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All watches cost different prices, have different movements, and have different designs. It goes without saying then, that some watches are worth buying and others are not. Some hold their value fantastically well, whilst others depreciate by 40% after you’ve taken them out of the box.

Buying an expensive watch is different for everyone. It could be a big occasion, or it could just be an impulse purchase as you had some spare cash lying around. In all honesty, it doesn’t really matter why you’re buying a luxury watch, it just matters that you enjoy it.

There are many different reasons as to why you would consider buying an expensive watch. Overall you should just do whatever you are happiest and most comfortable with. You certainly shouldn’t feel pressured or anxious about buying an expensive watch, if you do. You’re likely buying for the wrong reasons.

Reasons To Buy An Expensive Watch

Because You Enjoy Watches

This is the main reason why you should buy a luxury watch is that you simply enjoy wearing watches. There is no use buying for any other reason than this. Life is to be enjoyed. If you enjoy wearing expensive watches due to the design, movement, or anything else. Then this is a good reason to buy.

In general, expensive watches are for people with large discretionary incomes. There is not much point in buying an expensive watch if you are poor, or feel bad when spending 5 figures on a timepiece. In this case, the watch is going to become a burden on you and you will worry about damaging or losing it due to its cost.

If you are a person who gets real enjoyment out of horology and watches, buying an expensive watch can be a good reason to reward yourself when you’ve done well in life. This could be business, relationships, friendship or anything else. This is truly the most wholesome reason for spending a lot of money on a watch, as of course, it doesn’t really make logical sense to spend $15000 on something that can just tell the time.

To Be Unique

One reason to buy an expensive watch is to be unique. Simply put, if a watch costs $20000, then only a certain number of people can buy it. If you compare this to a popular watch such as black Casio G-Shock. Almost everyone in the western world can afford this good quality, basic watch. For this reason, the G-Shock becomes popular and is very common.

Regardless of what people think about expensive watches. Not everyone can afford one. Therefore, even if you have a Rolex Submariner (which isn’t at all unique), it is more unique than a lot of other brands.

The luxury watch world is full of brands that people are not too familiar with. At the very high end, Richard Mille always makes watches in very limited production numbers. This by definition increases the uniqueness of any given watch. If there are only 25 pieces available, no more will be made and that’s all there is to it.

To Impress Others

Impressing others is more of a controversial reason for buying an expensive watch. In life, you are not going to find long-lasting fulfilment, enjoyment or meaning by impressing other people. Therefore if you do buy an expensive watch for this reason alone, you will be happy with your decision for a brief period of time. However, after this honeymoon phase, you will wonder what you were thinking.

However, there can be more productive and deeper reasons that you need to impress others. If your boss at work is a watch fanatic. It could be worth buying a similar (slightly cheaper) model than he is wearing. This could help you work your way up the career ladder without having to brown nose or weasel your way to the top.

The same can be said if you need to impress rich and showy clients. Whilst expensive watches might not be to your taste. Unfortunately, some people in life are simply impressed by opulence and extravagance. If this is what it takes to get deals done, then you may need to bite the bullet and buy a luxury watch.

As An Investment

In all reality, you should almost never buy a watch as an investment. You can however choose your watch purchases very carefully and make sure that you’re losing as little money as possible.

As an example, if you are to buy a Ferrari, it’s clearly not an investment. However, if you’re buying a use Ferrari for a good price. You may get a few years of enjoyment out of it and only cost yourself a few thousand dollars after selling it. The same can be done with watches.

If you’re able to buy a used Rolex for around market value, look after it well and keep it in good condition. You may be able to sell it for around the same price as you bought it for 3-5 years later. It is possible you can actually profit from your original purchase, but if making money was your aim, you would have been better investing it in something other than watches.

Altogether, you should never think of buying a watch as a pure investment. You can however look to minimize your losses whilst enjoying your hobby.

Is It Worth Buying An Expensive Watch?

Unfortunately, this is not a simple yes or no question. Whether it’s worth buying an expensive watch or not is going to depend on a number of factors described above.

This is a complex formula that is going to depend on your income, how much you love watches, what you’re willing to spend, how unique you want to be and whether you want to sell your purchase in the future.

Ultimately the factors that are going to weigh your decision the most are both your income and how much you love watches. Obviously, if you really have a passion for watches and have a large disposable income, it becomes a no-brainer. Why wouldn’t you buy an expensive watch if you can afford it and like them? At this point, it is well worth the outgoing.

If you have a wife, kids, and a mortgage. You may need to reconsider whether it’s worth buying an expensive watch. Sure you might get some enjoyment out of it. But there are a lot of other things you need to take care of before thinking about horology.

Overall, a sensible decision needs to be made. If you love watches, then it’s definitely worth buying an expensive one if you can afford it. Although decisions in life are often a lot more complex than this. You should count yourself very lucky if your decisions are this easy.

Expensive Watches That Hold Their Value

Rolex Submariner

The Submariner is the poster boy of watches that hold their value. In fact, in recent years, people have begun to speculate which has pushed the price higher and higher. You’re very unlikely to find a brand new submariner in the window of your local authorized dealer since the demand is simply so high for them. If you are able to buy a Rolex Submariner brand new, you would be able to sell it 2 hours later for an instant profit.

On the grey market, prices of Submariners are constantly fluctuating. If you buy a submariner, GMT or Daytona from Rolex you’re almost guaranteed to hold the value within the watch and not lose money.

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Tag Heuer Monaco

As most watch enthusiasts know, Tag Heuer is generally not a brand that holds its value well. The exception to this rule is the Monaco, which is quite simply an iconic watch. Worn in movies by Steve McQueen and most notoriously by Walter White in breaking bad. The Monaco is a timeless classic and well respected even by the most critical of the Tag Heuer brand.

As a result of this, the Monaco holds its value incredibly well. Not only this, but it is truly a unique and legendary watch. Even if you dislike the style, you cannot critique the history behind this watch.

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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Truly one of the most unique designs ever created. The AP Royal Oak offshore is a timepiece that is very highly regarded in the current market and is the savior of the AP brand.

A genuine luxury watch, the AP Offshore is one of the only brands which regularly sells over retail price on the grey market. The exclusivity of Audemars Piguet means that much like a Submariner, there is often a waitlist for all variations of this watch. Even if you have the money waiting in cash, it’s going to be difficult to get your hands on an AP offshore unless you pay a grey dealer. That said, once you’ve got it, you likely will not lose any money to depreciation.

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Patek Philippe Nautilus

The Nautilus has become a true classic within the Patek Philippe lineup. As of today, the nautilus has been in production for well over 40 years, and whilst the watch has developed and modified over time. The basic and fundamental design remains the same.

Even though the watch has remained unchanged, the demand for a Nautilus has skyrocketed. Depending on which model you’re after, you could be put on an 8 year wait list. If you are able to get to the top of the waiting list, you’ll be able to pick up a Nautilus for somewhere in the region of $30000. Although if you do get your hands on this model, you certainly could stand to profit quite a lot of money.

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Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Chronograph

Blancpain is not typically a brand that you would associate with retaining value. The fifty-fathoms moon phase chronograph is the exception to this line of thought.

Many people do not know that the fifty fathoms were the first dive watch. Rolex created the first waterproof watch in the oyster, but this could not withstand pressure. Blancpain was the first brand to do so. Their moon phase chronograph is one of the rarer and more sought-after pieces from the fifty fathoms range and holds its value exceptionally well.

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IWC Portuguese Chronograph Classic

IWC watches do not hold their value as much as other brands on this list. However, the Portuguese chronograph still retains its value pretty well. The iconic design will generally drop around 10-20% after you purchase it. Which is not too terrible compared to other brands.

With that being said, if you choose a rare model number or something made of precious metal. It’s possible that your IWC will actually slightly increase in value. It should be noted that IWC watches also are generally a lot cheaper than other brands referenced such as Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet.

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