Watch Pricing

What determines the price of a watch? Almost universally, the suggested retail price for a watch is higher than you will actually pay. This goes for many prices listed on this site. However, that's not to say you should look for deals - beware of fakes! Just know that manufacturers have a high estimation of their product!

Many Swiss and luxury watches are investments, like fine art. If you maintain them well, and protect them from harm, they will increase in value.

The following are factors affecting the price of watches:

• The kind of movement used
  Several complications are especially expensive. A minute repeater is almost always 6 figures; tourbillons start at $80,000. Other high-priced watches include chronographs, perpetual calendars, retro and bi-retrogrades and many others. In combination or alone, any of these complications affect the prices of watches.
  
  
• Metals and other materials used
  In order of ascending value, a fine Swiss watch made of this material will likely cost:
  • stainless steel - $3,000 to $4,500
  • gold plating (depending on its thickness, as measured in microns) - $4,000
  • gold, yellow or rose - $15,000
  • white gold - about 10 % more than yellow gold
  • platinum - $30,000 (or double that of gold)
  
  Of course, base metals, plastics, resins and other synthetic materials are much cheaper. But you would be unlikely to find these in a luxury Swiss watch.
  
  
• Scale of production
  The smaller the number, the higher the value is more likely to be. Some series are produced in lots of 10 or less. Montres Allison custom-makes its watches.
  
  
• Diamonds and other jewels
  Of course, bigger jewels and higher karats are going to increase the price of any watch.
  
  
• The strength of the brand
  This is an interesting, sometimes alluring aspect of watch buying. Some brands can be at their peak value, while others' "stock" may be rising.
  
  
• Other complications and accessories
  In the age of technology, companies are inventing many accessories to go with new models. As with all technology, these tend to be more expensive the newer they are.