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A how to of buying luxury watches at auction, from the UK's leading online auction house
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How to buy a luxury watch at auction

Vikki Wilkinson
Vikki Wilkinson

So, holidays are looking like they’re still quite a long way off and it’s probably going to be a while before we can confidently book a weekend away without feeling like Boris might do another drastic U-turn (that last minute Christmas announcement still gives me a shudder).

However, one positive takeaway – which I know can sometimes feel harder to grasp in these times – is that we’ve (hopefully) managed to save a penny or two. Now, for some, this might just be the perfect time to invest in something new. A luxury watch, perhaps? And really, what better way to perk yourself up than with a new indulgent item… the perfect treat awaits!

Buying a luxury watch is arguably one of the most important purchases of your life. A significant investment that provides the ultimate expression of your personality; ‘the watch one wears can tell a lot about a person’ (Watches of Switzerland). They can vary hugely and once you begin your search you’ll soon find there’s a whole range of options out there.

Firstly, my advice, buy what you like. It’s likely to be a significant investment and there’s a lot of sway that will try to convince you to buy a certain brand, model, type etc but the most important thing is that you like the timepiece. After all, you’re going to be wearing it a lot and people are going to ask about it (you’ll soon realise there are quite a few watch buffs out there) so it really should be something that makes you smile when you look at.

There’s so much history in watchmaking and you’ll be more inclined to find out about its detail if it’s something you genuinely love. Special timepieces become highly treasured possessions and can form lifelong collections that get passed down through generations.

Leading on from this, explore brands that are new to you. Just because you’ve seen Graham at work wearing a classic Rolex doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Bearing in mind, we’re heading into an era where it’s actually more on trend to be slightly different from the crowd. And with that, comes having the confidence to buy something a little out of the ordinary. This is where you’ll see the benefits of shopping online at auction because there really is a whole wealth of opportunity out there.

With watches, the condition report is key. Vintage timepieces have lived and, as with anything second hand, there’s a whole story of events before you. Read the detail thoroughly and look at the photographs closely. A luxury watch has the ability to stand the test of time but the condition of every one is therefore vital. Remember, you can always seek advice through us if you need it.

Finally, know your budget. Prices can vary quite drastically so it’s important you do your research and have a clear idea of what you want to spend. Put those hard-earned pennies to good use and, if you like, let us know how you get on below!

Before you go, take a look at the luxury watches we have on sale right now.