« 5 Watches That Make Lucrative Investments »
Grandes Complications from Patek Philippe, the Royal Oak Offshore from Audemars Piguet or a limited-edition Big Bang from Hublot: for many people, the investment tips of discerning watch collectors are next to worthless because they simply exceed their financial means. The good news: watches that hold their value can be affordable, and history shows that entry-level models in particular have a habit of turning into precious rarities.
The Secret of High-Yield Watches – An Eye for the Exceptional and a Little Help from Lady Luck
In 1963, Rolex launched a chronograph with ties to motor racing that couldn't compete with the Geneva luxury brand's highlights of the day. Its usual retail price of around 200 US dollars – roughly €2,000 in today's money – was therefore modest. The Daytona sports watches caused a sensation in 2017, when a vintage example changed hands for 17 million US dollars.
Part of the reason for the record price was that the watch had belonged to Paul Newman – the acting legend who was a passionate racing driver and, as the lead in the 1969 motorsport drama "Winning," went all out on the Indianapolis track. The icing on the cake for collectors with the right instincts: anyone who bet early on the underrated and therefore inexpensive sports watch can now enjoy a value of up to €500,000. Of course, this is an exception that goes far beyond merely holding its value – and yet Rolex, Omega and the like do, from time to time, release watches that watch investors eagerly add to their lists. And of course there are always models you own because a good nose already sensed the surprise coup of exceptional appreciation.
A Safe Bet – Design Classics from Rolex
The story shows how many factors beyond design, craftsmanship and technology determine whether a luxury watch not only holds its value but delivers lucrative returns. It would be irresponsible to make "watertight" predictions about which brand-new model will impress with its appreciation in the future. What is clear, however, is that the understated rather than opulent Rolex classics have shone as watches that hold their value for decades.
The catch: waiting lists make it hard to get hold of these popular collections, which are also expensive when brand new. It's therefore smart to pick up a pre-owned example from a reputable dealer that also buys watches. Documentation and presentation matter just as much as excellent condition. If you land an impeccable full set, even a discreet Rolex evergreen will at the very least prove to hold its value – the purist Oyster Perpetual 41, for example.
Omega Adventurers with Timeless Allure
When it comes to watches that hold their value, Omega is mentioned time and again. The storied Swiss brand has always impressed with its pioneering spirit – in advanced watchmaking technology and in conquering new frontiers. That spirit defines the iconic Seamaster dive watch just as much as the Speedmaster, the first wristwatch in space and on the Moon. Classically designed models from these legendary collections are considered watches that hold their value. The Diver 300M Chronograph and the Professional Moonwatch are fine examples.
Feeling adventurous enough to take a chance with your watch investment? The Speedmaster owes its popularity today to the fact that NASA certified it as "Moon-ready." Omega has since succeeded in having a professional watch for Mars expeditions qualified by the European Space Agency. It takes into account, for example, that days on the Red Planet are 39 minutes longer.
At present, interest in the Speedmaster Marstimer with its multifunction quartz movement is muted when it comes to investing in watches that hold their value. However, this titanium visionary could become a lucrative star once the first crewed flight to Mars succeeds. NASA expects that to happen in around 20 years.
TAG Heuer – Traditionally Open to New Ideas
In the portfolio of the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based brand, you'll find in-house manufacture watches whose craftsmanship and pricing are reminiscent of the masterpieces from Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. At the same time, TAG Heuer has a soft spot for luxury watch fans on a tighter budget. These models are often bought to be worn all the time. Because of the inevitable signs of wear, these everyday companions generally don't hold their value in an investment sense. Considering the personal benefit and emotional attachment, though, the investment pays off many times over. And if you opt for unusual new releases, these pre-owned timepieces may still turn out to be watches that hold their value comparatively well.
TAG Heuer was one of the luxury brands that ventured into the territory of digital quartz watches – only to learn the sobering lesson that budget manufacturers soon copied the spectacular innovations. After heavy use, these watches often languished in drawers. Today they are sought after as vintage statements and fetch surprisingly high prices.
It's quite possible that with the Aquaracer Professional Solargraph, TAG Heuer is not only capturing the spirit of the times but also the taste of the future. Water-resistant to a depth of 200 m, this "sundial" made of rugged titanium powers itself. In a forward-thinking and timelessly stylish way, it reflects the growing awareness of a sustainable lifestyle – something that could one day win over watch collectors or retro fans.
Award-Winning and Irresistibly Beautiful – Collections from Nomos Glashütte
Watches that hold their value aren't only found in Switzerland but in Germany, too. Connoisseurs are well aware of this, just as they are of Glashütte's long watchmaking tradition. That's the location chosen by the manufacturer Nomos, which – just like Hublot – is comparatively young. Unlike the upscale brand based in Nyon, the East German company scores with fantastic value for money.
When they debuted in 1992, the Tangente wristwatches didn't receive the response their design and watchmaking deserved. Nevertheless, they have turned out to be watches that hold their value. Well-kept first-generation pieces now even fetch three times their original purchase price. Experience also shows that award-winning models can deliver pleasing appreciation.
That puts the spotlight on the Tangente Neomatik in platinum gray, which won an iF Award 2023 for its remarkably minimalist, slim design. In theory, the award winner has every chance of distinguishing itself as a watch that holds its value. In practice, it's hard to resist the temptation to take this modern beauty from Nomos Glashütte out of its leather case and admire it on your wrist every day.
Valuable for Life and Across Generations – Frederique Constant
Cool-headed number crunchers see a watch that holds its value as an attractive alternative to a bank account for building reserves with as little loss as possible. Those who appreciate wristwatches primarily for their practicality tend to measure their value by long-lasting functionality and aesthetics. Frederique Constant meets these needs without demanding a large investment.
Time, date, moon phase: the timelessly elegant Classic Heart Beat Moonphase men's watches are generous with information. This information doesn't lose its value even in our advanced digital age – especially when it's displayed without consuming resources, thanks to a self-winding mechanical movement. Frederique Constant is committed to durable craftsmanship. Nothing stands in the way of a grandson wearing the heirloom with pride.
