EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LUXURY WATCHES

Following on from the movement, complications and other features are all signs of a luxury watch. However, it does not necessarily mean that the more complicated the watch is, the more luxurious it is. Take the forever iconic Rolex Submariner no-date, it simply tells you the time and no more. But the simplicity of itself, how reliable it is, the fact it can tell you the time 300m underwater or cruising in a plane across the sky, something simple yet impeccably well-made is still very much luxurious.

That said, most luxurious watch brands will create watches with complications such as a perpetual calendar, chronograph, moonphase, tourbillon or even a minute repeater (the movement that chimes a tune at a certain time). These movements are incredibly difficult to make and yet alone make them so they can withstand the test of time.

Hence the slogan from Patek Philippe is perfect as it summarises everything perfectly. ‘You never really own a Patek Philippe, you simply look after it for the next generation’. Patek Philippe
This means that they create masterful luxurious watches which will not only outlast you but will remain within your family for generations to come. This goes to show the level of craftsmanship that they can achieve and considering the insane complications of their watches, they really do make the dictionary definition of a luxury watch. Each complication adds to the complexity and value of the timepiece, making it a true marvel of engineering and work of art. Of course, Patek Philippe is not the only watchmaker to make watches to this level but their slogan and everything they stand for perfectly summarises everything about luxury watches.

The next thing to consider is materials and the level of craftsmanship used to make the timepiece. What we mean by this is when you pick the watch up, how does it feel in your hands? Can you feel the perfectly cut edges of the case? Not too sharp that it feels unrefined but perfectly defined with every part of the watch case and bracelet feeling like they were made to go together perfectly. Another way to look at it is if you were blindfolded, does it feel like high quality and well built? Luxury watches make sure that the finishing of their watches is very refined and precise making them feel special in the hands and on your wrist. When you handle the watch or try it on, this would be the first thing you’ll notice but almost immediately after if not at the same time will be the material.

How heavy does it feel and how well is that weight balanced? Now, there are plenty of luxury watches that use material like titanium which is a very light material but bears no indication whatsoever that it is of inferior quality at all! But for your standard watch made from steel, you should be able to feel a nice balance of weight evenly distributed around the watch. Luxury watches are crafted using the finest materials available, from precious metals like gold and platinum to high-quality stainless steel, luxury watches are designed to stand the test of time. 

They are built so you can hand them down to your children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren! Additionally, many luxury watchmakers incorporate exquisite details such as hand-engraving, gemstone settings, and intricate dial designs, showcasing the mastery of skilled artisans. Not many brands will offer this level of detail but for those who desire pure luxury, there are plenty of watchmakers out there to deliver this level of refined watchmaking.

The next element of a luxury watch is very much up for debate and that is its value. Both new and second hand, a luxury product means luxury effort, design and production has gone into crafting it so you can expect to pay a luxury price tag for it. Now there is a very broad range of prices which can be considered luxury and this will vary from one person to another. However, a 50-dollar Casio watch, whilst an iconic and fantastic watch, you would not perhaps associate the word ‘luxury’ with it. Entry luxury watches can start from several hundreds of dollars and rise well into the thousands, tens of thousands and even millions of dollars. The sky's the limit when it comes to luxury watches but you can often use the price tag as a rough and general guide to its level of luxury. It goes without saying watchmakers will have their own markups and desired profit margins which will vary but generally speaking the higher the price, more than likely the more luxurious. It is often, BUT NOT ALWAYS a way to see what materials, costs and level of craftsmanship has been incurred to produce that watch. 

Often a luxury watch is highly desirable and by checking second hand prices, you can see how the majority of people value a watch. Much like a company in the stock market, a watch on the watch market will have its value set by what most people will pay for it. Therefore, you can use this as a measure of seeing how luxurious certain watches are or even watch brands according to the value assigned to them by us buyers, the public. Value is more of a general indication rather than stating because watch ‘A’ is more expensive or increases in value more watch ‘B’ watch ‘A’ is therefore better- no that's not the point. It is crucial to remember that this is really just for your own curiosity, always buy what you personally like and your definition of luxury may be different to someone else's which is totally fine!