No matter what you’re investing in, there will be some degree of risk. Whether you’re investing in bonds or tangible objects such as a watch, it’s the risk that makes investing so lucrative.
Watches are a form of art on your wrist, but by purchasing the right brand and model, your timepiece can also be an investment.
What timepiece to invest in is a common debate amongst watch lovers, but Patek Philippe is one brand that always seems to crop up in these conversations.
A Look at the Patek Philippe Design
Patek Philippe is renowned for its engineering as well as it’s beautiful dial design and finishing details. Any diamonds that are placed are done so by hand, as is any enamel painting. Each watch’s in-house movements are created in Geneva, with each timepiece undergoing stringent quality checks.
It’s no wonder their watches take around 12 months to complete – some of their more complicated pieces take even longer.
The brand is also behind innovations such as the perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph and the minute repeater.
Overall, Patek Philippe is one watch brand that takes pride in bringing each customer a unique and memorable timepiece.
Investing in a Patek Philippe Timepiece
Rolex has become such a famous brand that it’s become a go-to option for first-time investors. In fact, you don’t even need to be interested in watches to know the name. Unfortunately, this means that Patek Philippe is often overlooked by new buyers.
This family-owned watch brand was founded in 1839 and to date, they have only produced around a million timepieces. With each watch taking at least a year to complete, it’s not difficult to understand why these timepieces start at around $20,000. Many of their other pieces cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Grandmaster Chime ref. 6300A-010 is one of the most noticeable Patek watches. It sold for $31m at an auction in 2019, making it the most expensive watch to ever be sold on auction.
Historically, while Patek Philippe is not a brand that always springs to mind first, particularly amongst first-time investors, it has one of the best year-on-year performance records. This alone makes it a sound investment, not to mention the high-end engineering, exclusivity, and noteworthy heritage.
While many celebrities wear this watch as a day-to-day piece, most watch buyers purchase Patek Philippe timepieces as an investment. Their vintage pieces are particularly intricate, making them an ideal investment or family heirloom.
You will also be interested to know that every Patek Philippe watch is registered in their archives, making it that much easier to trace the history of the timepiece. The searchable extract is where you will find the date and time of production, as well as where the watch was originally sold.
In terms of where to purchase a Patek Philippe watch, it’s essential that you take the time to find a reputable dealer. If you are planning to buy from a private buyer, make sure that you know what to look out for to ensure it’s a genuine Patek Philippe timepiece.