Commit TV Yagi Column: What are the qualities of a watch that is highly valuable?

Good evening everyone!

In recent years, the "asset value" aspect of luxury watches has become stronger and stronger. Until a generation ago, the image of "status" was strong, and it seemed that only a few wealthy people paid attention to them. However, today, they are recognized worldwide as real assets, and are treated the same as real estate, art, gold, etc.

Of course, the most important thing is to enjoy wearing a watch that you think is cool, but if it also maintains its asset value, there's nothing more satisfying than that.

So this time,

What are the qualities that make a watch a valuable asset?

I would like to explain this again.

This is essential reading to help you make the most of your future watch selections, so be sure to read it through to the end.

[ When you buy something, the asset value decreases from the moment you buy it]

It goes without saying that anything with a physical form will eventually break. Unless it is something that will retain its shape semi-permanently, like gold or silver, there is a risk that it will break from the moment you buy it, meaning that its asset value will decrease. And watches are no exception, and it is natural that their value will drop from the list price the moment you buy them.

However, there are luxury watches whose value increases over time and are traded at several times the retail price (i.e. high asset value) . So what kind of watch has high asset value? There are several conditions for this, so let's explain them step by step.

[What are the conditions for a watch to have high asset value?]

① Highly known brands

No matter how complex a watch you make, if no one knows about it, there will be no demand for it. On the other hand, even if it is a simple watch, if it is a brand that is recognized by everyone, there is a high possibility that demand will increase. In short, choosing a " well-known brand " is a prerequisite for obtaining a watch with high asset value.

②Worldwide popular model

After choosing a brand, the next key is to choose a model. Nowadays, luxury watches are recognized worldwide as real assets, so it is important that the model is not only popular in the Japanese market, but also "popular worldwide." To take an extreme example, even if a watch is not popular in Japan, where the market is small, it can be said that its price is unlikely to fall if it is popular on a global scale.

3) Semi-permanent maintenance is possible and it can be maintained for a long period of time.

High-value watches tend to be models from brands that offer a lifetime repair guarantee. This means that the watch can be passed down to generations, not just to the purchaser, but to children and grandchildren, meaning that it can be used for a long time. Being " semi-permanently maintainable and long-term " makes it easier to guarantee the asset value.

[Highly valuable brands and models]

From here on, we will introduce some brands and models that are actually high in asset value.

①【Rolex】

The first brand we would like to introduce is Rolex, which is one of the most well-known and popular brands.

I don't think I need to explain this anymore, but no one has ever popularized luxury watches as an asset value like Rolex. It is a brand that everyone knows, whether they are interested in it or not, and it has established an unshakable and overwhelming position.

■ "Daytona"

Known as the "King of Rolex," the Daytona is extremely well-known and popular around the world.

The name comes from the fact that the brand was the official timekeeper for the car race held in Daytona Beach, Florida. The first Daytona Ref. 6239, worn by actor and race car driver Paul Newman, is now known as the "Paul Newman model" and is known as a rare model that enthusiasts covet, but it is traded for tens to hundreds of millions of yen around the world. (The model worn by Newman himself is worth several billion yen.) From vintage to current models, this model is generally very popular and has outstanding asset value.

■ 『GMT Master』

The GMT Master is equipped with a rotating bezel and a 24-hour hand, allowing you to keep track of the time in up to three countries at once .

The unique two-tone bezel design has many different patterns depending on the production period and model number, and is also famous for having pet names such as "Pepsi (blue x red)", "Coke (red x black)" and "Batman (blue x black)". This model was often chosen by businessmen who travel a lot and people who fly around the world, but nowadays, many people are purchasing it because of its design.

■ "Submariner"

The Submariner is the second most popular diver's watch after the Daytona .

It is the world's first diver's watch developed by Rolex, and is an iconic presence of the brand, combining practicality with excellent design, such as indexes and hands coated with luminous paint so that the time can be checked even in dark water, and a unidirectional rotating bezel. There are a wide variety of variations, from current to vintage, such as the so-called "Green Sub", "Blue Sub", "Red Sub", and "Military Sub", and it is highly popular with people of all ages and genders.

② [Patek Philippe]

Next up is Patek Philippe, one of the world's three biggest watch brands.

Patek Philippe is a brand that combines overwhelming presence, status, and rarity, making it an indispensable brand in terms of asset value. Patek Philippe models often fetch high prices at auctions around the world, and are in high demand around the world. They offer watches that can be passed down to your grandchildren, and are one of the few brands that can be repaired semi-permanently.

■ "Nautilus"

The Nautilus is a representative collection that can be called the face of Patek Philippe.

When it was introduced in 1976 , gold was the standard for luxury watches, but the arrival of an expensive sports model made of stainless steel attracted a lot of attention from the industry. Half a century has passed since then, and it is highly popular as the leading "luxury sports watch," and all models bearing the name "Nautilus" are priced at a premium, making it a model with overwhelming asset value.

■ "Aquanaut"

Along with the Nautilus, the Aquanaut is one of Patek Philippe's masterpieces.

Although it has a casual atmosphere, this watch can be used for a wide range of occasions, both on and off the job, and it comes in a wide variety of colors, so you can find a watch that suits your taste. It seems that more people are looking for this watch than the Nautilus these days, so it's a model to look forward to in the future.

③【Audemars Piguet】

Lastly, we have Audemars Piguet, which, like Patek Philippe, is one of the three biggest watch brands in the world.

Audemars Piguet is a historic brand that has produced many masterpieces, and its high level of technical skill is well-known. It has released many models equipped with ultra-complex mechanisms and innovative collaboration models, and continues to be at the forefront of the luxury watch industry. It is an extremely well-known brand that never ceases to be a hot topic, and is a brand that cannot be left out when talking about asset value.

■ 『Royal Oak』

The Royal Oak laid the foundation for the luxury sports watch category.

The octagonal bezel, which has remained unchanged since its release, is a design that anyone can recognize, and has been loved around the world for a long time. The luxury sports model, which was first created by the famous wristwatch genius designer "Gerald Genta", has influenced so many brands and people that there are now models similar to this shape on the market.

summary

What did you think.

There are many different ways to choose a luxury watch. On top of that, the aspect of "asset value" that we introduced this time can be said to be an important point that cannot be easily ignored when choosing a luxury watch. I know that you will hear people saying, "You should wear what you like!", but I would be happy if you would first place importance on knowing this aspect.

As with anything, there is almost no harm in increasing your knowledge! Start by learning. Then, broaden your horizons and discover the appeal of more watches. Especially for those who don't own a luxury watch yet! Please take a look at the contents of this article.

see you!