AD | Choosing and buying your first luxury watch is a rite of passage, isn’t it? It’s often seen as a way to mark an event, a celebration, or coming of age. And by luxury watch, I do mean a genuine timepiece, not something from a street market on holiday (!) I think the emphasis on modern smart phones and smart watches has definitely increased our appreciation for classic chronometers. Alan is both a lover of and collector of watches, but his heart belongs to his first ever luxury piece, a Rolex GMT Master II pilot’s watch – of which more later. So, why should you consider buying a luxury watch and what should you look for?
What is a luxury watch?
A luxury item (or luxury good) is an item that’s considered to be highly desirable and is usually expensive. Additionally, many luxury items are made to last forever. High-end watches certainly fall into this category due to their exquisite (predominantly Swiss) craftsmanship, quality, and accompanying price tags. But the saying, “You get what you pay for,” is justified with a luxury watch, provided you know what to look for.
What should I look for?
#01 Lifestyle
How will you use your watch? Is it an everyday office wear watch? Are you an outdoor sports enthusiast? Do you need a tachymeter to measure speed? Will you wear it while scuba or deep-diving? What features, aka complications, does your luxury watch need to fit into your lifestyle? You don’t want to be worried about ruining your new timepiece because you didn’t think about how you’d wear it.
#02 Quality
Swiss watches are generally accepted as the hallmark of quality due to their craftsmanship, materials, and technology. And for a watch to be classed as Swiss made, it has to go through a formal accreditation process. Swiss law dictates that a watch has to be made, cased, and inspected in Switzerland.
#03 Price and investment
Buying a luxury watch can be seen as an investment, in the same way as you might view a piece of artwork for your home. However, investment values can and do depreciate (think of the thriving second hand cars market) so finding the right piece is key. This is where Chronoexpert,* the global marketplace for luxury watches, can help. They connect private individuals and businesses wishing to sell their watches with people who are interested in buying them. Their website offers a wide range of new and pre-owned watches, including vintage, rare or limited pieces from brands including: Rolex, Panerai, OMEGA, IWC, Montblanc, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin.
Chronoexpert guarantee exclusivity, authenticity and quality, they don’t accept fakes, copies or non-original items. All pieces for sale are subjected to a complex verification process by their in-house team of experts. And they offer peace of mind if you’re (understandably) wary of spending a lot of money online on something you haven’t seen. Chronoexpert are so certain of the authenticity of their products that they give you a guaranteed right of return for up to 14 days after purchase.
#04 Personal taste
There’s a luxury watch out there for you whether you’re into gold, silver, large and chunky, bejewelled, a famous brand, or something more subtle. At the end of the day though, unless you’re buying your treasured timepiece purely for investment purposes, then you need to choose something you like. Which brings me on to…
Why choose a Rolex?
If you ask anyone on the street to name a luxury watch brand, it’s a safe bet they’ll come up with Rolex, it’s the most recognised luxury mechanical watch in the world. This brand recognition is largely due to the history, technology, materials, and style of Rolex watches. The company focuses on exceptional build quality for cases, bracelets, and movements, and offers extended warranties with every piece. And I should add that Rolex watches aren’t just for men: there are also some very elegant styles for women. If I hadn’t inherited my mother’s beloved vintage Gucci bracelet watch, then I would be very tempted by a ladies Rolex too.
A classic example of this amazing brand is Alan’s Rolex GMT Master II pilot’s watch, which has held its value for nearly 30 years. It’s still his favourite watch, which he wears almost daily. A Rolex could be a better investment than many other luxury watches because, as people care more about them, so their depreciation levels remain comparatively low.
These are just a few reasons why a Rolex, a brand which had its origins in London, will always stand the test of time (dreadful pun #sorrynotsorry). And I’m sure there will be plenty of other incentives why you might choose to invest in a luxury watch. For me, though, one of my favourite English Romantic poets, John Keats, summed it up the best:
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness.
Have you ever considered buying a luxury watch? If so, which brand would you choose?
* This is a sponsored post but all thoughts are my own, please see my Disclaimer.
Such beautiful photos! I bought Sam a Tag Heuer watch as a wedding gift which he absolutely loves. I’ve gone through several watches over the last few years, I’ve got a beautiful Olivia Burton one I got as a gift, and I need to get the strap fixed on it. I agree that when you spend the money on a beautiful, luxury watch, they are such an amazing investment. Your posts are always so detailed, I never knew about the Swiss accreditation, it’s so interesting!
Hels xx
Thank you, Hels, coming from you that’s so lovely to read! Tag Heuer are stunning watches, I agree, and their quality is amazing too. I loved researching for this post, I found out so much about Swiss watches (including the accreditation!) and it was quite fascinating. I don’t think Alan is tempted by any other brands yet, except perhaps IWC, but his first loyalty will always be to Rolex 🙂 xx
Rolex watches do have an excellent reputation but the style and design would not fit my style. I think it’s a bit too much. But i do like the lifestyle associated with the watch
Oh, so do I, it’s a lifestyle to aspire to for sure 🙂
This watch looks amazing! I really wish that I could afford a Rolex it would be my dream watch. Maybe one day…
They are something special, aren’t they? So distinctive!
I’ve really grown to appreciate the value in investing in good quality items lately, and investing in a watch is definitely up there on my list of things to buy. I think it’d be so nice to pass something like that down onto my children one day, as your mum has done with you. I recently wrote an article for a client about Rolex watches and honestly, I’ve fallen in love with them since. There are so many beautiful designs and, provided they’re cared for, they can literally last forever!
Yes, the idea of passing sonething down to Flora is very appealing (she already has her eyes on my Gucci as well as Alan’s Rolex, showing you’re never too young for luxury tastes!) Rolexes are very special though, with good reason 🙂
I bought a luxury watch as a 30th birthday present for one of my exes once. It wasn’t a Rolex but a Citizen watch from a family owned business in Gloucestershire (Mann Jewellers). It’s been many years since I’ve owned a watch myself and I’m still wearing one of my Nan’s watches she left me. I do agree that a luxury watch can be a great investment and the perfect gift for a big birthday or other special occassion. Great post Lisa.
Oh that was so kind of you! I’m sure your Nan’s watch is beautiful and it’s so special too, which is more important 🙂
That’s a lovely watch – the kinda style I think my boyfriend would like. I love bigger watches but on myself I’d prefer something smaller. My favourite watch brand are Ice Watches… ugh! So gorgeous!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
It is, isn’t it? Definitely a man’s watch but some of the ladies Rolexes are lovely too, well worth a look!
I would love to own a luxury watch, but I don’t know if I would get that much wear from one. I use my Fitbit daily as a watch, and change the straps for this to suit my outfits (when going out). It doesn’t look as good as a Rolex but suits my purpose for now.
In the future, I will look into a better watch though! There is definitely something beautiful from a well-crafted watch isn’t there?
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
I think your watch needs to fit your lifestyle so if a luxury piece isn’t right for you just now then it’s better to wait. Then it really will be special 🙂
I loved reading this! Luxury watches are so special. I’d never really thought of it before but they are a passing of time/ celebration thing, aren’t they? My mum bought herself an Omega as her 40th birthday gift to herself. I got a Chanel J12 for my 21st birthday and I wear it almost daily. Your own style is so important though! A lot of people asked me when I got mine why I didn’t go for a more tradition watch brand like Rolex but the one I chose was so ‘me’ even if it did seem like a slightly strange choice to other people x
Sophie
Oh, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, I loved researching it 🙂 And your watch sounds lovely, very personal and unique, which is as it should be, not strange at all! X
I’ve never been a watch kind of person, James and I bought a home other a DW watch a few years back for Christmas and even that I struggled to remember to wear it. I’ve only just got into wearing my Apple Watch, so as much as I’d love to own a luxury watch, I just know I’d be wasting it as if most likely forget to wear it haha but I wish I owned a Rolex!
Jessica & James
I love my Gucci because it’s more like a piece of jewellry than a watch but that said, I do like the ladies Rolexes, they are very elegant as well!
I love your pictures! I love watches and I think they are the only luxury items that you can justify spending that much money on a product. You pretty much use it on an everyday basis. I like the idea of passing it down to someone in your family as well. This watch is so pretty! Great post as always my lovely x
http://new-lune.com
Ah thank you so much, that’s so kind 🙂 I agree, you can totally justify spending the money on something unique that you wear every day, it says so much about you. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post, thank you for your lovely comments 🙂 x
OMG! First of all this is such a cool collab, you’re doing a post for ROLEX!!! Ekkkkkk! I’m huge on luxury brands and tbh you can see why they’re in that caliber, i mean like the quality and longevity of the products are usually impeccable! I remember buying my mom a Swarvoski watch once that was fully covered in these earth stones and it was gorgeous, unfortunately it got stolen when our house got broken into 🙁 Great review and beautiful pics, Rolex is a really nice brand of watches! 😀
xx Lena |
Haha, it’s not actually a post for Rolex the brand (I wish!) but thank you so much. I agree with you about the calibre and quality, I think Rolex is incomparable really, although that’s just my personal opinion. But I’m so sorry to hear about your mum’s watch, that’s so sad, I hope she was able to get something beautiful to replace it? And thank you so much for your lovely comments:) x
I have always been fascinated by Rolex. I love to see their ads and just keep looking inside the store, when I pass through. The watch you featured a stunning Lisa. Everyone in my family has moved to smart watches. But I am still the one who loves to explore these watches. I don’t have a favorite brand in particular, but getting a Rolex will be like dream come true. 🙂
Via | http://glossnglitters.com
I just can’t get on with smartwatches, I think they have no soul. There’s something so special about the craftsmanship and heritage in a luxury watch, I really do think they’re like pieces of artwork in their own right, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who thinks like this 🙂
A good watch is always a sound investment, they never go out of style it seems and Rolex are renowned for their reputation and quality. I have my great grandads Rolex still, its such a beautiful, timeless piece (I appreciated your pun haha) and the finish on the watch is superb. Loved this post lisa, its reminded me that I still need to save for one Haha maybe one day!
Jordanne || thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Yes, you’re right, I do think if you can find the money it’s a real investment and if you pick the right one the value may even go up as well. Ah, how lovely that your granddad’s watch has been handed down the generations, that makes it even more special 🙂 xx
I could never afford a luxury watch, but my Dad was lucky enough to win one years ago and it still works perfectly.
I must admit, my watch these days is really a Fitbit rather than a proper watch.
Alan keeps offering to buy me a Fitbit but I keep saying Nooooooo, I’ll stick with my Gucci, thank you! That’s a testament to the quality of your Dad’s watch then, that it’s still working so well 🙂
I love watches! For every birthday, nearly, I’ve been given a new one – and I received my first square-faced Ted Baker version this year. I was so excited! They have to be small, though, as I get wrist ache..
Lydia
Oh wow, that’s such a lovely birthday present to receive, you must have quite the collection now! x