Watches as an investment

[Stephen L]

I know there are quite a few horological afficionados on here. I like looking at nice watches; but don’t know too much about them. Basically, I’m looking to spend £1500-2500 on a decent watch which will at least not depreciate and hopefully appreciate to pass on to my offspring. I have a thing against Rolex, but have always liked the look of Breitling. I want it to be practical rather than dressy. Don’t want to buy new, and I am wary of the big sites like Watchfinder. Any comments and suggestions?

 

[Nod]

If it's as an investment, make sure you get the box and all paperwork with it, as well as original straps/bracelets etc.. IIRC there's no CGT on watches when you sell them on for a profit.

 

[Hazza]

An Omega Speedmaster would probably be a solid bet at that price point. Not going to make you rich but shouldn't loose anything either.

 

[Raymond Lin]

It's very unlikely that a £2000 watch will get you much return, even if you buy a Rolex (which you don't have enough of), it's probably a good way to "park" some cash whilst getting some joy of ownership and perhaps wearing it, you are very unlikely of getting profit, if at all from it, unless it is some super limited edition watches.

 

[markyboy.1967]

Unfortunatlely Rolex are the main watch company for investment watches, almost all other brands will lose money on unless buying 2nd hand where soneone else has taken the biggest hit. I recently bought a Zenith El Primero 21 but just because i like it and it will defo lose money.

 

[Stephen L]

Thanks for these replies. I’m not looking at watches as a personal investment; rather to be a) something I like to look at and wear and b) something tangible and recognisably “quality” for the brats after my death. After all, whatever cameras I have at the time will have no real value and they aren’t interested in photography.

I must admit I’ve seen some Omegas I like the look of, as well as a Longines, and perhaps a Raymond Weil. For some reason I’m also drawn to the Breitling brand.

 

[Mr Bump]

As someone who has owned a number of rolex watches I can say the days of making money on them are pretty numbered, the money is in some of the older models not the newer ones, older subs, gmts etc and for £2k you are not even close.

However if you wanted to put a bit more in you could purchase a nice used datejust which will hold its value at best, bear in mind owning a rolex is all about two things, the cost of the watch itself and servicing costs. You can often do ok on selling the watch down the line but a rolex will cost between £500-£1200 for a full service which needs doing every 8 years max.

 

[markyboy.1967]

Have a look on sites like Chrono24, Watchfinder etc etc to give you an idea of new and 2nd hand values and as suggested some older Rolex watches may suit if it’s for an investment but watch for hidden costs like the servicing on any watch you buy.

 

[Stephen L]

Thanks for that. I’m thumbing through Watchfinder- they have a bewildering selection. As I said in my original post, for some subliminal reason I don’t want a Rolex - I’ve yet to see one I like the look of. What’s the opinion on Breitling quartz? Compared with their automatic movements.

 

[Mr Bump]

Thanks for that. I’m thumbing through Watchfinder- they have a bewildering selection. As I said in my original post, for some subliminal reason I don’t want a Rolex - I’ve yet to see one I like the look of. What’s the opinion on Breitling quartz? Compared with their automatic movements.

There is a lot of division between watch people about automatic vs quartz, I loved my rolex autos but now mainly wear a Tag Quartz due to its reliable timekeeping, autos are great if you wear them all the time and they are accurate but even my rolex GMT walk walk out a few mins every week, the Tag quarts is like 1 second a month.

Breitling are nice watches but they will not really hold or increase in value.

 

[markyboy.1967]

As above. Look at the Omegas as a few are holding their money but just do your homework as certain models hold better than others where Omega are concerned.

 

[Nod]

Rolex charged me £750 for a full service when I inherited Dad's old (late '50s) Oyster Perpetual. It cost me £200 for a local chap to do it more recently. It's not terribly accurate but it is better since the local chap did it - about a minute a week rather than 5 or so either way after Rolex did it. Pretty much all my other watches are far more accurate, being within a minute per year (apart from the radio controlled ones which are spot on!)