The Truth Behind 10 Popular Luxury Watch Myths

The Truth Behind 10 Popular Luxury Watch Myths

The watch boom of the 21st century would not have been as remarkable without the influence of social media and the internet, where experts, amateurs, collectors, dealers, enthusiasts, influencers, or any other person for that matter, have had access to an abundance of information along with lots of misinformation. As a result, many luxury watch myths have been circulating, making it nearly impossible to figure out the truth. While certain myths were once true, but advancing technology has made all of them debatable.

For instance, is it really safe to wear your water-resistant watch in the shower—well, no, it’s not!

Similarly, many preconceived notions need to be debunked once and for all.

10 Luxury Watch Myths You Need to Stop Believing

• Luxury watches are always expensive

The idea of luxury is that it’s expensive. That makes sense, though. But look in the right places, and you can absolutely find luxury watches at a budget-friendly price. All luxury watches don’t start from thousands of pounds. Buy pre-owned luxury watches, and you’ll find a beautifully built, aesthetic watch that’s rich with history and doesn’t drill a hole in the pocket with its purchase price. 

• Mechanical watches are way better than Quartz

Sorry to disappoint, but that’s not the truth. Both mechanical and quartz come with their own pros and cons, and it’s all up to one’s preference. Mechanical watches are driven by a spring through a series of gears and a battery powers Quartz watches. Many assume that a battery-powered watch is no good as compared to a machine, but that’s not true. So, why are mechanical watches so popular? Some consumers prefer the more ornate design of a mechanical watch over a simplistic quartz option, and it has nothing to do with its performance.

• Swiss-Made watch isn’t always entirely swiss

To luxury watch enthusiasts, “Swiss Made” is a critical designation synonymous with excellent watchmaking. However, the phrase has created confusion regarding how much of it is actually manufactured in Switzerland. Sadly, your “Swiss Made” watch is not 100% made in Switzerland. Generally, 60% of the value is created in Switzerland, and 50% of the essential manufacturing is done there. Though the final inspection is done in Switzerland, the remaining 40% and 50% can be done anywhere else in the world.

• It’s not fine to wear your waterproof watch in the shower

It seems easy enough to understand that the depth rating for a watch means exactly what it is. For instance, a 50m water-resistant watch means it can be taken down to 50 metres below the surface. But it isn’t always the case. Manufacturers test the water resistance of the timepieces in cool temperatures and static conditions, which unfortunately doesn’t count for the times you decide to jump into a shower. The combination of water pressure and heat can easily surpass three bars—equivalent to submerging your water-resistant watch 100 feet underwater—damaging the crown seals and gaskets.

• Luxury watches are always a great investment

Wish we could agree to this, but sadly, this is not true. Some watches did go up in price and have come down again, and the vast majority of them out there never even go up in the first place. And, in most cases, a new luxury watch depreciates from the moment you buy it. Only a few coveted brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are trustworthy. So, buy a luxury watch only and only because you like it. If it holds or goes up in value, that’s a bonus.

• Hand finishing isn’t fully done by hand

When a Swiss-made watch claims that every part is crafted from raw metal using only bare hands, we tend to believe its true, and that’s how it actually used to be. But automation and mechanisation have been around in watchmaking for a very long time, and today, they are more prevalent than ever. So, when a watch says it is hand-finished, it usually means that those decorative detailing and finishes are applied by hand with unpowered tools, or it could also mean that it involves a light touch with a powered tool on a finish that was predominantly done by the machine.

• Luxury watches don’t need care & maintenance

Irrespective of how much you spend on a luxury watch, you’ll still need to service it often. Even luxury watches from the best brands, designed with the utmost care and attention, require maintenance. For example, Rolex watches require maintenance every five to ten years, but if there are signs of early deterioration, you must immediately take it to an expert. Due to regular wear and tear, the components inside require lubrication and a bit of touch-up now and then to ensure they don’t break entirely. Routine maintenance is only needed once every couple of years to keep your watch viable. It also helps it retain its value.

• An unworn mechanical watch remains accurate

No, it doesn’t. Like any machine that requires regular servicing, a luxury watch is designed to keep moving. So, the parts start seizing up when they are unworn and lie dormant in the same position for a considerable time. The quality of lubricant that keeps the parts running smoothly deteriorates. Next, the surrounding atmospheric conditions can cause oxidation of the dial, hands, and movement. Watches are as susceptible as cars or motorcycles. So, it’s better to keep them running than look at them occasionally.  

• Pre-owned luxury watches are not as valuable

Gone are those days when consumers looked down upon pre-owned luxury watches. Do a bit more research, and you’ll know how luxury watches are a great option for collectors, buyers and enthusiasts alike. The secondary watch market is as vast as ever, offering far more affordable options and an extensive variety. In fact, pre-owned watches even retain their value, so you can one day sell your watch to earn back a good sum of money. All you need to do is buy watches from a reputable source and ensure the watch retains its original box and paperwork attesting to its originality. When buying a pre-owned luxury watch, you can enjoy the same luxury at almost a fraction of the cost.

Lastly…

As you can see, the world of luxury watches is filled with myths and misconceptions, many of which have existed due to a lack of understanding or misinformation. As watch connoisseurs, it’s really important to debunk the myths and separate fact from fiction to truly appreciate the heritage, technology, and craftsmanship of luxury watches.

Now that you’re armed with the truth, you can make more informed decisions and enjoy your luxury watch experience to the fullest and myth-free, of course!

Guest Article.