5 Tips for Buying Your First Luxury Watch

Buying a watch is very easy. Buying a good luxury watch is a little more difficult. How do you find the perfect watch if you don't know the market very well? What do you have to look out for? What are must-haves and which warning signs should you not ignore? Experienced watch lovers who are aware of the market situation and already know how to efficiently keep track of the latest trends naturally have a head start. Anyone who is considering buying a luxury watch for the first time can quickly feel overwhelmed. With this article, we want to explain that the whole thing is not as complicated as it seems at first glance.

Which watch suits me?

On the one hand, the range of different watches is almost immeasurable. On the other hand, however, this also means that the right watch can be found for everyone with great certainty. Whether it is a smartwatch, dress watch or mechanical watch - many of the reasons for buying a watch can be traced back to the following points:

● Watches as a status symbol

● Watches as a way to express identity or to signal membership in prestigious population groups

● Watches as a potential investment opportunity

● Watches as a tribute to craftsmanship itself

● Watches as networking support and conversation starters

Often it is a combination of different reasons that ultimately convince first-time buyers to purchase a watch. To ensure that you don't regret your purchase later, there are various tried and tested tips.

Choose a watch you like

A good starting point is the various platforms on which watches are bought and sold. Here you can make the first important decisions: size of the watch, shape of the case, material, type of dial. Should the watch have certain functions? Do you already have a particular strap in mind? For beginners, a round watch made of precious metal is generally a good choice. It is durable and covers all the basic functions, i.e. hour, minute and second hands as well as the date. To test how well the watch actually fits your wrist, you should visit an analogue watch shop. There you can see what the models actually look like and how they feel. If the watch, no matter how beautiful it is, does not fit properly or feels uncomfortable, then it is not your dream watch.

It all depends on the price

There are reasons why we have put money so high on this list. Anyone considering buying a luxury watch is very likely to have the necessary budget for it. However, the question of cost should not be completely ignored. High-quality watches are of course always priced accordingly, but follow-up costs such as repairs that ensure the watch has a long life should also be factored in from the outset. When buying a high-quality watch, it is a good idea to use money that you can definitely raise yourself, for example bonus payments, commissions or even cash gifts that you have received on holidays or other special occasions. Especially since such a purchase is associated with higher expenses, you should not be too influenced by advertising or your own environment. It is your watch - only your taste and your wishes count.

Which brand can I identify with?

The constant competition between brands for customers also offers advantages to prospective customers. You can easily find out which brand represents which values ​​and beliefs. This can be in the form of sponsorship for sporting competitions or cultural events.

A brief overview:

Ulysse Nardin and Panerai are a good choice for sailing enthusiasts; hobby pilots might be better off with Breitling or Longines. Rolex , TAG Heuer and Hublot are classic brands for motorsport fans. Omega produces homages to space travel as well as the official watches for the James Bond franchise. So there is the right watch for almost every interest. If you are looking for brands that have a "clear conscience", for example those that support environmental initiatives, Oris might be the right brand for you. The manufacturer produces watches with dials made from recycled plastic, among other things, and is also committed to sustainable production. Breitling and Panerai have also recently launched environmentally friendly models.

Where should I buy my watch?

For the best atmosphere when buying a high-quality watch for the first time, it is of course better to go to a retail store. If you are planning to build up a watch collection, you should find a reputable dealer as early as possible with whom you can build a good relationship. You may also be invited to exclusive events or benefit from special offers. If that is not so important to you, you can of course order your dream watch quickly and easily online from anywhere. Ordering a fine watch from your sofa can of course feel just as luxurious. Both options are similar in terms of guarantees and service, but it is generally sensible to make sure that the service provider you choose is trustworthy.

Where can I have my watch serviced?

Just like cars, good watches also need regular maintenance. Generally, it is recommended that you have such maintenance carried out every three to four years. If you bought the watch in a local store, you can also bring it back there for maintenance. Workshops that are certified by the brands themselves are also an option. Here, there is a chance that the maintenance prices will even be a little lower. Especially if you do not want to resell your watches, it makes sense to commission competent watchmakers to carry out the maintenance, as you do not need any papers documenting all the maintenance.

We hope that our tips will help you choose the right watch and how to care for it. But here's a warning: once you've bought a watch for everyday use, you'll certainly be looking for dress watches or sports watches in the not-too-distant future. This way, a casual interest quickly turns into a full-blown passion. When that happens, even as an experienced collector, you can advise people who are looking for their first luxury watch.