It depends on the factors in your decision-making process and what you consider as expensive. Buying an expensive watch is a decision that many people face at some point in their lives. Whether it is for personal enjoyment or as an investment, the decision to spend a significant amount of money on a timepiece should not be taken lightly. In this blog post, we will explore the factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase an expensive watch.
Photo by Joe Hepburn on Unsplash
What Is Considered an Expensive Watch?
Depending on each person’s wealth levels; an expensive watch for someone, may be an affordable option for others. A student may consider a $500 watch expensive; someone on a six-figure salary may consider a $500 watch a budget option. For some people, this equates to a major decision after buying a car. For others, this is not an important decision but still something that requires some thought.
Below are some price ranges from Affordable Brands to Ultra-Luxury Watch Brands to consider before reading on.
- Affordable is under $100 USD – Brands such as Casio and Timex comes to mind
- Entry Level is under $1000 USD – Fossil and Seiko are in this price range.
- Starters Luxury is under $10000 USD – Oris and Omega can be bought under $10K
- Mid-Tier Luxury is $20,000 USD and below – This is a price point to enter the Rolex Brand
- Ultra-Luxury is more than $20,000 – Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe
First and foremost, it is important to define what is considered an expensive watch. The term “expensive” is subjective and varies depending on the individual’s financial situation. For the purpose of this article, we will consider an expensive watch to be one that costs more than $5,000.
Watches Craftsmanship and Quality
The first factor to consider when purchasing an expensive watch is the level of craftsmanship and quality. Expensive watches are often made with high-quality materials and undergo extensive testing and inspection to ensure their durability and accuracy. These watches are often made by skilled craftsmen who have years of experience in watchmaking. As a result, expensive watches tend to be more reliable and have a longer lifespan than cheaper alternatives.
Most watches are made from stainless steel, gold, carbon, titanium, ceramic and tungsten. The higher end watches are gold plated or have diamonds, and gems stones added to the watch. The craftsmanship of the watch can generally be related to the country and brand of make. Swiss watches are renowned for their quality, such as Longines and Omega. Japanese watches have great quality and are of good value and with brands such as Seiko and Grand Seiko in the higher end.
Watches as an Investment
Another factor to consider when purchasing an expensive watch is its value as an investment. Many people view watches as a form of investment, as they can appreciate in value over time. However, it is important to note that not all watches appreciate in value, and the market for watches can be unpredictable. It is essential to research the watch’s brand, model, and history before making a purchase as a form of investment. Watch brands such as Rolex tend to keep value and at times appreciate. This depends on the market demand, the availability of the watch and brand recognition. This is not investment advice and it is up to you to do some research.
Watches as a Status Symbol
Furthermore, expensive watches can serve as a status symbol. Owning a luxury watch is often seen as a sign of success and can be a statement piece for one’s personal style. A high-end watch can also open doors to exclusive events and opportunities that may not be available to those who do not own luxury items. A limited edition luxury watch can easily be a conversation starter with someone who also appreciates watches. An expensive watch can be seen as a way to network up in the social ladder.
Financial Impact of Buying an Luxury Watch
On the other hand, it is important to consider the financial impact of purchasing an expensive watch. Spending a significant amount of money on a watch can have a negative effect on one’s finances if the purchase is not within their budget. It is essential to ensure that purchasing an expensive watch does not result in financial strain or put one in debt. Buy what you can afford. Best not to buy something like a watch on credit. This is not something that will definitely go up in value and the resale can be a fraction of the price once you’ve purchased the watch.
Additionally, it is important to consider the practicality of owning an expensive watch. Expensive watches require regular maintenance and care to ensure their longevity and accuracy. The cost of servicing and repairing an expensive watch can be significant, and it is important to factor these costs into the decision-making process. Servicing a Rolex watch every few years may set you back a good $500 per service every few years.
WATCH LIFECYCLE COST: Price of Acquisition + Service Cost + Insurance = Status + Personal Satisfaction + Potential Resale Value
Below are a couple of watches to consider in the Starter’s Luxury range.
Tudor Black Bay
Photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash
Powering the Tudor Black Bay 58 is Tudor’s Manufacture Calibre MT5402. It boasts significant improvements as compared to its ETA/Sellita peers. It’s COSC certified, meaning that it has an average accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day.
A Tudor Heritage Automatic Chronometer Black Dial Men’s Watch M79230R-0012 will set you back $4,000 USD on amazon
The Black Bay comes in various types of bracelets from Steel case/Steel bracelet, steel case/rubber strap. Refer to the table below for more details:
| Model | Case | Bracelet/Dial | Size |
| M7941A1A0RU-0003 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U | Steel | Steel Bracelet | 41mm |
| M7941A1A0RU-0001 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U | Steel | Steel Bracelet | 41mm |
| M7941A1A0RU-0002 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602-U | Steel | Black Rubber Bracelet | 41mm |
| M79210CNU-0001 BLACK BAY CERAMIC Manufacture Calibre MT5602-1U (COSC) Complementary Strap | Steel | Hybrid Leather and Rubber Bracelet | 41mm |
| M79230N-0008 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) | Steel | Aged leather strap | 41mm |
| M79230N-0005 BLACKBAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) | Steel | Black fabric strap | 41mm |
| M79230N-0009 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) | Steel | Steel bracelet | 41mm |
| M79230B-0007 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) | Steel | Aged leather strap | 41mm |
| M79230B-0006 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) | Steel | Blue fabric strap | 41mm |
| M79230B-0008 BLACK BAY Manufacture Calibre MT5602 (COSC) | Steel | Steel bracelet | 41mm |
| M79733N-0007 BLACK BAY S&G Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) | Steel | Black dial | 41mm |
| M79733N-0005 BLACK BAY S&G Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) | Steel | Black dial | 41mm |
| M79733N-0008 BLACK BAY S&G Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) Steel and yellow gold | Steel | Steel and yellow gold | 41mm |
| M79733N-0003 BLACK BAY S&G Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) Champagne-color dial | Steel | Champagne-color dial | 41mm |
| M79733N-0006 BLACK BAY S&G Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) Champagne-color dial | Steel | Champagne-color dial | 41mm |
| M79733N-0004 BLACK BAY S&G Manufacture Calibre MT5612 (COSC) Steel and yellow gold | Steel | Steel and Yellow Gold | 41mm |
Omega Seamater 300
Photo by Quang Viet Nguyen: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-wristwatch-9561286/
Seamaster Diver 300M Collection is an OMEGA icon. It was first released 25 years ago and the collection has been beautifully updated. The Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm can easily set you back around $6000 USD. The model comes in many variations from the standard to the Omega Seamaster Diver Chronometer 42mm Mens Special Edition 007 Watch 210.90.42.20.01.001. This watch will set you back $8740 USD on amazon.
The table below gives you an idea of the different variations of the Seamaster 300
| Component | Options |
| Cases | Steel Steel-Gold Gold |
| Bracelet | Steel Steel-Gold Gold |
| Strap | Steel and Rubber, Titanium and NATO strap, Sedna gold on Rubber strap, Black ceramic on NATO strap |
| Dial and Crystal | White, Grey, Black, Blue, Brown, Green |
| Case Diameter | <30mm, 40mm to < 42 mm, >=42mm |
| Crystal | Domed, scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal with anti‑reflective treatment inside |
In conclusion, purchasing an expensive watch is a decision that should be carefully considered. While there are many benefits to owning a luxury watch, including quality craftsmanship, investment potential, and status symbol, it is essential to weigh the financial impact and practicality of such a purchase. With proper research and consideration, purchasing an expensive watch can be a rewarding experience that brings joy and satisfaction for years to come.