3 Essential Tips for Buying a Luxury Watch

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A watch is so much more than merely a tool for telling the time. Your choice of watch is a statement that communicates your sense of style and personality. A luxury watch is an accessory that will get you noticed and is sure to attract attention. As a push present after I gave birth to Emma, my husband bought me a Tag Heuer watch, and it's one of my favorite pieces of jewelry after almost 18 years.

Purchasing a luxury watch can feel daunting, especially if this is the first time you've ever shopped for one. Due to the amount of money involved in buying a designer watch, and how frequently it is worn, you will need to shop carefully to choose the perfect watch for your needs.

Focus on Features

Before investing money in a luxury timepiece, carefully consider the style of watch that you are hoping to buy. Do your research and think about features that you would like to have on your watch, such as the material and color of the strap, the material of the watch itself, and the watch's movement, which could be mechanical or quartz. Many luxury watches have a classic style so that they can be worn for many years to come.

Shop Wisely

Buying a luxury watch often means a reasonably large amount of money will be spent on the purchase. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that you shop carefully for a new watch to prevent yourself from making an expensive mistake.

While you may want to get the best possible watch for your money, there are some points to be aware of before searching for a bargain.

When shopping, be careful that you aren't purchasing a fake, the luxury watch market is plagued by counterfeit watches, so be sure that yours is the genuine article before parting with your money.

You should also be aware that luxury brands only authorize their products to be stocked and sold by official retailers that have entered into a distribution agreement with the brand. If you see a luxury watch being sold far more cheaply by an unauthorized seller in a different country, then it is likely that the seller stocks parallel imported watches. While this kind of gray market activity may not be illegal in the same way as selling counterfeit goods, it is still not an ideal situation. Buying a luxury watch from an unauthorized seller means that the original guarantee for the watch will be invalidated so that repairs won't be under warranty.

Know Your Budget

Knowing how much you are willing or are able to spend and the features that you require before you start shopping is essential. Having a clear idea of what you want from your watch and how much you are prepared to spend, simplifies your shopping process.

If you can't get everything that you want with your budget, you may want to consider purchasing a second-hand watch from an authorized seller instead of buying new.

Don't forget to also factor in the costs of servicing the watch in the future too.

Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is, so go with your gut instinct and lookout for signs that a watch or seller may not be genuine.