Over the past few years, many women have discovered watches as an integral part of their look and have started creating their own watch collections. If you are one of those who has been bitten by the watch collecting bug and are already buying watches but want to boost your collection to rival other women watch lovers, we’ve got a few tips for you.

1. Set your budget.
The very first thing to think about when starting a watch collection is your budget. Obviously, you will be paying more money for watches with small complications, watches with big names (such as a Cartier Ballon Bleu), or watches with more diamonds or gemstones than for a basic timepiece, such as a TAG Heuer, Movado or Baume & Mercier.

2. Diversify your watch style.
Every basic watch collection should consist of four to six essential timepieces, which, if you’re a seasoned collector, you probably already have covered. Those include at least a couple of good everyday work watches; a sporty weekender that reflects your activities or hobbies; and a nice dress watch maybe even with some diamonds.

When you’re ready to graduate into a more serious collector, experts suggest punching up your watch wardrobe with some variety. For instance, if you already have several watches for daytime, such as a three-hand from Omega or a Rolex Datejust, consider adding a bolder, less classic look to your repertoire. (Variety is the spice of life, after all.) A Cartier Roadster is a fun choice or even the Bulgari Serpenti watch, where the coil bracelet of the snake watch wraps around your wrist.

Similarly, if you have several strap watches, explore the concept of adding a colorful watch strap or bracelet watches, with particular attention to two-tones and mesh.

3. Invest in rare and unique women’s watches.
Many watch experts advise collectors to look to certain genres or styles of watches that tend to keep their value over time. These include “panda” and “reverse panda” chronograph dials (black dial, white subdials or the opposite combination); military-inspired watches (like the smaller and divine Rolex Air-King); certain dive watches from the big names like Omega and Rolex. If you are shopping second-hand (which you should be and see below for more) you may even find a nice steel and gold Patek Philippe smaller sized watch, or a great rectangular reversible Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. Additionally, women’s watches with special dials or special gemstone settings are a nice genre to invest in and wear.

Alternatively, some collectors prefer to focus on certain brands that seem to be more likely to appreciate in value. Good brands to invest in include the top names already mentioned, as well as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Girard-Perregaux.

Don’t be afraid to buy from a newer, smaller, independent watch brand, either, as they tend to be more creative in their products and are starting to hold their own in terms of resale value.

4. Expand your collection and watch knowledge with watch complications.
Generally, when starting a watch collection, most women play it safe and buy simple three-hand watches and date watches. But to really branch out and build a robust collection, add some complications that suit your lifestyle. If you love to jog, invest in a chronograph, such as Audemars Piguet’s women’s Royal Oak Offshore with rubber clad strap, to time those laps. If you are a busy world traveler, look to the dual time zone watches, world timers and GMTs that are functional and easy to use. For instance, Jacob & Co. has some wonderful Five Time Zone watches bedecked in diamonds.

At the high end of the price spectrum, consider a perpetual calendar watch from a brand like Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. Or go for the gold and invest in a watch with a tourbillon escapement (that compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity on the watch when the wrist is in certain positions). Owning these complications boosts the value of your collection and effectively demonstrates your watch knowledge and passion.

5. Forgo paying full retail and buy second-hand and vintage.
The smartest and easiest way to build a strong collection chocked with variety and complexity is to buy second-hand from a reliable source, like TrueFacet. Look to see if the watch has been inspected and if it comes with a warranty or guarantee. Read the return policies, and, most important, the re-sale policies – because let’s face it: you may want to trade up as you go along.

The key to remember with each and every watch purchase, though, is that personal taste comes first. There is no right or wrong; you choose your own style.

 

Main image by Lydia Elise Millen.

While all Rolex watches have luxury appeal, there are a few models that out from the pack, achieving new levels of extravagance. We take an in-depth look at four of the most luxurious Rolex models and collections.

1. Rolex Everose Yacht-Master

At Baselworld 2015, Rolex unveiled two new versions of the Yacht-Master that were quite a departure from the collection’s pre-existing models. Not only were the new Yacht-Masters crafted in Everose, a proprietary, top-secret pink gold alloy crafted in Rolex’s foundry, but they also came equipped with a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel and a black Oysterflex rubber strap.

Tailored for both men and women, the Everose Yacht-Master is available in two sizes, 40mm and 37mm, and are the first references in the collection that sport a ceramic bezel. Rolex actually developed and patented the Cerachrom bezel which was designed to endure extreme environments and be impervious to scratches. On the Everose Yacht-Master, the matte black rotating Cerachrom bezel with 60-minute markers strikes a sharp contrast to the warm rosy shade of the gold case.

The Oysterflex bracelet was another innovation for Rolex. Unlike every other rubber strap, Rolex’s patented Oysterflex bracelet (not a strap!) is a two-piece titanium bracelet coated in black rubber. The Yacht-Master is also outfitted with Rolex’s Triplock winding crown so the watch is water-resistant up to 330 feet (100 meters).

2. Rolex Sky-Dweller

The Sky-Dweller debuted in 2012 and featured cutting-edge technical innovations by Rolex, including 14 patents. The Rolex Sky-Dweller ranks as one of Rolex’s most complicated timepieces, boasting a trio of center hands, a second time zone, a 24-hour disc, an annual calendar and a month indicator. It’s the quintessential globetrotter’s luxury watch built to keep track of precise date and time no matter the location or destination.

Aside from its technical capabilities, the Sky-Dweller also sports a bold look thanks to the combination of its large size, complex dial and the use of signature Rolex design details. Its 42mm Oyster case is made of 18K gold with a choice of yellow, white or Everose pink. The case is topped with a fluted bezel and the Roman numerals on the dial are accompanied by rectangles, which show red depending on the month of the year. The 24-hour disc sits off-center on the dial, while the date window at 3 o’clock is magnified by the iconic Cyclops lens.

3. Rolex Day-Date

Commonly known as the Rolex President, the Day-Date is by far the brand’s most prestigious timepiece. It gained its nickname for two reasons: upon its 1956 release, it was outfitted with a special rounded three-link bracelet named the President bracelet, and, because of its prestige, the Day-Date became a favorite watch for heads-of-states around the world including President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Only ever made in 18K gold or platinum, the Day-Date was actually the first wristwatch to bear the date of the month and day of the week written in full on the dial. It has enjoyed a rich history within the Rolex catalog with numerous iterations over the years.

Three sizes of the Rolex Day-Date exist. The traditional 36mm size was supplemented with the Day-Date II model in 2008 that donned a 41mm case. The Day-Date II was eventually discontinued and replaced with the 40mm sized Day-Date 40 in 2015.

4. Rolex Pearl-Master

Introduced in 1992, the Pearl-Master is Rolex’s jewelry watch collection. The eponymous Pearl-Master bracelet is characterized by its curvy five-link structure that wears like a piece of jewelry. Available in a variety of sizes from 29mm to 34mm to 39mm, it’s easy to find the perfect fit.

Uniquely fashioned in 18K gold, the beauty of the Pearl-Master shines through due to its exquisite gem-setting. Gem-setting options on the Pearl-Master range from subtle sprinklings of diamonds to full gem-encrusted dials, cases and bracelets using a mix of diamonds, rubies and sapphires. In addition to precious stones, the Rolex Pearl-Master also carries a rich choice of dial colors and materials such as mother-of-pearl.

In true Rolex fashion, the Pearl-Master is always paired with a date window and corresponding Cyclops lens affixed to the sapphire crystal protecting the face of the watch.