Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Navigating the world of “fine watches” can be daunting for beginners. If you find yourself in the position of buying your first luxury watch, you are likely to have a lot of questions.
From understanding the terminology, to knowing where to shop, what questions to ask yourself first before setting foot in a store (or auction house), and how you can to avoid a false result, CNN did the research for you to find out the main recommendations from the experts.
Language learning
Just like buying a car, there are some technical terms that watch buyers may benefit from knowing. Here are the most famous:
Watch parts
- Crown: A small hand set to the side the time Used to change date and time. In a wristwatch, the hand is used to turn it so that the movement continues.
- “movement”: The complex mechanisms that make a watch work.
- “Bezel” (outer ring): The frame around the glass that protects against surveillance.
- “Lug”: The parts that connect the watch to the bracelet (strap).
- “trouble”The function of a watch goes beyond telling the time. Sometimes watches can have several “problems”.
- “Tourbillon” (tourbillon): Added device to improve the accuracy of the watch. Most of today’s watches do not need a tourbillon to be very accurate, but the complicated mechanism often increases the price.
- “Quartz Movement”: Battery operated watch.
- “Automatic Movement”: A mechanical watch that does not require a battery to operate, as it relies on the wearer’s movement.
Decide if you want a new or used watch
Are you looking for the latest style from a mobile brand, or are you interested in investing in a piece of history, or a timeless classic?
If the watch you want is a new release, keep in mind that it often comes with a lot of hype, and a long waiting list, so you may be looking for a watch that can’t be bought. buy within the time you want. .
Luxury watchmakers often ask buyers to effectively “prove” their commitment to buying a popular model by asking them to buy less popular models before they can buy their dream watch , which can have waiting lists that can last months or years, according to Sotheby’s Asia Auction House’s watch department head, Joy Look.
Luke said that some brands, such as “Charles Frodsham & Co“The Independent has a 10-year waiting list.
If you don’t mind buying used watches, there is a thriving market for used luxury watches, but be aware of the risks if you don’t deal with a trusted dealer who can confirm the authenticity of the watch.
And think carefully about where you shop. Buying from an unknown seller on Facebook is likely to require more investigation than a well-known merchant with a long list of previous customers.
Auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s are obliged to check the watches they sell, while newer second-hand platforms like Chrono24 verify all sellers on the their site.
Buy a watch for the right reasons and think about what you need from it
Ignore the hype surrounding a particular watch is a personal investment, and you will want to wear it for a long time. Also be careful if resale value is your main driver.
In an interview at the Watches and Wonders show in Geneva, Tim Strack, founder and president of watch resale platform Chrono24, said: “I always (advise) not to looking at the financial results first.”
He continued, “Look at the emotional payoff. What do you really like, what makes you smile every time you look at a piece?”
“Always choose your favorite watch,” Luke agrees.
Instead, ask yourself: Why do I need the watch? Would I wear it while playing tennis? Or for how long do you swim during swimming sessions? In this case, you may need a strong, waterproof sports watch with a high level of accuracy, according to Watch.
Maybe you want to buy a stylish formal watch to wear to a wedding, or look for a mechanical masterpiece, or a piece with a unique design.
Look advises beginners to stick to major brands with a long history.
She explained to CNN that these brands “have a better reputation for quality.”
It also provides more information in a way that makes it easier for beginners to research, analyze and compare historical prices.
Luke noted that the prices of these brands’ products are relatively stable compared to lesser known brands.
Try wearing a watch, don’t just watch
Avoid buying anything you can’t try on yourself. And just because the watch looks attractive in an advertisement, or on someone’s wrist Famous peopleThis does not necessarily mean that it will be suitable for you.
Watches can look very different in real life, as collector Carlos Pang, co-founder of the Horology Club, discovered while trying on a Patek 3940.
He explained that this watch has a diameter of 36 millimeters, which could be considered small.
“However, once you try it on, it feels more complete because of the way the belt is designed.”
Remember that you will be wearing the watch for long periods of the day, so comfort is essential.
Take into account the weight of the watch and the material the strap is made of, for example.
Don’t have a price for your favorite watch? You may find an affordable design from the same designer
While looking for a watch to wear to his wedding, Pang saw a watch from…Audemars Piguet“At a great price.
“I really liked that watch,” he said, “but at the time I didn’t have much money.”
Instead, Pang researched and found a designer, Gerald Genta, who had made watches for other brands at reasonable prices.
He said: “I finally got an IWC Ingenieur watch. I bought it, the watch I wore to my wedding, and I still have it today.”
Don’t rush
Horology Club co-founder based in Hong Kong, Jonathan Chan, advises not to make a hasty decision, because sometimes it is better to buy without a real intention to buy.
“Give yourself time to get out and try on different designs, whether that’s going to different stores, or visiting auction houses,” he said.
2024-05-12 12:46:58
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