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The Do's and Don’ts Of Buying Your First Ever Luxury Watch - Chrono Hunter

Buying your first luxury watch could easily be considered to be the zenith of most people’s timepiece collecting careers. Sweaty palms, meticulous research and pulse beating faster than a METAS approved movement. It represents the start of the journey into the finer things of life. Horlogically speaking of course.

But it’s all about the journey of course. When you buy a watch, you may have found something that you have had to scrimp and save for, making the eventual purchase all the more sweeter when it happens. It can be very daunting dropping so much money for a watch which will be either locked away as an investment or worn through thick and thin.

But there are so many questions. Do you want mechanical or automatic? How often will you wear it? Do you want a multipurpose timepiece or one that will go the extra mile? Are you searching for a dive watch, leather strap, nato strap, or alligator strap?? Do you want a watch with a backstory and heritage, dynamic spirit, innovation or a luxury brand to rule them all?

Without further ado, let’s get into the details.

Determine Your Budget

Through all the hidden expenses of life, you’ve managed to scrabble together enough to buy a watch of the finest quality…well done you!

The problem is that money does equate to quality in this instance. This means that if you are looking for a timepiece which has the ability to last you a long time and look good for that duration, you have to be prepared to drop a few bucks, pesos or pounds.

While some go around lauding their expansive Casio collection and chat up a G-Shock by the dozen, this is luxury watches we are talking about. Casio and Cartier are night and day.

Seamaster Professional - Source - Omega

Typically, you will have to look between £2,500 to £6000 for a solid entry-level luxury watch which is either COSC or METAS certified. This guarantees the accuracy of the timepiece and its longevity. This figure allows for you to pick up something which is the perfect entry price into the luxury timepiece world. While this is expensive, if you have enough technical know-how on watches, have an eye for detail are smart with your purchase (that’s where we come in!), you may just land on a first time timepiece which can not only retain its value but may increase in price. For example, you could buy a Tudor like the Black Bay GMT at 41mm for £3,590 which has the potential to increase in price. This is largely in part due to the Black Bay’s rich heritage and iconic design. You could buy an Omega like the Seamaster Professional 42mm at retail for £5,500. It's a reputable brand and is extremely durable as an ideal dive watch.

Of course, there are other watches which are extremely valuable. Take for example the Rolex Daytona which had Paul Newman's watch sell for £17.4m.

Need we mention The Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope, valued at £8,700 which was worn by famous actor Brendan Fraser during the 2023 Oscars? Or how about the Cartier Cheich which is valued at around £900,000 and has only 4 models made.

If you are struggling to get going or looking for the ultimate entry-level watch, check out our hot picks below:

Best Luxury Watch Under £2000 - Longines Heritage Flagship 38.5mm - £1,650
Best Luxury Watch Under £3000 - Omega Prestige De Ville - £3,000
Best Luxury Watch Under £4000 - Tudor Black Bay 39 M79660-0004 - £3,990
Best Luxury Watch Under £5000 - Grand Seiko SBGA469G - £4,600
Best Luxury Watch Under £6000 - Cartier Santos Dumont W2SA0012 - £5,050

Cartier Tank - Source - Cartier

Furthermore, you shouldnt be breaking the bank for a first time timepiece which is normally way out of your financial means. You can still land big brands for low prices in comparison to the luxury timepiece world. Take for example the Omega Speedmaster which is valued at £6,400 and was the first watch on the moon. This shows you can still buy high quality pieces of horological history without going into debt!

Think very carefully about what your price point is and don't do anything rash like re-mortgaging the house or selling your left lung to source a flashy first time timepiece. Your time will come, young horological padawan.

Choosing A Luxury Watch That You Adore

So you’ve got the financial means and you’ve chosen your first ever timepiece… but on what basis?

Zenith El Primero - Source - Time and Watches

Have you been sucked into an advertising campaign or sold by a story from a dodgy buddy? The best way to buy a watch that you adore is by doing your own research…in full. This doesn't mean going into your local library for some old school revision. Instead, a google search can competently inform you on the latest luxury watches to buy, what’s hot and not in the luxury sector and the information regarding its intricacies. Or you can cut out the rest and subscribe to the best…Chrono Hunter

While you may slip into the trap of big names like Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, do not be put off by the smaller brands which are still releasing high quality timepieces. Take for example Omega which had their timepiece, The Omega Speedmaster as the first watch to go to the moon. How about Zenith who released the saviour for mechanical timepieces, the legendary El Primero calibre, in a time of Quartz revolution.

You may find that you are bamboozled by the terminology used or the sheer array of brands that are consistently pushing out watches to us hungry horophiles. The best thing to do is to keep steadfast and up to speed with Chrono Hunter, delivering the latest goings on and natterings from the watch universe.

After all, we know that Rolex releases 1 million watches a year so someone has to keep track… Someone like us, Timelords! Check out our website for more details on the horological world including;

All the breaking news and general updates for when you come to buy a watch or sell a watch.
Our Newswatch articles which let you in on the hottest news and latest natterings from the horological world,
Our Businesswatch articles inform you of the latest financial news from the industry.
Our Buying Guides competently inform you on key information for a watch or brand,
Our Selling Guides offer important insights into how to sell a specific watch or general things to look out for.

What Do You Want From Your Luxury Watch?

Some people end up being drawn in to buy a watch with an overly complicated dial because they think that complications equate to being complicated if you pardon the tongue twister.

Tudor Pelagos 39 - Source - Belfast Telegraph

While stunning timepieces like the Franck Muller Aeternitas look sublime with its astounding 36 complications or The Vacheron Constantin Ref 57260 with 57 complications, it doesn't mean that these are the only timepieces you should look for when you decide to buy your first luxury watch.

In fact, there are other timepieces out there which lose the complications but still have immense amounts of speed, prestige, accuracy, heritage and timelessness. Take for example the Cartier Santos-Dumont which stems back to the first aviation watch in 1904. Priced at £4,000, you are getting a bargain for the heritage! This isn't the only one with a very rich history either. Why not look at the IWC Pilots Watch collection which stems back to WW2 and advances the technical side of watchmaking. Take the Automatic Spitfire, priced at £4,600 with a spitfire emblem on the caseback.

The style of the first model you choose is also an important consideration. Have a soft spot for aviation or diving? Going nuts about chronographs? Maybe you want the same wrist game as Daniel Craig? There are a wide range of models out there such as the Omega Seamaster or Longines Pilot Majetek with a rich aviation history linking back to the Czechoslovak Air Force (RRP of £3,500.)

Want to buy a watch with diving capabilities? Look at a Rolex Submariner or Tudor Pelagos 39 which is smaller and represents the new breed of dive models. The latter is priced at £3,850 - at the time of writing. In fact, it may just be that you're as colourful as Charlie Chaplin and looking for that first luxury watch to keep up with your eccentric style. Models like the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Polychrome with its rainbow effect PVD finish or the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Music Edition which uses various gemstones like rubies and peridots will in our view add a wow factor to your wrist and style.

Simply put, it's completely up to you to decide what style you want. Suffice to say, whatever you are looking for, Chrono Hunter can ensure that you will find that first luxury watch for your collection through us! Our Trustpilot reviews say it all in terms of the quality and peerless service you should expect when buying your entry-level watch with us.

Where Is The Best Place To Buy A Luxury Watch?

So you’ve found the first timepiece of your dreams and you’ve got the money all set up to source it. The next step is, what happens next when you make that move to buy a watch? Models are becoming increasingly harder to get your hands on. This is predominantly due to the secondary market booming as watch collecting takes off big time. The luxury refinery is the order of the day as more consumers seek to spend their hard earned cash in other areas.

As expected, the secondary market will invariably expand and has the potential to overtake the primary market in ten years according to a recent report by Mckinsey. In fact, statistically, the secondary market has risen from around £15 billion in 2019 to a predicted figure of around £24m in 2025. There's a solid reason why retailers are starting to take pre-owned models like Rolex, AP and Patek Phillipe extremely seriously. Celebrity appeal, wealth, increased interest and post-Covid enthusiasm are a mere handful of driving forces that see many scrambles to get on the timekeeping ladder.

Take for example the illustrious Rolex brand which is incredibly well known and even harder to get your hands on. The Rolex Daytona has a minimum 5 year wait time across the board for the watches. This isn't the same for all timepieces, however.

This shows that it's probably best if you look to the secondary market in both instances of sourcing an expensive model or sourcing a cheaper one. More expensive models and sought after brands like Rolex or Patek Phillipe will have long waitlists. So if you are impatient and have a little extra cash, you can get your hands on it faster through the secondary market - subject to the model in question. And if you are dropping all that dough, you want a safe and secure platform to conduct your translation, right?

You could go the way of auction houses which happen regularly but have the potential to have fairly cheap models sell for unbelievable figures if you get caught in a bidding war. You could try online services like Ebay which are exceptional for purchasing and selling items. While it has its positives, you may also end up finding that deals with sellers could fall through as they can decide at any time to rescind their offer, even if you’ve spent the last week haggling for a good price.

Watch collecting has boomed over the years, especially amongst new Gen-Z consumers. This is due to a couple of reasons such as;

watches are now considered to be the ultimate status symbol popularised by the elite, musicians, rappers and actors.
An interest in older neo-vintage and vintage first models as Gen-Z turn to the growing popularity of retroism.
Post Covid enthusiasm which has also lit a flame beneath consumers, resulting in folks looking to buy a watch with additional funds saved up.
The explosion of the pre-owned secondary market where models are selling above retail as demand surges. Popular secondary market models include the Rolex Daytona, Patek Philippe Aquanaut and the sought after Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

It does seem like there’s only one option left…

Conclusion

(Fanfare please) Gentlemen, Chrono Hunter is the only solution when you decide to buy a watch for the first time!

We only use the most reputable and trusted luxury retailers around to ensure that you get the best deal possible when you buy a watch. Our safe and secure platform takes away any fears or doubts you may have as you won't have to go in alone into the jungle of watch collecting. Ask yourself time peeps…is it really worth the risk to buy a watch with absolutely no guarantee of security or if the deal will actually go ahead?

By utilising our network of the finest established luxury retailers, you will receive multiple offers in a matter of hours (if not minutes!) which will more than likely get your horological senses tingling in no time at all. Using our very simple three step program online or via our dedicated app, you can buy a watch with consummate ease. And with our peerless service, attention to detail and 900-plus 5 star reviews on Trustpilot, rest assured you are dealing with the best. Gone are the days of trawling through endless listings trying to find a deal that is rock solid. Join Chrono Hunter’s horological revolution today and feel inspired every step of the way!

Think you need to buy a Rolex or buy a Patek Philippe? Want to see if you can land a watch that yields possible great returns? Chrono Hunter may just be the number one source for you. You can buy a watch or sell a watch with us and be completely secure in the knowledge you are utilising the safest and most secure platform. We use only the most trusted luxury retailers therefore Chrono Hunter can offer you the best of the best! Feel free to contact us to see what we are all about.

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