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