Did you know that, according to Fortune Business Insights, luxury watches' compound annual growth rate will increase by 12.17% by 2032?

This statistic signifies that our society's interest in luxury watches is increasing tremendously. But why? To understand this, let's dig into the deep history of watches and how they evolved into premium accessories.

We’ll also explore the components of a watch, various types of watch movements, how to maintain one, and more. More importantly, we’ll also guide you in buying your first precious luxury watch. We won’t let your investment go in vain.

By the end of this article, I won’t be surprised if you wind up being a serious watch enthusiast or a seasoned collector. You can be the watch wizard from whom everybody takes the watch suggestions.

So, I hope you’re excited. Now, let’s dig into the timeless art of watchmaking!

Evolution of Watches

Before understanding a watch's core features and components, we should first understand its history and how it evolved into the timepiece it is today.

The evolution of watches is a fascinating journey with a century of rich history. In the 16th century, watches weren’t the same as they are today. There used to be portable watches. 

They were invented in Europe. They used to be large in size and cylindrical in shape. They often used to be carried around in the pockets by men or worn around the neck as a pendant. They used to work on spring mechanisms and weren’t very accurate.

By the 17th century, the development of pocket watches had come into the picture. It came in smaller size and with better accuracy. It had become an essential accessory to help with everyday tasks.

Military officials heavily used it for accurate task planning on the battlefield. However, they started noticing that carrying pocket watches on battlefields required more attention to avoid losing them, hindering their focus. So, to make the watch easier to carry, they attached a strap around it and made it an accessible timepiece. That’s when the actual wristwatch was invented.

During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, watches started being mass-produced for the general public. The wristwatch gained massive popularity during this period. And then, with technological advancements came all the innovations that made today’s watch more accurate and efficient than ever before.

Components of a Watch

We believe that understanding a watch's components will effectively intrigue any individual's interest. So, here we’re listing down all the main components of a watch, which will help you get a step closer to attaining the watch wizardry. 

Parts of watch

  1. Case - This is the outer component that protects the internal mechanism of a watch. 
  2. Dial - it’s the face of a watch that displays the time. It generally consists of hour markers, hands, date windows, or subdials. 
  3. Hands - The hands of a watch indicate the time. Everybody must know that a watch typically consists of three hands: Hour, minute, and second.
  4. Crystal - This is the transparent cover that protects the watch’s dial. It comes in various materials like sapphire, plastic, mineral glass, acrylic, etc. We personally recommend sapphire - it’s one of the best scratch-resistant materials.
  5. Crown - The Crown is a small knob present on the exterior portion of a watch. It’s generally used to set the time and date in watches. But in mechanical watches, it’s also used to wind the mainspring.
  6. Strap - The strap is a belt that’s wrapped around the wrist. This component can dramatically change your watch’s appearance. It comes in various materials like metal, leather, rubber, fabric, etc. Note: The strap is called a bracelet when it’s made out of metal. 

  7. Bezel - It surrounds the crystal of your watch that can either be fixed or rotated. The rotating bezels are generally used in dive watches to track time. It can be like a functional timer. 

What Makes a Watch a Luxury Watch?

A luxury watch stands out from a regular watch because of its incredible craftsmanship. The watchmakers that work on these watches generally use the most premium materials like gold, diamonds, and titanium for the body and sapphire crystals for scratch-resistant crystals. They also include exclusive features like water resistance, moon phases, perpetual calendars, and chronographs. 

The vast price difference between a luxury watch and a regular watch is primarily because of the watchmaking. The regular watches are generally made in bulk in the factories with heavy machinery. On the other hand, the luxury watches are hand-made. They’re made with the utmost care and attention to detail. Here, the time and effort that are put in are considerably higher. 

Also, the scarcity of luxury watches in the market plays a huge role here. Now, it’s a game of supply and demand. As luxury watches are hand-made, it’s close to impossible for them to produce products that cater to a large audience. So, the demand for the product will always be high. On the other hand, regular watches can be mass-produced and always be in abundance.

Later comes the legacy of the renowned watch brands. Their unique design, meticulous detailing, and aesthetic appeal blossom interest in customers. Also, their product quality, durability, testimonials, and positive reviews reflect their brand value and legacy.

Additionally, the premium watches come with certifications like COSC for chronometers, helping to build trust in customers to invest in their products. 

Key Features of a Luxury Watch

  • Accurate Time
  • Durable Material
  • Water Resistant
  • Scratch Resistant 
  • Movement Type
  • Power Reserve
  • Chronographs
  • Moon Phases
  • Perpetual Calendars
  • Design Versatility

What is a Watch Movement?

Watch movement is often referred to as the heart of the watch in the world of Horology. It’s the mechanism that goes in the back end of the watch. It’s responsible for keeping a watch at an accurate time. 

Understanding the watch movement is important for both buyers and sellers. This helps in making an informed decision based on personal preference, performance, durability, and, more importantly, the value proposition. 

Also, understanding these movements makes you appreciate the watchmaker’s craftsmanship. Love and respect for that watch would increase immensely.

There are different types of watch movements to choose from. Let’s get into them in detail in the next section.

Types of Watch Movements

The movement of a watch determines how a watch works and its precision level. The following are some of the most popular watch movements. 

Mechanical Movement 

The mechanical movement watches work on a series of gears, levers, and springs inside the watch. The main component of this movement is the core spring. It stores the energy when you wound the knob. We generally require to twist the knob to energize the main spring.

Then, the energy in the spring gets gradually released into the hands of the watch, which maintains accurate timekeeping. The positive thing is that it doesn’t require any battery. Because of its craftsmanship and beautiful design, it is always appreciated. 

Automatic Movement

An automatic movement is similar to mechanical movement, but it doesn’t require manual winding of the main spring. It has a rotor in the center that helps wind the mainspring whenever the watch wearer moves the hand. The rotor looks like a small semi-circular piece of metal in the watch.

This watch movement doesn’t only retain the traditional watchmaking, but also adds convenience to the wearer by taking away the responsibility of manual winding of the main spring. Similar to the mechanical movement, it doesn’t require any battery. 

Quartz Movement

Quartz movement requires a battery and a small quartz crystal to function. The electricity from the battery passes through the quartz crystal, creating vibrations. These vibrations are converted into a pulse making the hands of the watch move.

It provides you with highly accurate time and also requires very little maintenance. Also, it’s very affordable and widely available when compared to mechanical or automatic watches. 

Kinetic Movement

A kinetic movement is just a combination of both automatic and quartz movement. This was introduced by Seiko in 1986.

The kinetic watch uses the watch wearer’s hand motion to generate electricity. The generated electricity is then stored in the battery. The electricity from the battery is then used to vibrate the quartz crystal, generating the pulses that make the hands of the watch move. 

Solar-Powered Movement

This is an eco-friendly innovation that emerged in the 1970s. These watches convert light into energy and then store that energy in a rechargeable battery. 

This doesn’t require any manual winding, mechanical movement, or frequent battery replacement, like quartz. This watch type is gaining popularity because of these advantages and its ability to harness light as an energy source.

Different Price Points for Buying a Luxury Watch 

Let’s Compare and understand the luxury watches at three different price points. We’ll break down all the factors that influence a watch’s ability to fit within its appropriate price range.

Features

Entry-Level

Mid-Range

High-End

Price Range

$500 - $3,000

$3,000 - $10,000

Above $10,000

Materials Used

Stainless steel, hardened glass

Sapphire crystal, gold plating, premium steel

Solid gold, platinum, exotic alloys, diamonds

Movement Type

Battery-powered quartz or basic automatic

High-quality automatic or manual

In-house, handcrafted, or tourbillon movements

Additional Features

Limited (e.g., date, basic chronograph)

Advanced (e.g., GMT, moon phase, power reserve)

Complex (e.g., perpetual calendar, minute repeater)

Exclusivity Factor

Readily available, mass production

Limited production runs

Exclusive editions or one-of-a-kind pieces

Watch Maintenance 

You've acquired a nice watch for yourself, but you're not sure how to care for it. Don't worry; we'll go over all of the necessary maintenance suggestions for your watch so it never runs out of time. Let’s begin. 

Taking care of a luxury watch ensures it will stay in good condition for a long time. Begin with cleaning it every day. Take a soft micro-fibre and lint-free cloth to clean the watch. Clean everything -  dust, dirt, and sweat. You can also use a wet cloth to clean the metal bracelet of your watch. 

You should never unnecessarily dip your watch in the water, even though it’s water resistant. There are also chances of water entering your watch if the crown is not closed correctly.

Also, never wear your expensive watch while performing intense physical activities; it could lead to unnecessary shocks to the watch and affect its functionality. Extreme temperatures like high heat or freezing conditions can also harm your watch. So, avoid prolonged exposure to such conditions. 

Try keeping your watch away from the strong magnetic fields, as it may affect its accuracy. Also, avoid exposure to strong chemicals like perfumes or cleaning agents, which can potentially damage the case, strap, or coating of your luxury watch. Replacements of the components can be really expensive; you’d want to avoid it. 

Lastly, regular servicing is crucial, usually every 3-5 years, to keep the internal mechanisms in top shape. When not in use, store your watch in a safe, dry place, preferably in a watch box or pouch to protect it from dust and scratches.

How to Identify a Fake Luxury Watch

It’s really easy to identify if your luxury watch is a fake. You just need to have some knowledge of the brand. Also, you require attention to detail and a sharp eye while inspecting the watch. The following are some of the ways how you can identify a counterfeit one.

  1. Always purchase from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity.
  2. Research the brand that you’re purchasing in prior. Examine the brand logo and markings. Also, cross-check the serial number on the watch with the manufacturer’s database.
  3. Check the movement of your watch. Luxury watches often tend to have mechanical movement. The hands in this type of watch work smoothly. If you find yours to be jerky, get it checked with the watch manufacturer.
  4. The price of the watch is where you need to be really cautious. When you’re purchasing a watch, take a step back and think if the deal is too good to be true. Luxury watches rarely sell for a fraction of their retail price, even pre-owned.
  5. Packaging and documentation are other areas where you can uncover if the watch you have is counterfeit. The authentic watches, in general, come with a premium packaging. Along with that, they also send documentation like certificates of authenticity and manuals. 
  6. Inspect the weight and materials used in the watch. Authentic luxury watches make use of premium quality materials like gold, stainless steel, platinum, diamonds, and sapphires. Due to this, the weight of the watch becomes substantially heavier. If you feel your watch is lightweight, it would mean the materials used in it might have been of substandard quality.

Where to Buy Authentic Luxury Watches Online in Dubai

If you don’t want to stumble upon a fake watch online, you should always try buying from a reputable website. Do some research on how long they have been in this industry. Also, check for their testimonials and product reviews. You can find genuine public thoughts on the product.

See if you can find an offline store of the luxury watch brand you’re about to buy. You can go and check the products physically. You will then be able to comprehend your thoughts about the quality of the products really well. 

Also, ensure the seller has a clear return and refund policy. This provides peace of mind if the product doesn’t meet your expectations.

For those in Dubai, Lifestyle Fine Jewelry is really a reliable option. We’re known for our diverse collection of luxury watches. We also provide certificates of authenticity with every purchase you make at our store. Unlike other luxury watch brands, we provide you with competitive pricing without compromising on quality. 

We guarantee that your online and in-store buying experiences will be smooth and enjoyable. Additionally, we offer first-rate customer service. We quickly address any questions you may have and help you with any issues you may encounter. Please check out our range of luxury watches on our website.

FAQs

  1. How often should I service my luxury watch?
    Luxury watches should be serviced every 3-5 years to maintain their precision and longevity. Regular servicing ensures the internal mechanisms stay in top working condition.
  2. What materials are commonly used in luxury watches?
    Luxury watches often feature premium materials like gold, platinum, titanium, diamonds, and sapphire crystals for scratch resistance and durability, enhancing their aesthetic and functional appeal.
  3. Can I wear my luxury watch during sports or swimming?
    While many luxury watches are water-resistant, it's best to avoid exposing them to intense physical activities or water. Always check the manufacturer's specifications for proper use.

Wrapping Up

Luxury watches are more than tools for telling time—they’re works of art, blending history and style. Understanding how they work and how to care for them will make you appreciate them and ensure your watch stays beautiful and functional for years.

Maintaining your watch with regular cleaning, safe storage, and proper servicing is key to preserving its value and longevity. Equally important is buying from trusted sellers to guarantee authenticity and quality.

Whether you’re choosing your first luxury watch or adding to your collection, take your time to find the piece that suits your taste and needs. 

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Your perfect watch awaits at Lifestyle Fine Jewelry. Shop today at the best price!