Luxury Watch Buyers Guide – Brands

Different brands are renowned for different reasons. Many have a history of watch-making going back well over a century, which only adds to the value of a watch in the eyes of a collector. The Big Three – Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are highly esteemed because of their rich heritage, legacy, and technical ability. They are the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the watch world, and are treated as royalty.

Others are desirable because of there iconic brand image that they have created. Rolex is the most recognisable watch brand in the world, is second to none, and is amongst the top of the most valuable luxury brands in the world.

 

Some watch makers like MB and F distinguish themselves by the exoticness of their designs. They take there inspiration from their wildest childhood dreams, and their designs come directly from the realm of the future. Always looking forward, their art is a love letter to their passion, horology.

Other brands, when named, conjure up ideas of a particular lifestyle or sport. The name Breitling is synonymous with exiting explorations having found favour with pilots since WWII, supplying chronographs to the RAF. The Breitling Emergency is a recent addition to their collection which assists in the locating of people in danger by emitting an emergency beacon when the crown is unscrewed and ariel uncoiled. This is the watch favoured by those exploring by air, land and sea, to save them when things go terribly wrong.

Some brands and models hold their value significantly better than others. Avoid fashion brands if you want a watch that will maintain its value, or better still, give a return on your investment. Look into the ‘The Big Three’ and stainless steel sport Rolex’s particularly as they have a reputation for doing well at auction due to their desirability, rarity, and the story that they tell.