Watch is an instrument of fine precision with a primary aim of telling time. However, over the years, besides its function of exhibiting time and date, the designer watch has turned into an investment, masterfully crafted and made of materials like silver, platinum, gold and even encrusted with diamonds.
Many luxury watches, especially the ones manufactured by the world famous Swiss watchmakers are treated like designer wear and fine art, to be treasured and valued for generations. In fact, if you look after them well and keep them in pristine working order, their values increase exponentially over the years.
The manufacturers therefore consider their designer watches to be in high estimation and mark-up the prices significantly. Universally speaking, then, the suggested retail price of a designer watch will always remain much higher than what you would actually pay for it.
So, what exactly are the factors that determine the price of a designer watch, especially a watch that is handcrafted, made with perfect precision and is considered the treasure of a lifetime? The pricing guide for designer watches is determined by factors like movements, metals and materials used, brands, scale of production etc.
Mechanism
The first most important element in determining the cost of a watch is the kind of mechanism used in it. The prices rise proportionately to the complexity of the movement of the watch. A minute repeater, tourbillons, chronographs, perpetual calendars and bi-retrogrades are some such examples of precision and intricate mechanisms. Whether single or in combination, it is these features that sky-rocket the pricing of watches.
Materials
Depending on which materials are used, a fine Swiss watch will vary in pricing. Whereas a stainless steel watch may cost $3000 - $5000, a gold watch will cost $15000 and platinum will rise to double of that. Watches simply gold plated will be less while diamond encrusted jewellery watches will go into six figures.
Custom-designed
Swiss watches that are custom designed and produced in small quantities are likely to be higher in cost. Some series are produced in numbers less than ten, the value of which goes up considerably as they are regarded to be collector's items.
Brand Value
Some brand names may attract a higher price and a select clientele than others. While some brands will only be known for their high range in quality and price that never waver from the highs, others may be rising to reach that level.
Technology
Many watch companies offer models with new technological breakthroughs in the form of accessories. These tend to be more expensive than simpler and older models.
William Brister - http://www.designerwatches.tv - All you need to know to make a watch selection.
