Luxury watches are extremely complex pieces of machinery that can take a long time to make. When the demand is high, brands can’t always keep up, which can result in waiting lists for popular models. If you’ve got your eye on something like a Rolex Submariner or an Omega Speedmaster, you may well have to join a queue, but if you’re after a less sought-after watch you might be able to get it right away from an authorised dealer, whether they have it in stock or can order it directly from the brand.
What is an automatic movement?
A ‘movement’ is the mechanism that keeps your watch ticking – or, as is the case with most luxury timepieces, keeps the second hand sweeping smoothly around the dial. The majority of luxury watches use an ‘automatic’ movement. This type of movement is driven by the kinetic energy generated by your wrist – a tiny weight on a pivot turns from the motion of your arm, winding the mainspring – and can usually store enough energy to continue running for a couple of days after you take it off. These types of movements are highly complex and can be very expensive to produce, but they don’t need you to manually wind them and they don’t require batteries, and they will keep good time as long as they’re properly maintained and cared for.
How much should I spend on a luxury watch?
Prices for luxury watches can vary greatly, so how much you might be expected to pay depends on the watch in question, and particularly on the brand you’re buying. It’s also worth noting that the very concept of ‘luxury’ is subjective. For some, a well-made £700 Swiss watch is more than good enough to qualify, while for those with money to burn, a watch might have to be worth upwards of £5,000 before it would be considered a luxury timepiece.
Broadly speaking, when most people talk about luxury watches they mean a timepiece costing around £1,000 and upwards, and one that comes from a respected brand. We’re not talking about fashion watches from the likes of Gucci and Versace, we’re talking about well-established specialist brands that have the horological pedigree to back up their products.
It’s entirely possible to get a beautiful, Swiss-made, automatic watch from a reputable brand for between £1,000 and £3,000 but, depending on the brand and model, prices can go a great deal higher. For well-known and well-regarded brands that are popular with collectors, you can expect to pay north of £5,000, even for an entry-level piece.
Do I need a warranty and after-sales care?
If you’re going to drop a significant amount of money on something you’ll wear every day, it’s probably a good idea to ensure it comes with some sort of manufacturer warranty, and maybe even a service plan.
Thankfully, a big part of buying a luxury watch is the sales and aftercare experience. The exact timeframe the warranty covers can vary, but most watchmakers offer at least two years, while the likes of IWC, Panerai and Rolex will offer five or six years.
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source: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/wearable-technology/top-10-luxury-watch-brands
