Even if you’ve only slightly delved into the world of jewelry or watch collecting, you likely know that, for many avid collectors, these purchases aren’t just about acquiring a vast array of pretty things. Jewelry, including luxury watches, can be a wise investment choice — if you know what you’re doing and can effectively monetize your purchase in the long run.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The best watches to buy as an investment
- Which famous luxury watch brand is a good investment choice
- How you can make money from pre-owned watches
- What to expect on the secondhand luxury watch market
Without further ado, here are the most sought-after timepieces to add to your watch collection if you want to make a good investment and recoup your money when it’s time to sell.
What You Will Learn
The 3 Best Watches to Invest In
Three brands reign supreme when it comes to the best investment in the luxury watch industry. Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet watches are unparalleled, with designs that have stood the test of time and continually provide good returns.
Rolex Watches
Rolex watches stand tall among the best watches for investment. As one of the most well-known horological and timepiece luxury brands, Rolex sells a large selection of timepieces that hold their value for years or even decades, and you can find certain vintage watches from Rolex that will fetch a high price due to its rarity or a connection with famous figures throughout history. One great example is Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona is one of the most valuable timepieces ever, reportedly selling for over $17 million.
Other Rolex watches that make for a sound luxury watch investment include:
- Rolex GMT Master: Originally a go-to for Pan Am flight crews, newer models also cater to travelers. It provides two different time zones, the one the wearer is currently in and another of their choosing.
- Rolex Submariner: A design that divers and underwater explorers count on, it was the first to maintain its waterproof abilities up to 330 feet below sea level.
- Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: Named in homage to the famous race track, the Cosmograph Daytona is just as sleek and precise.
Patek Philippe Watches
While maybe not as much of a household name as Rolex, Patek Philippe is another of the top luxury watch brands to invest in, with a nearly 200-year history of Swiss watchmaking and mechanical prowess. Even Jay-Z showed off his $2 million Patek Philippe design at the recent Grammy Awards. Some of the best investment watch options from this luxury brand include:
- Patek Philippe Nautilus: Arguably the most iconic and popular offering from the Patek Philippe line, the Nautilus is an accessible design for active lifestyles while maintaining a high-end look. It comes in stainless steel, white gold, and rose gold finishes and is available for both men and women.
- Patek Philippe Aquanaut: Sports enthusiasts have long clamoured for this design, which is not only waterproof but also features a state-of-the-art composite watch band that can withstand the effects of salt water, direct sunlight, and rough wear.
Audemars Piguet Watches
Since 1875, the Swiss manufacturer has been ahead of modern developments in watchmaking, such as making some of the thinnest designs, as well as the first minute-repeating technology before the turn of the 20th century. Today, Audemars Piguet is known for its sports watches, which have become highly sought after. The best watches to buy for investments in this line include:
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: Refined luxury is at the heart of this timeless collection, with sturdy details, state-of-the-art craftsmanship, and finishes in titanium, 18k yellow gold, 18k pink gold, and stainless steel
- Audemars Piguet Jumbo: This high-tech variant of the Royal Oak line is stylish and notable for its more substantial size.
9 Other Luxury Watch Brands to Consider Investing In
Beyond the above standouts in luxury watches, there are other highly touted brands that you could invest in and still get a solid return over time. Among them are:
- Omega
- Vacheron Constantin
- Richard Mille
- F.P.Journe
- Girard-Perregaux
- Tudor
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Cartier
- Czapek
What Determines if a Luxury Watch is a Good Investment?
If you’re specifically looking to purchase a luxury watch as an investment, you likely want to ensure that you’re buying a watch that will someday fetch a desirable price on the second-hand luxury watch market.
With that in mind, what elements make up the best luxury watch investment? And what sets one best investment watch apart from another in its league? There are a few specific things to look for when making your choice.
Brand Reputation
Some watch brands are simply associated with luxury and high quality. Rolex is one of these brands, and that brand reputation makes a Rolex watch easier to sell. A Rolex can even be easier to sell than some, higher-priced, more luxurious brands, if that more luxurious brand is not as well known.
Materials
It’s not just a brand name, recognition, or aesthetic appeal that lends a watch its monetary value. Many jewelry investors recognize that it’s important to consider the materials in a timepiece when assessing its value.
Whether it’s a stainless steel sports watch or features accents and finishes with yellow gold, white gold, platinum, diamonds, or other gemstones, the materials used in its construction will impact the watch’s overall sticker price and how much you may get for it when reselling it later.
Condition
If you’re purchasing investment watches secondhand with the intent to resell them at a later date, you’ll also want to consider their condition and wear and tear before committing. The more “like-new” a watch appears, the better its value will be.
Documentation
While it might not seem very valuable, having the right documentation for your timepiece can substantially impact the resale price. This documentation can include all papers and certificates that were included with the piece upon the initial purchase, as well as any further documentation detailing maintenance or cleaning, as well as any appraisals or assessments that were made.
Rarity
The rarer an item, the more demand there is for it, especially when it comes to fine jewelry and luxury timepieces. While it might not be in everyone’s budget to purchase a significantly rare watch and then hold onto it for years, until you’re ready to sell, if you come across a rare timepiece you can afford, and are looking to make a watch investment, consider jumping on it.
How to Sell Your Investment Watches
When you are ready to sell your timepiece and want to reap a profit, there are a few steps to take to get the most bang for your buck.
- Get it appraised. To know what your watch is really worth, seek out a professional to appraise your piece so you know what you can expect to sell it for, with estimates on both the low and high ends.
- Determine the best time to sell. Like many others, the watch industry is seasonal, and demand fluctuates. Do some research to see if your model may be trending and if there are other listings for it — or if it’s a good time to pounce on low availability in the secondhand market.
- Find the best place to sell it. There are a few options you can look into, such as a reputable watch retailer, an online shopping platform, auctions, or private sales. You may want to get quotes or research the going prices on all of these options to see where you can get the best deal.
Best Investment Watches FAQs
How Do You Pick the Best Watches as Investment Opportunities?
In addition to considering the above-mentioned watch brands and purchasing one of the desirable models, you should also pick an investment watch that is in good condition, comes with all the necessary documentation, and is as rare and luxurious as possible.
How Do You Get Started Buying the Best Watches as Investments?
Learning more about the industry and its latest developments is ideal for starting a watch collection that doubles as a wise investment. Read up on luxury watches (the BriteCo blog is a good place for this!), and understand watch mechanics and terminology. Also, research the histories of your favorite brands and acclimate yourself to the luxury watch market. The more you know, the better your investments will be.
Is a Stainless Steel Sports Watch a Good Investment?
Yes! There are many valuable stainless steel sports watches that make good investments, given their sturdy material and accessibility for the wearer. Some even double as a desirable dive watch, such as the Rolex Submariner.
Buy the Best Watches as an Investment — and Then Protect Them
If you’ve decided to diversify your investment portfolio by investing in classic timepieces, it’s important to make smart decisions about which watches you purchase and when and how.
However, after you’ve purchased your chosen watch and brought it home, your job is still not done. Keep your investment piece safe with the right insurance policy. BriteCo offers specialized jewelry insurance, including insurance for luxury timepieces, that can cover your investments in the event of loss, natural disaster, damage, and other incidents. Learn more and get your instant quote in less than 60 seconds.
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