Tips for starting and growing your luxury watch collection

by | Mar 12, 2024 | Luxury Watch Brands, Luxury Watches, Watch Care & Maintenance, Watch Collection

luxury watch collection

Tips for starting and growing your luxury watch collection

Collecting luxury watches is a captivating journey that blends craftsmanship, style, and horological mastery. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, this guide offers valuable insights. From educating yourself to defining your collection’s focus and maintaining your timepieces, these tips will help you curate a collection that mirrors your style and passion.

Arm yourself with knowledge

Before you begin to invest financially in the world of luxury watches, it is essential to invest your time to gain knowledge. Immerse yourself in books, online forums and videos to learn about various watch brands, movements and features. Understanding the complexities of horology will enable you to make informed decisions and recognise the value of each timepiece.

horology

Horological books that are worth reading

  • Watchmaking by George Daniels
  • The Wristwatch Handbook by Ryan Schmidt
  • A Man and His Watch by Matt Hranek
  • The Watch Book: Rolex by Gisbert L. Brunner
  • Royal Oak: From Iconoclast to Icon by Bill Prince
  • A Guide to Complicated Watches by Kari Voutilainen
  • Longitude by Dava Sobel
  • The Impossible Collection of Watches by Nicholas Foulkes
  • The Watch: A Twentieth-Century Style History by Alex Barter
  • The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick

Define your collection’s focus

Every collector has a unique taste, often shaped by personal stories, history or a love for craftsmanship. Are you captivated by a brand’s long history, the classic designs from the 1960s or watches that showcase technical feats like tracking moon phases? Prioritise what you truly love—whether it’s a time period, a brand or a special feature—you’ll create a collection that genuinely reflects you and tells its own compelling story.

Set a budget and make a plan

Establishing a budget is essential before beginning a collection of luxury watches. Determine your investment capacity and allocate funds accordingly. Create a plan outlining the types of watches you intend to acquire and a timeline for the collection’s growth once you have established a budget. This strategic approach will help you stay organised and make calculated decisions.

Embrace the joy of one watch at a time

Patience is the key to developing a luxury watch collection. Instead of succumbing to impulse purchases, take pleasure in purchasing one timepiece at a time. Before adding a timepiece to your collection, take the time to extensively research, appraise and appreciate it. This unhurried pace allows you to build a collection of meaningful, high-quality watches.

Immerse yourself in the watch store experience

While online purchasing offers convenience, visiting a watch store in person offers an unparalleled experience. Feel the weight of the watches on your wrist, observe their intricate details and converse with knowledgeable salespeople who can offer guidance. These direct encounters will enhance your appreciation for craftsmanship and enable you to make more educated choices.

Discover special embedded features

Luxury watches often have cool features hidden behind their stylish looks. For example, the Rolex GMT Master can show the time in different parts of the world at once—great for people who travel a lot. Another standout is the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon. One side shows beautiful patterns of the sky, and the other side has a special spinning piece called a tourbillon. By actively seeking watches with the distinctive features you desire, you’ll curate a cohesive collection where each piece complements the others, resulting in a truly bespoke expression of your individual personality.

Consider pre-owned timepieces

Pre-owned watches can be a great choice for collectors. They can be more affordable and offer a chance to find unique models no longer in production. Some watches even have interesting stories behind them, adding charm to your collection. But be careful when buying. Always choose sellers you can trust and ensure you are confident in their proof that the watch is genuine. You should have a clear understanding of its condition and you may even seek sellers who offer returns. This way, you unlock your path to owning an authentic luxury watch with fewer worries.

Nurture and protect your timepieces

Luxury watches are intricate and precise instruments that require proper care and maintenance to preserve their beautiful appearance and efficiency. Consider the following care tips for your luxury watch collection:

  • Dedicated watch safe: Consider purchasing a dedicated watch safe or vault for heightened protection and security. A watch safe provides a controlled environment with features such as humidity control, temperature regulation and added security. Knowing that your valuable timepieces are protected from theft, fire and other unforeseen events provides peace of mind.
  • Regular servicing: To ensure optimal performance and longevity, luxury watches require periodic maintenance. It is recommended to have authorised service centres or reputable watchmakers service your watches. The frequency of service depends on the make, model and manufacturer’s recommendations. During servicing, the watch is disassembled, cleaned, lubricated and worn parts are replaced.
  • Watch winders: If you have automatic or self-winding timepieces, you should consider purchasing a watch winder. A watch winder duplicates the motion of wearing the watch and keeps it wound when it is not being worn. This ensures the watch’s accuracy and eliminates the need for manual winding or resetting each time it is worn. Choose a high-quality watch winder with adjustable rotation settings to accommodate your specific watch models.
  • Appropriate storage: Proper storage is necessary to protect watches from dust, moisture and potential damage. Keep your watches in a cold, dry location away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures and magnetic fields. Avoid storing them in moist or fluctuating humidity environments, such as restrooms. Consider using watch boxes or cases with cushion compartments to prevent scratches and organise your timepieces.
  • Watch protection stickers: When purchasing a new luxury watch, it is beneficial to apply watch protection stickers to prevent scratches and other potential damage. These stickers shield your watch from daily wear and tear, accidental bumps and environmental conditions. Look for watch-make and model-specific sticker kits of excellent quality, ensuring that they are durable and resistant to the elements. By applying watch protection stickers, you can maintain your timepiece’s pristine condition and aesthetic allure for years to come.
    • luxury watch collection

    Starting and growing a luxury watch collection can be an exhilarating journey but it is important to exercise patience and persistence to gain in-depth current knowledge to match your passion for horology. By educating yourself, defining your collection focus, setting a budget and acquiring each timepiece patiently, you can curate a collection that reflects your style and appreciation for exquisite craftsmanship.

    Immerse yourself in the immense value the watch store experience has to offer while staying vigilant to only buy when you feel ready and patronise reputable sellers. As you explore special features, consider pre-owned options and prioritise the care of your cherished timepieces, may your luxury watch collection become a testament to your love of artistry and the timeless allure of horology.