Luxury 101: How to Start Your Watch Collection

A timepiece plays an important role in a man’s life. If women have luxury bags, accessories, clothes, and jewelry, then men have luxury timepieces. After all, watches are mainly one of the few “accessories” they can sport, aside from a wedding ring.

However, starting a watch collection is easier said than done. You don’t want to be saddled with an expensive piece today, only to find out that it is worthless. No — when it comes to collecting watches, you have to consider a lot of factors. The brand, the make, and the quality of the watch are just some of the things you have to watch out for.

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Does this seem like too much work if you just want to accumulate an impressive array of watches? Well, yes. See, although two watches from different brands may look identical, they could not be any more different.

These things being said, let’s get you started on the journey to a robust watch collection.

1. Research, research.

Yes, as with the best things in life, you have to thoroughly research before you commit to your first piece. This would, after all, be the piece that “started it all.” When you are asked why you started your watch collection, would you want to bring out a sorry-looking timepiece and sheepishly admit you didn’t know what you were getting?

Instead, spend time understanding the market. Be familiar with the different brands and see which pieces you are more drawn to since there are different styles, domes, straps, and other options to choose from.

Renato Collezioni luxury watch

2. Purpose.

Most people have “themes” in their collection, while other people simply buy everything. To prevent yourself from spending too much on a timepiece that does not fit your collection, you want to make sure that you have a clear purpose of why you’re investing.

Are you purchasing them with the goal of selling them for profit in the future? Are you buying watches to display and wear occasionally? Or are you simply buying them for their value?

These are important questions that will help you determine your budget range and how you will move forward with your collection.    

3. Vintage, New, or Preloved?

Now, when it comes to watch collections, preloved timepieces are nothing to be ashamed of. Yes, preloved items are cheaper than their modern contemporaries, but each piece, therefore, comes with an interesting backstory. On the other hand, if you are only buying new watches, then you have to be prepared to invest as luxury watches tend to be very expensive.

If you are buying vintage and preloved watches, scout the market for them. Join forums and find out where the best place is to purchase your timepiece. When you see a piece that you want, then do your due diligence.

What we mean by this is that a vintage watch that does not have its original parts is not valuable in the collector’s world. If you are only starting out, have a trusted watchmaker or collector look over the item you want. They can verify the authenticity of the item to ensure that you are putting your money into something that is actually valuable. After all, it would be pretty disappointing if it turns out that you paid hundreds of dollars for a piece of junk.

Another thing to consider when buying used watches is to check their condition. Are they still in perfect, running condition? This is the ideal scenario when purchasing used watches. However, some watches are already broken – although sometimes this can pay off. This is provided, of course, that the damage is something that you can fix. If it cannot be fixed or if the part is long gone, then your watch will be worthless.

4. Aesthetics. philip luxury watch

Since a watch is something that you can wear, make sure that the item you’re purchasing is something you find attractive. This means that it has to coincide with your style.

Do you normally like wearing gold accessories, such as a gold necklace or gold bracelet? Do you feel comfortable wearing a gold watch? On the other hand, do you lean towards silver or leather?

What clothes do you usually wear? Do you wear comfortable, casual clothes, or are you more into suits and formal wear? These things are important to establish what kind of watches you want. For instances, those who prefer flashy outfits feel good with gold or bejeweled watches. On the other hand, many successful businessmen prefer classic silver dress pieces. Then again, there are athletes who like chunky sporty watches such as diver’s watches.

Knowing your style is crucial in determining what kind of watches you should invest in.

5. Your Budget. 

An essential aspect of a watch collection is your budget. Luxury watches can range from thousands of dollars to millions. The more coveted and rare the piece is, the more expensive it is.

If you are looking into mid-range watches, then set your budget accordingly. Almost all brands have mid-level watches that are good assets to every watch collection. You must also be prepared to let go of or sell other watches in your collection, just in case you need to make room for a newer, more valuable piece.

6. Your Storage.

Your watches should be stored properly, and their batteries replaced routinely. When you’re not using your watch, store them in their original cases. If you do not have their original cases, then find a beautiful container that will not scratch their surface or introduce moisture into the intricate workings of your timepiece. If you want to display them, then choose a high-quality watch box where the watches are separated from each other.