- Since 2010
- 12 Month Warranty
- Shipping Insured
Yes, for the right watch, bought the right way. A carefully chosen luxury timepiece remains one of the few purchases you can enjoy every day while it holds much of its value over time.
Interest rates, a wobbling rand and headlines about global slowdowns have many of our valued clients asking the same question: is now the time to buy a luxury watch, or to wait? It is a fair question, and it deserves an honest answer rather than a sales pitch. Here is how we see it after more than a decade of buying, selling and trading fine timepieces.
When markets feel uncertain, people look for things that are real. A luxury watch is a physical object with a global market, a recognised brand and a price that can be checked against sales worldwide.
For South African buyers there is an added layer. Fine watches are priced and traded internationally, largely in US dollars and Swiss francs. That means a well-chosen piece is, in effect, an asset tied to global demand rather than to the local economy alone.
And unlike shares or a savings account, you get to wear it. A watch delivers its return twice: once in the pleasure of owning it, and again when you choose to sell or trade it.
The brand on the dial matters, but the reference matters more. A small group of manufactures and models has a long record of holding value, while many beautiful watches lose a large share of their price the moment they leave the boutique.
The pieces that tend to hold up share a few traits:
If resale value is part of your thinking, buy the classics first. Trends come and go; icons tend to endure.
Uncertain times often favour the buyer. After the frenzy of the early 2020s, secondary-market prices for many sought-after models have cooled and become more realistic, which opens the door to buying at sensible levels.
Buying certified pre-owned also means someone else has absorbed the initial drop in value that comes with a new purchase. You skip boutique waiting lists, gain access to discontinued references, and pay a price set by the open market rather than by scarcity alone.
In short, a calmer market is not a reason to stay away. For a patient, well-informed buyer, it can be the best time to step in.
We would be doing you a disservice if we called every watch a guaranteed investment. Prices can fall as well as rise, and the recent market correction is proof of that.
A few things to keep in mind:
Buy a watch first because you love it. If it also holds or grows its value, that is a welcome bonus.
One of the quiet strengths of owning a quality watch is that it can work for you when money is tight. With a Topwatch Cash Advance, your watch becomes a source of short-term funds without you having to part with it for good.
It is a discreet, practical option when you need liquidity quickly: to bridge a cash-flow gap, cover an unexpected expense or seize a business opportunity. Our specialists assess your watch, agree a value with you, and explain every term clearly before you commit.
In an uncertain economy, that flexibility matters. It means a well-chosen watch is not only something you enjoy and that holds its value, but an asset you can draw on when you need it most. Speak to our team for the details and to find out what your watch could unlock.
In an uncertain economy, who you buy from matters as much as what you buy. Before you commit, make sure your watch ticks these boxes:
At Topwatch, every watch is sourced from legitimate suppliers, authenticated by our watchmakers, then tested, regulated and pressure sealed before it reaches you. Each one carries a 12-Month Warranty.
Luxury watches are still worth buying in an uncertain economy, provided you choose established models, buy certified pre-owned from a trusted source, and keep realistic expectations. Done well, it is a purchase that rewards you on the wrist and on paper.
Thinking about your next piece, or wondering what your current watch is worth? Our specialists are here to guide you, whether you want to buy, sell, trade or explore a cash advance.
