Which luxury watch brands hold their value best?

 

That’s a question that preoccupies many of those considering purchasing a timepiece in the secondary market. It’s also a question that can be difficult to answer, and one which has no single solution.

As with any investment, a solid financial foothold and clear understanding of the current state of play are key to making good decisions. Here, we lay out some pointers to help you decide which luxury watch brands hold their value best.

When you think of Luxury watches, it's easy to get caught up in all the marketing hype and forget about practical, financial factors. The value of a luxury watch is all about perception, and that's hard to nail down. Luxury watches are marketed as investments but do they hold their values over time? Which watch brands hold their value best? What criteria should we look at when determining value?

The luxury watch market has seen a shift in the last few decades. Before, watches were worn to tell time and make a statement. Today, they are still used for these purposes but with the addition of investment potential. Luxury watches can appreciate in value over time and become a family heirloom if you care for them properly.

How To Determine Which Luxury Watches Hold Their Value Best

Since the cost of a new luxury watch can set you back thousands of dollars, some consumers are interested in buying pre-owned watches. But buying a watch secondhand can be a gamble because it’s hard to know if the watch will retain its value or appreciate over time.

A few factors determine whether a watch is likely to hold its value.

The level of craftsmanship and the quality of materials used in the manufacturing process make a big difference. Some luxury watch brands like Rolex have proven that they consistently produce timepieces that hold their value, with many models increasing in value over time.

Other factors that influence whether a watch holds its value include limited editions, special features and desirable designs.

Luxury watches with good resale value also come from brands that are well known and respected, such as Cartier, Patek Philippe, Chopard and Omega. Secondhand shoppers tend to avoid less-known brands because they’re difficult to verify as authentic or because they don’t appeal to most buyers.

Brand reputation influences the demand for used watches and can drive up prices when there’s high demand for certain models. For example, Rolex consistently sells its new timepieces for higher prices than other luxury brands.

Luxury watch brands hold their value best

1. Orient Watches

Orient's collection features automatic, quartz and hand-winding movements, as well as dress, dive and sports watches. The brand's most iconic watch is the Bambino, which is available in several different models. It comes in various combinations of silver or gold cases with leather or metal bands.

2. Citizen Watches

Citizen Watches is one of the most popular watch brands in the world, and it's not a mystery why. With an outstanding reputation for quality and design, Citizen has been among the top producers of watches since its founding in 1930. The Citizen name is synonymous with innovation and has been responsible for introducing many revolutionary technologies to the watch industry. Beginning with the invention of their own eco-drive technology which harnesses energy from virtually any light source to power the watch, Citizen has continued to roll out new technologies that have left competitors in awe.

3. SEIKO Watches 

Seiko is a Japanese company that was founded in 1881. It began as a jewelry shop but soon branched out into clocks and then, eventually, wristwatches. Seiko has been at the forefront of many technological innovations in the world of watches and clocks (including being the first to produce quartz movement watches and kinetic powered quartz watches). Today, Seiko continues to innovate while honoring its heritage with its Presage collection of mechanical automatic timepieces.

4. Fossil Watches

Fossil is an American brand with a versatile range of products that includes watches, bags, sunglasses and accessories. Watches from this brand are known for their aesthetic design and quality performance. The collection of Fossil watches for men and women is sure to appeal to the fashion-conscious lot.

Luxury watches are a great investment. With so many different styles and brands to choose from, there's something for everyone. Plus, a quality timepiece is built to last. And because they're made with precious metals and stones or have unique designs, they tend to hold their value over time.