Nothing ties an outfit together quite like a luxury watch. It’s the perfect accessory for every occasion, whether you’re at a wedding, on a date or out with friends. Of course, buying a luxury watch isn’t always feasible, at least not at first glance.
Watch collectors will tell you their hobby isn’t solely reserved for the wealthy. Like many things, what’s important is to understand what you’re looking at. You need to know how to strategically approach your purchase if you’re going to get a quality watch at a reasonable price.
With that in mind, here are a few tips to avoid overspending when buying a luxury watch.
1. Buy Second-Hand
You might not know it, but the market for used watches is no different than the market for used cars. Many watches will change owners several times in their life — a testament to how well-made they are.
You can find a vast selection of quality second-hand watches on various sites where they sell that type of merchandise. Many enthusiasts track the value of fashionable watches similar to how you would a stock. Buy low, sell high. Research average prices before you browse through listings.
2. Know What to Look For
Going into the market without a specific target is a bad idea. It’s easy to get distracted by the big flashy brand names you’re familiar with. In reality, you can find comparably stylish watches for thousands of dollars less.
If you’re not committed to brand recognition, do your research on what’s available. There are some very respected brands known for offering excellent value, such as Seiko and Timex!
3. Don’t Get Distracted When Buying a Luxury Watch
Words to live by, right? A complication is an extra feature offered by a watch. Some common complications include the date, chronograph and alarm. Watches with lots of features are more desirable and therefore cost more money. You have to ask yourself whether any of the complications are of value to you.
Shelling out money for a GMT watch won’t do much good if you never travel. Expensive chronographs with additional complications become so busy, they’re impossible to read. If you can’t read your watch, it’s a bit of a waste. For most people, simple is best. Select something that you’ll actually use rather than something showy and expensive.
4. Try a Duty-Free Retailer
Switzerland makes some of the most elegant watches in the world. However, buying one usually means paying a duty fee, an amount associated with the purchase of goods manufactured outside of the United States.
Going through a duty-free retailer can save you between five and 20% of what you would pay in the U.S. after the extra charge is tacked on. Plus, you can’t avoid the fee if you buy a watch while traveling — you’ll be required to declare the value when you re-enter the country.
5. Don’t Avoid Quartz
Watch collectors often take the position that only mechanical watches are worth owning. A mechanical watch contains a spring-driven or hand-wound movement, as opposed to the electronic quartz oscillator found in watches that use batteries.
Mechanical watches are remarkable timepieces, but their intricate construction can make them expensive. If you’re selecting your first luxury watch, a quartz piece you like will serve you better than an automatic that has aged into your price range. An older mechanical watch is unlikely to keep time as well as a new quartz watch. Plus, it could require expensive servicing, which will render it more costly than you had initially thought.
6. Buying a Luxury Watch You Like
Ultimately, there are too many watches out there for you to own them all — though you may want to. It’s easy to get sucked into the snobbery and pretense that can taint the fun hobby that is watch collecting. Don’t let it happen to you.
Do your research on what’s available and what’s in your price range. You’ll find specific marquees and models of watches that are popular or expensive. If they speak to you, go ahead and pursue them. It’s vital to have a piece you love.
However, you can have just as much fun with something basic on your wrist as you can with something glitzy. Buying a luxury watch is fine and all, but don’t sweat any commentary from the peanut gallery.
Dylan Bartlett is a men’s lifestyle blogger from the City of Brotherly Love. He runs the site Just a Regular Guide, looking at other topics related to health and wellness, relationships, the outdoors and DIY. You can follow him on Twitter @a_regular_guide to get frequent updates on his work.
