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Luxury Watch Investment 101: What to Buy from Watches & Wonders 2025

high end watch collection

Hello, watch lovers and aspiring investors,

I’m sure all of us can agree that watches are an essential part of our accessories. Stepping out of the door without a watch is like the world coming to an end sometime (no exaggeration intended).

It isn’t just a mechanical system that determines the time of the day, it’s a timeless piece of progress in humanity. Despite phones replacing many other items, watches remain essential in everyday life (you can’t argue with me on this one).

“Everyone looks at your watch, and it represents who you are, your values, and your style.”_ Kobe Bryant

Wrist Watches were first discovered by Patek Philippe in 1868, who introduced the first wristwatch. After World War I, they became highly sought after. For convenience and fashion, people have been wearing watches on their wrists ever since.

Over the years, we have found a way to fit the time of our lives as well as our smartphones into a tiny machine on our wrist. But still, the timeless essence of a watch hasn’t faded. What’s more, the luxury market for these watches, which have proven time and again the potential of a dialled wristwatch.

I mean, you can’t blame me for wanting a polished luxury watch to not only jazz up my look but also share an important part of the culture and craftsmanship that is put into making it.

The luxury market for watches is not just a market for high-end watches, it also translates into a market for investments. Like how watches are a must in everyone’s life, the investment in a luxury statement watch should also be one.

The luxury watch market has been quite a stable market for luxury investment, with brands such as Rolex or Patek Philippe being strong leaders in the industry. The price of a good luxury statement watch is bound to get you a good resale price.

Before we deep dive into the brand-new Watches & Wonder collection of 2025 and which is potentially investable, let’s get to know about the event itself, shall we?

One premium luxury watch fair is called Watches & Wonders. In 1991, it was founded as the Salon International de la Haute Horologerie. The purpose of this event was to display high-end watch collections. In order to appeal to a wider global audience, it rebranded itself as Watches & Wonders in 2020.

The event blends online and in-person exhibitions. The Watches & Wonder Geneva Foundation, founded by Patek Philippe, Richemont, and Rolex, oversees organizing it. Their goal is to spread awareness of watchmaking’s history and art worldwide.

Held annually during the season of spring season in Geneva, Switzerland- a city with centuries of horological history and culture. It is also the heart of the luxury watch-making industry and the birthplace of timekeeping innovation.

It has become the industry’s main stage, featuring a week-long series of unveilings, exhibitions, and discussions from the biggest names while also connecting with collectors, journalists, and enthusiasts.

Now that we know the interesting history and thought behind the grand exhibition that was held this year from 1st April to 7th April, with the first four days being exclusive to journalists and industry members, and the rest of the days being open to the public.

Let’s get to the main question at hand: What to Buy from Watches & Wonders 2025? Here’s our take on it

Rolex Land-Dweller : $13,900 for stainless steel models and climbs up to $116,900 for diamond-set versions

A ground-breaking addition to the Rolex Sky-Dweller released in 2012 and the Sea-Dweller in 1967, making it a new series of the brand after a decade of silence. Powered by its innovative Calibre 7135, this self-winding movement operates at a high frequency of 5 Hz and offers a 66-hour power reserve, featuring the revolutionary Dynapulse escapement for enhanced precision.

A honeycomb-patterned dial adds a notable touch and is available in different colours. The model is available in a sleek integrated bracelet design, available in 36mm and 40mm sizes, crafted from oyster steel, white gold, or platinum with options of fluted or gem-set bezels.

Patek Philippe 5308G-001 Quadruple Complication : $1,237,270 USD

This timepiece is an embodiment of pinnacle craftsmanship and innovation featuring four prestigious implementations, namely a minute repeater that strikes the time on classic gongs, a split-seconds chronograph with patented energy-efficient features, an instantaneous perpetual calendar with precise disk movements, and a moon phase display alongside small seconds for a celestial touch.

Powered by a self-winding Calibre R CHR 27 PS QI, the watch boasts 799 components, including a mini platinum rotor. The 42mm timepiece is adorned with a stunning sunburst ice blue dial displaying baton-style hour markers that pair well with the navy-blue alligator leather strap.

Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux : $157,000 USD

Van Cleef & Arpels unveils yet another iconic piece from their Poetic Complications, a compilation that harmonizes fine watchmaking, art standards, and storytelling, to create a unique piece as a wristwatch.

In 2010, the Maison introduced Pont des Amoureux, featuring two lovers meeting on a bridge in Paris, sharing a kiss every day at midnight and noon. In Bal des Amoureux, the couple goes on their second date.

The scene was inspired by the Parisian guinguettes (open-air cafes), with the dial depicting the lovers meeting under glowing lanterns with the dreamy backdrop.

They still kiss at midnight and noon, but now they hold hands the entire time while he holds a bouquet behind his back. The perfect depiction of a rom-com Parisian date, don’t you think?

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon : $678,000 USD

A redefinition of ultra-thin watch pieces was created due to this piece, which also broke its own record by making it. Measuring just 1.85mm thick, it holds the world record for being the thinnest tourbillon ever created, showcasing Bulgari’s master engineering.

Powered by a Calibre BVF 900 movement, it offers a 42-hour power reserve. The case back is made of tungsten carbide for rigidity, while the bezel, case band, and bracelet were crafted out of microbead-frosted titanium, ensuring durability while preserving elegance.

The watch also includes eight patented innovations like the differential display, integrated case middle and plate design, and a novel barrel structure.

Roger Dubuis Excalibur Grande Complication DBEX1174 : $800,000

The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Grande Complication DBEX1174 is a masterpiece of horology innovation, created to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary. It features a biretrograde display that automatically adjusts for months of varying lengths and won’t require manual correction until the year 2100—a mechanism co-patented by Mr. Roger Dubuis himself.

The minute repeater is activated by a touch button to chime the time with a distinctive tritone sequence known as the devil’s chord. The Flying Tourbillon that is positioned at 6 o’clock enhances precision and features a cage inspired by the Celtic Cross.

Powered by a Calibre RD118 automatic movement offering a 60-hour power reserve and is certified by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève. The open worked dial displays the magnificent detailing of the whole system, giving it more than just an aesthetic appeal.

As a limited edition of just eight pieces worldwide, the DBEX1174 is a rare and masterful testament to Roger Dubuis’ legacy of innovation and complexity.

This year, Watches & Wonders had a lot of exciting revelations for both investors and enthusiasts. So, whether you’re about to buy a watch for its culture, status, and craftsmanship, whether you’re after it as an investment, or if you’re looking for a simple yet elegant way to check the time, remember that the watch always holds more than just the time; it holds your perception of it, and a good watch ought to create a punctual person. And I’m pretty sure investors know’ Time is Money’.

Now, I’m quite curious to know which watch caught your eye and got your investment gears rolling? After all, it’s time for a test now!

Until next time, Signing off for now.