Luxury Watches That Hold Value Over Time

A luxury watch can be an investment as well as an indulgence. The value of a watch may rise and fall with changes in fashion, but a few brands tend to retain or even increase their value over time. It's important to know which luxury watch holds its value best. Buying a pre-owned watch from Luxury of Watches is an excellent way to begin owning luxury watches.

Why Value Retention Matters in Watches

One of the most important aspects when purchasing a luxury watch is value retention. Some luxury watch brands lose money after you buy them. But the best luxury watch investments actually go up in value.

The prestige of the brand is a major factor in how well watches retain their value. When you buy a luxury watch with good value retention, you're protecting your money. In many cases, luxury watches can appreciate in value. 

The resale market reveals which watch brands hold their value. Understanding value retention will help with picking watches that will hold or even gain in value over time.

Key Factors That Make Watches Hold Their Value

There’s a lot of reasons why watches maintain or increase in value over time. Luxury watch brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet have strong reputations. Their names alone help watches hold their value.

Special edition and vintage models usually have the best investment appeal because they're rare. Value retention is also influenced by the current market trends and demand. Some are popular because of celebrity endorsements or cultural importance, growing in popularity over time. The Tag Heuer Carrera is more expensive because of its racing history. The reason why Cartier watches retain their value is the timeless designs.

Condition and originality are important factors as well. Watches with original parts, boxes, and papers sell for more money. Well-maintained watches will always command higher prices in the resale market. Regular servicing helps luxury watches hold their value better over the years.

Top Brands & Models That Generally Hold Value

The luxury watch market has several brands known for excellent value retention. These luxury watch brands consistently perform well in the resale market. Patek Philippe leads the way with strong resale value on all styles. Rolex and Audemars Piguet are also strong because of their brand image and limited production. 

Cartier watches appeal to collectors with timeless designs. Even Tag Heuer Carrera models hold value in the mid-luxury segment. Knowing which watch brands retain their value helps you make smart luxury watch investments.

Rolex Watches –The Best Investment

The best-known luxury watches in the world are Rolex luxury watches. Many authorities say it is also the best watch investment. Over the last 10 years, Rolex watches have outperformed most other investments, including the stock market. A pre-owned Rolex watch will normally sell for much more than its original value. Their continued popularity with celebrities and investors indicates that Rolex should be a top choice for any watch investor.

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The Holy Trinity of Watchmakers

There are three Swiss watchmakers – Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, and Vacheron Constantin — that have long been regarded as the "Holy Trinity" of watchmakers. All three were pioneers in improving watch technology during the 18th and 19th centuries and continue to make superb watches today. 

Patek Phillipe, founded in 1839, has a long history of producing elegant and innovative watches. They are the inventors of keyless winding systems and perpetual watch calendars. Their Nautilus 7010r-12 watch and Caltrava 5227G-010 watches are excellent investments.

Audemars-Piguet, founded in 1875, didn’t become widely known until the 1970s, when the company introduced the Royal Oak 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01. The Royal Oak was the first luxury quality sports watch and is still the most important watch in the Audemars-Piguet lineup. 

It is made of stainless steel with a distinctive octagonal bezel. Additional features include a chronograph counter and a moon phase indicator. Vacheron Constantin, founded in 1755, specializes in watches with multiple complications. Their watches are sometimes only half the price of a corresponding Patek Phillipe.

Blancpain: The Oldest Watchmaking Brand

Blancpain's history goes all the way back to 1735. Blancpain never adopted the quartz watch and continues to make some of the most intricate mechanical watches in the world. Some Blancpain watches are one-of-a-kind works of art. 

Others, such as the Fifty Fathoms 5100-1127-w52a worn by Jacques Cousteau in the movie "The Silent Planet," are more readily available to collectors. Blancpain would also figure on most lists of watch brands for women. Their Ladybird watch 0063d-1954-63a, introduced in 1956, is still in demand.

How to Choose a Watch That’s Likely to Hold Value

Choosing a watch that will hold its value takes careful research and smart thinking. Begin by looking at the well-established luxury watch brands with good track records. The name Patek Philippe has been synonymous with high value luxury watches for generations. Rolex and Audemars Piguet also have excellent value retention across most models. These brands have historical significance that protects your investment.

Consider limited production models for better investment appeal. Watches made in small numbers become more valuable over time. Special editions and discontinued models often appreciate because they're hard to find. Vintage models from top brands can be excellent luxury watch investments if they're in good condition.

Buy watches with complete documentation. Watch values are enhanced by original boxes, papers, and service records. These are signs that confirm the items are genuine and well cared for. Watches without papers sell at a discount on the secondary market.

Case Studies / Real-World Examples

Real examples will give you good sense on how luxury watches retain their value in the watch market. The Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" is a famous success story. These vintage models originally sold for a few hundred dollars at retail price. Today they can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. This illustrates the extraordinary investment value of the right Rolex watch.

Cartier watches like the Santos have proven value retention over decades. 1970s and 1980s models fetch more than their original prices. The Santos's timeless design and brand prestige help it hold value. This makes Cartier a reliable choice for luxury watch investments.

The GMT Master II “Pepsi” bezel indicates how particular elements influence resale value. Its unique red-and-blue bezel makes this model very recognizable. It often commands more than retail price with long waiting lists. The secondary market indicates sustained demand that continues to keep prices high.

The Right Brand Above All

Many factors can affect the future value of your luxury watch, but the brand is often the most important. Any of the watch brands mentioned in this article should make a sound investment, with Rolex currently seeing the highest increase in value.

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Luxury of Watches carries many watches, both new and pre-owned, in these and other luxury brands that hold or increase their value.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What makes a watch hold its value?

There are many reasons watches retain their value. Brand prestige is most important. Brands such as Patek Philippe and Rolex are giants in the luxury watch market. Limited production results in scarcity which creates demand. Quality craftsmanship and historic appeal also help. Watches with original papers and boxes retain higher resale value. Market trends and demand from collectors are major factors as well.

• Which watches hold their value the most?

Rolex watches hold their value the most among luxury watch brands. Watches like the GMT Master II and Submariner commonly sell above retail. Patek Philippe watches also retain their value really well. And, just like the Nautilus, resale value is always strong for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Because of their brand prestige and low production number, these are the brands that rule the secondary market.

• What is the best watch for investment?

Rolex watches are often considered the best watch to invest in. Their watches have the best resale value, and they are an appreciating asset over time. The GMT Master II and Daytona in particular are good luxury watch investments. Patek Philippe timepieces are also solid investments for serious collectors. Both brands enjoy strong market demand and known value retention.

• What watches are rising in value?

Several watches are rising in value right now. Vintage Rolex sports models continue increasing on the secondary market. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak continues to grow in value by virtue of its rare production. Discontinued Patek Philippe Nautilus models are climbing astronomically. Cartier watches are retro and increasingly expensive. Market trends indicate the vintage models from these top luxury watch brands are appreciating the most in value.

• Does a watch always appreciate in value?

No, watches do not always increase in value. Just as cars lose value when you drive them off the lot, most watches also depreciate after purchase. Only some luxury watches and models retain their value or increase in price. Rolex and Audemars Piguet have the most consistent records for value retention. Trends, condition of the watch, and rarity in the market determine whether a watch appreciates in value.

• Are all Rolex watches good investments?

Not every Rolex is a good investment, but most hold their value well. Sports models such as the GMT Master II have the highest resale value. Limited production models and old watches increase in value the most. Popular models with waiting lists often sell above retail price on the resale market. Even entry-level Rolex watches maintain better value retention than most other luxury watch brands.