Rolex, Cartier, Omega etc, do they really hold their value?

[Biosblbay]

So I really like the look of Rotary watches, I can find a really dainty watch that looks vintage which is what I like and at a very affordable price, the one I like is only £199 which I think is a good price for a watch you will wear daily for years on end. I have asked my husband for one for my birthday (I am not fussed about brands etc) whereas my husband has said if he is going to get me a watch, he would rather get me a high end watch like a Rolex as it is an investment. I just don’t believe this at all and would just assume a lot of watches would depreciate as soon as they become second hand. I don’t really like Rolex’s but I have seen some lovely omega and Cartier watches, definitely more my style, Cartier being my favourite but the watch I like is £4000 which I think is crazy money for a watch, I mean there are even some at £20k+ and some Rolex’s cost more than a 4 bedroom house in London. It’s just insane to me!!!
But is my husband right, are watches really an investment and do they really hold their value? 🤔

Rolex’s do appreciate in value because you can’t just go into a Rolex shop and buy one. Generally speaking, there is a 12-18 month wait from point of order to actually receiving the watch. You effectively go on a waiting list . Omega and Cartier are unlikely to depreciate in value hugely but they won’t hold the same value as a Rolex after 5 years.

I have two Rolex’s, a submariner and a day date and both have increased in value by around 20% during the 4 years I have had them.

@Smithey588 the only Rolex I really like is the ladies Datejust which don’t get me wrong is a lot of money still but it’s not as costly as some of the others! So if I was to get this watch, we wouldn’t ever be out of pocket? Don’t get me wrong, I would never want to sell it on, it could be passed down to my daughter one day, but would it still be worth something in day 40/50 years time? But I would consider a pre owned if that meant getting it quicker as well as that is a long wait!

A datejust should be fine, but it depends on the year and surprisingly , colour. A two tone such as a stainless steel and gold strap will actually lose value, a gold will also lose value because of the higher retail price. A stainless steel datejust should go up in time.

As said before, an AD will not sell you a new Rolex, the second hand market is lower than it has been historically, look at it like gold; they will fluctuate over time.

if you know what you are buying you shouldn’t lose. If you are both new to the luxury watch market then it is very easy to make a mistake and ultimately lose money.

Surely if the watch you like is £199 and you don't intend to sell it on, but pass it down - then just get the one you like the best! You're the one that's going to be wearing it. The value would be irrelevant to me, unless you are thinking it could be an inheritance to be passed down and sold on, but what is the purpose of getting the watch? If like you say, it's to wear and keep, then the only thing that matters is you like it.

But then I'm in no league to be spending even £199 on a watch so my view may be different!

Values will flex a little but, generally, a Rolex will not depreciate over time.

There are a lot of people who buy them solely for investment purposes.

I would do some more research because as the pp has said, buying a Rolex isn't a simple thing. I would suggest looking at Mappin and Webb, perhaps see if you can get a Rolex appointment.