Do watches hold their best value? A watch has often been considered to be something of an investment, a special gift that is given on the event of a special birthday, or occasion. Its first, and most would argue primary function is as a timepiece, and this is the same whether you choose a digital watch or an analogue one. However, it can also be so much more as well; a fashion statement, a rather expensive calculator, a status symbol and, with the event of the smartwatch, oh so much more.
Smartwatches have turned the world of watches upside down. Wearable tech is in a completely different field and with advances in technology, the features that you may find with a smartwatch that you purchase are improving at a very brisk pace, with new models continuously being rolled out that are newer, and better, than the previous offerings and with more and more features. What started out as more of a fitness tracker designed to help those people looking to improve their day to day health, now offers the ability to act as a “personal assistant” and even negates the need to take cash with you when you are out thanks to things like Apple Pay.
Some watches are, of course, timeless and are handed down from one generation to the next, carefully looked after and worn only for significant events before once more being returned to the box where they spend so much of their life. Others are used on a day basis and can withstand much of what life has to throw at them, within reason.
Some watches are made to be worn, enjoyed and when the time comes replaced whilst others are considered to be something of an investment, holding their value or in some cases even increasing in value.
If you want to ensure that you are getting the best watch for your money, something that will retain its value then there are some brands that you should be considering.
Rolex
If you were to ask people to name just one watch brand that they though would make a good investment, then there is a very good chance that Rolex would be the name that the majority of them would mention.
Rolex watches have been around since the early 20th century and have had a reputation for being watches of quality for almost all of that time. Of course, it goes without saying that being pictured on the wrists of some of the top celebrities and executive all over the world has gone someway towards enhancing the status of the brand. That being said, their reputation is founded primarily on the quality of the watches that they manufacture and rightly so.
Rolex are considered to be one, if not the brand that is best when it comes to holding their value, and in the case of some of their models they have also increased in value as well.
Rolex designs are stylish and at the same time timeless, they are a watch that looks equally at home on the wrist of any age group and with any number of styles. Swiss made the workings of a Rolex watch are amongst the best in the world with the precision and attention to detail that can be expected from any swiss made timepiece.
Patek Philippe
Another brand that many people have heard of, although to a lesser extent than Rolex, but are almost certainly aware of for having a somewhat heftier price tag are Patek Philippe watches. However, they will appear on any list of watches that retain their value and the reasons are simple. Producers of two of the most expensive watches available anywhere in the world, Patek Philippe are a Swiss company and were established in 1851 – so they have been around for a fair while. These watches are considered by many to be investment pieces, the type that will be handed down through the generations. With stylish luxury designs and Swiss movements that are carefully built with precision in mind it is easy to understand why.
Tag Heuer
This particular watchmaker has also been around for a whilst having begun life in 1860. They produce luxury watches that are aimed at a diverse range of people, with a broader marketing remit than you might see from the other brands we have already mentioned. And this branding certainly works with famous clients including Elvis Presley and Chris Hemsworth.
Tag Heuer watches offer a look that is perhaps a little different to a Rolex or a Patek Philippe, whilst it can certainly be said that many of their models retain something of a vintage look, they also offer afunctional design and internals that are upgrading at the finest. The range of Tag Heuer watches offers perhaps a more diverse style to any collector, or watch enthusiast, looking for something that will not only look great and last but also retain its value.
Omega
The fourth and final brand of what might be termed traditional watch to hit our list is Omega. And one things that will spring to mind about this particular brand is that price wise it doesn’t have anything like the price tag you might expect to invest in the previously mentioned brands, don’t let that put you off though. Omega watches still hold their original value very well. Like Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tag Heuer, Omega watches will be forever ingrained in history as this is the timepiece of choice for Buzz Aldrin when he made the first lunar landing.
One thing that Omega do have in common with these other brands, besides holding their value, is that they are also a Swiss brand.
As the home for finely crafted timepieces for almost two centuries it is really no surprise that when it comes to watches that retain their value, whether the most luxury brand, or something a little more wallet friendly, Swiss watches are the ones that people will choose. The history, attention to detail and precision that goes into crafting a Swiss watch is something that is certainly worth investing in.
Smartwatches
The most recent innovation in the world of watches is of course that of the smartwatch. Over the last decade what started life as a humble fitness tracker, designed to get people up and moving has improved dramatically.
Advances in technology and a highly competitive marketplace which just about any technology company wants a piece of means that the changes that have been seen are beyond anything that most of us could have imagined even a few years ago.
Of course, all of these advances in technology come at a price, and newer models with improved features, better functionality, and slightly better battery life or monitoring capability are continually being launched in order to keep a brand at the top of the market, where there are so many companies competing against each other to produce exactly what the user is looking for.
From a user point of view this is, of course, good news, because companies are spending out on developing new and improved features for their wearable technology all the time. It also means that they are very much able to take customer feedback into consideration. If a feature isn’t working as well as users would like then they can look at it before releasing a future model. If another brand has added a clever feature that they hadn’t considered it can also be discussed. The end user is getting the best end of the deal here – or are they?
The problem is, as we already know when considering laptops, mobile phones and just about any other type of technology, that as improvements are made older models become less popular and this means that what is perceived as outdated technology simply doesn’t hold its value. So, when it comes to smartwatches this is not really something that you can add to your deciding factors.
How to choose a smartwatch?
Rather than considering if it will hold its value look for a smartwatch that offers you all of the features you want and need, something that will fill all your requirements. If you already have a smartwatch that you love but are looking to upgrade it, then a newer model from the same maker will be a worthy investment. Whilst it may not keep its value in the more traditional sense, it will keep its value in terms of the use that you get from it and that is really what you want from any smartwatch.
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Last Updated on July 25, 2021
A highly motivated all-around writing professional with experience in writing about modern technology. Joanne writes for Superwatches for over 2 years now. Joanne specializes in product comparisons and reviews for us and we truly appreciate the quality of her work.
Lives in Congleton, UK.