From classic collectibles to rare limited editions, luxury watches make great investments. With international brands backing them, luxury timepieces often maintain or increase in value. The best investment watches embody style and prestige and are built well enough to last far into the future. Learn about the best watches for investment and how to shop for them.
8 Basic Rules for Buying an Investment Watch
Investing in luxury watches is both a science and an art. Know the technical basics while using your personal eye to ensure lasting appeal.
1. Keep an eye on the market
Pay attention to what models and editions are in demand. Look for classic and vintage timepieces that never go out of style or limited edition watches from well-known brands. Limited editions and classic favorites often make the best investment watches, because there’s an ongoing desire for them.
2. Do your research
Look at and take note of brands that have held or increased their value through generations. Luxury brands including Omega, Rolex, Breitling, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, and Panerai are frontrunners in the industry to get to know. Understand their unique offerings, value points, and limited models.
3. Consider scarcity and condition
The fewer the number of watches of a certain model, the rarer and often more valuable a watch. Keep an eye on the condition too, to ensure it’s in good resellable condition. Buying gently used pre-owned luxury watches allows you to buy timepieces at more affordable prices, without sacrificing quality. Unlike new watches that immediately lose value after purchase, pre-owned watches don’t lose value as significantly.
4. Learn the jargon
Understand automatic vs. mechanical vs. quartz. Get familiar with terms including tachymeter, moon phase, and power reserve indicator. Discover different band materials and styles. As you get more comfortable with watch features and complications, you’ll feel more empowered and confident when buying luxury watches.
5. Stay up to date
Read news and follow investment watch experts to keep abreast of the luxury watch market. Learn about what limited editions are coming out soon and where to buy them. Follow new arrivals to capture deals and get insight into fluctuating prices.
6. Set a budget
As you look at the market, determine the budget you’d like to set aside for your watch collection this year. Then, identify the watches you’d like to add, taking a close look at how you want to spend your funds. Compare several styles, makes, models, and prices before making your final choice.
7. Choose a watch you love
While your personal taste shouldn’t dictate all the watches you invest in, if you’re excited about a watch, it shows in how you care for it and how you resell it. Opt for a watch that should grow in value, but also adds interest and beauty to your collection.
8. Take care of your timepiece
Servicing your watch regularly and storing it safely ensures that your watch stays in pristine condition. Restoration can be costly, and lead to reduced returns on your investment.
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Where To Buy Best Investment Watches
You should only buy luxury watches from a reputable retailer you can trust. You want to ensure the authenticity and condition of any investment you make. From our years in the high-end jewelry and luxury industries, we found Jomashop to be a great place to buy luxury watches. They buys and sells top luxury watches in excellent and vintage condition at the most competitive prices.
Luxury Watch Models That Likely Will Increase in Value: Our Best Picks
The best watches for investment have consistent consumer demand without enough supply. These timepieces maintain their prestige and value over long periods of time, thanks to strong brands and quality parts. Here are the best luxury watches to invest in.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo
The Royal Oak Jumbo features a distinct octagonal bezel, with a patterned dial and white gold hour markers. Because of its rich history, high-quality craftsmanship, and versatile style, it remains one of the most in-demand timepieces.
First crafted and on the market in the 1970s, the Royal Oak Jumbo became the first large luxury sports watch. Made of stainless steel, the watch is incredibly durable, and its iconic design complements a range of personal styles. Its popularity and price have only grown with time.
Case: 39mm stainless steel or 18K gold, glare-proof sapphire crystal, waterproof up to 50 meters
Dial: Blue, green, gold, black
Movement: Automatic self-winding Audemars Piguet Calibre 2121
Bracelet: Stainless steel or 18K gold, folding clasp
Price: $82,700
Patek Philippe Nautilus
One of the world’s most desirable sports watches, the Patek Philippe Nautilus has grown its alluring appeal for over four decades. Designed by Gérald Genta in the shape of a porthole on a transatlantic liner, the Nautilus has undergone small transformations over the years. Models are discontinued and the design has seen iterations, but the price and prestige have only risen. Watches in certain references are even rarer, leading to increased prices.
Case: 40 mm, stainless steel, sapphire-crystal caseback, waterproof to 120 meters
Dial: Black, blue, white, gold applied hour markers with luminescent coating
Movement: Automatic self-winding Patek Philippe Calibre 26-330 S C
Bracelet: Stainless steel with Nautilus fold over clasp
Price: $142,000
Omega Speedmaster “First Omega in Space”
Worn on astronaut Walter Schirra’s wrist, this model of the Omega Speedmaster was the first to reach space. Upon its trip to the cosmos, the watch became instantly iconic and in demand.
Through periods of small redesigns and discontinued models, the Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space has remained a high-value luxury timepiece. Each watch is individually numbered, meaning it carries particular collectibility and importance. Different from the classic Moonwatch, you can own a piece of the Omega space flight history with this Speedmaster variant.
Case: 42 mm, 18K white gold with a transparent see-through case back
Dial: Black or silver
Movement: Manual winding OMEGA Calibre 3861
Bracelet: Leather
Price: $25,650
Rolex GMT-Master
The Rolex GMT Reference 1675 represents the second generation of the Rolex GMT-Master. When Reference 1675 emerged, it was distinct. The case size increased by 2mm and crown guards were added, making it an all-new movement.
As a dual timezone watch, pilots could read two different zones at the same time. With its two-tone bezel, it is gorgeous, unique, and eye-catching.
Case: 40mm, stainless steel, yellow gold, or Rolesor (two-toned steel and gold), water resistance 50m
Dial: Black or brown, luminous hour markers with Mercedes-style hands
Movement: Cal. 1535; Cal. 1565, Cal. 1575 (automatic, non-quickset)
Bracelet: Oyster or 1 Jubilee
Price: $19,750
Panerai Luminor Base
With a classic design, the Panerai Luminor Base has become a cornerstone timepiece in the luxury watch world. With a more attainable price than some of the other watches on this list, the Luminor Base is one of the best watches for investment. Its oversized case and luminous sandwich dials creates a signature style with a three-day in-house movement.
Case: Diameter 44mm, polished steel, water resistance 100 meters
Dial: Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers
Movement: Hand-wound mechanical, P.6000 calibre
Bracelet: Leather/Canvas
Price: $4,250
Tudor Heritage Black Bay
This watch’s vintage design harkens to the mid-century diving boom. As a dive watch, you can find the case in steel, gold, bronze, or silver. Blue and black variations hold special appeal. The in-house movement and modern finishing give Tudor a stand in the modern world of the best investment watches. At a more attainable price, often between $3,000 and $6,000, the Heritage Black Bay makes a great investment piece.
Case: 41mm, stainless steel, water resistance 200 meters
Dial: Black with luminous hour markers and snowflake hands
Movement: Automatic self-winding Tudor Calibre MT5602
Bracelet: Leather strap with deployment clasp
Price: $3,095
Frequently Asked Questions
Which watch brand is best for investment?
The best watch brands for investment are Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet as they are prestigious, exclusive, high-quality brands. Watches by these brands often hold their value or appreciate in value over time. Their ongoing popularity, limited editions, and scarcity drive increasing prices. Other top watch brands for investment include Omega, Brietling, Tudor, Oris, and Tissot.
Which watches retain their value the most?
Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, and Audemars Piguet retain their value the most, followed by Omega, Oris, Tissot, and Tudor. These brands have prestige and popularity and are crafted out of high-quality materials and parts. Due to limited models and references, the scarcity of these timepieces increases prices.
Is buying a watch a good investment?
Yes, buying a watch is a good investment, as they often maintain or appreciate in value over time. The brand, condition, model, rarity, and popularity all play a role in a watch’s resale value. Pre-owned luxury watches make especially strong investments.
Do expensive watches hold their value?
Yes, expensive watches hold their value over time due to their collectibility, prestige, and durability. If you buy a luxury watch from a brand such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Cartier, and Patek Philippe, the prestige and value maintain or even grow with time. Omega, Tudor, Tissot, Oris, and Panerai are other luxury watch brands that tend to hold and grow their value.
Best time to sell an investment watch
The best time to sell an investment watch is when a model is discontinued, you see prices rising, you want to free up space in your inventory for another watch, or you’ve made a significant gain. Selling an investment watch is an art and science, relying heavily on research, watching the market, and timing your sale.
Is Rolex The Best Luxury Watch Investment?
Rolex watches are typically the best investment in watches, thanks to their prestige, popularity, and scarcity. Although Rolex doesn’t release the number of watches they make each year, best estimates fall between 800,000 and one million. Excessive demand and low supply lead to rising prices.
Are Rolex Watches a Good Investment?
Rolex watches are a good investment as they almost always hold or grow in value if kept in great condition. Rolex is a strong, prestigious international brand known for its quality and popularity.
Final Thoughts on the Best Watches for Investment
When backed by an esteemed brand, high-quality craftsmanship, and consumer demand, luxury watches are a dynamic and sound investment. Choose a limited edition watch in great condition or opt for a classic vintage that never goes out of style. Always buy from a reliable vendor to ensure authenticity and security. Most of all, enjoy the time (get it?) and the process.
Here are more specific watch topics to browse:
- How to buy luxury watches?
- What are the best luxury watch brands?
- Why are Rolex watches so expensive?
- What are pre-owned luxury watches?
- What is the price of entry-level luxury watches?
- What are the best luxury watches under 5k?
- What are the best luxury watches under 10k?
- What are the top luxury watches for men?
- What are luxury sports watches?
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