Watches are traditionally a symbol of the many milestones in our lives—graduations, weddings, retirements, and so forth.
But, over time, watches have evolved into so much more. They have become functional accessories that reflect your style and interests; they can also be investments that increase in value over the years, passing them down as heirlooms for your family or selling them at a higher value.
Whatever the case is for you, your first luxury watch is the catalyst of your future watch collection. But, where do you start? While there is no set rule to collect watches, your decision on which ones to buy often relies on your taste and passion. Would you start with German Tutima watches or opt for the standard choice, Swiss watches?
Your Complete Guide to Starting a Watch Collection
Start with the basics. When buying your first watch, consider the ones that you can wear and enjoy for every occasion—the one you can match with your suit, another with your t-shirt and jeans, and yet another with your sportswear. There are certain models that can easily crossover all three occasions without looking inappropriate. But, when you are collecting, you would want to have a specific watch for every area of your life.
Buy the ones you actually like. There are cases when you would think of buying a specific model just because you are supposed to have it. But, don’t do that—it’s like having a bookshelf full of titles that your friends recommended but actually don’t appeal to you. This is your collection and it should be composed of watches you like, nothing more.
Avoid following the trend. In relation to the above point, don’t jump into trends for the sake of that momentary satisfaction. Trends come and go with the wind and so does the watch that you will purchase just because it’s “in”. Instead, invest in high-quality, luxury watches that should last several lifetimes and will stay relevant, regardless of the fashion trend. Class, as they say, is permanent.
Mix watches that suit you with ones that are purely an investment. Of course, going hand in hand with buying what you like and what suits you best, it is also good to invest in watches that would appreciate in value over time. Balancing these factors is essential to ensure that you are having fun with your collection, while hoping that, someday, it would make you rich.
Do your research. While the above points are mere guidelines, this one is the closest thing you’ll ever get as a standard rule: do your research about the brand and particular model you’re interested in. This is essential if you want to avoid making a costly mistake of getting a watch that doesn’t fall in any of the categories: what you need, what suits you, and what you can use as an investment. Anything beyond that can be quite a gamble.
There are plenty of dealers who make it their business to help first-time collectors discuss their options; the benefits and drawbacks of each. They can also help you secure your first luxury watch at competitive rates. Unfortunately, however, as much as there are good guys, there is also a fair share of rogue sellers, so it’s up to you to find the one whom you would trust with your hard-earned money.
Good thing, it’s easier now than ever to do so, with the presence of brands online through their official sites and trusted dealers. There are also various forums where you can find recommendations and tips on where to buy.
Takeaway
There’s no such thing as overdoing research when we’re talking about thousands of dollars worth of watches and a pool of counterfeit products that could easily pass as the real deal to the naked eye. Understanding what to look out for and whom to trust is the best way to safeguard yourself, regardless of whether you’re buying just one watch or starting a collection.
Research what’s out there—visit sites after sites, educate yourself about the brands, trends, styles, and prices, and go a little further by knowing their value and prices. It’s nice to know about the story of watches, too.
We hope this guide has shared some valuable information about watch collecting as a hobby. If you take nothing else from this, keep in mind the following takeaways: start with the basics, buy watches based on what you like, what suits you best, and what makes a brilliant investment. Of course, do your research, too, and you’re all set in building your watch collection.
Enjoy!
If you have anything more to add to these tips, leave a comment below! Don’t forget to share this article with your friends, too. They might want to start their own watch collection as well!
