How did it all start? In 1980, there was a “quartz crisis” that drove out small brands from the market and consolidated the positions of watch giants such as: Swatch Group, Kering Group, LVMH, Richemont Group. This crisis was a turning point not only in the primary, but also in the secondary market of watches. If formerly people bought watches as a practical thing to use, lately in the 80s and 90s, collectible watches began to be considered as an object for investment. Just at this time, auctions began to appear. The first people to understand the essence of the “quartz crisis” may be called Osvaldo Patrizia and Massimo Barraca. Today, in their interviews, they talk about purchasing rare collection watches at low prices some 30 years ago.
How should one correctly evaluate the watch?
The collectible watch at an auction is usually evaluated by two criteria: the art value and the artist’s popularity. Watches are primarily evaluated for their functionality and for their complexity. The value of the watch is not in its beautiful face and brand but in its history, the year of decommissioning and the limited series.
Why do people invest in watches?
Because the watch will bring a good profit in the long run. You shouldn’t think that in future only super-expensive watches have a large increase in value. Such giants of the market as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Longines do not produce watch models in large batches. So when they are out of production it becomes possible to buy them only from owners. It is also important to take into considiration that not all watch lovers buy fashion models for investment and treat them carefully. They may spoil the general appearance of the produce and presentation. Therefore, if you maintain the perfect watch presentation and save the documents, its price may increase by 5-6 times.
Best watches for investment
1) Bvlgari Serpenti Misteriosi Romani 102987 reflects what it is in terms of legend, thanks to its high-tech mechanics and perfect shapes. They emphasize the social status of the owner as soon as they are on the hand. The reliability of the quartz mechanism eliminates the need for additional winding. The water resistance will garantee their owner just a slight fright when they fall into the water to a 30 meters depth. High-strength sapphire crystal glass covers the face, and this solution provides maximum protection against chipping and damage. The model comes complete with a gold bracelet with a clasp. The weight of the diamonds that adorn this watch is 63 carats. The bracelet, in turn, is decorated with 32 carats. The sapphire jewelry weighs 10 carats. The cost is $ 1.9 million.
2) Parmigiani Fleurier Fibonacci is a model made of white gold, it is decorated with a lotus flower, which imitates the golden section of the Fibonacci. This watch demonstrates the precision of engineering art and the elegance that Parmigiani Fleurier is famous for. The watch is encrusted with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds weighing 49.5 carats. This pocket watch features a perpetual calendar, a lunar phase indicator, and a minute repeater. Their production takes place exclusively on request. The cost of this watch is $ 2.4 million, the manufacturing process takes 2 years.
3) The Patek Philippe Platinum World Time was produced by the Patek Philippe company in 1939 by watchmaker Louis Cottier. This retro wrist watch is equipped with an automatic winding mechanism, which allows you to know the time in any of the time zones, but their undoubted wealth is their design. This retro watch will be a decoration for a status man of any age. Patek Philippe Platinum World Time was sold at a Geneva auction in 2002 for $ 4 million.
4) Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 1518. The watch created in 1943 was made of stainless steel. It is the rarest material used by Patek Philippe in the production of watch cases; the model put up at auction was one of four produced. They are so rare that they are not even in the Patek Philippe Museum. This chronograph watch has a perpetual calendar and a moon phase indicator. It is the first watch model with a perpetual calendar. Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 1518 was sold at an auction in Geneva in 2016 for $ 11 million.
5) Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication is a double-sided gold watch consisting of 926 parts, its weight is 536 grams. They were commissioned by banker Henry Graves in 1932. Graves wanted to surpass another tycoon, James Packard, who owned a very complex Vacheron Constantin at the time. Subsequently, they were included in 2 auctions: the first was held in 1999 in New York, then they were purchased by a Qatari Sheikh for $ 11 million, their second appearance at the auction occurred in 2014 in Geneva, they were purchased by an unknown buyer who gave $ 24 million for them. The fact made this watch the most expensive ever sold, but they lost their status in 2019.
Time is money, as they say. For the purposes of this article it may be interpreted in every sense.
Read more WATCH articles HERE
