5 Tips for Buying Your First Luxury Watch

Buying a watch is very easy. Buying a good luxury watch is a bit more difficult. How do you find the perfect watch if you're not yet very familiar with the market? What should you look for? What are must-haves, and which warning signs should you not ignore? Experienced watch lovers who are aware of the market situation and already know how to efficiently keep track of the latest trends naturally have a head start. Those considering purchasing a luxury watch for the first time can quickly feel overwhelmed. In this article, we want to clarify that the whole thing is not as complicated as it seems at first glance.

Which watch suits me?

On the one hand, the range of different watches is almost endless. On the other hand, this also means that everyone can almost certainly find the right watch. Whether it's a smartwatch, a dress watch, or a mechanical watch, many of the reasons for choosing a watch can be traced back to the following factors:

● Watches as a status symbol

● Watches as a way to express identity or to signal membership in prestigious population groups

● Watches as a potential investment opportunity

● Watches as a homage to craftsmanship itself

● Watches as networking support and conversation starters

Often, it's a combination of different reasons that ultimately convince first-time buyers to purchase a watch. To avoid regrets afterward, there are several tried-and-tested tips.

Choose a watch you like

A good starting point is the various platforms where watches are bought and sold. This is where you can make your first important decisions: size of the watch, shape of the case, material, type of dial. Should the watch have certain functions? Do you already have a particular strap in mind? For beginners, a round watch made of precious metal is generally a good choice. It is durable and covers all the basic functions, such as hour, minute, and second hands, as well as the date. To test how well the watch actually fits your wrist, you should visit an analog watch store. There you can see what the models actually look and feel like. If the watch, no matter how beautiful it is, doesn't fit properly or feels uncomfortable, it's not your dream watch.

It all depends on the price

There are reasons why we've put money so high on this list. Anyone considering buying a luxury watch most likely has the budget for it. However, the question of cost shouldn't be completely ignored. High-quality watches are always priced accordingly, of course, but follow-up costs such as repairs that ensure the watch has a long life should also be factored in from the outset. When buying a high-quality watch, it's a good idea to use money that you can definitely raise yourself, for example bonus payments, commissions, or even gifts you've received for holidays or other special occasions. Especially since such a purchase involves high expenses, you shouldn't be too influenced by advertising or your own environment. It's your watch - your taste and your wishes are the only things that count.

Which brand can I identify with?

Conversely, the constant competition between brands for customers also offers advantages for prospective customers. They can easily find out which brand represents which values ​​and beliefs. This could be through sponsorship of sporting events or cultural events.

A brief overview:

Ulysse Nardin and Panerai are good choices for sailing enthusiasts; amateur pilots might be better off with Breitling or Longines. Rolex , TAG Heuer, and Hublot are classic brands for motorsports fans. Omega produces homages to space travel as well as the official watches for the James Bond franchise. So there's a watch to suit almost every interest. If you're looking for brands that have a "good conscience," for example, those that support environmental initiatives, Oris might be the right brand for you. The manufacturer produces watches with dials made from recycled plastic, among other things, and is also committed to sustainable production. Breitling and Panerai have also recently launched environmentally friendly models.

Where should I buy my watch?

For the best atmosphere for your first high-quality watch purchase, it's obviously better to visit a retailer. Anyone planning to build a watch collection should find a reputable dealer as early as possible with whom they can establish a good relationship. This might even lead to invitations to exclusive events or the benefit of special offers. If that's not so important to you, you can of course order your dream watch quickly and easily online from anywhere. Ordering a fine watch from the comfort of your sofa can certainly feel just as luxurious. Both options are similar in terms of warranties and service; however, it's generally wise to make sure that the service provider you choose is trustworthy.

Where can I have my watch serviced?

Just like cars, good watches need regular maintenance. Generally, we recommend having them serviced every three to four years. If you purchased the watch from a local store, you can also bring it back there for servicing. Repair shops certified by the brands themselves are also an option. These repair prices may even be somewhat lower. Especially if you don't plan to resell your watches, it's a good idea to have them serviced by a qualified watchmaker, as you don't need paperwork documenting all the maintenance.

We hope our tips will help you choose the right watch and care for it. A word of warning, though: Once you've bought a watch for everyday wear, you'll certainly be looking for dress watches or sports watches in the not-too-distant future. This way, a casual interest quickly turns into a full-blown passion. When that happens, even as an experienced collector, you can advise people who are looking for their first luxury watch.