Is an expensive watch worth it? Rolex, Cartier

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

Anything is worth it if you can comfortably afford it and you like it. No one can answer a question like this other than the one person asking it (i.e.you).

agreed. I couldn't believe I was going to spend so much money on a watch but now that it's done, I wear it proudly and love it everyday, so no regrets! I wear it for me and not to impress anyone.. Very few people know its value and it's perfect this way.
 
I'm the watch person in the family, and not my wife. She has a Cartier Tank Solo, which is totally beaten up after 6 years and makes me oh so happy she didn't want a Patek instead.

For ladies watches, the long-term value is not as strong as men's models...sorry it's just a fact. It's partly because most ladies watches lack a mechanical movement and rely on quartz movements. So you should think of ladies watches very differently than the purchase of Chanel Classic, Birkin or Kelly. This gives you freedom in knowing that any ladies watch you buy is on a level playing field.

Note that Cartier/VCA/IWC/Piaget/Panerai are all owned by Richemont Group.

If your wrist can accommodate a man's watch, the ones that hold value at retail are Rolex and Patek stainless steel sports models. Yet, both manufacturers have purposefully choked supply such that it makes Hermes seem easy to deal with in comparison for a Birkin. If you want an unworn one of these models, expect to pay double and through a legitimate and well known grey market dealer. That's just how it is.

Another option is to connect with a well known auction house or seller of used watches and buy an older and authenticated men's Rolex or Patek. These are small watches by today's standard if you like the look of them.

The other good news is that discounts are more often given to expensive ladies watches because they sell more slowly.

Those of us who love watches love the back story of the brands, the models themselves, and the mechanical ingenuity. If none of that connects for you, then go with what you like the look of and fits your budget and desire for bling, etc.
 
It depends on what you mean with "worth it". A Rolex or Patek does not necessarily keep time better than a Seiko. But of course it holds a lot more craftsmanship. And probably precious metals.
Thing is, a Rolex will always hold or increase its value. I have had so many different Rolexes over the years and sold quite a few of them again, and never have I lost money. So when it comes to that - yes, it is worth it.
 
I might have said ABSOLUTELY until a couple of months ago when I bought a smart watch. I just love that thing! It has a rubber band which makes it look really sporty (and I have ordered a milanese strap to see if it looks nicer), but I have to admit that all I'm doing now is trying to get healthier and exercise more, so the watch is a huge motivator. That may be the reason why I'm loving it so much.
I'm not reaching for any of my other watches, but we're in a new lockdown in my country, so it's not that I have any places to be.
I wanted to buy an Omega this year, but now I'm going to wait for things to get back to normal to see if I fall out of love with my smart watch once I start dressing up again. Who knows?
I hope my ramblings make sense, LOL.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ShimmerDreamz
I'm the watch person in the family, and not my wife. She has a Cartier Tank Solo, which is totally beaten up after 6 years and makes me oh so happy she didn't want a Patek instead.

For ladies watches, the long-term value is not as strong as men's models...sorry it's just a fact. It's partly because most ladies watches lack a mechanical movement and rely on quartz movements. So you should think of ladies watches very differently than the purchase of Chanel Classic, Birkin or Kelly. This gives you freedom in knowing that any ladies watch you buy is on a level playing field.

Note that Cartier/VCA/IWC/Piaget/Panerai are all owned by Richemont Group.

If your wrist can accommodate a man's watch, the ones that hold value at retail are Rolex and Patek stainless steel sports models. Yet, both manufacturers have purposefully choked supply such that it makes Hermes seem easy to deal with in comparison for a Birkin. If you want an unworn one of these models, expect to pay double and through a legitimate and well known grey market dealer. That's just how it is.

Another option is to connect with a well known auction house or seller of used watches and buy an older and authenticated men's Rolex or Patek. These are small watches by today's standard if you like the look of them.

The other good news is that discounts are more often given to expensive ladies watches because they sell more slowly.

Those of us who love watches love the back story of the brands, the models themselves, and the mechanical ingenuity. If none of that connects for you, then go with what you like the look of and fits your budget and desire for bling, etc.
Excellent input!
 
This is me as well! The messaging functionality is great too as I like being buzzed when I receive messages or calls since my phone is on silent most of the time. Plus when I'm out and about I don't need to dig out my phone to check.

I'm now wondering about removing an expensive watch off my wishlist and focus on jewelry instead. So hard to decide as I've wanted a JLC Reverso duo face for forever.

I might have said ABSOLUTELY until a couple of months ago when I bought a smart watch. I just love that thing! It has a rubber band which makes it look really sporty (and I have ordered a milanese strap to see if it looks nicer), but I have to admit that all I'm doing now is trying to get healthier and exercise more, so the watch is a huge motivator. That may be the reason why I'm loving it so much.
I'm not reaching for any of my other watches, but we're in a new lockdown in my country, so it's not that I have any places to be.
I wanted to buy an Omega this year, but now I'm going to wait for things to get back to normal to see if I fall out of love with my smart watch once I start dressing up again. Who knows?
I hope my ramblings make sense, LOL.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pevi
My husband recently got a Rolex watch but not without me really convincing him first. :blush: He is a super saver and especially because he is self-employed, he is always mindful of when the next commission will come in. Fortunately, he had a really lucrative year last year so I rationalized to him that he should splurge with a self-love treat. It has been his dream watch for 15 years and he never could have imagined his success now, as he had a challenging experience with school and home life. I told him he absolutely deserved it, he would get great use of it in his work and really, he could afford it comfortably so YOLO! He is so in love with it. Just seeing him try it on in store and then unbox at home was like watching a giddy child on Xmas morning. :heart:
 
I think it also depends on what you want out of the watch. I bought mine to celebrate a milestone. I want a timeless piece that can tell my story and eventually be a family heirloom. So in my case it was worth every penny. Good luck on deciding, and let us know what you decide!
 
I think I love watches more than jewelry, because it's like jewelry with a beating heart.

However it REALLY doesn't have to be a lot of money for something of high standard, especially if you're open to the second-hand market, or even non-Swiss brands.

I have Breitling and Rolex but would recommend a vintage ladies Grand Seiko for daily, under-the-radar wear. It's great value for money, nobody's gonna rob you for a Seiko, and the finishing is a sight to behold (arguably better than the Rolex/Breitling). Many of their designs are so simple, perhaps even 'boring', but it's something very enjoyable up close in person.

View attachment 4940225

Grand Seiko's design philosophy was inspired by the precise cut of diamonds, and the markers catch the light so that it's easily readable under most lighting conditions, even without lume. You surely won't impress regular people or thieves with a Grand Seiko, but if you enjoy quality in peace you can quietly wear this on your wrist (and hey, maybe a watch geek would notice!).

Especially if you haven't worn watches much before, trying at the AD may be insufficient to tell if it'll fit your daily life. It might look and feel great when you try it on, but end up too heavy after prolonged wear or get in the way with your work.

Until you really know what is your 'grail' watch (ie what functions do you want on it, preferred size, do you need date, does any brand's history grab your attention, automatic/quartz/solar/kinetic/etc...), I wouldn't commit a sizeable amount to the purchase. Same for any big purchase, really. You probably were pretty sure you'd love that Chanel bag before you got it!
This watch is gorgeous.
Have a cartierbb. Love watches, view it as jewelry and value/worth is determined by the number of times it makes me smile. Have long thought that a GS could persuade me to sell the BB and get one. Have never gotten a chance to see one in IRL though!
 
Top