Wristwatches come in a wide range of prices. Some models can be purchased for under 1 yen, while others cost hundreds of millions of yen. When it comes to the higher price range, they are called "luxury watches," but what is the difference between luxury watches and watches in the lower price range? In this article, we will delve deeper into what a luxury watch is.
What is a luxury watch?
Watches are an essential tool in our lives, present everywhere in our lives and available in a variety of shops. However, you may have come across some watches being sold at high prices.
Wearing a luxury watch, something that is rarely seen in everyday life, gives us confidence and a sense of value. However, when asked what a "luxury watch" means, few people may be able to answer immediately. While interpretations may differ from person to person, let's take a look at the definition of a luxury watch.
Prices vary depending on the structure and construction
The essence of a luxury watch is "luxury." However, what price tag is considered luxury varies from person to person. It's important to pay attention to factors other than price that make a watch luxurious.
The first thing that comes to mind as a common element among luxury watches is that they are well-made, authentic watches, whether mechanical or quartz.
A. Lange & Söhne's Zeitwerk mechanical digital watch features a unique power control mechanism that advances the minute display in one-minute increments and instantly switches all hour and minute display discs on the hour. The second-generation model, released in 2022, features an evolved movement. The power reserve has been extended to approximately 72 hours, and it also features a function that allows the hour display to advance independently. Manual winding (Cal. L043.6). 61 jewels. 18,000 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Pt case (diameter 41.9 mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. (Inquiries) A. Lange & Söhne Tel. 0120-23-1845
Mechanical watches are watches that are powered by the unwinding of a wound mainspring. They have a long history, and the oldest surviving spring-driven portable clock was made in Nuremberg in 1548.
The more parts there are in the movement, which controls the movement and precision, the higher the price tends to be. For this reason, battery-powered quartz watches tend to be cheaper than mechanical watches, but there are also high-end quartz watches that are well-made and can be used for a long time.
Some high-end mechanical watches are designed based on the ideals of horology, which involve reducing torque and reducing friction between multifaceted parts to compensate for the lack of power. Specifically, they use thin, long mainsprings to reduce friction with weak torque. This allows the intricately interlocking gears to move smoothly with little force. Another distinctive feature is that they often use thin hands that do not affect accuracy.
Also, unlike regular watches, many luxury watches have a low beat setting, with some having a frequency of around 5 vibrations per second (18,000 vibrations per hour) or 6 vibrations per second (21,600 vibrations per hour). To compensate for this, the gears and tenons are polished to reduce friction between the parts, maintaining high accuracy.
In this way, luxury watches include models with delicate construction, including mechanical watches.
The "World Time" was announced by Patek Philippe as a new watch in 2024. Its mechanism, which synchronizes the time and date of the selected time zone, is impressive, but the blue dial engraved with a carbon-style pattern is also noteworthy. Automatic winding (Cal. 240 HU C). 37 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve of approximately 48 hours. 18KWG case (diameter 40mm, thickness 11.57mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 12,420,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Patek Philippe Japan Information Center Tel. 03-3255-8109
Furthermore, luxury watches have meticulous decoration and finishing on the exterior. In recent years, advances in machine tools have made it possible for many brands to achieve high-level decoration and finishing at affordable prices. However, brands that rely on skilled craftsmen for this process tend to be more expensive. However, watches that are like works of art created through such handwork are extremely desirable.
The allure of luxury watches that attracts enthusiasts
Luxury watches continue to fascinate watch enthusiasts. Luxury watches would not have survived if they were simply a symbol of authority or status. So what exactly is the appeal of luxury watches?
Highly artistic and delicate functional beauty
Mechanical watches have over 100 tiny parts precisely assembled into a tiny case measuring just over 10 centimeters. Even with the advancement of automation, they cannot be mass-produced, and as mentioned above, some brands achieve delicate functional beauty by having artisans carry out many of the processes by hand.
In addition, luxury watches are often adorned with gorgeous decorations or have unique structures, and each brand has its own unique design. Each watch has its own fascinating personality, and can be enjoyed like a work of art.
A complex mechanism that represents the pinnacle of technology
IWC's popular Pilot's Watch collection now includes the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar, which features a perpetual calendar that will not require manual adjustment until 2100. The Caliber 52616 movement has two barrels, providing a long power reserve of approximately 168 hours. Automatic winding (Caliber 52616). 54 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 168 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 46.2 mm). Water resistant to 6 bar. Price: 5,164,500 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) IWC Tel. 0120-05-1868
In the world of mechanical watches, there are many models equipped with complex mechanisms that only a handful of brands and watchmakers can realize. Particularly famous are the three most famous complex mechanisms in the world: the tourbillon, the minute repeater, and the perpetual calendar.
The tourbillon was developed to eliminate errors caused by gravity in the movement, and while the development of machine tools has broadened the scope of its manufacture, it still requires sophisticated technology. The minute repeater tells the time by chiming a bell, and the beautiful sound of its sound continues to fascinate watch enthusiasts. The perpetual calendar is a semi-permanent function that displays the date according to the calendar. It continues to keep time accurately in response to the changes in the month and year.
These mechanisms are by no means necessary for everyday wear, but these complex mechanisms, which represent the pinnacle of tradition and skill handed down by artisans over many years, further enhance the value of luxury watches with their unique appeal and taste.
Furthermore, luxury watches with complex mechanisms require advanced skills for maintenance and repair, which strengthens the connection with artisans. For watch enthusiasts, the mere possession of a complex mechanism is an attraction in itself.
A status suitable for adults
Luxury watches, including mechanical watches, have been produced by prestigious brands steeped in history and tradition, as well as emerging brands pursuing technological innovation. This is why they have a presence that sets them apart from other watches.
With regular maintenance, luxury watches can be worn for decades. Owners can pass on their history and culture to future generations through their timepieces. They are a status symbol that is appropriate for adults who have lived through their time.
The type of watch that a person wears reflects their individual preferences, especially when it comes to luxury watches. A person's tastes and values can be glimpsed through their luxury watch.
Luxury watches are attractive not only for their technology, history, and brand aesthetics, but also for their status. For enthusiasts and the general public, luxury watches are more than just "everyday items for telling time," and their value is sure to continue to rise.
Generous guarantees that earn customer trust
The Citizen is one of the premium brands offered by Citizen Watch. The model shown in the photo, the "AQ4091-56M," released in 2022, is not only equipped with an Eco-Drive movement boasting high accuracy of ±5 seconds per year, but also features a dial made of Tosa washi paper dyed using the traditional Japanese technique of "natural lye fermentation," resulting in a deep indigo color and an elegant appearance. The manufacturer's warranty is one year, but by registering with the "Citizen Owners Club," you can receive a warranty of up to 10 years, which is an attractive feature. Solar-powered Eco-Drive (Cal. A060). Ti case (40mm diameter). Water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 440,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Citizen Customer Watch Consultation Center Tel. 0120-78-4807
One of the attractions of luxury watches is the generous warranties that are made possible by their history and technical expertise. Many luxury watch manufacturers offer long-term warranties. Rolex offers a five-year international warranty, Omega a 10-year warranty, and The Citizen, the top brand of Citizen watches, offers generous support and overhauls for up to 10 years.
These long-term warranties not only build the trust of long-time customers, but also demonstrate confidence in the company's technical capabilities. When an overhaul is performed, the exterior is also polished, and the watch is returned to you looking like new. By choosing a luxury watch with a generous warranty, you can rest assured that it will be a "lifetime piece" that you can cherish for many years to come.
Things to know before buying a luxury watch
Luxury watches require different attention than cheap, casual watches. Please take care of your watch by paying attention to the points below to preserve its value.
Some models are delicate and fragile
It is important to know that mechanical watches use many delicate parts and require more care than quartz watches. While there are high-end watches that are robust, some models are very fragile.
It is best to avoid dropping it or placing it near electronic devices that generate magnetism, such as smartphones or computers. It is also not recommended to store it in an excessively dry place, in direct sunlight, or in a hot and humid place.
It's also important to remove any oils or dirt that may have accumulated on the case and strap after wearing the watch. Treat it like a delicate living thing, or it could lose a lot of its value.
Regular maintenance required
It is generally recommended that luxury watches be overhauled every 3 to 5 years. Overhauls include inspecting and replacing internal parts, replenishing oil, and polishing the exterior. Overhauls are essential to keeping your watch in good condition for a long time.
Compared to quartz watches, mechanical watches are considered to require a little more maintenance and are more expensive. While a quartz watch can cost anywhere from 5000 yen to overhaul, it's not uncommon for a chronograph, for example, to cost several tens of thousands of yen (of course, it's important to note that the cost varies depending on the brand and model).
Before purchasing, you should understand that regular maintenance is necessary and plan your budget and time accordingly. This is necessary to ensure that your luxury watch lasts a long time and maintains its value.
What to consider when choosing a luxury watch
Many luxury watch manufacturers put their value on the products they create, creating a wide variety of models. Here we will introduce what you should pay attention to when choosing the perfect watch for you.
First, acquire some basic knowledge
When choosing a luxury watch, it is important to have at least some basic knowledge. If you buy one without understanding the terms used in the specifications, you may end up regretting it.
The first thing to understand is the power source of the watch. Mechanical watches come in automatic and manual winding types, while quartz watches use batteries. Depending on which type you choose, maintenance and handling will also differ.
Next, let's look at the watch's functions. The chronograph can be used as a stopwatch, the perpetual calendar automatically calculates leap years and the number of days in a month to display the date, the moon phase is a function that shows the phases of the moon, and the GMT can display the time in multiple locations simultaneously, making it useful for overseas business trips.
By understanding the basics about watches, you will be able to efficiently find the model you are looking for.
Use it according to the situation
Luxury watches can be worn in a variety of situations, such as business, private life, or a wonderful date with your partner. It is important to consider which situations you will wear your watch in, or how you will use it for different occasions.
In business situations, be aware that the impression you give to others will change depending on the watch you wear. If you want to give a formal impression, an analog watch is better, and a metal or leather strap would be better. As for accessories, it's best to avoid anything flashy if you're in a business setting.
On the other hand, if you plan to wear your watch mainly for private occasions, you won't have these restrictions, so you can choose a model that suits your fashion and hobbies. If you plan to wear your watch outdoors or for sports, durability and shock resistance are important.
By choosing a watch that matches your lifestyle and fashion, taking into account the situation in which you will use it, you will find it to be a more valuable piece for you.
Choose a brand you can trust
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to summit Mount Everest. The expedition was equipped with an Oyster Perpetual Chronometer, and Rolex released the Explorer that same year. This practical model combines high accuracy even in harsh conditions with robustness and legibility. Automatic (Cal. 3230). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. Oystersteel case (40mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m.
The history and story of the brand are also important points when choosing a watch. Each brand has its own history and culture, and each brand has its own appeal based on these.
For example, Rolex is characterized by simple and practical designs that emphasize functionality and durability. Bulgari, for example, which makes use of its Italian design sense and jewelry origins, has a completely different appeal to watches and pursues a completely different style.
Each brand has its own culture and aesthetic that it pursues in its watches, which is what gives each brand its unique identity and position. It is important to understand the mechanism and worldview that is unique to each brand before choosing a watch.
Brands you should know if you own a luxury watch
We've said that choosing the right brand is important when it comes to luxury watches, but what kinds of luxury watch brands are there? Let's take a look at some of the brands you should know about and their characteristics.
Omega's relentless pursuit of durability and functionality
Automatic winding (Cal. 8800). 35 jewels. 25,200 vibrations per hour. Power reserve approximately 55 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 42 mm, thickness 13.6 mm). Water resistant to 30 bar. 946,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Omega Tel. 0570-000087
Omega began as a workshop founded by watchmaker Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1848. His two sons, Louis-Paul and César, eventually named a new movement "Omega" in 94, and the company officially took on the name Omega in 1903.
Omega is known for accompanying the moon landing and being selected as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. High precision and reliability are the strengths of Omega watches. They are also credited with bringing innovative technologies to the watch industry, such as anti-magnetic technology.
Representative collections such as the Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation, and De Ville each have their own unique characteristics. For example, the Seamaster is a collection that boasts high water resistance as a diver's watch. The Speedmaster is characterized by its chronograph function and supported the Apollo astronauts' mission to land on the moon.
Omega also has strict quality control, and uses movements certified by COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute). In addition, only watches that pass the rigorous tests of METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) are released to the world as "Master Chronometers."
Rolex: Overwhelmingly well-known and practical
Automatic winding (Cal. 3230). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. Oystersteel case (diameter 41mm). Water resistant to 300m.
Rolex is a luxury watch brand founded in Switzerland in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf.
The appeal of Rolex lies in its unique movement technology. The company develops and manufactures its own movements, and mechanisms such as the Oyster case and Perpetual with automatic winding mechanisms have greatly expanded the possibilities of watches.
Representative Rolex collections include the Submariner, Datejust, Daytona, Explorer, GMT-Master II, and Oyster Perpetual. Each has its own unique features and uses, and the practicality of being able to choose one that suits your fashion and lifestyle is one of Rolex's strengths.
Rolex has established an overwhelming reputation and practicality through its robust quality and reliability, the introduction of innovative technology, and a wide range of design variations. These elements are the reasons why the Rolex brand is highly valued.
Longines: beloved design and reliability
Automatic (Cal. L687.2). 27 jewels. 25,200 vph. Power reserve approximately 66 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40 mm, thickness 14.3 mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. 491,700 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Longines Tel. 03-6254-7350
Longines is a luxury watch brand with a long history and tradition, founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz in Saint-Imier, Jura, Switzerland.
Longines has maintained a close relationship with the world of sports for many years, and has been selected as the official timekeeper for numerous international competitions and tournaments. In 2022, Longines was selected as the official partner and official timekeeper for the Commonwealth Games Birmingham, a multi-sport event between countries and regions within the British Commonwealth.
Longines' representative collections include the Master Collection, Conquest, Heritage, and Presence. Each has its own unique features and design, allowing you to choose one that suits your fashion and lifestyle.
For example, the "Master Collection" combines classic design with excellent functionality. It features automatic winding, a power reserve indicator, and a chronograph function. The "Conquest" features a sporty design and is highly waterproof and shock-resistant, making it ideal for active scenes.
Longines is supported by many watch enthusiasts not only for its long history and tradition, but also for its elegant design and reliability due to its highly precise movements.
Bvlgari: A fusion of tradition and originality
Automatic (Cal. BVL399). Power reserve approximately 48 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 42mm). Water resistant to 100m. 1,386,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Bvlgari Japan Tel. 0120-030-142
Bvlgari is a jewelry brand founded in Italy in 1884. Today, the brand offers a wide range of products, from jewelry to watches, perfumes, and accessories.
After World War II, Bvlgari developed its own unique style, inspired by Greek and Roman classicism, and it wasn't until the 1970s that it really began to enter the watch industry.
The strengths of Bvlgari watches are their luxurious and sophisticated designs and the high-quality movements that are meticulously crafted by watchmakers. Thanks to their in-house manufacturing system, they are manufactured with an uncompromising attitude to even the smallest details.
Representative Bulgari watch collections include the Serpenti, Octo, Bulgari Bulgari, and Diagono, each with its own unique design.
For example, the "Serpenti" is characterized by its unique design with a snake motif. Many models can be worn like jewelry, and are especially popular among women. The "Octo" has an impressive, unique octagonal case, and its well-regulated shape exudes a certain elegance.
This fusion of Italian craftsmanship and Swiss watchmaking technology will be an appealing find for any watch enthusiast.
Grand Seiko: The pinnacle of Japanese watches
Automatic winding (Cal. 9SA5). 47 jewels. 36,000 vibrations per hour. Power reserve approximately 80 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40 mm, thickness 11.7 mm). Enhanced water resistance for everyday use (10 bar). 1,276,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Seiko Watch Customer Service (Grand Seiko) Tel. 0120-302-617
Grand Seiko is a brand that originated in 1960 when the Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko released the first Grand Seiko, a highly accurate and high-quality wristwatch, and continues to fascinate watch enthusiasts around the world.
Grand Seiko watches are made with innovative technologies, including precision movements packed with craftsmanship and the company's proprietary Spring Drive technology. The company established itself as a luxury watch brand in Japan with the release of the 61GS VFA, which achieved a daily accuracy of ±2 seconds thanks to its high-beat technology, which won top prizes at the Swiss Observatory Competition, and a new rate adjustment technology.
The design is characterized by a delicate and sophisticated finish, with a strong reflection of traditional Japanese aesthetics. The case and dial are also elaborately designed, employing unique techniques such as Zaratsu polishing, which beautifully expresses the reflection of light and shadows.
Representative Grand Seiko collections include the Evolution 9 Collection, Heritage Collection, Elegance Collection, and Sports Collection.
IWC: High quality backed by a long history
Automatic winding (Cal. 69355). 27 jewels. 28,800 vibrations per hour. Power reserve approximately 46 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41 mm, thickness 13 mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. 1,161,600 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) IWC Tel. 0120-05-1868
IWC (International Watch Company) is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1868 by American engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones.
IWC is known for its highly functional watches that are specialized for specific purposes, such as aviation watches and diver's watches. In addition, its simple and elegant designs have captured the hearts of many people.
In the 1930s, IWC produced its first pilot's watch, the Mark IX, and continued to pursue watch development. In 1949, it released the Mark XI, equipped with the Caliber 89 movement developed by Albert Pellaton. This established IWC as a pilot's watch brand, a position that continues to this day.
IWC's collection includes Pilot's Watches, as well as the Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur, Da Vinci, and Portofino.
The Portugieser collection combines sophisticated, classic design with high functionality. The Pilot's Watches are functional and tough watches that inherit the history and tradition of aviation watches. The Aquatimer, highly regarded as a diver's watch, boasts high water resistance and functionality.
IWC's uniqueness can be said to lie in its solid technical capabilities, excellent functionality, and sophisticated design.
Discover the charm of luxury watches and find one you can love for a long time
Luxury watches are distinct from affordable casual watches. They combine the traditional pursuit of design and mechanics with a wealth of modern features, making them both practical and attractive in appearance.
With proper maintenance, luxury watches can be used for decades. They can even be passed down from parent to child. Each brand and series of luxury watches is imbued with a philosophy and ideal. These ideals, embodied by the craftsmanship of the artisans, become a reflection of the owner when worn.
Discover the appeal of luxury watches, which go beyond status, and find one that you can love for a lifetime.
