There is much more to a luxury watch than a high price tag. Every luxurious timepiece has a story behind it. Unlike the low-priced watches that are typically mass-produced, the exquisite timepieces are crafted by skilled artisans. Many state-of-the-art Swiss watches can take between 10 to 24 months to be manufactured, depending on the complexity of the model.
Such watches go beyond high quality materials or intricate designs; they are reliable and durable, often keeping precise time for decades or more, requiring only minor tune-ups. It is rather remarkable, when taking in consideration water-resistant sports watches or aviation watches with aeronautical gauges.
A luxury watch is a subtle symbol of wealth
This is a very straight-forward, yet honest statement to make. Note, that luxury timepieces are not a display of wealth that is noticed by everyone – they are commonly recognised by people who appreciate details and luxury. As a tasteful accessory that is paired with clothing identifies the wearer, man or woman, as successful. Such manner is quiet, yet bold enough to not be mistaken.
A luxury watch is an investment
Fine timepieces are investments both in functional sense and in value. They will last many years, and the craftsmanship and the materials used in creating the watch will retail value over time. Watches of lesser quality (and cheap materials) will rarely acquire impressive resale prices over long periods. The investment value is all the more appealing when it comes to prestigious brand names and watch collectors.
Common characteristics in luxury watches
Starting out with the obvious, the one thing that is common in all luxury timepieces, is the craftsmanship that goes behind creating it. It is important that a watch is designed by an actual watchmaker, and the timepiece functions properly. The more complications (sophisticated functions and features) a watch has, the more details it requires, the higher is the accuracy that all the gears must function in.
The materials used in making the watch affect not only the cost of it, but also the actual quality of it. It is a common practice among cheap watch-makers to cut down on costs on the expense of the materials – making hollow instead of solid metal bracelets, using lower grade stainless steel, etc. Same pertains to jewellery – natural gemstones over crystals, precious metals over plated.
The COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification is issued by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. Each timepiece receiving the certification is tested at the institute for over two weeks during which it is subjected to various conditions in numerous positions. The certification verifies that the Swiss wristwatch meets the accuracy and precision standards. Many people debate that the COSC certificate is irrelevant as a criterion for luxury watches.
Lastly, the brand name. With the choice of a brand comes an unspoken reputation that has proven itself over time. It includes everything – the mechanical precision, the quality of material, the longevity and the exclusivity. However, it is important to bear in mind that a timepiece can be luxurious, but without a big name.
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