Do luxury watches last?
This post is not about the cost because that is a whole other topic. The cost of watches is all relative to the person. To some a luxury watch is any watch and to others it is without budget. That being said the point of this post is to get the sites view if a luxury watch will last longer than an average watch.
I have always been in the under one-thousand dollar watch market. I still have a twenty year old Fossil watch that is working today. I recently purchased a Tudor Ranger with the thought that the watch will last me the rest of my life. But then I realized the above mentioned Fossil is already twenty years old with no issues but battery replacements. With the sizable investment made on the Tudor I couldn’t help but think I made a mistake. Somehow I convinced myself I needed the Tudor. Did I fall victim to my own stupidity and buy a luxury watch that will last no longer than a Fossil watch?
Let me know your thoughts.
I don’t know if I would call myself a watch collector. I am a watch fan and have had many watches over the years. Watches have always been something I enjoyed.
You did not fall victim and that is an awesome watch. Your Fossil, lasting 20 years, is clearly also an awesome watch. However, you are talking about two totally different beings though. You mentioned your Fossil is a battery-based watch; many quartz movements should last a long time if you maintain basic care, so it is hard to compare a circuit board to a mechanical-based movement that needs to be treated more like an engine than a PC.
When we look at technological advances, many things are lasting longer than ever. The average vehicle on the road is over 12 years old, with cars (non trucks) lasting over 13. Metallurgy, improved lubrication, and better machining mean watches at all price points are lasting longer, generally. The game is one of averages though. For every Fossil that last 20 years, there are countless others that did not last the first year, or were tossed after the first battery death.
Once we add in the mechanical sympathy of the owner, daily use, etc, it is quite variable. As you move up the price spectrum, you will and should see better materials, better accuracy, etc.
Enjoy both, you have two excellent timepieces.
This is somewhat of a hot button topic for me, and here is why. You can make just about any decent quality item last a long time with regular maintenance. That maintenance requires parts supply; many companies are now cutting off parts supply after 7-10 years! The really high end brands tend to keep parts supply going for a much longer time, which allows a watch that is maintained to have a longer useful life.
You are likely to be able to get parts for your Tudor for a long time, probably not the case for the Fossil or Seiko or Tag Heuer for example.
See how that went right off the rails?
Unfortunately, it is the truth.
I recently purchased a Tudor Pelagos with exactly that thought that it will last me the rest of my life and I can pass it on to my family.
I think I uses this thought to justify the expense relative to all my previous purchases.
I am confident having been wearing it a few weeks that it is better made with better materials than my other watches.
Many inexpensive watches will last a long time. I do everything rough wearing my vostok and it still looks like new.
But when you put those two watches side by side I can feel good about my more luxurious watch. I can feel the lasting quality I believe!
@Hemlock well part of this purchase was a one and done luxury watch. I should be good for a long time now.
@Hemlock I know that slippery slope. I’ve been on it a few times. Maybe not for luxury watches but for affordable watches
@Maverick5070 i thought about buying an Omega Aqua Terra in quartz but went with the ranger instead
You're evaluating your watches based on necessity - but none of this is necessary. We all have phones that can perform all these tasks. So evaluate them for what they are - objects you enjoy. The Fossil might break, the Ranger might break, your basement might flood - there is nothing to this other than your enjoyment of them. If the Tudor is making you happy then it's doing its job.
The Tudor will last the rest of your life unlike the Fossil albeit unforseen disasters changing the situation. Your dead along time . Enjoy the Tudor and stop agonising over the purchase . If it bothers you sell some other stuff . 🙂
More expensive does not necessarily equal last longer. More expensive mechanical watch would require more care and maintenance than a beater quartz. With cheaper mechanical watch you don't even worry about maintenance, simply get a new watch if it breaks.
If durability is your concern, then get a g-shock and enjoy it. Otherwise enjoy that beautiful Tudor!
This is somewhat of a hot button topic for me, and here is why. You can make just about any decent quality item last a long time with regular maintenance. That maintenance requires parts supply; many companies are now cutting off parts supply after 7-10 years! The really high end brands tend to keep parts supply going for a much longer time, which allows a watch that is maintained to have a longer useful life.
You are likely to be able to get parts for your Tudor for a long time, probably not the case for the Fossil or Seiko or Tag Heuer for example.
See how that went right off the rails?
Unfortunately, it is the truth.
You will always be able to source a Seiko movement down the line. One of the safest choices IMO, even though the watchmaker might not be able to get the movement straight from the manufacturer.
I think along the same lines when it comes to Swiss watches with well known third party movements 😊
The more unique the movement is the harder the long term maintenance will be. So anything with basic Seiko, Citizen or ETA/Sellita movements will be some of the best forever-watches I think 😊 Just my two cents. I don't think you will run into problems with the Ranger either. There is always parts to be sourced and maybe 3D printing will be a big part of future watch maintenance?
I think the answer to that question is "only if you look after them". Even a basic €100 automatic watch can last a lifetime if you are prepared to spend some cash on a service now and again.
In my own experience 2 Tissots have lasted a decade and they are still going strong. I don’t particularly baby my watches too much. Haven’t had a single complaint with these so far.
I don't think your purchase was stupidity, You have the disease like most of us here!, I constantly feel I have to spend a little out of my comfort zone to get what I truly desire, as I get older I'm getting fussier and I want better build quality,..do I think luxury will last longer?, probably as you are more likely to treasure it.
Definitely no mistake getting the Tudor Ranger. Superb choice.
Thanks @all. I tend to I over think things. As said above if I like it keep it and it not sell it.
Just face it. We all wouldn’t be on this site looking at and reading about other folks (guys and girls) watches if we didn’t luv this stuff. We absolutely don’t need any of this time pieces really. It’s about our desire to own and admiration of quality engineered timepieces. Be they mechanical or quartz. Expensive or cheap. Doesn’t matter to me. I just like watches. There is no real way to justify owning these today, other than we like them.
You will always be able to source a Seiko movement down the line. One of the safest choices IMO, even though the watchmaker might not be able to get the movement straight from the manufacturer.
I think along the same lines when it comes to Swiss watches with well known third party movements 😊
Crowns, Bezels, Crystals, Bracelet parts can be difficult to get. And, on some old Seikos movement parts have dried up and there is little choice but to find another and cannibalize it.
I think for mechanical watches especially affordable ones I think the issue is finding a decent watch maker that can service the watch without charging an arm or a leg.
Crowns, Bezels, Crystals, Bracelet parts can be difficult to get. And, on some old Seikos movement parts have dried up and there is little choice but to find another and cannibalize it.
How old are those movements where the individual parts have become scarce?
Pocket watches are in this territory and have been for how long?
All machines get to this point. If it is a sufficient timeframe, we can buy a watch new and then consider it repairable for us and maybe our kids.
But, considering how technology has made it so my childhood and my teen's are essentially unrecognizable in comparison (and his childhood and his kids' might be even more so), does it matter?
Considering the number of working 80 year old Swiss jobbers I own, the answer is yes, if they are looked after, and no if they are not.
Crowns, Bezels, Crystals, Bracelet parts can be difficult to get. And, on some old Seikos movement parts have dried up and there is little choice but to find another and cannibalize it.
True! But the canibal lifestyle is the way og most real old watches.. I still think my statement is true. Common watches and common movements are usually repairable.
I think the answer to that question is "only if you look after them". Even a basic €100 automatic watch can last a lifetime if you are prepared to spend some cash on a service now and again.
Agree, I have a vintage Seiko from 1967, serviced it once in the 48 years I've owned it and it is keeping decent time and still looks pretty good!
How old are those movements where the individual parts have become scarce?
Pocket watches are in this territory and have been for how long?
All machines get to this point. If it is a sufficient timeframe, we can buy a watch new and then consider it repairable for us and maybe our kids.
But, considering how technology has made it so my childhood and my teen's are essentially unrecognizable in comparison (and his childhood and his kids' might be even more so), does it matter?
It is impossible to get parts for lets say Seiko 6159 or 6217 movments, those are 60's & 70's era watches. I had to buy parts watches and cannibalize them in order to keep mine running.
I've had a Rolex Date ref 15000 since 1987. Still going strong. Serviced twice. Crazy accurate. It will be passed on to my son and no doubt keep going for the next generation.
It is impossible to get parts for lets say Seiko 6159 or 6217 movments, those are 60's & 70's era watches. I had to buy parts watches and cannibalize them in order to keep mine running.
So for most people, buying a watch with a common movement in their 30's or 40's (even in their 20's), it should be able to be serviced their whole life.
So for most people, buying a watch with a common movement in their 30's or 40's (even in their 20's), it should be able to be serviced their whole life.
I should hope so, especially the watches that represent a significant investment.
I purchased a 2002 Seamaster 300 Pro in 2002, sold it 2021… Biggest watch mistake except one other🤦♂ However, the OMS never missed a beat with almost daily wear over the 19 years. Quality is was you pay for. The Ranger will out live you.
That fact that you got 20 years out of a Fossil is quite remarkable. A mechanical luxury timepiece should last forever if it is serviced regularly and looked after properly. Watches are like cars. If you garage them, keep them well-maintained, and look after them they will last forever. Luxury watches (except for quartz, which is mostly not serviceable) should also last if it is from a reputable brand like Rolex, Omega or Patek for example. I have a good friend that has an Omega pocket watch from his Great Grandfather that is from the mid-1920s (almost 100 years old) it works like new and is in amazing condition because he keeps it maintained and uses it regularly. If you buy quality it will last. Tudor should not be any different. They are well made tough and robust and will also last if you service them regularly and look after them.
Thanks all. A lot of good points have been made. I am still on the fence. This has given me more to think about.