Are watches really a good investment?

Jul 19, 2018 by Chrono 24

Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi 126710BLRO, Image: Bert Buijsrogge

 

People make personal connections with watches that few products can match. We use watches every day. They are functional, a personal fashion statement, and often have an emotional value that bonds their owner to them. All those elements combined are what bring people pleasure and enjoyment when wearing a watch every single day.

Obviously, how much money you have invested will also contribute to how happy you are with your timepiece. But what if you took away the emotional aspect and focused purely on the money? Just as banks have deviated from their original purpose, people are looking for different ways to invest their hard-earned cash. So, are watches a good investment? It’s not a simple yes-or-no answer, so let’s take a quick look at different types of investments and what they would mean for you as a consumer.

The Holy Grail

Rolex Daytona Paul Newman, Photo: Bert Buijsrogge - View offers on Chrono24
 
People make personal connections with watches that few products can match. We use watches every day. They are functional, a personal fashion statement, and often have an emotional value that bonds their owner to them. All those elements combined are what bring people pleasure and enjoyment when wearing a watch every single day.

Obviously, how much money you have invested will also contribute to how happy you are with your timepiece. But what if you took away the emotional aspect and focused purely on the money? Just as banks have deviated from their original purpose, people are looking for different ways to invest their hard-earned cash. So, are watches a good investment? It’s not a simple yes-or-no answer, so let’s take a quick look at different types of investments and what they would mean for you as a consumer.
 

Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar, Image: Patek Philippe
 
Most of the watches sold for such enormous sums come with a story: ‘This watch was owned by a celebrity.’ ‘This watch was the first in space.’ ‘This watch is the only one of its kind.’ They’re all generic stories without any personal connection to the investor. However, it’s these exact stories that increase the value of already expensive watches accessible only to a happy few. This exclusive group requires deep pockets and good connections to even have a chance of buying a watch at auction. You then have to hope you will make an emotional connection to your timepiece beyond its monetary value.

A Sure Shot

Perhaps you’re looking to invest in a nice watch you will actually wear that sits in a more accessible price range and will at least retain its value. There is a limited number of watch brands—more specifically, watch models—that will see an increase in value based solely on their scarcity and/or because they are the proven classics everyone should own.

They’re not considered classics without reason: They are all testaments to excellent watchmaking, have become icons for their brands, represent a significant shift in the watch industry, and are parts of the best stories that bond people and watches.
 

Rolex Submariner Hulk, Photo: Bert Buijsrogge - View offers on Chrono24
 
Rolex sports watches are the most famous example. Try to get your hands on a new Rolex Submariner, Daytona, Sea-Dweller, or GMT-Master II and you will have to wait in line with everyone else. If you are looking for a vintage Rolex sports watch, you will find they have held their value or have increased in value over time, almost without exception. Needless to say, they are a pretty safe long-term investment.

Another watch that has seen a steep increase in value is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, especially the Royal Oak Jumbo and its successors. Royal Oaks are in high demand because they represent a revolution in watch design, technical brilliance, and are what a luxury sports watch should be. When it was introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak didn’t make a huge splash; however, opinions have slowly but surely shifted over the course of the last five decades, and now this watch is one of the biggest icons in the luxury watch industry.

A vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional is yet another good investment. Also known as the ‘Moonwatch,’ it comes with the most inspiring and impressive story a watch could probably ever have. Not only is it’s story proof of its technical excellence, but it’s also one of the most famous in watchmaking history. Prices for vintage Speedmaster Professionals have risen gradually, meaning they are still a very safe investment.
 

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, Photo: Christopher Beccan - View offers on Chrono24
 
Two other technologically excellent classic watches worth investing in are the Patek Phillippe Calatrava and the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. However, it’s worth noting that some investigation will be required to understand what specific models are special and will be highly sought-after in the future. That being said, all that research is exactly what creates a special relationship with watches and makes people appreciate them even more. It’s where a big part of the pleasure of owning a watch comes from and is ultimately even better than knowing you’ve made a sound purchase.

The Possible Classics

The next group is that of potential classics which might increase in value over time. It’s incredibly fun to speculate as to what watches will turn into the iconic classics and, therefore, generate demand that results in rising prices. This requires a lot more study and imagination than the other groups we have discussed so far. You will have to familiarize yourself with each brand, their models, and what makes their designs and technology so unique.

Obviously, popular watches from well-known brands are often relatively safe and stable investments. At worst you will take a small loss, and at best you will have earned a sizeable chunk of money. Some examples include the IWC Portugieser Chronograph, the Omega Seamaster, the Panerai Luminor, and the TAG Heuer Carrera.