Almost every watch collector has their sights set on certain famous luxurious models. However, luxury watches come with a large price tag making them fairly unattainable to many. There are several ways to get your hands on luxury watches on a budget, and today we will share our best tips.
When shopping for your next timepiece, it is always best to set a budget. This way, a spending limit has been set before shopping starts. This will provide a more narrow search that will help you to find a perfect timepiece. It is also recommended to research what you will be able to buy with your budget. This will set reasonable expectations. Luxury watches are expensive, so super high end timepieces will still be unattainable on a small budget. If you are interested in getting your hands on a high end timepiece, keep reading for our tips on how to but luxury watches on a budget.
Our Top 5 Tips on How to Buy Luxury Watches on a Budget
1. Searching for pre-owned models.
The pre-owned market is a fantastic place to search for luxury watches. Often, other collectors sell unwanted timepieces for lower than the original retail price. Many of the watches found through these means are in a very good condition. Some may even be totally unworn. When trying to find a specific watch on the pre-owned market, it may take some time for the exact model to become available, but it is always worth the wait.
However, it is advised that a watch should always be seen in person and tried on before purchasing. This way a collector can asses if it is really what they want and whether it suits their style. This is especially important when buying a pre-owned timepiece as it it vital that the collector sees whether the watch is truly as it was advertised. The second hand market is a great way to buy luxury watches whilst on a budget, although some precautions should be taken.
2. Wait for a big sale.
There are several big sale events that happen every year. The most popular of these are the Black Friday and Boxing Day sales. Most watch retailers partake in these sales, offering their customers a significant discount on a great many models. Some retailers also run a summer sale. These events are well worth waiting for as some retailers offer bonus discount codes on top of existing price drops. This can lead to unbeatable prices on some very desirable and collectable models. Although it may be hard to wait so long for a watch that you’ve been lusting after for months, it will be well worth the wait when you could snap it up at a bargain price.
3. Prioritise what you want in a watch.
In order to find the perfect watch, it is always advised that a collector takes time to asses their own personal requirements from the timepiece. If a collector is aware of exactly what they are searching for, it will be much easier to narrow the search down to some precise models. Also, this will help the collector to work out what it is they need from a watch rather than getting distracted by materials and functions that they will not use. This is a great way to stay within a budget as it will prevent accidental overspending on unnecessary features.
4. Do not assume that big brand names are best.
So many people assume that big brand names will the higher quality than lesser known names. However, this is not the case. Watches work similarly to fashion in this sense. Just because something has a designer label does not mean it is of a higher quality than an unbranded item. Some smaller watch brands who are new to the horological industry are doing amazing work and producing incredibly high quality timepieces. It is always worth researching some smaller, lesser known brands before jumping straight into buying a big name watch. This may mean that you could find a high quality and elegant timepiece for a budget price.
5. Never rush into purchasing a watch.
The most important tip on how to buy luxury watches on a budget is to never rush into an impulsive purchase. It is very easy to fall into current trends, but this ought to be avoided when buying a luxury timepiece. When spending a considerable amount of money on a watch, it is important to ensure that it is timeless and classic so that it will not be considered ‘unfashionable’ within a short timeframe. Also, taking time when selecting a timepiece will ensure that a collector allows time to browse the pre-owned market and wait for any sales to occur.
Affordable Luxury Watch Recommendations
Raymond Weil Men’s Toccata Black Leather Strap Watch 5425-STC-00300
This watch exhibits a classic design with a white dial that is adorned with black Roman numeral indices. A date aperture is positioned at 3 o’clock on the dial. The rectangular dial is framed by a stainless steel rectangular case. This more unusual shape gives the watch a vintage feel that ensures a timelessness in the design. The watch is secured on the wrist using a black, crocodile effect leather strap. This strap will never go out of style, so this timepiece is a safe bet when investing in a luxury timepiece on a budget. However, this watch is powered by a quartz movement. Quartz movements are reliable and precise, but are not coveted quite as much as mechanical movements. If a collector is not worried about the movement within the watch, then a quartz timepiece is a good option to save some money.
Certina DS Action Lady Black Diamond Dial Stainless Steel Watch C0322071105600
This Certina women’s watch features a range of luxurious details and is still available for a relatively affordable price. The watch exhibits a black mother of pearl dial that will catch the light beautifully when worn on the wrist. The dial is set with diamond hour markers for an extra touch of luxury. The 34.5mm stainless steel case houses an automatic movement. Automatic movements are very desirable in modern wristwatches due to the small amount of upkeep they require. The movement is protected by Certina’s original DS Concept that increases the shock resistance of the timepiece. The watch is finished using a chic stainless steel bracelet that will perfectly complement any outfit. Additionally, this timepiece is water resistant up to 200 metres.
Michel Herbelin Inspiration Silver Dial Brown Leather Strap Limited Edition Watch 1547/TN12GP
This watch is limited to just 500 pieces worldwide making it an incredibly collectable and desirable timepiece that would fit seamlessly into any watch collection. The most fascinating feature of this model is the mesmerising moon phase dial. The dial is silver, making the deep blue hue of the moon phase display stand out. The dial features a date aperture and is protected by sapphire glass. A stainless steel case surrounds the dial. A Swiss Made automatic movement is houses in this case. The watch is secured on the wrist using a leather strap in a classic brown colour.
What did you think of our tips on how to buy luxury watches on a budget? Do you have any more tips to add? Let us know in the comments!
