Luxury watches are one of the best investments you can make, as they retain their value well and you can unlock their equity at any time. At Qollateral, we provide same-day payments to clients borrowing against luxury watches, for example, with no complicated application process, credit checks, or payback schedules. They’re just a really great and enjoyable financial safety net.

Navigating which brands, models, and materials to choose can be overwhelming when you’re starting out, so we’ll keep it simple and give you the basics of luxury watch collecting. Here’s everything you need to know when investing in a luxury watch.

Luxury Watch Brands to Invest In

Always choose a luxury watch brand that is undisputedly one of the best. Some solid choices are:

• Rolex;
• Audemars Piguet;
• Patek Philippe;
• Blancpain;
• Breguet;
• Breitling;
• Cartier;
• A. Lange & Söhne;
• Jaeger Le-Coultre;
• Omega;
• Vacheron Constantin;
• IWC;
• Frederique Constant.

These are some of the luxury watches we accept for asset loans, and we have seen time and time again that these watches retain their value well, or even sometimes appreciate in value. All of these brands are world-renowned for their high quality materials, skilled engineering and craftsmanship, and artful designs. You cannot go wrong with any of these options, though some brands and models will prove more valuable assets than others over time.

Deciding Which Watch Is Right for You

If you’re placing more importance on the financial aspects of watch collecting, your decision will be based more on research and trends, which watches make the best investments over time. You can check out our Top 5 Luxury Watches by Qollateral to get started with that question. The majority of luxury watch buyers also plan to wear and/or pass down their watches, and so for most, the decision must balance the watches’ financial potential with personal preferences and desires.

It helps to first define what exactly you’re looking for in a watch, beyond the design and aesthetics. Here’s a list of questions that you may want to ask yourself before shopping for a luxury watch:

• What is my budget?
• What kind of water resistance do I want from my watch?
• Do I want something more user friendly, or would I prefer complex features, such as tourbillons and perpetual calendars?
• What occasion is it for, and how often will I wear it?
• What kind of materials am I most interested in?
• Do I want a mechanical or automatic watch?

Now that you have a rough idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to start looking for luxury watches. A good way to get started if you’re completely new to luxury watches is to go through the list of luxury watch brands above. Browse their websites and take note of all the models that catch your eye that also fit your criteria. If it’s not too many, try to see them in person.

Sometimes, you’ll be surprised that the luxury watches that caught your eye most in photos end up not being the ones you prefer. It’s also possible that the model you fell in love with online isn’t comfortable on your wrist, or isn’t the most flattering choice on your wrist compared to other watches. And sometimes, it’s the least expected model that you’ll end up falling for.

At this point, you should also start doing some research to see your favorite watches’ potential as a financial investment. You also may want to read or watch reviews. Then, you can make a truly informed decision.

Questions to Ask Before Purchasing

Before taking the final plunge and investing in a luxury watch, you’ll want to know the following things:

• What kind of warranty or guarantee is available?
• What kind of maintenance is necessary and how often?
• Where should I bring it to get it serviced for maintenance or for repairs?

Finally, always save all the receipt, documents, and original box included with your purchase. We hope this helps simplify your luxury watch shopping experience!