The Wristwatch

Functionality, image,  investment, or all three?

When you think of a watch, you typically think of the function it serves you each day.  It tells you if you are running late for work or picking up the kids, or if you are going to miss the first few minutes at the cinema. 

For some however, a watch is a treasured accessory that just happens to provide the function of telling time.  For those who select a watch for image or design, features can include different time zones, lunar phases, scuba diving features, now accessing your email or even taking a phone call.

For most, here is why so many seek out watches for daily use, collection, or topping off their look:

Fashion:  In terms of luxury watches and fashion watches, both can serve as ‘arm candy’. Elaborate watch models give you the Omega Lunar Phase, Gervil dual time zones and more. Classic watches can be categorized with models such as the Cartier Tank watch, and trendy styles with rubber watch bands and bright colors such as the Fitbit Smartwatch Versa 3.

Swiss watches have long been known to be where the finest watches are made much like Italy is where fine sports cars are created. It is still true, in modern days, that most fine watches are made in Switzerland. Watches such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain, Zenith, TAG Heuer, and Omega.  

It is said that the reason why watches made in Switzerland are superior is quality because of the standard of their mechanism. Metal gears and metal pins are used unlike plastic that is used in lower end watches.  Swiss watches are almost always made with 316L surgical steel which is a high grade steel that has a greater resistance to corrosives. They are least likely to tarnish and are less susceptible to wear and tear. They are also hypo-allergenic – perfect for people who have allergies to inferior alloys.

Another big feature of the ‘Swiss made’ timepiece is they are typically  made with sapphire crystal as their ‘face’. Hence, they are encased in a material with an extreme hardness.  This makes a ‘Swiss made’ watch almost always scratch resistant. It is said that even if you take a car key to them, they should not scratch.

Collectible watches: It’s no surprise that many High Net Worth individuals indulge in collecting high end  timepieces.  Find a man or woman wearing a Patek Philiipe and you will likely discover it is one of many in their collection.  And how can you blame someone as wearing $100,000.00 on your wrist has to feel great. To put a cherry on top, in most cases the watches increase in value so over time their watches have earned them even more wealth.

“Everyone looks at your watch and it represents who you are, your values and your personal style.”  Kobe Bryant