A Guide To Buying A Luxury Watch - The Fashion Tag Blog

A luxury watch is a huge investment so a lot of thought should be put into both the buying process and the care for a luxury timepiece. When it comes to watch care – there are so many tips to take care of your watch that an unkept watch is no excuse. Knowing the questions to ask before buying, however… now *that* is a challenge.

What is your budget when buying a luxury watch?

From a couple thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars and upward – the sky is the limit. So basically setting yourself a budget will comes in handy both financially, hello NOT-overspending!, and also style wise, because a certain budget will narrow or widen your luxury watch style choice.

It’s important to note that you can get beautiful, brand name luxury watches without completely breaking the bank. The materials used can have a significant impact on price, and to the naked eye, have few notable differences from the more expensive styles.

New or Second-hand?

Before you start shopping, ask yourself if you are set on getting a new watch or if you are open to a second-hand option. By looking at second-hand options, you may be able to get a higher valued watch at a lower price. You also open yourself up to a vintage luxury watch which is no longer on the market. Say, for example, that you want the same watch model as your late father had… second-hand options may be preferable.

If you’re buying a second-hand luxury watch, be cautious: you want to ensure you aren’t getting tricked into buying a knockoff. Use our best judgment and only reputable resellers like the WatchBox. There you can find even some wonderful preowned Rolex watches with the box and all the proprietary papers.

Smart or Not?

Is having a smartwatch important to you? Many of the luxury watchmakers are offering smartwatches that combine the convenience of modern timepieces with the classic look and feel of a luxury watch. Getting a luxury smartwatch may limit your options, as well as some of the visual aspects of luxury timepieces that you enjoy. On the other hand, your luxury smartwatch may not be as advanced as an Apple watch, cause function is often sacrificed for fashion.

Ask yourself how important a smartwatch is to you, and if you’d rather keep your luxury timepiece separate from your latest tech gadgets.

What movements are used in the luxury watch?

Movements are the inner workings of a watch and are often what set apart the good from the great. Most luxury watches use mechanical movements in the form of minuscule handmade gears that are designed to last until the end of time. Cheaper watches often use quartz movements.

Don’t be afraid to be a little pushy when trying to get this information out of the retailer or salesperson from whom you’re buying your luxury timepiece. Don’t just settle for quartz as an explanation. Ask where the movements were made and assembled. Are they Swiss made? The retailer may have to refer back to the paperwork that came with the watch, but all of the information should be readily available for their reference and yours.

What about the warranty and servicing?

While there are many things you can do to care for your watch and keep it ticking until the end of time, it is a machine that will sometimes require maintenance. Be sure to ask about the warranty and find out what that covers. Does it cover any servicing and maintenance? If not, get a better idea of what maintenance visits will cost you over time.

Mechanical movements often require cleaning and oiling every few years to keep everything moving smoothly. As luxury watches are often complex pieces of work, you’ll need to pay an expert to get the job done and maintain the integrity of your timepiece. This can add up over the years and needs to be considered when making a purchase decision.

What Materials are Used?

Be sure to understand the various components of the watch before you purchase. Is the watch made of titanium, platinum or gold? Are the straps rubber, fabric, metal or leather? Does it have any precious stones or exotic additions that will drive up the cost, but make the timepiece unique and special? Is the crystal of the watch glass or sapphire crystal?

The various components of the watch directly correlate to the price tag. For example, if you find out the watch you’re looking at is platinum with moon rock pieces, you can expect to pay more than you would for a simple gold watch on a leather strap.

Purchasing a luxury watch is a huge investment. Asking yourself and the seller the right questions can help you get the value you deserve for your money.