If you want to buy watches that will retain their value over the long run, this list of brands is for you.
Are you looking to invest in a luxury watch and not sure which brands hold their value? You need to choose carefully because most watches decrease in value over time.
This article outlining 7 of the best luxury watch brands that hold value will put you in good stead. Especially for finding the perfect investment piece that won’t lose you money with age.
There are so many things to consider when it comes to purchasing a luxury wristwatch. First, you want to ensure you’re looking in the right area for your decided budget.
Second, you want to make sure that before you part with your money, your chosen watch will retain its value.
Here’s our guide to 7 watch brands that hold their value best.
Table of Contents
Does It Matter if Your Watch Holds Its Value?
The short answer to whether it matters if watches hold their value is both yes and no.
Did we leave you a bit more confused? Realistically, you have to consider your usage. If it’s a piece you want to keep in your collection forever and pass on, then no, value doesn’t matter. However, if you are in the market for wearing and selling, then yes, it matters if luxury watches hold value.
However, you can be a true luxury watch enthusiast and still want to ensure you won’t lose money. Especially when buying and selling a watch.
The truth is, you don’t want to make a bad choice when it comes to buying a luxury watch. They’re expensive, and investing in the wrong one can cost you quite a lot of money. Plus, they can be pretty hard to sell on the second-hand market.
If you lose money reselling your watch, you won’t be able to extend your luxury watch collection. Additionally, you can’t move up the investment ladder to own the timepiece of your dreams one day.
On the other hand, making the right choice can pay off and your chosen timepiece can sometimes appreciate in value. Are you looking for a piece that won’t depreciate in value? If so, hedge your bets on the top luxury watch brands in Haute Horlogerie.
This is great news if you’re already a fan of the luxury watch market. These brands include Patek Philippe, Rolex and Omega, to name just a few.
The Best Watches That Hold Value: Seven Brands to Consider
Here are the 7 watch brands that hold their value in no particular order.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Famous for its ultra-thin wristwatches and incredibly elegant dress watches crafted from luxurious materials, Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are some of the most coveted and desirable in the industry.
The manufacturer has had a successful run in producing exquisite minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and tourbillons. Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to reign as a watchmaker that many rival companies can only aspire to be.
There is no arguing that Jaeger-LeCoultre watches hold their value.
The manufacturer began its work creating elegant timekeeping instruments in 1833.
Over the years, this manufacturer has released collectables such as the Polaris, inspired by the original Memovox Polaris of the 1960s. They also released the famous Atmos pocket watch and clock collection. Last, they released the Master Ultra-Thin series, featuring tourbillons, moon phase watches and extra-flat timepieces.
The Jager-LeCoultre Reverso watch is probably one of the company’s most recognizable designs. Its distinct rectangular-shaped case and reversible design enabled 1930s polo players to turn the case into their wrist. This small action protected it from shock and abrasions.
Rolex
If you know anything about the watch industry, you’ll know that Rolex watches hold their value incredibly well. There are several reasons for this:
First, their exceptional quality is a result of premium materials chosen by experts at Rolex. Vintage watches such as the Submariner, Daytona and GMT series, particularly the Pepsi model, retain value well.
When the Rolex Submariner first came onto the scene, it offered a water resistance of 100 meters. This was an impressive attribute of its time. Backed by a solid and sturdy case and a legible design, these qualities make for an ideal underwater tool watch.
Over the years, Rolex experts modified the watch. It was upgraded with better water resistance, specializing in the design of the crown and case construction, perfecting its tool-like design for professional divers as well as amateurs.
Rolex Submariner watches are still widely sought after on the pre-owned market. The brand’s Daytona watch series is known for re-selling at a markedly higher price than its initial price from new.
The Rolex Daytona’s popularity was heightened between the 1960s and 1980s when it was spotted on Paul Newman’s wrist.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is available in many different iterations today. It has become a cornerstone of the brand’s ongoing success, with many models fetching extortionate prices on the pre-owned market.
Omega
Omega is the innovator of the iconic Speedmaster Professional Chronograph watch. This style is known for being the first wristwatch to reach the moon, strapped to Buzz Aldrin’s wrist in 1969.
Since then, however, the Omega watch brand has also made vast improvements in movement manufacturing. Omega also developed the Co-Axial movement, which replaced the brand’s use of an ETA movement.
In addition to this, Omega has experienced huge success with its Constellation watches recognized for their claws or “griffes” attached to the side of the bezels and their unique mono-rang bracelets.
Additionally, its Seamaster watch collection brought great success. The Planet Ocean 600M sub-series has an impressive 600-meter water resistance. Alternatively, the Aqua Terra watch and Ultra Deep have a handy helium escape valve.
Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe is a watch company whose timepieces hold their value very well.
The Geneva-based company is revered for creating icons such as the Nautilus, designed by Gerald Genta. It is made from stainless steel and has an octagonal-shaped bezel inspired by portholes.
In addition to this, Patek Philippe also released the Aquanaut watch,
which is equally desirable amongst watch collectors. It boasts slightly softer lines and an impressive water resistance.
Elegant dress watches, however, are Patek Philippe’s specialty.
Buyers can choose from a selection of superior materials, such as 18ct rose gold, yellow gold and white gold. Patek Philippe also equips each timepiece with an in-house development movement. Almost every component is manufactured independently. These models, complete with a unique quality seal, include the Calatrava and Golden Ellipse watch collections.
Today, they are amongst some of the brand’s most valuable timepieces. One particular watch, the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 is arguably one of the most expensive watches in the world. This Patek Philippe sold at auction for 31 million CHF.
TAG Heuer
Provenance plays a huge role in retaining a watch’s value. TAG Heuer is one of the oldest watchmakers in the industry; manufacturing watches in various styles and designs since 1860.
TAG Heuer is a brand synonymous with the world of sports, having collaborated with the greatest names in the industry.
The company’s rich heritage in motorsport has earned it a cult-like following among serious watch enthusiasts. Top models include expert chronographs from the Carrera Porsche, Formula 1, and Monaco watch collections.
TAG Heuer relies heavily on its marketing strategies to promote its luxury wristwatches. The brand has a successful family of ambassadors who endorse its eye-catching designs. TAG Heuer watches have been worn by Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and Chris Hemsworth.
TAG Heuer is globally loved for its masculine and aggressive-looking chronograph watches and practical GMT watches.
In addition to a variety of classic mechanical watches, you’ll find highly functional connected smartwatches and classic dress watches. TAG Heuer continues to innovate, offering a huge range of models to explore, each with its own highly collectible traits.
Audemars Piguet
One of the most likely reasons why Audemars Piguet watches are so desirable is that the company produces limited-edition timepieces.
This limited production approach not only makes each watch more sought-after but also drives the prices of pre-owned watches sky-high.
Some of the most popular Audemars Piguet watches include the famous Royal Oak watch. This piece features a distinctive integrated metal bracelet and an octagon-shaped bezel that resembles a ship’s porthole.
Similar to the sought-after Nautilus and IWC Ingenieur watch, the Royal Oak was designed by Gerald Genta. His designs have notably gained cult-like status among enthusiasts.
Other popular Audemars Piguet watches known to hold their value are those from the Royal Oak Offshore watch collection. They are sportier timepieces equipped with a practical chronograph function.
Millenary watches are yet another design known for retaining their value, with striking decentralized dials and diamond-encrusted iterations.
The brand’s highly trained artisans create each unique timepiece using painstaking, time-honored processes. Additionally, they use a selection of high-quality materials to ensure robustness and longevity.
Even testing the mechanics of each timepiece is a lengthy and meticulous affair, which adds to the value of Audemars Piguet watches.
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin has gained a position at the top of the industry alongside respected names like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.
The brand is also one of the oldest out there. It has catapulted its successful history on the back of its authentic approach to watchmaking and traditional timekeeping.
Also reflected in their price, Vacheron Constantin watches are some of the most complex and intricately crafted designs. These watches demonstrate hours and hours of meticulous hand-applied techniques.
Some of Vacheron Constantin’s most popular watch collections include the Historiques range. This line is a series of reimagined designs based on some of its earlier innovations.
Also, the iconic Overseas watch collection is home to a line of steel sports watches. The brand crafts these models from indulgent precious metals that symbolize the company’s maritime links.
Are There Affordable Watches That Hold Their Value?
Yes, there are affordable watches that hold their value. However, you have to keep in mind that “affordable” means something different to everyone. For the sake of this discussion, we’ll consider watches “affordable” outside of main luxury brands.
Typically, mass-manufactured watches tend to not hold value well. Like everything else, there are some outliers to this rule, but generally, this holds true. If you are seeking to start a watch collection and you’re looking for something affordable, here’s what to consider.
First, materials matter when retaining watch value. Look for the highest-quality materials your budget affords. These include sapphire crystals, stainless steel or titanium as well as gemstones or diamonds.
Next, if you can afford a watch constructed by hand, it’s always your best bet. One of the things that sets luxury watches apart is that they are often made by hand by skilled watchmakers. They also have intricate movements. Enthusiasts place emphasis on craftsmanship. It’s something that doesn’t compare to mass-manufactured watches.
Last, seek out limited edition watches. Affordable watches that are numbered or are historically significant tend to increase in value over time.
Watches That Hold Value: The Bottom Line
Limited production, meticulous manufacturing processes and brand heritage play vital roles in the final price tag of a luxury wristwatch. What cannot be denied is that the leading names in the industry provide quality in each timepiece.
This quality surpasses that of any fashion brand or designer watch company, which is also why these brands lead the market with watches that hold value best.
Investing in a timepiece from one of these top 7 companies ensures you’re obtaining a valuable time piece. Not only do they tell a story of success and prestige, but constitute the perfect statement piece to wear every single day.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
Koen says
I visit TheSlenderWrist quite often, mainly to balance out the “high luxury” content of so many other watch blogs. Usually, I am impressed with the content you offer, but not in this case. Tag should be in the list of brands that depreciate like a loaf of bread. Any Omega that is not a Speedmaster loses value at an alarming rate as well. Even JLC depreciates more than one would expect. As an aside, I don’t think they ever made an “Atmos pocket watch” as mentioned in your article. Apart from the Holy Trinity, Cartier, Rolex sports watches, Omega Speedmasters and some independent makers such as Journe, I believe there isn’t a single new watch that won’t depreciate dramatically once it leaves the shop.
David says
This article was lazy. 99% of your reading audience can’t afford these watches and if the could would opt for an introductory luxury brand. If they could afford these brands and wanted to spend the 10s of thousands of dollars already know these brands. This arrticle was a regurgitation of so many online articles that both the author and his publisher should be ashamed.
A more interesting article would be luxury under 2k or 5k. Maybe unique or specialty brands. Just my 2cents.
Stephen says
Tag does not hold its value at all, expect to get well below half your money back when selling, especially for the Carrera pictured and I’m speaking from experience of trading up with the same watch.
Wayne Wheeler says
Of course, it’s not just brands but models. The wrong model of even a great brand might not hold up its price. Just like the right model of a good, but not well publicized, brand will hold up well too. The other secret is to buy used but well cared for examples of these models. Let the first buyer pay for the thrill of opening that new box. A two year old time piece of good quality is not even broke in. You can enjoy it for decades secure in the knowledge that it’s going to be worth at least as much as you paid for it.
S says
Tags hold their value lol
Adam T Lichman says
Nothing about Tudor and its rich military heritage? Tag made the cut though?
Jeff Emblen says
I agree with everything except TAG. TAG doesn’t hold its value well and has a spotty history. Would only bye them pre owned, if at all.
S W says
Omega & Tag tank in value.
I would buy Omega used if I were to get one, likely 30%+ off RRP. Omega history, value and horological significance appeal to me more than the other brands.
The Aqua Terra is a phenomenal daily driver.