What type of watches do we purchase?

When thinking about paying more money than you absolutely have to for a watch — maybe a special gift for yourself or a loved one, or a reward for a valued business partner — a little research might give you the impression that the only acceptable choices are the most expensive of watches. It can seem like anything less than spending tens of thousands of dollars for a watch will unwisely increase the risk of less return on an investment, or be a compromise in style.

In a way, this is true. If elite watchmakers are going to use the best resources to produce the best watches in the world, those watches are going to have the best chance of being more desirable over time. There’s a reason people pay what they do for a Rolex Daytona or Submariner. Rolex is the biggest name in the world of watches, with a fascinating history that anyone would be proud to be part of.

The trouble for most of us, however, is that our tens of thousands of dollars are needed for things other than the best of all possible watches. So does that mean you can’t or shouldn’t pursue the idea of investing in more than just an easily affordable watch? Not at all.

Are Watches More Than Just Tools or Investments?

In our busy, technological lives, we tend to become obsessed with extreme efficiency and practicality. And in lives driven by financial ambition and success, we have been convinced that good investments are defined by extreme returns. These attitudes affect the way we think about our lives, even the way we think of watches. Many have lost sight of the beauty and importance of the watch as a work of art.

But from the very beginnings of watchmaking, the ingenuity of wristwatches was never meant to be so poorly made you were embarrassed to wear them, or so valuable you didn’t dare to wear them. Wristwatches were meant to be worn. And if something is meant to be worn, watchmakers have always intuitively understood it’s something that should look amazing while it gets the job done. Luxury watches are works of art.

Can a Watch Be a Work of Art and Be Affordable?

Watches that are priced higher than the average mass-produced watch, but not as highly as the over-the-top investment watch, can be the sweet spot for a very special purchase. These mid-range watches, made with extra care and extra style, can turn something that ordinarily looks good enough to get the job done into something that genuinely turns heads. This sweet spot is the place where an individual’s style is enhanced by an exceptional design, to create an affordable, wearable work of art that is truly and uniquely personal.

The great thing is, you just need to know a little about the person getting the watch to be able to find them the look whose breathtaking style will catch the eyes of everyone they meet, and over time become an unforgettable investment. And there are many high-quality, precision watchmakers that are creating stunning designs to choose from.

The Timeless Precision of TAG Heuer

One such watchmaker is TAG Heuer, whose Swiss roots go all the way back to the 1860s. Beginning with precision pocket watches and stopwatches, by the 1940s and ’50s, TAG Heuer became a world leader in the production of high-quality wristwatches. Finding just the right TAG Heuer watch — perhaps in their women’s Aquaracer 200 line, for example — will be a treasured work of art whose rich history will be recognized and honored in the years to come.

The Retro Style of Reservoir

On the other end of the timeline, even watchmakers with less than a decade of history can create watches with enough style and quality that they can be treasured investments. In 2022, the prestigious Red Dot Design Award — a coveted international award for design and innovation — went to a watch made by newcomer Reservoir watches. Founded in 2015, Reservoir blends Swiss mechanics with retro designs. Anyone who loves legendary automobiles will appreciate a watch like the Reservoir Kanister, whose stunning design was inspired by the RPM gauge of a classic Porsche 356 Speedster.

The Bold Detail of Breitling

For those who appreciate a precision watch that dazzles with detail, the Breitling Navitimer line was designed for aviators and incorporates some practical functionality into its classic style, which has been used by pilots since its introduction in 1953. Although top-of-the-line Navitimers are very expensive, the Breitling Navitimer Automatic 35 falls into that sweet, mid-range pricing with all the same style of its bigger brothers. And for those who keep their feet on the ground, the bright bands, black cases and bold face graphics of the more contemporary Breitling Endurance Pro affordably challenge the sporty looks of the Rolex Daytona or Omega Speedmaster.

And there are so many possibilities, so many other options. Whether it’s the elegance of Cartier, the simplicity of Movado, or the sturdiness of Hamilton, there is a high-quality, affordable watch that is waiting to be introduced to someone who is going to love it, and love wearing it.

Can I Find Watches That Are Works of Art Today?

A watch achieves its ideal when it’s more than an investment of the pocketbook; it should also be an investment of the heart. If you have the resources to do that with a Rolex, a Patek Philippe, a Panerai, an Omega, or an Audemars Piguet — good for you. You can find dozens of options right away, and you won’t be disappointed in going with one of the best watches to invest in.

But if your resources aren’t endless, or you find your heart drawn to a watch that is simply an exceptional and appealing work of art, don’t be fooled into thinking that the most expensive watches are your only choice. In the mid-ranges, you can find extraordinary artistic style backed up by superior precision craftsmanship that you’ll be able to count on keeping its value through time. In Chicago, Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers is a place that is ready to introduce you to the work of art you’ll never want to take off your wrist.