Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We sell no watches and hold no inventory. The site is funded by affiliate links that never change our rankings. See our affiliate disclosure and editorial policy for the full picture.

Through affiliate partnerships. If you buy through some of our outbound links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not influence which products we recommend or how we rank them.

Every review follows a documented protocol: we disclose how the watch was acquired, verify specs against official sources, assess accuracy against the relevant chronometer standard, evaluate on-wrist wearability, and deliver a value verdict. Full details are on our How We Test page.

No. We never accept payment for a favourable review or ranking, and we never invent measured results or present brief hands-on time as long-term ownership. Where our access to a watch was limited, the review says so.

There is no single answer — it depends on what you value. Rolex leads on resale and availability-driven demand, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet on haute-horology prestige, and Omega on movement technology and value at retail. Our best luxury watch brands guide breaks it down.

For a buyer who can acquire one near retail and wants one versatile watch with the strongest resale floor in its class, yes. If you're paying a steep secondary-market premium purely for the name, alternatives like the Tudor Black Bay or Omega Seamaster deserve a look. See our Submariner review.

Entry models start in the few-thousand range, with popular steel sport models around $9,000–$15,000 at retail and precious-metal pieces well into the tens of thousands. Popular models often trade above retail on the secondary market. Our pricing guide has a by-collection breakdown.

For most buyers, no — most watches depreciate. A narrow set of steel-sport Rolex, Patek Nautilus and AP Royal Oak models have held or gained value, but transaction costs, illiquidity and market swings make watches a poor pure investment. Buy what you'll enjoy wearing.

Historically, steel-sport models from Rolex (Submariner, GMT-Master II, Daytona) and the icons from Patek Philippe (Nautilus) and Audemars Piguet (Royal Oak). Value retention is the exception, not the rule, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Check the smooth second-hand sweep, the cyclops date magnification, the weight, the micro-etched crown and engraved rehaut, and remember genuine Rolex casebacks are solid steel — a clear display caseback is almost always fake. For expensive purchases, use professional authentication. See our full guide.

Chrono24 is a legitimate, large watch marketplace, but it connects you with many independent sellers, so safety depends on using its Trusted Checkout/escrow service, checking seller ratings, and never paying off-platform. Our Chrono24 safety guide covers how to buy without getting burned.

COSC is the Swiss official chronometer testing institute. It certifies mechanical movements that keep time within −4/+6 seconds per day across multiple positions and temperatures. Some brands exceed it — Rolex tests to −2/+2 after casing; Omega's METAS Master Chronometer adds antimagnetic testing.

Only if you find it convenient. A winder keeps automatic watches running so you don't reset the date and complications, which is handy across a rotation — but it's a convenience, not a maintenance requirement. For a single time-only watch it's optional. See our winder guide.

Omega tends to offer more movement technology and easier availability at retail; Rolex offers stronger resale and brand liquidity. Both are excellent. Our Rolex vs Omega comparison breaks it down category by category with verdicts by buyer type.

Versatile, well-built options that hold value reasonably — a Rolex Datejust or Oyster Perpetual, an Omega Seamaster or Speedmaster, or a Tudor Black Bay for stronger value. Our best luxury watches for men guide and best-under-$10,000 roundup are good starting points.

Authorised dealers for new watches (subject to waitlists on hot models), or reputable pre-owned dealers and marketplaces with authentication and buyer protection for the secondary market. Always prioritise provenance and authentication over the lowest price.

Demand for popular steel-sport models exceeds the supply authorised dealers receive, creating waitlists and secondary-market premiums above retail. It's a deliberate scarcity dynamic, not a temporary shortage.

Use our contact page or email us. We read every message, prioritise corrections, and welcome coverage suggestions and contributor pitches from people with genuine watch expertise.