Watches Are Yet Another Easy Way Rich People Make Their Money Into More Money (Published 2019) (2024)

Style|Watches Are Yet Another Easy Way Rich People Make Their Money Into More Money

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/style/collectible-watches.html

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Watches Are Yet Another Easy Way Rich People Make Their Money Into More Money (Published 2019) (1)

The high-end watch market is a strong investment vehicle for wealthy people.

Details of a 1966 Rolex Submariner, reference 5513, featuring a gilt, meters-first dial; a “long 5” bezel; a so-called Bart Simpson crown logo; and plenty of patina. Listed for sale at $60,000.Credit...Greyson Korhonen/Hodinkee

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As tattooed rockers, tech bros and Instagram influencers pile into the tweedy world of watch collecting, prices for sought-after classics from brands like Rolex, Omega and Patek Philippe are shooting up. In some cases, they have doubled in just a couple of years.

These next-generation collectors see old timepieces not just as a subtly stylish way to dress up a T-shirt and jeans, but also as a hot new asset in their investment portfolios. In a market where stocks, bonds and real estate seem at an unsteady peak, do vintage watches present a Bitcoin-in-2017-like growth opportunity? Or are they in a Bitcoin-in-2017-like bubble?

Time — elegantly monitored — will tell.

Even though his investment in watches has doubled in value in just 18 months, Peter Goodwin, a private investor in Charlottesville, Va., who also collects watches, said he is concerned about frothiness in the vintage market.

“It’s much like momentum investing in stocks,” he said. “People see the rise in Facebook shares, they see Mark Zuckerberg, and they want to ride it up. It is the same with the trendy watches we read about in the auctions — the Paul Newman Rolex, the Omega Speedmasters, some Submariners. You see them rising and you want to jump on.”

“The question,” Mr. Goodwin said, “is when does it stop?”

That’s a risk that newcomer watch geeks like Shahien Hendizadeh, a recent business school graduate in Los Angeles, are willing to take.

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Watches Are Yet Another Easy Way Rich People Make Their Money Into More Money (Published 2019) (2024)

FAQs

Why do rich people collect watches? ›

They want to satisfy their craving for collecting expensive stuff. Symbol of achievement: The main purpose of wearing watches is to know the time, and this requirement can be fulfilled with any ordinary and typical watch. But billionaire love wearing expensive watches as it is a symbol of success and royalty.

Is there money to be made in watches? ›

One of the most common and easy ways to make money is "buy low, sell high". So, if you want to make money by trading watches, the rule is to buy the watch that is under market price, then sell it at the market price, and you will make some profit.

Are watches actually an investment? ›

In a sense, a watch is just as much an investment as a stock, bond, or real estate. An investor must be willing to wait for a period of time to see a return on their investment. But the great thing about owning a watch is that it can be used. However, some collectors keep their watches unwrapped.

What is the No 1 most expensive watch? ›

The 10 Most Expensive Watches In The World
  • Graff Diamonds Hallucination: $55 million.
  • Graff Diamonds The Fascination: $40 million.
  • Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. ...
  • Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette: $30 million.
  • Jaeger-LeCoultre Joaillerie 101 Manchette: $26 million.
  • Chopard 201-Carat: $25 million.

Why not to buy someone a watch? ›

Sources trace the belief that giving a watch as a gift brings bad luck back to China many years ago, where the visual appearance and sound of words can often give them double meanings. When the Chinese characters for “watch” and “gift” are combined, they sound very similar to the word “funeral” when spoken out loud!

What is the most rich watch? ›

Top ten most expensive watches in the world
RankWatch NamePrice (Rs Crores)
#1Graff Diamonds Hallucination458 crores
#2Graff Diamonds The Fascination333 crores
#3Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010258 crores
#4Breguet Grande Complication Marie Antoinette250 crores
6 more rows
Dec 28, 2023

Who is the richest watch maker? ›

The Richest People in Swiss Watchmaking Revealed
  1. Johann Rupert – SFr4.75 billion (Richemont, tobacco) ...
  2. Hayek family – SFr4.25 billion (Swatch Group) ...
  3. Stern family – SFr3.25 billion (Patek Philippe) ...
  4. Bucherer family – SFr1.75 billion (Bucherer group, watch retail) ...
  5. Scheufele family – SFr1.75 billion (Chopard)
Feb 4, 2017

What is the best watch to buy and sell? ›

The best watch brands for investment are Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet as they are prestigious, exclusive, high-quality brands. Watches by these brands often hold their value or appreciate in value over time. Their ongoing popularity, limited editions, and scarcity drive increasing prices.

How much does it take for Rolex to make a watch? ›

After all the parts are completed (a ceramic bezel is supposed to take 40 hours to create), it's estimated that Rolex watchmakers need at least 3 hours and 30 minutes to assemble and complete the build of a Rolex watch.

Which watch brand is the best investment? ›

The easy answer: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and popular independents such as F.P. Journe and Akrivia. The vaguer answer: Watches of good investment value can be found across the full spectrum, from Swatch and Seiko to the upper echelons of masters like Philippe Dufour and Roger W. Smith, model dependent.

What is the cheapest Rolex? ›

What is the best and cheapest Rolex you can get? Any Air-King, Datejust, or Explorer on our list are fantastic choices if you're looking for a cheap Rolex watch. Still, a popular opinion among many Rolex enthusiasts is that the Air-King is the best affordable Rolex.

Is it better to invest in gold or watches? ›

An investment in a luxury watch is much less risky. It is closer to an investment in raw materials like gold or other precious metals. Not only is the watch typically made from these precious materials, but it often holds its value. This can rise at a higher rate than the raw materials themselves.

Who is the No 1 watch in the world? ›

1. Rolex. Rolex is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland. The company is well-known for its high-quality and precision timepieces, and its watches are considered some of the world's finest.

Which is the cheapest watch in the world? ›

It's a Casio. And the dial, surprisingly, has a story to tell. On any given day, the answer to the question, “What's the cheapest watch in the world” depends on where you look and what you look at, but a good candidate is often a humble little piece from Casio that doesn't have any name other than EAW-MQ-24-7B2.

Are watches a symbol of wealth? ›

In addition, luxury watches are often considered to be an expression of status and wealth. People who wear a luxury watch may be perceived as successful and wealthy. This can be a major factor for some people when purchasing a luxury watch. Luxury watches also appear frequently in popular culture.

What is the psychology of watch collecting? ›

The psychology of collecting is rooted in the joy of discovery and the satisfaction of acquiring something valuable. As men build their watch collections, they establish a sense of identity as collectors, a title that carries prestige within the watch enthusiast community.

Are watch collectors rich? ›

Luxury watch brands naturally aim their efforts at an affluent clientele. I have noticed, however, that most watch aficionados I meet have pretty regular jobs. And with pretty regular jobs come pretty regular incomes.

Is watch collecting a good idea? ›

Watch collecting can also have therapeutic benefits, despite what many might think. The release of dopamine that we get when we buy a new watch is so amazing but addictive, that at times we find ourselves craving another new watch within weeks of just buying one and in some extreme cases in just a few days.

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