{"id":2016,"date":"2018-06-29T07:16:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T07:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=2016"},"modified":"2024-08-10T16:44:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-10T16:44:31","slug":"5-mistakes-watch-newbies-make","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2018\/06\/29\/5-mistakes-watch-newbies-make\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Watch Mistakes Newbies Make"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Even the savviest watch collectors have been newbies once. We all start somewhere. And along the way, we learn some truths about watches and collecting that we wish someone told us before.<\/p>\n

Now, this isn\u2019t a complete list of mistakes new watch guys can make and not every one who is new to watches\u00a0have fallen for these, but they still are common today.
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Here are the 5 most common mistakes watch collecting newbies make, and how you can avoid them:<\/div>\n
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Many people still believe that watches are guaranteed to appreciate in value, but that is actually not true for all watches.<\/p>\n

Pre-owned watches do hold their value pretty well; and a\u00a0lot of watches\u00a0such as Rolex sport<\/a> models\u00a0have appreciated in recent years. In fact, if you bought one pre-owned you can likely sell it for more than you bought it for a few years ago. However, this type of price movement is by no means guaranteed.\u00a0The \u201cbuy low, sell high\u201d adage isn\u2019t as applicable in the watch world because of industry changes.<\/p>\n

Therefore,\u00a0buying a watch as an investment,\u00a0or because you think it will appreciate in value,\u00a0may not be the right motivation<\/a>. It’s best to get\u00a0one instead for your personal enjoyment.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, keep your watch in tiptop shape in case you want to sell it someday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re buying your first ever watch, we understand the allure that\u00a0\u201cbrand new\u201d has. But know that you can also get quality watches pre-owned.<\/p>\n

Many pre-owned watches are sold or\u00a0traded-in to retailers in excellent condition, and sometimes, even unworn. So this means you can get a good-as-new watch for less. Moreover, the pre-owned market also makes your options broader – if you\u2019re looking for a watch that\u2019s no longer being produced, such as vintage or limited edition pieces \u2013 that\u2019s where you\u2019ll find it.<\/p>\n

Just make sure to do your research and buy from a trusted retailer. Start by askin<\/span>g\u00a0<\/span>Is that a Real Rolex?<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or by knowin<\/span>g\u00a0<\/span>How to Spot a Restored Dial<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s good to listen to the insights of more experienced watch collectors, but at the end of the day, the watch will sit on\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0wrist.<\/p>\n

So the most important factor when choosing a watch is whether it fits your lifestyle, activities and personal taste. With all the categories, designs and models to choose from, this may take time, but ultimately, you should buy what\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0truly like and the best that you can afford.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our\u00a010-Step Guide to Choosing a Watch<\/a><\/span>, to start with.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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There are watches you\u2019ll almost never go wrong with (like Rolex sport<\/a> models) but you\u2019ll get the most out of your investment by actually using its features.<\/p>\n

Aside from its brand name, heritage, reputation and design, a watch\u2019s complication is what sets it apart from other watches. By\u00a0complication<\/em>, we mean what your watch can do aside from telling time. A few basic ones are:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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– Date or Day-Date Display<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 tells you the date or both the date and day of the week<\/div>\n
– Triple Date<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 tells you the month of the year in addition to the day and date<\/div>\n
– Chronograph<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 a watch that can be used to record time or as a stop watch<\/div>\n
– Greenwhich MeanTime or GMT<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 tells time in two places simultaneously, often\u00a0 used for traveling<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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As a new watch owner, you\u2019re probably excited to keep your watch in tiptop shape and show it off to others, but it\u2019s also possible to love your watch too much. Avoid the following pitfalls:<\/div>\n
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Going over the top on the polish<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Polishing your watch will keep it looking shiny\u00a0 and new, and keep unavoidable scratches away,\u00a0but be aware that whenever you add polish to the casing and buff it, you\u2019re also removing a thin layer of metal or gold. Over-polishing also affects the value of your watch if you plan to re-sell it.<\/div>\n
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Exposing it to elements<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Water, sunlight, and magnets are avoidable elements that you should limit your watch\u2019s exposure to. Vintage watches, most especially, are prone to hairspring and mainspring damage brought about by magnets, so avoid exposing them to smartphones and laptops.<\/div>\n
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Part of the joy of owning a watch is learning about them. You may commit mistakes along the way, but with continuous learning, you\u2019ll become watch savvy in no time.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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SEE MORE OF THE WATCHES IN OUR VIDEO:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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