What Is A Luxury Watch? What Makes A Watch More Luxurious? (Four Reasons)

In this video, I'll tackle the nuanced subject of what it means to be a luxury watch. I'll provide my four main characteristics I think help to qualify a watch as a luxury product. This is all subjective, of course, and I'd love to know what you think down below in the comments. What constitutes a luxury watch for you?

0:00 - Introduction
1:21 - Establishing Luxury In Watches
2:56 - Four Key Characteristics Of A Luxury Watch
6:58 - Rolex vs. Breguet Example & Final Thoughts

[shawnfahey]

I really appreciate videos like this, Teddy! All of my friends were fortunate enough to not be infected with this sickness so videos like these are a great way to make the collecting process less lonely and have an opportunity to think about these ideas. I would encourage you to keep creating content based on your opinion, you lay it out in a way where even if someone respectfully disagrees with you, you probably helped them think about the subject enough for themselves to do so. Not sure if that makes sense but thanks for the time you take to create this content!

[alexspink]

Your video quality is always of the most professional calibre Teddy, but this is over and above. Whoever you got on board to add the music and bespoke animations in the transitions, it makes all the difference. So engaging. This is some of the most highly polished content on YouTube

[RudyVisuals]

I've owned Swatch and Casio for years until I got my career going. Now I can afford to spend a bit more, a Seiko Presage, Khaki Field Auto and PRX feels luxury to me. I've never felt the need to want to spend more than £1k on a watch. Great to hear your thoughts on this and really enjoyed this one Teddy!

[TheAussiePencil]

Thanks Teddy! I really enjoy these deeper videos examining aspects of the watch hobby, rather than examining one watch model

[俊毅陳-vp]

Once you reach a certain height in life, having time itself to watch youtube videos is a luxury.

[martincefai]

For me, luxury is spending money on something that is not essential for everyday living but makes you feel happy having it.

[anjav]

Teddy, it's a joy to watch your content! you are eloquent, so well informed, so respectful to many brands, regardles if they are swatch or high end timepieces, and i love your objectivite!
Well done sir!

[CE]

this channel proves everyone has a different idea of what luxury is, for some it's Tissot, for some it's Omega, for some Rolex... for me it's "Holy Trinity" .. AP, VC, PP

[lane]

Income levels, as you stated, define luxury. My first “luxury” watch was a Cyma and was a university graduation present for myself. I don’t remember how much it cost but at the time it was an incredible splurge and felt extravagant. Tag was the first company that felt high end but was also obtainable. I have every model except the Gulf Monaco. It’s size is really too large but for the sake of completing my collection I’ll buy it eventually. More recently I’ve been purchasing micro brands and faces that speak to me. My last big purchase was a speedy but really not the Omega that I’d been wanting. I find Rolex to be overpriced and boring. I’d rather spend my money on something that no one else will be wearing. At my age I’m not trying to impress anyone.

[stevepapa]

Great points all around! Price is only one segment of what makes a watch a "luxury watch" (or any item for that matter). A good example would be the Omega Seamaster Professional 300 vs the Oris Big Crown ProPilot X. The Oris is an extra $2000 retail price coming in at $7600 compared to the Seamaster's $5400 price tag but I don't think anyone would claim that Oris is more luxurious than Omega. Granted, these are two completely different watches but the point of the MSRP being all that matters to determine luxury isn't accurate. Brand perception, quality, price, availability, uniqueness all plays into the luxury good and you have to assess the product as a whole.

[cameronstewart]

Outstanding video. I'm wearing a Casio Marlin Pepsi on one wrist, and an Apple watch on the other. Feels pretty luxurious to me. And, yes, I have other stuff, but this makes me happy—which is the point.

[Ishn]

Luxury categories to me:
1. case material
2. the movement & complications
3. the dial
4. fit & finish
Honorable mention: exclusivity

[AKRex]

I think this explains it perfectly. I would also add that luxury brands are the ones who also tend to set and dictate the trends, where-as the lower-mid tiers tend to follow, borrow and perhaps expand them into something that is more affordable, fashionable and perhaps has more variety to it to allow you to wear them as a great accessory in addition to whatever outfit you choose for the day. At least that is my personal theory :)

[theshadowman]

After many videos from different channels including this one as of yesterday I got my first Swiss watch which at the price of just over a grand I consider very premium to luxury. A MIDO commander big date blue dial. Absolutely love it. Now will save up for a personal grail watch which for me is a Breitling Navitimer automatic because of my love for aviation

[thomaskim]

I bought a Rolex explorer one 2021 model couple weeks ago as my first watch purchase. It was a milestone watch for me, and I’m really happy with it. When my friends and family see it, they don’t even know it’s a Rolex at first since it’s not flashy or expensive looking. For some reason, although my watch comes from a luxury brand and is luxury quality, it feels down to earth and basic. And on that basis, it doesn’t feel like a luxury watch even though watch people probably think it is… idk if that makes any sense. Anyways love your videos man, they got me into watches and hope to see more content in the future

[timetowatch_francois]

Thanks for your insight! ❤
I agree that, today, just having a watch is “luxury” … even more of a luxury when having dozens! BUT I’m sure I speak for many of your viewers, it’s having goodness on your wrist, regardless if it’s considered a “luxury”.
It all comes down to your taste but more importantly, your budget 😊
Thanks for sharing!

[jorgegallegos]

For me luxury is when you spend your time and money and enjoy it. Great video Teddy, greetings from Mexico.

[rollout]

Just my two cents on this. I recently purchased a Tag Heuer piece. I've been a longtime admirer of Heuer designs as they fit my personal design tastes. It seems most people in the hobby don't consider modern Heuer pieces to be "luxury" watches. I am not in a tax bracket that allows me to purchase 8 or 10 thousand dollar watches. Therefore, my new $2500 watch is a very luxurious watch for me. A grail watch to me that I am now very proud to own. The guy at the bar next to me wearing his Daytona probably won't think too much of my F1 but I didn't purchase it to impress him. I guess the point is, luxury can mean very different things depending on lots of individual factors in a person's life. If you love it, have to wait and save to obtain it and finally get to make the purchase, you just bought yourself a luxury piece. Keep up the great videos!!

[xBboySpazzx]

Teddy, love the suit! Please do consider unbuttoning it when sitting. This helps the form of the suit and less strain on the button as well as gives you a little more comfort!

[OmidSoltan]

Good to see blazers and ties are making a comeback to the media 👍🏻