In this section we offer you some insights and articles curated by us on the most popular curiosities and questions around the luxury world of watches.

In our Top Watches blog we give you useful advice to always stay up to date.

Why invest in luxury watches?

Luxury watches are inevitable accessories, a symbol of value and refinement, but nowadays they above all represent real REFUGE GOODS, like gold and diamonds.

In times of pandemic they have been able, more than anyone else, to keep their value high and stable. The data proves it: in times of crisis, unlike social investments and cryptocurrencies, luxury watches have demonstrated the ability to protect, if not even increase, their capital.

While stock markets are characterized by high and low peaks, in a spiral of discontinuous cyclicality and highly hypersensitive to fluctuations not always linked to justified events, luxury watches are able to defend their price.

Collectors know this well: regardless of the clearly precious materials with which they are made, watches belonging to certain brands immediately obtain an increase in their value on the market, such that they can be considered alternative sources of income.

They have an intrinsic value in themselves, as they are elegant and trendy products, timeless and ageless, capable of resisting the, alas, numerous downturns of the economic system.

They therefore present themselves as suitable alternatives between keeping funds in the bank (a solution which is almost completely unproductive of interest) and between investing them in some financial circuit without adequate guarantees of success (and indeed, with the risk of losing out).

It may seem paradoxical, but it is precisely in times of recession that the luxury sector offers far better performance than other forms of investment. When investor confidence is lost, they take refuge in the only assets that show no signs of changing, including luxury watches.

Precisely on the basis of this awareness, the demand for Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and so on has increased dramatically, and although the supply remains relatively low, not only does the value of these remain high, but rather it progressively increases. This means that by purchasing one of these at X, one day it can easily be resold at X + 1.

The margins and their timing may not be excessively high and instantaneous, but they have the advantage of preserving at least the time invested, without the risk of significant depreciation. We understand, therefore, the well-deserved interest in the luxury world of watches which today take on a double meaning: timepieces with fine manufacturing and safe-haven investment assets.

How and when to carry out maintenance/service on my luxury watch?

Luxury watches are instruments of excellent workmanship not only because they are made with precious materials, but because of a whole series of highly complex functions, such as to make them sophisticated pieces of engineering. The advanced mechanical functions additional to the mere measurement of time, including the chrono, calendar, moon phases and so on, can give an idea of ​​the complications inherent to luxury watches. Even the variety of movements (automatic, hand-wound, quartz, hybrid) can in turn vary the complexity of the watch, requiring more or less greater diligence.

Having said this, luxury watches differ from "disposable" items precisely because they are built and designed to last over time. The complexities and advanced functions mentioned above should not raise fears regarding the absolute quality of the timepiece product, rather they are characteristics that make it unique and precious. To preserve the value of these peculiarities, it is therefore advisable to carry out regular maintenance to preserve all the qualities and guarantee the correct functioning of the watch at all times.

How often this maintenance needs to be carried out depends a lot on the care and dedication that each individual owner demonstrates right down to the smallest precautions. Attention, whether more or less daily or at most periodic, relating to a basic cleaning of your watch (which can be simply by wiping it with a special cloth) can already effectively protect it from dust, dirt or sweat. It is therefore of particular importance to use a soft, dry cloth to clean the metal case and strap, while for leather straps a slightly damp cloth cleansed with specific products can be used.

For those luxury watches whose particular waterproof functions are not certain, it is good practice to keep them away from water, also making sure that the crown is tightly screwed down, so that even when in contact, liquids cannot penetrate inside. In any case, you should carefully avoid immersing them in water for long periods or exposing them to high pressure jets. Protecting your watch from water serves to avoid unpleasant compromises to the sophisticated mechanisms of the timepiece.

Another protection to be put in place relates to magnets: since luxury watches are authentic engineering pieces, they are particularly sensitive to magnetic fields. Their proximity to devices capable of generating magnetic spaces such as mobile phones, speakers, household appliances and so on, can influence and alter their precision. It is therefore strongly recommended to avoid placing your watch in extreme and prolonged proximity to these devices.

These routine maintenance practices are designed to safeguard the watch in its correct conservation, which can therefore be used every day without risking losing its valuable characteristics. Luxury watches do not require special display cases or safes, they simply need to be given the right care and attention. When not worn, simply store the product in a dry and safe place, away from direct light and away from humidity, in a jewelery box or suitable box.

Finally, as regards extraordinary maintenance interventions, these may include, at discretion, a more or less complete service approximately every three to five years, or a necessary intervention (for example following impacts or scratches) which may require polishing, more thorough cleaning of the movement, replacement of worn parts, lubrication of the components or even a possible replacement of the seals. In this regard, our internal laboratory is able to provide any service, from the most complete overhaul to the simplest maintenance.

All these maintenance services, both extra and ordinary, if correctly followed, are the key to guaranteeing the preservation of the value and long-lasting performance of your luxury watch over time, which if, as above, well cared for can last generations, and become a priceless family jewel.