tasty variants out there, they are generally an amalgamation of many casks, and therefore don't have that desirable “purity” of a single malt.

Funds

We appreciate that some of you are more inclined to the financial prospect of the amber nectar, as opposed to the tipple itself. Therefore, we recommend you invest in funds.

This means you don’t have to purchase a physical cask or a bottle, rather, you can pay into funds that take care of the investment for you. This covers buying the bottles, casks and maintaining them, alongside selling them once their worth peaks.

Companies to consider here feature Macallan, Glenfiddich and Isabella’s Islay while the Platinum Whisky Investment Fund and Cask100 is another to factor in.

Stocks and Distillery Shares

If you are still a firm believer in stocks, we recommend you try your hand at whisky-related stocks. What do we mean?

There are a number of companies that feature some of the biggest brands in the current industry. For example, Diageo owns many top lines like Johnnie Walker and Buchanan’s with Pernod Ricard owning Glenlivet and Chivas Regal.

Admittedly, you may not produce as high results as investing in individual bottles or casks, but this is a route that suits the classic investment-minded gent. If you are still not sold on the idea, below are a few examples of whisky casks and bottles that have risen in value over the years:

Cask/Bottle	Price
Emerald Isle Collection - Craft Irish Whisky Co	£2.2 million
Macallan Fine & Rare Collection 1926 60 Years	£2.1 million
Macallan 1926 Michael Dillon 60 Years	£1.2 million
The Macallan - Intrepid (World’s largest bottle of whisky)	£1 million
The Macallan Peter Blake 60 Years	£764,920
The Macallan M	£494,932

6. Sneakers

Choosing to invest in sneakers has become a trend in modern times.

Whether you flex Air Jordans or just like staring at them in a glass cabinet, this passion- hobby can be quite a lot of fun! With stars like DJ Khaled (owner of the Rolex Eye of the Tiger) flaunting his 10,000 sneaker collection, to Chris Brown with over 1000 pairs valuing to over £1 million, it remains a hot collector's investment.

Dynasty Collection - Source - Sotheby’s

As per every other luxury investment on this list, the rarer the sneaker, the better the price. The trainer market is looking to continue its rising trend. In 2024, the global sneaker market performance was valued at a whopping £75.1 billion. This is expected to grow to around £124.4 billion by the year 2033.

Think about all that foot odour spray!

To be fair, with an estimated 1.5 billion pairs of sneakers to have been created by 2029, the supply is certainly there for the overwhelming demand. With such a saturated marketplace, do you know your insole from your outsole? Allow us to reveal everything you need to know.

Limited Editions Variants

Sneakers, just like watches, do have some limited editions in their ranks. This can include collaboration models such as Kanye West working with Adidas to produce Yeezy’s.

Typically, these will perform better in the long term as they are associated with big celebrity names, therefore pushing up demand. Kinda like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore End Of Days collab with Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger. Of course, you can do no wrong with some timeless, iconic models too.

Lines like the Air Jordans, Air Max and Adidas Superstar are all examples of very popular lines that many investors are keen to buy. However, there are smaller, independent brands that have the potential to increase due to their “indie” status and rarity in the marketplace, such as Cariuma, Vagabond and ABLE.

We know that you guys will be interested in laying down some cash for those shoes that garner incredible figures at resale. Allow us to reveal a few pairs that have rocked the marketplace:

Brand/Model	Price
Air Jordan Dynasty Collection	£6.29 million
“Last Dance” Air Jordan	£1.7 million
Nike Air Yeezy Samples	£1.4 million
Nike Air Ship	£1.1 million
Flu Game Air Jordan	£1 million
Glass Shard Air Jordan 1	£484,230
Worn Air Jordan 1 - Michael Jordan	£441,000

Most Desirable Brands and Models

Getting your hands on a desirable sneaker brand or model is integral if you want to see a positive investment trend. Fancy being a sneaker geek? We’ve taken the time to outline some of the most popular brands in the current marketplace.

Nike

Nike is a huge presence and arguably the most successful and high-performance trainer brand of all time.

Below are some of their biggest variants:

Air Jordan 1 Bred

Air Jordan 1 Royal

Air Jordan 3 White Cement

Air Jordan 3 Black Cement

Air Jordan 4 Retro Bred

Air Jordan 1 Retro Chicago

Air Jordan 11 Retro Space Jam

Air Jordan 5 Retro Black Metallic

Air Jordan 11 Retro Cool Grey

Nike Dunk

Nike x Off-White

Nike x Travis Scott

Nike Air Max

Adidas

Adidas is a very close second to Nike, but is still noted for its collaborative pieces and exceptionally strong resale prices.

Check out a few of their biggest names:

Yeezy

Adidas x Gucci

Adidas x Pharrell Williams

New Balance

All the kids are getting back into New Balance. What was originally looked upon as a Geography teacher's shoe, have surged in popularity due to their retro aesthetics and classic design codes.

These are the variants you should look out for:

New Balance 550

New Balance 997/992/990

New Balance x J. Crew

New Balance x Aimé Leon Dore

The Importance of Condition

Keeping your sneakers in tip-top condition is a very important element of the investment process. It can be a deciding factor in whether your trainers will offer a solid performance or not!

When it comes to vintage designs, we appreciate it can be a little hard to keep that retro look so sublime over so many years, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

The best ways to ensure the condition of your trainers are maintained, is through:

Keeping proper storage,
Keeping shoes away from direct sunlight,
Ensuring the climate remains stable so there’s not too much moisture to cause mold,
Consistent cleaning with proper cleaners. Don’t go staining your retro sneakers!

Heritage and Culture

Collaborations with huge cultural figures can be a game-changer.

Be it celebrities wearing the shoes, or actual collaboration projects with the brands like Kanye West with the Yeezy’s or Jay-Z and Reebok forming the S. Carter Collection, this line actually sold 10,000 pairs within hours of its release… Yep, popular is the word!

Trainers are no longer for doing your Sunday runs. They have become a prominent fashion statement, with legendary designers like Virgil Abloh working with the Nike Off-White, accentuating the importance of these items in modern culture.

Vintage and retro designs have quickly become synonymous with Gen-Z fashion, with New Balance taking the helm, while the 1980s Nike Air Jordan’s 1 remains an all-time favourite.

7. Handbags

What did Mike D’Abo from Manfred Mann sing about in 1967?

Any guesses? Handbag and Gladrags of course! And for many ladies, this ranks often among some of their best alternative investments to buy.

A symbol of prestige and a statement, ensure you do your research on the possible fashion trends that could sweep the marketplace, those that have garnered industry recognition over many years, or how to find those vintage pieces and designs from aeons ago.

Mouawad 1001 Night Diamond Purse - Source - Mouawad

The Frank Knight Wealth Report found that luxury bags tend to closely mirror the price performance of the retail market more than any other collectable.

Therefore, if there is a dip in the share price of the top luxury brands, as there was in autumn 2023, there was similarly a drop in demand by collectors of those wanting high-end luxury handbags.

So, what should you look out for?

Exclusive Brands

Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès are the most likely to yield positive resale prices due to their huge performance in the industry. There’s a chance you’ve heard all about the sensational Hermès Birkin bag that is one of the strongest players on the planet.

Some are just totally off-the-wall with their exclusivity! For example, the House of Mouwad 1001 Nights Diamond purse, taking 8,800 hours to produce and requiring ten watchmakers to design, is estimated at around £1.65 million.

Others like Judith Lieber are famed for their extravagant designs and cultural links with the Sex & The City film. Operating from just 4 boutiques, this is as ultra-rare as a Rolex Saco.

For the reader on the run, here’s a quick list of the most desirable brands:

Hermès - Birkin, Kelly, Constance

Chanel - Boy Bag, Classic Flap Bag, Chanel 2.55

Louis Vuitton - Speedy, Alma, Petite Malle

Goyard - Ambassade, St.Louis

Fendi - Peekaboo, Baguette
Bottega Veneta - Andiamo
Yves Saint Laurent - Loulou (Medium)

Brands like Hermès specialise in making customized bags, meaning you are buying something completely unique and unseen in the marketplace, adding an extra layer of rarity for collectors.

Legacy and Recognition

Chanel and Gucci have been significant players in the industry for years. This, paired with their consistent quality and desirability for their luxurious designs, has meant that models like the Chanel Classic Flap, or the LV Speedy, are persistently in demand.

For the safest alternative investment options here, always opt for established brands with a rich heritage, and try to purchase a model that’s become iconic.

Below are a few brands and why they are so popular in the modern industry:

Brand	Summary
Hermès	Founded in 1837 in Paris, they began in saddlery before evolving to fashion. Creating the Birkin and Kelly, the brand uses the best materials like ostrich leather.
Chanel	Established 1910 by Coco Chanel, the brand was a proponent of the avant-garde, relaxed designs of the 1950s, including the Chanel Flap Bag. The Boy Bag, released in 2011, is an androgynous play and represents their move to modernity.
Louis Vuitton	Established in 1854, LV originally made luggage bags, before evolving under Marc Jacobs in 2011 to produce high-end fashion. Characterised by monogram canvas designs and limited edition link-ups with Virgil Abloh and Supreme, the brand is a powerhouse.
Goyard	Created in 1853, Goyard is not as popularised in the mainstream as LV or Chanel, due to its immense exclusivity. Known for hand-painted monogramming and chevron canvas designs, everything is handmade and can be customized with initials and patterns. The St.Louis is one of the brand's most popular bags due to its quiet elegance.

Resale Market Performance

Handbags, depending on the brand and scarcity of the model, can be ultra-expensive. In fact, some auction houses have found it more than elusive to obtain pieces that have exponentially blown up in demand and performance.

Like anything in the luxury world, the marketplace is unpredictable. What could be popular one week, could become exceptionally in-demand by the next…and could drastically fall shortly after. It’s best you go with the most popular handbag brands with models that have revealed themselves as investment worthy over the years.

Below are a few of our favourites that showcase the value in handbags:

Model	Price
Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse	£2.9 million
Hermès Sac Bijou Birkin	£1.5 million
Hermès Ginza Tanaka Birkin	£1.5 million
Louis Vuitton Millionaire Speedy	£786,930
Hermès Himalaya Kelly	£403,900

8. Gold

Gold is a stable, industry standard. The Frank Knight Wealth Report found that gold actually rose around 15% this year, a very positive upturn considering the volatility of the performance of 2022.

Source - London Gold Centre

Historically, this lusted after material has remained a solid hedge against inflation. For collectors interested in stabilising their portfolios, and adding some of the best alternative investments alongside traditional stocks and shares, gold could be one to take into account.

Gold is a prime addition to any investor looking to diversify their portfolio. It always works to be the anthesis of paper investments such as stocks and bonds. This means that when these decrease in value, gold will likely increase as more people turn to it as a reliable alternative in the long term.

Gold has its figures typically defined in a few pointers:

Carat - This relates to the purity of the precious metal, characterised as 24K, 18K and lower.

Design - The more intricate the design, the more collectible the item is likely to be. This includes intricate edging, patterns, or inclusion of precious jewels.

Mass - For those interested in investing in gold, it’s always preferable to consider pieces that have a substantial weight.

You can choose from different variants of gold, including yellow, white and rose. Yellow gold is the purest version. White gold usually adds nickel and platinum to add the white colour, while rose gold is more trendy, but still likely to be less collectible than yellow gold.

Allowing you fashionable wearability, gold has the potential to become a collectible heirloom due to its consistency in value. In fact, there have been a few instances where some gold jewellery have risen up.

The peacock brooch is crafted out of white gold, but its price is bolstered by the 1305 sparkling precious stones, totalling 120.81 carats. This has a total value of around £78.7 million!

Potential Impacts On The Value Of Gold

Gold is typically found in earth's crust, and has been used by humans since the dawn of civilization. Used for smelting, jewellery and currency, gold is multipurpose and has been used for aeons.

While it is a solid alternative investment decision, it depends entirely on its environment. For 2024, things remain as unstable as the French government.

But that’s another story.

Geopolitical Problems

Political instability is not just for the egg-heads in power.

As we’ve noticed through the war between Russia and Ukraine as well as the 2024 US Presidential Election, the performance of gold has seen a surge in value.

Gold forms a reliable asset, as it acts as a hedge against the inconsistency of currency.

Exceeding $2000 an ounce just one week into the war back in February 2022, it stood as a consistent investment opportunity, as opposed to stocks and bonds.

Current Economy

As per the uncertainty behind the performance of the UK economy, gold has acted as a safe haven for consistency and value.

With its monthly price per ounce jumping from 1,446 euros in March 2021 to 1,877 euros in March 2024, gold is a strong option for those interested in an alternative investment.

Inflation/Interest Rates

At the time of writing, inflation is seeing a slow rise after its peak in October 2022 of 11.1%

Inflation sees a rise in price which can mean your purchasing power is decreased. Therefore, gold can act as a reliable hedge against this due to it reliably holding value.

However, interest rates can be gold's worst enemy. The higher it gets, investors may be more inclined to opt for stocks and shares that can drastically boom, making gold lose its demand.

Types of Gold To Invest In

“Real life Gold” - This includes bars, jewellery or coins, but you’ll need to ensure they are stored and insured properly.
Mutual Funds - Covering gold-mining companies and bullion that you can invest in. The better they perform, the stronger your figures!

ETFs - Known as Exchange-Traded Funds, these allow you to buy gold without having to physically own the material. These funds closely monitor the price on stock exchanges and will do the trading for you.

9. Watches

Horology. Chrono Hunter’s bread and butter as we are the best source to buy a watch or sell a watch fast.

And we know our timekeeping beans when it comes to one of the best alternative investments out there!

Most expensive watch - Graff Hallucination - Source - Daily Mail

Depending on a few factors including provenance, brand desirability and rarity, luxury watches offer strong performance over time, and can be a tantalising investment for those genuinely interested in timepieces.

Moving into the arena of art, cars and handbags, novelties have long since been a reliable option for those looking to diversify their portfolio.

Look, the stats don't lie. Taking into account the entire global luxury watch market that was priced at a very impressive $11.4 billion in 2023, it’s estimated that there will be an annual growth rate of between 5 to 7% between 2024 to 2028.

Take a look at the 2023 report by the Boston Consulting Group.

It states the pre-owned market sales reached $22 billion in 2021, accounting for almost one third of the entire $75 billion luxury watch market and, by 2022 to 2026, we can expect to see a further 6.1% growth on both the firsthand and secondhand market.

The Swiss watch industry has definitely seen a consistent climb over the years. In 2023, Swiss exports rose to a phenomenal $25.3 billion. Considering this is a rise of around 4.3% from 2022, it’s safe to say that horology remains on the rise.

LEARN MORE: Rolex Smashes $11 Billion In Sales As Morgan Stanley Announce Top Swiss Watch Brand Rankings This Year

Globally, they are increasingly in demand, especially those in the luxury marketplace. In fact, it’s estimated that Asia totalled around 40% of luxury watch sales in 2023 (a 10% rise since 2022).

Paired with China seeing a 10-15% rise of younger luxury watch collectors, we’re glad to see that Gen-Z are hopping on the bandwagon!

For 2024, Watches of Switzerland Group notes that for the UK and Europe, the total revenue was £846 million, a decline of around 5% from the previous year. It’s said that this is due to the UK’s economic conditions, but the future could very well spin around in a positive direction.

The pre-owned market is expected to rise, and with more sales and demand, we can see watches remaining a firm alternative investment long term.

While the market is a reliable indicator of the popularity of luxury watches, and the subsequent levels of demand from collectors, it's important to note the specific types of timepieces that could get you some positive returns.

Besides, not all watch brands should be considered investment worthy, and not all models will follow the same negative trends as the global economy. Let’s break down exactly what you should know before you begin investing in watches.

Supply and Demand

Deemed the most important performance principle that makes up the investment potential of a timepiece.

Supply relates to the number of timepieces produced by a brand each year. Demand refers to the amount of collectors that are willing to purchase a said watch.

Using this equation, the lower the supply and the higher the demand, the more likely the price will increase, especially for scarcer models on the secondary market.

Collectors are more likely to spend more on these models, as they are harder to source and the sellers can therefore charge a premium for the desirability.

The ones that typically produce this level of demand are Rolex, not to mention the Holy Trinity of brands, namely Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. These are the Maisons that dominate the industry, and have the special appeal of not only holding, but in the majority of instances rising past the original retail value.

Alternative brands like Hublot, Tudor or Longines, do not have this performance ability. Therefore, they will likely lose some digits, in the same way a car does the moment it leaves the showroom.

Expect drops of between 10% to 40% on the secondary market.

Heritage And Craftmanship

A brand's heritage and craftsmanship are integral factors in determining potential performance. After all, the titans of the industry must have gleaned their sterling reputation from somewhere!

Referring to the history and classic design codes that define certain collections from models there are plenty abound, like the Rolex Daytona with its tachymetric bezel, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso boasting a two-faced case, and the Omega Speedmaster with its dot over 90, and triple chronograph display.

Speaking of the Omega Speedmaster, this was the first watch in space back in 1969, relating to its special lunar appeal and draw for horophiles interested in something that has a cultural milestone.

Another example is the Cartier Santos that stems back to 1904 wherein it became the first watch to be worn on the wrist by Louis Cartier’s friend and pilot, Alberto-Santos Dumont.

Moving to craftsmanship, the better the quality, the more likely it is to command a positive return at resale. Rolex creates everything in-house, including their materials like Oystersteel and Everose gold, alongside their Superlative Chronometer certified movements.

Furthermore, other brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre have defined themselves as technical icons, as they produced the first, and only, ebauche calibre used by Holy Trinity members, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, with the Calibre 920.

DISCOVER MORE: The Top 12 Most Popular Vacheron Constantin Watches For Men

So, whether it’s the Gerald Genta inspired Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with timeless octagonal bezel and tapessirie dial, or the Patek Philippe Nautilus with its shutter-style face and revolutionary porthole case construction, heritage and craftsmanship are crucial.

Celebrity Appeal

It’s true, celebrities really are a force in the horological world.

When the Rolex Daytona was originally released, it was not actually that popular. But, after being worn by Paul Newman and associated with his daily fashion, the watch increased in popularity, seeing his model achieve around £15 million back in 2017 at Phillips auction house. !

Nowadays, collaborations are incredibly common in watchmaking. We can appreciate Audemars Piguet working with rapper Travis Scott to create the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Cactus Jack, Omega pairing with Olympics winner Armand Duplantis to produce a titanium Seamaster, or Tudor working with legendary football team, Inter Milan FC with a league-win inspired Black Bay 58.

Sometimes, celebs just wear watches for the heck of it, making these watches aspirational icons, and a symbol of wealth and luxury. Jay-Z loves to flaunt his Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, just like John Mayer proudly stating he has a watch collection that totals around 25% of his net worth.

Some watches become so engrossed with their celebrity wearer, that they achieve an elusive nickname.

Need we mention the John Mayer Rolex Daytona 116508 with deep green dial, the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea “Cameron” after James Cameron’s solo dive to the Mariana Trench, or Steve McQueen’s TAG Heuer Monaco?

Rarity And Scarcity

Rarity and scarcity are huge proponents of the potential figure.

This is because the level of supply is drastically dropped, typically due to discontinuation or a watch only being in limited production, allowing demand to naturally rise. The watches therefore tend to rise, as collectors are attracted to the principles of owning a piece in such short supply for investment potential.

Post-Pandemic

During the pandemic, we saw a huge blow to the horological world. With factory shutdowns causing shortages of watches, international trade ceasing so sourcing components becoming even harder, there was also an obvious drop in foot traffic through physical stores, leading to natural rises in online sales.

But, post-pandemic, we saw a huge rise in the value of watches. Across the luxury watch industry, we saw a rise of between 10 to 40%. For those highly desirable brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, they saw sensational rises in prices.

Considering sales dropped by around 25% during the height of the pandemic in 2020, it was high time for a comeback!

For Rolex, their desirable lines like the Daytona, Submariner and GMT-Master II exponentially grew in value. For example, from the period of 2021 to 2022, the Daytona such as the Ref 116500LN rose by around 30 to 40% on the secondary market.

For the Submariner, references like the 116610LN had an estimated jump of 25-30% from 2020 to 2022. The GMT-Master II, with desirable nickname models like the Pepsi and Batman, rose by about 25-40%

For Patek Philippe, models like the Nautilus 5711/1A drastically rose by around 50-70% in 2021 from 2020. For the Aquanaut 5167/1A, the prices surged by around 20-30% post pandemic.

Looking at other Holy Trinity brands like Audemars Piguet, their esteemed Royal Oak 15500ST appreciated by around 30-40% from 2020 to 2022.

Interestingly, it wasn’t just the main players in the Swiss industry that yielded the best price appreciation. For example, Omega, TAG Heuer and IWC equally saw minor raises.

Omega’s Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch rose by around 10-20% from 2020 to 2022, while the Seamaster saw a 10-15% rise post pandemic.
TAG Heuer saw quite modest rises from between 5 and 10% in the secondary market
IWC equally kept things quite low-key with 10-15% rises on the secondary market, with stars like the Pilots Watch taking the brunt of the rise.

Overall, from the period of 2020 to 2022, a 15-30% rise in the UK secondary market was noted, with some vintage models like the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman rocketing upwards by 100-200% in value due to an increased level of demand.

A possible reason for all this growth is that after the pandemic, the luxury brands were still suffering the after effects of supply shortages and distribution.

Therefore, with elongated waiting lists particularly noted in the UK, we saw the secondary market yield in some cases up to 40-60% price hikes on lines like the Submariner and Daytona, and the Nautilus and Aquanaut sometimes reaching 50-100% compared to retail.

Investment Worthy Luxury Brands

In simple terms, there are four brands that you should consider if you are wanting to buy a watch that is investment worthy:

Rolex
Audemars Piguet
Vacheron Constantin
Patek Philippe

That’s not a slight on the rest of the luxury watch brands. For example, some Omega models have reached incredible highs on the secondary market, such as the Ref. H6582/D96043. Given to Elvis Presley for attaining 75 million record sales, it sold at auction for around £1.4 million.

Other Omega models like the Albino Speedmaster or the Silver Snoopy Award models. For example, for the Silver Snoopy models, these can glean prices upwards of £14,000 on the secondary market.

Watches like the Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award Apollo XIII 45th Anniversary, the watch that celebrated 45 years of the successful return of the Apollo 13 shuttle, sold at auction in 2020 for around £33,000.

Tudor is another top example of a brand that has very valuable scarce or rare models. For example, the vintage Submariner boasts a range of desirable features, including those Big Crown models with their emblematic crowns, and a history running back to the 1950s.

Tied in with Rolex, as they are Tudor’s parent brand, the watch is a reliable alternative to the Rolex Submariner. It was originally built into a Rolex Oyster case, and was used by the French Navy.

One model, the Oyster-Prince Submariner 7924, sold at auction in 2016 for around £74,000 due to its legendary no-crown guard design.

For the big figures, we suggest a few titanic brands, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. Allow us to uncover the details behind each of these that may make a worthwhile alternative investment:

BRAND	DESCRIPTION
Rolex	Rolex have been major players in the horological industry since their inception. They’ve designed a plethora of unrivalled watches, stemming from the Rolex Explorer to the Rolex Daytona, Sea-Dweller and the epic dive model the Submariner, and they are arguably the most expensive brand by net worth with 30%+ market share. Everything is completely unique and groundbreaking. From creating the first waterproof and dustproof model to conquering Everest and the deepest depths of the ocean, Rolex’s intelligent creations like the twin-lock winding crown and Ring Command bezel ensure the watches quality. Currently, they are owned by The Hans Wilsdorf Trust since 1960 upon its founder's death, this luxury brand is entirely self-sufficient, down to creating their own materials and pieces like Everose gold and Rolesor. This dictates its production figures as defined in the codes of trust. TOP THREE COLLECTIONS: Daytona - Created in 1963, it indicates the brand's racing feel. Coming in steel, gold and platinum, this is a top line that remains immensely popular today with its timeless tachymetric scale bezel and triple chronograph display. Rolex Submariner - Touching down in 1953, the Submariner was the first watch to reach 100 metres of water resistance. Defined as the blueprint of all modern dive watches, you can keep it classic with steel, or choose from duo or solid precious metals. Day-Date - First released in 1956, it was the first ever watch to showcase the day and the date, spelled out in full. With the option to choose a President bracelet, this is a top dress watch from the brand.
Audemars Piguet	Established in 1875, they were founded in Vallée de Joux in Switzerland and now operating out of Le Brassus. Created by both Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, they were critical in developing the first minute repeating movement in 1892 and achieved horological greatness in 1972 when they released the legendary Royal Oak collection, as designed by Gerald Genta. They’ve worked with some of the hottest industries around, including Tiffany & Co and Marvel. TOP THREE COLLECTIONS: Royal Oak - Released in 1972 during Baselworld, the watches were originally disliked due to its design. Now, the unusual octagonal bezel, prominent screw design and integrated bracelet are huge elements of the lineup. Code 11:59 - Created for Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in 2019, they feature unusual, tilted crystals and unorthodox dials. Millenary - Originally released in 1995, the line is defined by its domed sapphire crystal and off-centre dial face, users can bear witness to the powerful movement underneath, and its fabulous damaskeening finish.
Vacheron Constantin	Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin joined the Richemont Group in 1996. Created by Jean-Marc Vacheron with François Constantin becoming an integral element in 1819, the motto since their inception has always been ‘Do better if possible and that is always possible’. Now, they rest as one of the oldest brands of all time, and Vacheron Constantin operates out of Canton of Geneva and Vallée de Joux, Switzerland. From creating the most complicated mechanical timepieces ever such as the 57260 and the King Fuad 402833, Vacheron Constantin has been consistently pushing the boundaries.. TOP THREE COLLECTIONS: Patrimony - Created in 2004, the line is defined by its very slim case and 1950s inspiration. It typically features complications like perpetual calendars and minute repeaters. Overseas - Released in 1996, the Overseas was the brand's motion into the sports arena. Defined as “the spirit of adventure”, it is inspired by Jorg Hysek’s Historique’s 222 model, and features everything from chronograph functions to moon-phases. Métiers d'Art Collection - This is the line's creative canvas. Released in 2007, the works have covered everything from Chinese New Year to Les Masques, all designed by exceptional master craftsmen.
Patek Philippe	Established in 1839, Patek Philippe remains a dominant force in the horological industry. As a family owned business, they were founded by Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. Yielding over 400 retail locations, its significance has meant they have their very own museum in Geneva! Innovation runs amok within the brand, including creating the keyless winding and hand setting system in 1845 to creating the most complicated mechanical movement in 1989, known as the Calibre 89, Patek Philippe are timeless innovators. TOP THREE COLLECTIONS FOR INVESTMENT POTENTIAL: Nautilus - Established in 1976, it is one of the best luxury sports watches in the market. Defined by its porthole design as designed by Gerald Genta, it allowed Patek Philippe to emerge from the Quartz Crisis. World Time - This saw light in 1939 under Ref. 1415, wherein the line boasted a world time complication, allowing users to view all 24 time zones, for the first time ever. Calatrava - Released in 1932, it is one of their oldest collections. Defined by dressy aesthetics, the line was a huge asset to the brand during the Great Depression, noted for its sensational, elegant design.

What You Should Do Before Investing

To summarise your venture, it must be matched with a healthy amount of research and due diligence. However, we appreciate that this industry can be very overwhelming due to the amount of models, references and brands available.

Therefore, it’s essential that you find a trustworthy platform that not only offers you the best insight, but also caters to suit your needs, desires, and intentions should you wish to buy a watch.

Chrono Hunter would be more than happy to offer their services. We offer you unbridled access to the most established, approved luxury retailers in the business via our private network. Through us, simply submit a buying request for the timepiece you desire, and we present you with the best offers according to current market conditions.

Each offer is no-obligation and presented in a completely secure environment with authenticity guaranteed, every step of the way.

Pros And Cons Of Alternative Investments

Pros	Cons
Offer diversification, as opposed to standard stocks and bonds.	Not always able to be liquidated when you need instant cash, such as art.
By having opposing investments like gold that work opposite to paper investments, you can manage risk.	While there is the chance for higher returns, the potential losses are also greater.
Potentially higher returns and appreciation than conventional assets.	Some alternatives are not regulated, meaning higher chance of fraud.
Some alternatives act as a hedge against inflation, such as watches and gold.	Some alternatives require specialised knowledge. For example, one needs to be well versed in classic cars and art to decide which are valuable, and current market performance.
Tangible assets tend to be more secure than bonds and stocks.	May need to pay for storage and maintenance costs for things like art and wine.
You can potentially reduce the volatility of your portfolio with alternatives.	Some alternatives require a high first investment to get involved such as high value whisky and jewellery.
Unlike stocks and bonds, these can be passion-powered, as opposed to needing extensive knowledge of a niche industry.
Alternatives do not follow the performance of the standard investment market, meaning you could be heading into a rise while market drops.

Conclusion

Wine is not just for sniffing, nor are cars just made for breaking speed records. If sticking your money into stocks and shares simply isn’t your thing, there are more exotic ways of generating solid returns over time - but only if you have the relevant knowhow.

Of course, you may be more of a whisky and sneakers fan. We understand the draw of finding a never-seen-before pair of Nike Air Jordan’s, or sourcing a Glenfiddich that was hidden in a bunker way up in the hills of Scotland.

Alternative investments have formed a new subspecies of the asset world. Used to diversify your portfolio, act as a hedge against the volatility of the standard market, or they can just give you some tangible assets for you to gaze over.

They tend to perform opposite to the normal marketplace, allowing you to ensure that just because the market sinks, you don’t need to either. However, since they can be illiquid and have high fees, it’s recommended that you don’t make them the entirety of your portfolio.

But, if you wish to diversify your portfolio, and ensure that you aren’t locked down into one market, alternative investments may just be your best bet.

Can't wait to buy a Rolex fast? Want to source only the best watches around? Perhaps, you want to sell a Tudor to upgrade your collection?

We recommend you contact Chrono Hunter here for a truly fresh take on the industry. A revolutionary in the field delivering a market leading platform, with an exclusive network of the best retailers, why not view our Trustpilot reviews to see why we are your essential source when you want to buy a watch or sell a watch.

Enter the details of the watch and allow us to work our magic! We simplify the entire buying experience by ensuring the process is seamless, and it offers a rapid turnaround so you can get your hands on a watch quickly. Receive offers in less than 24 hours and start saving money the smart way.

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