Whether it’s as a gift, for yourself, or as a collector, buying your first watch can be intimidating. And this is an important investment for anyone. A lot of now savvy collectors had to make mistakes before they knew the ins and outs of buying luxury timepieces, but it’s not something everyone can do. If you intend to wear it, or give it to someone, you also have to make sure that it will fit their personal style and that they’ll actually appreciate it. Not all luxury watches suit every occasion, and you have to know some fundamentals to make sure that the watch will actually look right on you or anyone you’re thinking of giving it to. Here are some important things you should know before you buy your first luxury watch.

What’s Your Intention?

 

If you simply want a watch for yourself, and aren’t looking at this as an investment, then you can pretty much choose any luxury watch that you please. But if you want to build a collection either as a store of value or for reselling, then you’ll have to be more careful.

 

First of all, forget any type of modifications, and go for timeless classic pieces. Defacing the watch with additions will only devalue it as less people will be interested in it. Know some of the best watch brands for collecting, but don’t limit yourself to the likes of Rolex, Omega, or Patek Philippe. 

 

Cartier watches, for instance, are known to keep their value very well because of their timeless design and long history as watchmakers. Not only that, but retailers like Berry’s Jewellers have Cartier watches for well under 5000 euros, which leaves a lot of room for appreciation. Classic brands are always a safe bet, so try to avoid trends as you never know what consumer demand will be. 

What are the Best Watches for First Time Buyers?

 

If it’s your first watch, then you want something that you’ll be able to wear as much as you can. You want to go with classic designs that won’t go out of fashion. Also, it would be a better choice to go with a mechanical watch instead of a battery-operated watch. The reason for this is simple. If the battery ends up being discontinued at some point in the future, then you won’t be able to have it repaired. However, if the watch has a mechanical movement, you’ll always be able to find spare parts, either from the original watchmaker, or manufactured from third party watchmakers.

Buying the Perfect Watch for a Gift

 

Buying a luxury watch as a gift can be tricky, but there are a few things that you can do to make sure that you make the right choice. If you want to find one that will fit their personal style, one simple thing you could do is check what their tastes are in terms of furniture. If they’re more art deco than classic, then go with watches with a modern dial or face. These watches will often have what are referred to as an index face, meaning that there will be no numbers at the hours. But if they’re more into classic furniture, then there are plenty of classic vintage watches that you can choose from.

 

Buying a luxury watch can be daunting. But with the right resources and doing your homework, you’ll be able to find the perfect timepiece, no matter the occasion.