7 things you should consider before buying your first luxury watch
Congratulations - you've made the decision to buy your first luxury watch! Before you dive right in and pick the first timepiece that catches your eye, it's worth having some restraint and weighing up all the different options and considerations beforehand. That way, you'll ensure you've made the right choice. Here are seven buying first luxury watch considerations you should make.
- Budget
No matter what you want from your first luxury watch, the ultimate deciding factor boils down to how much you've got to spend. Set your budget and then you can narrow your options down accordingly. If you've set your heart on a high-end timepiece model, you could get more for your money if you opt for a pre-owned watch than a brand new one.
- Lifestyle
An important buying first luxury watch consideration revolves around what you want from the watch. Are you looking for something to wear daily, or for special occasions only? You might want to go for a watch with more practical, versatile and durable attributes if worn daily, compared to infrequent occasions where you can opt for something a little more showy.
Think about what clothes you've got in your wardrobe and how a new luxury watch will complement your attire. If your wardrobe is full of suits and formal wear, a traditional timepiece that oozes elegance will blend in perfectly, whilst a more casual style of watch, perhaps with a sporty look and feel, will suit informal gear.
If you're looking to buy your first luxury watch for investment purposes only, to be kept safe at home and not for wearing, then you don't need to worry about lifestyle factors.
- Features
Watches do far more than just tell the time; they come with a wide range of features, so get to know what's available and decide what features you can - or can't - live without when buying your first luxury watch.
Some luxury watches come with in-built calendars, different time zone or moon phase displays and illuminating dials, for instance, whilst sporty models offer water-resistance and stop-watch timing or alarm features. More innovative breeds of luxury watches now even offer smart functions, where you can download music, monitor your fitness or make payments.
As a first-time luxury watch buyer looking for longevity in a new timepiece, you can't go wrong with a classic style of watch with basic, high precision features and quality craftsmanship.
- Brand
Think about which brand of watch appeals to you most, and see how this sits with your budget allowance. There are many great upmarket watch brands to choose from, so it's all a matter of personal preference really. If you're looking for an investment watch, consider the classic top-end brands, such as Rolex or Audemars Piguet, and if your budget doesn't stretch to buying a new model, look for a pre-owned one instead. Visit a brand manufacturer's website and browse through the different collections to see which models of watch appeal to you most.
- Size
It might sound obvious, but when buying your first luxury watch it should fit perfectly on your wrist, without being too slack or too tight. Always try a watch on before you buy it. Or, if you order one online, make sure you calculate the right measurements to suit your wrist size. If a watch doesn't fit, ensure the online retailer will be happy to exchange it for you.
It's not just getting the right watch strap size that's an important buying first luxury watch consideration. It's also crucial that the watch size should look in proportion when on your wrist, so that if you're petite or you have small wrists, you don't buy a watch with an oversized face, for instance, or vice versa.
- Movement
Although perhaps not the most obvious thing you might think about when deciding to buy your first luxury watch, the different types of watch movement should be considered. If you're happy to let your watch just do its own thing and get on with telling the time, you might want to settle for a quartz movement. Watches with a quartz movement also tend to be the least expensive types and are the most accurate.
On the other hand, if you really want to get to grips with the mechanical workings of your new timepiece, appreciating its craftsmanship, precision and functioning, you'll find an automatic or manual wind watch movement hard to beat.
- Where to purchase your watch
Once you've weighed up all of the buying first luxury watch considerations and have a firm idea of what you want, you then need to think about where you'll purchase your watch. This boils down to buying a watch in a bricks-and-mortar store, or purchasing one online. There are pros and cons to each of these methods, and a lot is down to personal preference and what kind of watch you want.
As a first-time luxury watch buyer you might enjoy the experience of going into a shop and trying different watches on, and being able to ask questions in person. Or, you might be quite happy reading the spec of a watch online, and doing research on the internet to purchase your watch that way.
Either way, always choose a retailer who you trust 100%. If you have even the slightest doubt about a seller and the authenticity of their watches, look elsewhere. Read customer reviews and ask for recommendations. Ask as many questions as you like, and only purchase from a retailer who can supply you with satisfactory answers. Never rush your purchase or feel talked into buying something that isn't right.
Make sure the watch you buy comes with a warranty and find out what a retailer's policies are with regards to exchanges or getting a refund if you aren't satisfied with your purchase. Your watch should come with a certificate of authenticity and its original documentation.
