The purchase of a high end luxury timepiece is a considerable investment. Luxury timepieces are designed with a certain prestige factor in mind. This page takes some factors into consideration when purchasing a luxury watch.
Assembly Time
Luxury timepieces are sought after for the sophistication and elegence of their design. Mechanical timepieces incorporate hundreds of moving parts and can take a significant amount of time to assemble. You should always ask, “How long does it take to build this watch?” The finest high end timepieces are hand made by master watch makers. The longer the build time, the more sophisticated the construction, and the more elaborate the aesthetic appeal.
Is Movement Made In House?
While many watch manufacturers outsource the movements powering their watches, a few high end timepiece builders are vertically integrated to assemble their own movements. Some top Swiss watch builders design their own with unique finishing touches to distinguish them.
Quality Build Materials
Fine watches are not only made from rare metals and embellished with precious stones, they sometimes include materials like ceramics to ensure durability. Some watchmakers like Grand Seiko utilize black zirconia ceramic to prevent scratching. High end watches are often made with significant amounts of 18 carat gold in their case composition, and might be adorned with diamonds.
Precious Stones
Gemstones in a luxury watch add value depending on their authenticity. Naturally occurring gemstones with superb cut, color, and clarity are far more valuable than lab made synthetic stones. Watchmakers that also create fine jewelry are more likely to have genuine quality gemstones in their timepieces.
Complications?
Luxury timepieces possess a sophisticated mechanical elegance. They include additional features including complications such as: chronographs, moon phases, perpetual calendars, and time zones. The more complicated the movement powering the timepiece, the greater the value. These timepieces might include a tourbillion mechanism to improve accuracy.
Limited Production Run
Some of the finest luxury timepieces are manufactured in commemoration of a historical event, or a created in limited quantities. This can improve the investment value of the watch. If the timepiece gains popularity after its release, limited edition holders maintain a level of exclusivity.