Luxury watches today are as functional as they are stylish and beautiful. They are valued as collectibles, status symbols, and art. Some luxury watch brands like Rolex are household names but some of the most luxurious are all but unknown to the average person. And there are dozens of fine luxury watchmakers, in Switzerland, France and elsewhere, all of whom make watches worth the investment.

A luxury watch is a work of art and a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Some luxury watches have 800 or more components and are still hand-assembled. At the low end, luxury watches sell for about $1,000. Many luxury watches have a price tag of 30 times that amount or more, a few sell for close to a million dollars.

Collecting Luxury Watches

A beginning collector drawn to luxury watches may be overwhelmed by the variety of choices from the simply elegant to the stunningly beautiful and multi-faceted functions available in fine timepieces made by dozens of reputable makers.

A sound bit of advice to anyone interested in adding a luxury watch to one's collection is to study the watches and the companies before buying one on impulse. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a luxury watch, especially if it is being purchased, in part, as an investment.

The reputation of the brand is important. Rather than relying solely on a salesperson, talk to people who own luxury watches, study information available about the watchmakers and their watches, and find out what dealers and collectors are saying about watches on Internet forum sites.

Luxury Watches with Added Value

Many watch connoisseurs place high value on the number of complications a watch has. Complications are mechanical functions other than basic time telling like perpetual calendars, second time zone, or lunar phases. Generally speaking the more complications a watch has, the more valuable it is.

Other watch enthusiasts are interested in the beauty or style of the device. These watch buyers look for sleek elegant designs and ornamentation like diamonds or other gemstones.

Other details to consider when purchasing a luxury watch that can increase its value over time are its rareness, whether it is a limited or special edition, its warranty, and, in the case of previously owned watches, if its provenance can be traced.

Subtle Differences Between Luxury Watch Brands

With those basic tips in mind, here are a few things to know about some luxury watch brands. Rolex and Cartier are the two best-known brands and both make fine watches in a wide range of prices. The best-known brands are not always the most desired by collectors. In terms of status and overall quality, there are several luxury watches valuable to connoisseurs and aficionados.

Luxury Watches for Yachtsman, Contact Sports, and Other Special Interests

Two of the top Swiss-made watches are Patek Philippe and Bregeut. Both companies make exquisite watches with multiple complications and jewels. Patek Philippe holds the record in number of complications. In 1989, they created a pocket watch in honor of their 150th anniversary with 33 complications including a celestial chart with 2,800 stars. Other luxury watchmakers with solid reputations include Piaget and Bulgari of Italy.

Some watches are designed for special interest markets. Breitling is favored by pilots for their aeronautic designs. Glycine's Airman 7 watches can display up to four time zones, perfect for travelers. Corum's Admirals' Cup Tide 44 measures the force of the tide and currents based on the moon's phase making it perfect for yachtsmen. And for those who play contact sports, Jaeger's Reverso watches are made so that the face can be flipped over.