Is A Watch A Good Investment?
Contents
What Are The Best Watch Brands To Invest In?
Top Tips For Would-Be Watch Investors
.png){kind=small}
Introduction
Yes, Is the answer to the question of whether a watch can be a good investment. But beware! You may end up falling in love with it, and be unable to part with it (happens a lot). But let’s talk a bit more about why watches can be good investments and why these tend to be Rolex, Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe (to name but a few).
A luxury watch is a work of art. Properly cared for, it can be your faithful companion, from the second you put it on to the day you die. If you’re a pilot, diver or SAS sniper, a glance at your watch can make the difference between life and death. It can last several lifetimes and become an heirloom that’s better than any photo album. And then there’s the money factor. Specific Rolex watches do not lose value. From the minute you put it on your wrist, in some cases, from the moment you put it on it’s worth just increases.
What Are The Best Watch Brands To Invest In?
If you want to buy a timepiece with the intention to make money from it in the future, look to names like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe. If you can get your hands on a Daytona worn by Paul Newman; or a Submariner worn by James Cameron during the filming of Titanic, so much the better. The rarer the piece, the more ‘wow’ the backstory (you must be able to prove it, of course) the more money your watch is worth.
And it goes without saying you need to take care of the watch. This includes storing it correctly and only using experts to help with maintenance, to check everything is in perfect working order.
Rolex
From an investment point of view, look to their steel sports watches, most of which have extensive waiting lists. If you’re not sure how to go about getting one, we can help (see below on how to get in touch). It’s not just their steel models that are demanding a premium on the pre-owned market, you also have some gold models such as the Rolex GMT Master ii with the meteorite dial, the Yellow gold Rolex Daytona with green dial just to name a couple.
Patek Philippe
Even more so than Rolex, Patek Philippe makes watches in numbers far smaller than the amount of people who want one. If you can get your hand on a high-end timepiece from a very small collection, the bigger the margin.
If you want to invest in a Patek Phillipe, Much like Rolex, the sports models are currently the most sought after. The 5711/1A is highly coveted at the moment, and relatively affordable with a retail price of £25,960. That was until it was discontinued in 2021, and the white dial version of the Patek Philippe Nautilus was also discontinued in 2020. There are of course more options available for Steel Sports Patek Philippe watches such as the 5990 that deman a huge premium in the pre-owned market.
Lange & Sohne
.jpg)
Not as well known as the above, but we can’t think of any serious collector who wouldn’t give their right wrist for a Datograph Up/Down Lumen, one of the most sought after timepieces in the world. It’s not even one of their classics, but it’s a jaw-dropper, thanks to its smoked sapphire dial and lume power that puts the sun itself in the shade.
Richard Mille
.jpg)
On the resale market, Richard Mille consistently goes up and up. According to finance journal Business Insider, Richard Mille watches can go from $100,000 to $120,000, up 20 per cent to 30 per cent, every few months. Rapper Drake has reportedly spent $750,000 on one, while an unknown investor recently spent $3 million on a Richard Mille watch. With luxury watches, it’s not just about the craftsmanship. It’s about how hard they are to get hold of. The rarer, the better. Richard Mille only makes around 4000 watches a year, which makes them nearly impossible to get hold of. But if you do…
Audemars Piguet
.jpg)
Audemars Piguet was founded by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet in the Vallée de Joux in 1875, acquiring the name Audemars Piguet & Cie in 1881. The company is best known for introducing the Royal Oak wristwatch in 1972, which helped the brand rise to prominence within the watchmaking industry.
While not as famous as, say, Rolex, it is very much recognised and in the watchmaking community. If your priority is to invest in a watch that’s quietly exclusive and prestigious then an AP watch will always be a good investment. If you are looking for something more specific, steel sports models can demand a premium...I think you’re starting to spot the theme here!
Top Tips For Would-Be Watch Investors
Do your research
Do your research and have a clear idea of what you want in terms of investment, from how long you’re willing to give it, to budget. Look at what’s out there at the moment, brand new and pre-owned. Don’t impulse buy and don’t buy something you’ve ‘fallen in love with’ because you won’t ever sell it (and if money making is your goal, you do really need to take the emotion out of it).
At the moment, the vintage watch market is thriving, despite the coronavirus, says American GQ’s Cam Wolf. ‘Sotheby has been selling more classic watches, even as major brands call off their plans to release new models,’ says Wolf.
Know the market
Become an horologist. The more you know the more you’ll make. The watch market isn’t a standardised one, and a little specialist knowledge can go a long way. Rolex don’t shout about any changes or launches from the rooftops, they do it very quietly. If you keep your eye on what’s happening in the watch world, though, you’re more likely to find out about small changes that might make a watch more valuable in the future.
Understand Care & maintenance
We hope it goes without saying you need to take care of your watch. This includes knowing its water resistance, keeping it away from magnets, storing it correctly, as advised by the maker, not dropping it… and only using specialists recommended by the watchmaker to service, check and help maintain your timepiece.
Talk to an expert
The watch world is a small one, and a good way to find a watch worth investing in is by working with an expert. Here at Chrono Hunter, we only work with the best, most reputable retailers across the globe, so whether you’re buying or selling a watch, you’ve come to the right place. The process is very simple, All you need to do is enter the details of the watch you are looking to buy or sell on the Chrono Hunter website, Our network of trusted international luxury watch retailers will make you some offers. You choose which offer you like best and complete your purchase or sale directly with the retailer in a safe and secure environment. We’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot for ensuring that your expectations are exceeded.
Conclusion
We hope we have answered the question of whether a watch is a good investment. As you now know a watch can be a good investment but the reality is that not all of them are. If you are looking to buy or sell a luxury watch, Chrono Hunter is on hand to help.
Buy Or Sell A Luxury Watch The Smart Way With Chrono Hunter
If you are considering your new purchase or perhaps the sale of a beloved timepiece, Chrono Hunter is the smart way to buy or sell a luxury watch.
Compare Offers from the worlds most reputable luxury watch retailers.
Save Time.
Save Money.
Personalised Service.
Hassle-Free.
.png)