Which brands are considered luxury watchmakers?
There is no official list. The best-known luxury watch brands include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, A. Lange & Söhne, Cartier, Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Breguet and Richard Mille. Most are based in Switzerland, while A. Lange & Söhne manufactures in Glashütte, Saxony, and Grand Seiko in Japan. They all share a high proportion of handwork and generally produce their own watch movements.
When is a watch considered a luxury watch?
There is no fixed criterion. A watch is usually considered a luxury watch when several factors come together: a high-quality, usually mechanical movement, fine materials such as gold, platinum or titanium, elaborate hand-finishing and origin from an established watch manufacturer.
Which luxury watch is suitable for beginners?
For your first luxury watch, a versatile stainless steel model with an automatic movement that you can wear every day is a good choice, such as a diver's watch or a simple three-hand watch with a date display. Typical candidates come from Tudor, Omega, Rolex, Cartier or Grand Seiko. More important than the brand name is that the size and style suit your wrist and everyday life. Pre-owned watches also add references that are no longer produced to the selection.
Where can I safely buy luxury watches online?
Look for a dealer that clearly states the reference, condition and scope of delivery for each watch, verifies its authenticity and is available to answer questions. At Marc Gebauer, this information is provided in the watch's specifications, every watch is supplied to the shop with verified authenticity, and cryptocurrency is also accepted in addition to standard payment methods.
What should I look for when buying a pre-owned luxury watch?
First, check whether the reference and year of manufacture match the description, then the condition and scope of delivery—that is, whether the box and manufacturer's papers, a certificate of authenticity or an archive extract are included. Compare the photos with the information provided and ask questions if you notice anything. The bracelet is also worth a look, as a heavily stretched link bracelet reveals a lot about its previous use.
What makes a watch expensive?
Handwork, materials and complications are the main factors. A tourbillon or minute repeater requires many hours of work from specialist watchmakers, while gold and platinum are more costly and complex than steel, and some models are produced only in small numbers. For pre-owned watches, the condition and scope of delivery also have an impact. You can see the price of an individual piece directly on its product page.
Is Marc Gebauer an official dealer of the watch brands?
No. Marc Gebauer Lifestyle GmbH is an independent luxury watch dealer and has no business relationship with the manufacturers of the watch brands offered. The brand and reference designations are used solely to describe the watches offered.