Choosing the right luxury watch is no easy task. With a huge range of fantastic models from prestigious brands across the world, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together the five key things you should consider when buying a luxury watch – so you invest in the perfect timepiece.

Style

Firstly, you need to establish the style of watch you’d like. To figure out what’s right for you, ask yourself what is its purpose? Are you going to wear it every day to the office? Then a slim dress watch may be best, which is primarily designed to complement business suits. Or does your watch need to keep up with your active lifestyle? A field watch may be the best option, with intuitive features designs to withstand even the most arduous adventures. By establishing the style you’d like before you start browsing, you will make sure the model you choose suits your wardrobe and your way of life.

Durability

Once you’ve established the style of watch you need, make sure the model is going to withstand the test of time (if you’ll pardon the pun). Check how durable the model is by finding out the materials it is made from. Most luxury watches are crafted using exceptionally high-quality materials – but it’s always worth doing your homework. Timepieces made from hardy materials such as stainless steel and titanium are worth investing in as they are extremely durable and relatively difficult to break. It’s also worth choosing a model with a case made from scratchproof ceramic, as your watch will look new for longer.

Features

Watch technology has advanced rapidly in the last fifty years, with a whole host of exciting features now available for watch-lovers. Before choosing your next timepiece, consider which features could add real benefit to your lifestyle. If you work in international business and are a frequent flyer, you may benefit from a model that displays multiple time zones such as the Rolex GMT-Master. Those that participate in sport will love intelligent stopwatch features, while divers will require a watch with superior water resistance. There are many watchmakers that specialise in unique features, whether that’s for space travel, underwater adventures or motor racing.

Price

It’s fair to say that many luxury watches come with a hefty price tag. The most expensive wrist watch in the world is the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which went for a whopping £24.1 million at auction. But don’t freak out, most luxury watches can be bought at a fraction of this price! It’s wise to set a budget when searching for your next timepiece so you don’t get tempted to purchase a model that’ll put a strain on your bank balance. You can find great deals on vintage and pre-owned watches that have all the advantages of a designer watch with a more wallet-friendly price tag. 

Mechanics

The majority of luxury designer watches are crafted using intricate mechanical movements that measure the passage of time. Typically, mechanical watches are built using series of gears which power a weighted wheel. With each swing of the wheel, the watches hands move forward via a device called an escapement. There can be upwards of 130 tiny components in each model, which are usually put together by hand by highly skilled watchmakers. Because so much labour is required to build mechanical watches, they are typically much more expensive than quartz movements. The parts can be expensive too replace too, however if cared for properly they can last tens if not hundreds of years.

Now that you know exactly what to look out for when choosing your new timepiece, it’s time to explore the options. There are many premium watch retailers such as Watches of Switzerland that stock a wide range of makes, models and styles. Which will you choose?