Watch Buying Guides & Advice
Expert guides to help you buy, authenticate and enjoy luxury watches with confidence — from choosing your first pre-owned Rolex to understanding movements and value.
Bell & Ross Buying Guide
Where the square cockpit-instrument case came from, how the BR 01, BR 03, BR 05 and round V-series differ, and how much wrist a square watch really covers.
Tissot Buying Guide
The most accessible way into Swiss mechanical watchmaking — the PRX, Seastar, Le Locle and Gentleman collections, and what a Powermatic 80 really gives you.
Oris Buying Guide
An independent Swiss brand that makes nothing but mechanical watches — a guide to the Aquis, Divers Sixty-Five, Big Crown ProPilot and Calibre 400.
Hamilton Buying Guide
An American brand made in Switzerland — a plain-English guide to Hamilton's Khaki Field, Khaki Aviation, Jazzmaster and Ventura, and the movements inside them.
Audemars Piguet Buying Guide
The Royal Oak explained — Genta's 1972 design, Jumbo versus 41mm versus Offshore, the tapisserie dial, and what to check before buying pre-owned.
Omega Buying Guide
Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation and De Ville — what each Omega collection is for, which movements matter, and what to check when buying pre-owned.
Breitling Buying Guide
A practical guide to Breitling's pilot, diver and professional lines — what the Navitimer slide rule does, which movement you are buying, and how the cases wear.
IWC Buying Guide
The four IWC collections that matter, how to read an IWC reference number, and what to check before buying a Pilot's Watch or Portugieser pre-owned.
Patek Philippe Buying Guide
How the Patek Philippe collections fit together, what the reference suffix letters mean, and why the Extract from the Archives matters when buying pre-owned.
Panerai Buying Guide
How to read a PAM reference, tell a Luminor from a Radiomir, and work out whether a 44mm Italian dive watch will actually fit your wrist.
Longines Buying Guide
A practical guide to Longines — the Master Collection, HydroConquest, Spirit and Conquest lines, plus column-wheel chronographs and what to check before buying.
The Ultimate Dive Watch Buying Guide
The dive watch is the most versatile luxury watch you can own. Learn what makes a true diver, the features that matter, and the best picks for every budget.
How to Care for a Luxury Watch
A luxury watch can last generations with the right care. Here's how to keep yours running accurately and looking its best — servicing, water, storage and more.
Tudor vs Rolex
They share a founder and a lot of DNA — but they're aimed at different buyers. We compare Tudor and Rolex on heritage, movements, price and resale.
The Best Luxury Watches Under $5,000
You don't need a huge budget to own a genuine luxury watch. Here are the best Swiss and Japanese timepieces under $5,000 — by category and by brand.
Watch Complications Explained
Chronograph, GMT, moonphase, perpetual calendar — a plain-English guide to the complications that make luxury watches fascinating, and which are worth having.
How to Buy a Pre-Owned Luxury Watch
Everything you need to buy a pre-owned luxury watch with confidence — from setting a budget and choosing a brand to verifying authenticity and buying safely.
How to Spot a Fake Luxury Watch
Counterfeits are better than ever. Learn the ten checks specialists use to tell a genuine luxury watch from a fake — weight, movement, dial printing, serials and more.
The Best Luxury Watches for Investment
Which luxury watches actually hold and grow their value? A clear-eyed look at the blue-chip references, smart value picks, and the mistakes to avoid.
Rolex Buying Guide
From the Submariner to the Day-Date, a plain-English guide to Rolex's core collections — what each model is for, and how to choose the right one.
Omega Speedmaster vs Seamaster
Two Omega icons, two very different watches. We compare the Moonwatch and the Seamaster diver on heritage, design, movement and price to help you choose.
Watch Movements Explained
Automatic, manual, quartz, Spring Drive — what's the difference, and which is right for you? A plain-English guide to how watches keep time.