Buying your first luxury watch should be exciting and meaningful, whether you’re buying it to mark a special occasion, or just because you’ve always wanted one. However, this big purchase can also be a daunting proposition for those who are new to the world of quality watches. Everyone has different needs, tastes, means, and understanding of luxury, so nobody can tell you exactly what the right watch is for you. A little guidance, however, can be very helpful to help you ask the right questions and make an informed choice for yourself to get the right watch.

Why Do You Want A Luxury Watch?

There are lots of different reasons why you might want a luxury watch. Identifying your motivation will help you to focus your search before you head to Shop Rolex.

Do you just want an elegant everyday watch that’s built to last?

The good news is that there are plenty of great options, and you’re not limited to prestigious brand names and hefty price tags. The bad news is that you still haven’t narrowed down your choices that much, as a lot of watches offer this kind of quality. You will want to look at other factors too, like the price, style, and features, and think if any of the other motivations apply to you too.

Do you want a watch to enhance your personal style?

Visual elements and brand names might play a bigger part in your decision, but you will want to think about the aesthetic basics such as dress or sport and modern or retro. Sport watches are popular and offer a range of styles originating in specific uses, like diving, flying, racing, and the military. If you can work out what genre you’re interested in, you’re on your way.

Do you need a watch to enhance your professional presentation?

This is a common reason for people to buy their first luxury watch. Some feel that a good watch can help them to be taken more seriously by bosses or to impress potential clients. For this purpose, recognizable brands and models are the best choices, such as names like Rolex, Panerai, Omega, IWC, and Zenith. These are all brands with prices that start in the mid to upper luxury range, but sometimes a simple and solid mechanical watch can be a good option for those with a smaller budget, as well as showing your taste and individuality.

Will your watch act as a status symbol?

This is an extension of the previous consideration. You’re doing well financially and want to show that off. This can be done with accessories like gold and diamonds, but sometimes just the name on an otherwise simple watch can do the job. Consider Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Watchmakers will also signal prestige with complicated features such as skeletonization, avant-garde designs, and tourbillons.

Are you interested in a luxury watch for the experience of its quality, engineering, details, and history?

You are well on your way to being a watch nerd and even if you get a watch for other reasons, you might come to appreciate it in this way. This is a great reason to want a luxury watch, but because it’s what most luxury watches claim to offer, you want to narrow down your choices further and look at the other factors in this guide.

What Makes A Luxury Watch? What Qualities Should You Expect For Your Budget?

Budget is the simplest starting place for any watch purchase. All watches could be considered luxuries today, as they’re not as necessary in modern life. For some people, $100 feels like a lot to spend on something they don’t need, with others feeling that luxury starts well into the thousands of dollars.

Thanks to the combination of improving production technology, the internet, and globalization, features that were once out of reach for many watch fans have become more accessible. With small microbrands leading the way and bigger brands responding with more focus on entry-level value, you can now buy watches with elements like sapphire crystal, ceramic bezels, Swiss automatic movements, and refined details for a few hundred dollars. These are luxury features, despite the lower price.

In order to work out what features you can expect at different price points, you can think of watches as split into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. There are imperfect categories that do bleed into each other, but these generalizations can help to guide first-time buyers in what to look for.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.