The ultimate watch buying guide from those who know

Purchasing anything expensive is a decision that should be mulled over extensively, unless of course you have the disposable income of a hedge fund manager, in which case you could probably buy 5 of said item. For the rest of us though, investing our hard-earned cash is not something to be taken lightly, and this is especially true when looking for a fine watch. Scroll through the internet and you’ll find many a watch buying guide, but for advice you can really bank on it’s worth turning to the experts. We have done just that. Here’s the ultimate watch buying guide from those who know.

CREATE A CHECK-LIST

Similar to your weekly shopping trip, creating a watch buying check-list is somewhat of an essential. It’s important that you set out what exactly it is that you are looking for, so that when the right piece comes up you can make the purchase with confidence. Luckily for you, freelance watch journalist Simon de Burton (The Telegraph, FT, Vanity Fair) has put together his very own.

“1. Buy a watch from a known name.

2. Buy a popular and long-established model.

3. Check pre-owned prices of the same watch.

4. Negotiate a discount.

5. Buy because you like it (not purely as an investment).

6. Consider an excellent, pre-owned example.

7. Account for, and check, servicing and maintenance costs.”

BUY SOMETHING YOU’LL LOVE

This may sound like an obvious one; after all, why would you buy something you don’t like? Well, many collectors purchase watches based on what they think they’ll sell for further down the line. This is a dangerous game though, particularly for someone new to watches as it may be that you will a) be forced to sell it for less than you bought it for, or b) not be able to sell it at all. London-based watch journalist Alex Doak expresses the point far more eloquently…

“It’s easier than you think when it comes to buying your first fine watch: go mechanical; go Swiss; and definitely buy with your heart, not your head. The chances of landing a surefire investment are incredibly rare, so if you can’t shift it for more than you bought it for, you’ll be stuck with it – which makes it fairly important that you love wearing it!”

INVEST IN A CLASSIC

There’s no need to go crazy. Purchase a classically-styled watch and you can’t go wrong. According to expert Robin Swithinbank…

“There’s one rule to buying your first proper watch. Invest in a safe bet, such as a Rolex Air King or an Omega Speedmaster. If it’s the only watch you ever buy, it won’t date, and if you need to move it on quickly it’ll have decent resale value and won’t be hard to shift.”

DON’T FOLLOW TRENDS

This is a similar piece of advice that we’d give to those looking to better the way they dress. Actually, it can apply to life too – don’t follow the crowd. Versatility is also important; you’ll want something that you can just throw on in the morning and wear with a variety of outfits. Josh Sims, who has written for FT, The Guardian and Wallpaper magazine, furthers the point…

“Never mind advice about mechanical movement or big names – your watch is something that you will invariably wear every day, and have to look at every day. So go for something that you – not fashion – like the look of, and can be pretty sure you won’t tire of quickly. For most men, a military watch tends to fit this bill, having the advantage that it can be worn with almost anything.”