Are you buying a watch as a gift for a loved one or to start your collection? No matter what your answer is, you will soon find out for yourself that it’s not going to be an easy experience. Any watch purchase should be treated as a way of learning about all available brands and models, the watches’ features, and so on. This way, you get to explore all your options and ensure that you end up with a watch you’ll be happy to give as a gift or for your collection.
Many brands of watches are popular today, such as Tag Heuer, which is known for producing the best chronographs in the market. But it shouldn’t just be the brand you look into when buying a timepiece. If you want to ensure you spend money on a top-quality watch, you should ask yourself these questions first.
1. What is your price range?
One of the very first factors to consider when buying timepieces is the budget. Knowing how much you are willing to spend on a watch helps narrow your choices because it becomes easier to find available products within your allowed price range. Though luxury watches tend to come at a hefty price tag, you’ll be happy to know that some brands and models may well be within your budget. You have to be patient in browsing through various online and offline shops. You can also let the salesperson know, and they can recommend brands and models that suit your budget.
2. When is the watch released?
Throughout the year, watch brands will launch new models to their collections. Hence, it’s always good to know when a particular model was launched in the market. You may look at the watch all day long, but you can’t truly tell if it’s an old model or a new one unless you ask the salesperson about such matters. Though you can conduct research, it’s good to also talk to the retailer if you’ve visited a shop and ask about the watch’s movement, materials, features, and many other details. Knowing these details and more will help you decide if it’s the right timepiece to spend money on.
3. What is the movement type you want?
When shopping for a watch, you will encounter terms such as movement (manual, automatic, and quartz). Each type of movement has its pros and cons, which makes it a vital factor when buying a timepiece. While watches with quartz movement are the most popular due to their affordability, many seasoned collectors opt for timepieces with manual or automatic movements. The craftsmanship and intricate inner workings are what collectors fell in love with despite the price tag.
4. What are the features you are looking for in a timepiece?
While the budget may be the deciding factor for some, you will soon realize the importance of taking a look at what features the timepiece should have to consider it a good purchase for yourself. You may have simply bought the watch to tell you the time, but it is good to know that it has other features you can take advantage of. Do you need it as a stopwatch? Do you need one to wear to all your adventures and diving trips? Do you need one that illuminates? When you know all of the features that a particular timepiece you’re eyeing has, it will help you get a step closer to deciding if it’s good to buy it or look for something else.
5. Will you be selling it later or passing it down as an heirloom?
Watches are great investment opportunities. Rare timepieces with great craftsmanship and intricate inner workings tend to appreciate value as time passes by, which you can benefit from if you have plans of selling the item later. Please do take note though that it may be expensive so make sure to do your research as it still depends on the brand, model, quality, and more. Nevertheless, it’s an opportunity worth considering, especially if you have the budget for it. If you have plans of keeping it in the family as part of a collection and passing it down to the future generation, then it’s a good idea too. It is better to choose one that never goes out of style, lasts for a long time, and can be serviced when it needs to be.
Key Takeaways
Indeed, buying a watch can be an overwhelming experience for novices and even seasoned collectors. It’s good to keep learning and not just accumulate money for the purchase because you will be able to discern what’s good to purchase as a gift or a part of your collection and what’s not. Do not only ask yourself if it fits your style but ask all these other questions too.
