Luxury watch collecting – what’s all the fuss about?

Looking for the gateway into the luxury watch collecting world? One might wonder why when you consider that we have all the technology needed to keep track of accurate time for us. Yet there is something incredibly niche and exclusive about wearing a timepiece that you’ve worked hard for. In this article, we’ll cover why luxury timepieces are just as popular now as they were before the emergence of modern technology.

If you’re new to luxury watch collecting and you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, starting your collection is probably the hardest part of the experience. You want something that won’t leave you without a roof over your head, but at the same time, if you’re going to spend the money, you might as well do it properly, right? It also needs to be practical enough to wear plenty, but at the same time, you want it to hold its value in case the time comes to sell it. Here’s the great thing about watch collecting as a hobby. As expensive as it can be, you have options. There is a diverse market out there to explore. And whilst the luxury watch category is expansive, you can begin at an affordable level and easily work your way up the ladder provided you know what to look for.

Earning your timepiece

Have you ever sat and pondered what you’d do if you won the lottery? You probably have a list of things as long as your arm that you’d like to spend the money on if you had it. But what then? When it comes to investing in something you love, part of that experience is about working towards an end goal and arriving at it. Nothing beats reaching the point where you can finally afford what you’ve been dreaming of. The same goes for timepieces. Luxury watches have been worn as a symbol of wealth and success for hundreds of years. In today’s society, they are an extension of your personality - an expression of your taste and your individual style. But there is more to owning a timepiece than merely making a statement. Luxury watches are mechanical masterpieces. They are works of art. Most enthusiasts would agree that there is nothing more captivating than turning a mechanical timepiece over to appreciate the beauty of a smoothly running engine inside.

5 reasons why you should love a mechanical watch

Craftsmanship

The single most important point about owning a luxury watch is the level of craftsmanship involved in manufacturing it. Some of the biggest watchmakers in the industry are known for their high price tags but there is a reason behind this. Of course, in many instances, when you invest in a luxury watch you are paying for the name of the brand that makes it. More often than not, reputable brands have earned their status through a heritage that dates back many years. Having gained invaluable experience over the years, high-end watch brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Omega source the highest quality materials to use in their timepieces. Enthusiasts tend to share this same passion for craftsmanship since each timepiece is unique and requires hours and hours of workmanship to complete.

Engineering a mechanical watch is no mean feat. Each movement is made up of hundreds of components that all need to work synergistically together. What’s more, the designing of an iconic watch can take several years and this is another reason why pre-owned collectables are so sought-after on the second-hand market. Once meticulously assembled, both the movement and the case must undergo a gruelling series of tests to determine its reliability, accuracy, shock resistance and water resistance to name just a few examples.

Wearing a piece of advanced engineering on your wrist comes with many advantages. When you purchase a collectable timepiece, particularly one that has dominated the industry for some time, it is likely to hold its value well. In some cases (and if you choose wisely), your timepiece may even appreciate in value. The more expensive and rare your watch is, the more complex the movement tends to be, thus the more fascinating.

The mechanical watches we wear on our wrists today have been developed using the same time-honoured techniques that were invented centuries ago. What’s more, leaders in the field of advanced watchmaking are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and are refining the art of watchmaking in new and exciting ways. Of course, some high-end wristwatches are powered by a quartz movement and this offers some collectors the advantage of not having to regularly service their watch. However, so many would agree that nothing beats the allure of a technical watch powered by an automatic or hand-wound engine.

Durability

Generally speaking, a quartz-operated watch doesn’t last as long as a mechanical watch, even with regular replacements of the battery. Part of the fascination of an automatic watch or a manual winding watch is its ability to be wound either by hand or by the motion of the wrist when worn. Timeless in aesthetics, they are ideal for handing down the family line from one generation to another. A well-made timepiece is something you will want to keep year after year and, with regular servicing, is sure to stand the test of time.

Heritage

There are two sides to looking at the heritage of a watch – one is the history of the brand that manufactured it – the other is your heritage and the story you create, passing the timepiece on to generations to come and leaving a legacy behind. The watchmaking tradition is already several centuries old. Although not what they are today, luxury watches have always been loved for their majestic beauty and their refined elegance. This comes with years and years of expertise in what is now considered a dying craft. Keeping the tradition of authentic watchmaking alive is what many enthusiasts are investing in when they buy a traditional luxury watch. The personal history behind a watch, however, shapes itself and the wearer who owns it. This is why the sentiment behind a special timepiece can not simply be replicated or replaced. Just like Patek Philippe bears the slogan “create your own traditions” – all watches tell their own story. Yours will too.

Aesthetics

There is no argument to be had here, wristwatches are more visually appealing than an iPhone that tells the time. No matter how much we use our phone, it still comes as second nature to tilt our wrists to reference the time as opposed to rummaging around in our pocket and pressing a button on our phone to light up the clock on our screen. Even if you tend to track the date in your phone calendar as opposed to the date function on the dial of your watch, it’s nice to have the option there.

When the manufacturing of a movement has demanded countless hours, it’s a shame to conceal the hard work behind a solid caseback. That’s why many luxury watches feature sapphire-backed cases to display the arrangement of the movement through a see-through exhibition feature. In many cases, it is a chance for a brand to show off its expertise, especially if the movement has been made in-house. A sapphire exhibition caseback is just one aesthetical feature to appreciate in a luxury watch, however. The arrangement of the dial, the shape of the case, the materials chosen for the movement and even the finer details, like the materials chosen for the hands and hour markers, all play a vital role in enabling a brand to establish its own DNA. Other signature features can lend themselves to a special strap, a buckle engraving, or a unique crown design, for example.

Value

The value of a watch depends on two things – what the watch is worth if you were to re-sell it and the value to you as the owner. If you’re thinking of investing in a luxury watch for the first time, it is worth considering which brands hold their value, especially if you plan to sell the watch later down the line to invest in a timepiece of a higher value.

Watches like the Nautilus by Patek Philippe or the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet are renowned for their resale value on the pre-owned market. Several factors can determine this. The waiting list for a coveted watch new from the manufacturer can sometimes be lengthy and in many situations, a brand will only manufacture a limited number to keep demand higher than production. It means that when a watch comes up for sale on the pre-owned market, it is rare, thus enthusiasts will pay a considerably higher price.

Generally speaking, mechanical timepieces tend to hold their value well. Many pre-owned Rolex watches and Speedmaster watches by Omega have skyrocketed over recent years, for example. It means that if you are willing to pay the money for an investible timepiece, it will likely prove to be a great value proposition in the future.

Why are luxury watches so expensive?

Whether you collect luxury watches, research them, or own just one very special timepiece, you can rarely finish a conversation about luxury watches without the mention of price. The truth is, they don’t come cheap. But then, what good thing in life does? When exploring the world of luxury watch collecting, you will inevitably meet people with different opinions of what they deem an acceptable amount to spend on a watch. What’s more, everyone knows the kind of guy who says he won’t spend more than £3000 on a watch but will happily park a rarely-used £50,000 sports car on the drive next to his daily runabout. The thing is, when it comes to collecting luxury watches, you’ll either justify spending the money or not. And if you’re married and you’re wondering how you’d ever manage to sneak another model into your collection without your wife noticing? Well... if there’s a will, there’s a way. We’ll say no more.

There are great luxury watches to be had at pretty much every price point. So the question we should really be asking ourselves is “What am I willing to pay?”. That said, there is a cut-off point where the qualities and features you would expect in a higher-value watch simply can’t be found in a low-priced timepiece.

Luxury watches will always be expensive because they honour a tradition that has been kept alive by those with a true fascination for the craft. And if you can appreciate the beauty in a timepiece, you can justify the price to a degree. Realistically though, everyone’s budget is different. Here at Charles Martin Watch Company, our specialist team will be on hand to recommend a timepiece for your budget. You’ll also get to spend some time trying on watches for size to find out what works best for you.

Conclusion

Luxury watches  - what is all the fuss about? The fuss is really just a metaphor for appreciation. Those with a love and an appreciation for a luxury timepiece know all about the “fuss”. Hopefully, you do too. If you’d like to speak to a member of our team regarding a timepiece you’ve seen on our e-commerce website, you can call our customer service line on 01889 560 002 or email us at info@charlesmartinwatchcompany.com