The majority of people are drawn to purchasing a luxury timepiece because of its status symbolism and association with an extravagant lifestyle. The price paid, however, is not always the defining factor that determines the item’s true worth. Aesthetic design, exceptional craftsmanship and overall quality are often more important to luxury watch lovers, along with the recognition that a watch of such calibre will be a sound investment and maintain its value.
Selecting the perfect timepiece
When choosing the right luxury watch, there are several things to consider. Features considered essential in a high-end watch tend to come as standard with luxury watches, but it’s still worth double-checking the piece that you’re considering to make sure it has them. The Rolex GMT-Master, for example, appears to be a conventional watch from the outside, though every model is slightly different due to the various versions available. These much sought-after timepieces can feature upgraded materials, different bracelets, integrated gems, and other fine details. A traditional GMT-Master is generally viewed as a vintage investment, while the more contemporary GMT-Master II timepieces are valued more for their design.
It’s the fundamental features that distinguish a luxury watch from an ordinary everyday watch. Aficionados will appreciate such refinements as mechanical movement, sapphire crystal, precious metals and gemstones, chronograph functions, screw-in crown and/or chronograph pushers, and a reflective coating to counter the sun’s glare.
Manual vs automatic
Knowing the distinction between manual and automatic movements is important if you’re new to luxury watchmaking. Both are mechanical watches (as opposed to quartz watches, which run on batteries). A manual watch’s movement requires regular winding by hand, while an automatic one is powered by the motion of your body.
For many mechanical watch enthusiasts, one of the most important selection criteria is whether the watch is powered by an automatic movement or a manual one. Each type of watch movement has pros and cons. It will be best for you to read more information regarding them both.
Quartz battery operated watches vs mechanical watches
One of the big advantages of quartz movement is its timekeeping accuracy. A quartz watch will typically gain or lose no more than one minute per year, whereas a mechanical watch is considered ‘accurate’ if it’s only out by around 10 seconds per day. So, if accuracy is your top priority, quartz wins hands down. Quartz watches are also more resistant to shock or magnetic fields. Quartz movements are compact – they have far fewer moving parts – and can fit into thinner cases, making them ideal for sports watches.
With the inclusion of a battery, these watches can offer additional features like alarms and chronographs without affecting the movement’s performance. A quartz watch is low maintenance, it doesn’t need to be wound or (in the case of an automatic) vigorously shaken if the watch has not been worn for a few days. Quartz offers high-accuracy movement for relatively low cost. In terms of style and functionality, there really isn’t any inherent superiority of quartz over mechanical or vice versa. It depends on what you want from your watch.
Although a few might view the choice as being simply between battery power and having to wind a watch, there is more to it than that. Due to their limited durability and the need for regular battery replacement, quartz watches often do not hold or increase in value over time, so there is a tendency for them to be disposed of in favour of newer models. Mechanical watches, by contrast, have a timeless quality and appeal and are more likely to be passed down the generations.
How can I tell if a luxury watch is authentic?
One of the most important questions a first-time buyer of a luxury watch should ask themselves is: “Is this deal too good to be true?” An unfortunate reality is that, unless you are purchasing from an authorised dealer, you may be at risk of paying for a counterfeit. By arming yourself with a bit of knowledge and obtaining information from a reputable watch dealer’s official website, you will feel more confident about making your luxury watch purchase and enjoy the experience more.
