There is no beating around the bush – watches are notoriously expensive. However – here at Uniform Wares – we’re qualified to provide you with the best tips and tricks on how to save money when buying a watch.
Watches may have a certain high-class reputation that conjures images of the red carpet, glamorous casinos, James Bond (a film character used for watch product placement many a time). There is probably a chance you think a decent watch isn’t for someone at your wage level. You might feel like you’re destined to buy knock-off watches every year (a year tends to be the life expectancy for those) for the rest of your life.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. A nice watch is more than a tool that tells the time; it is a meticulously crafted piece of hardware. Like perfume, cologne, or body art, it is an expression of your personality.
This isn’t just a luxury for rich people. Don’t get us wrong, it may be a big parting of cash to begin with – but it’s such a worthy investment. It’s an investment that will stop you spending £20 on a new watch ever again. Not only that, but you’ll have an intricate piece of equipment (what some would call a piece of art) on your wrist. You might not call these cheap watches per se, but we’re here to help the process as cheap as possible.
You should check out our articles on how to clean your watch and how to insure it. But for now, let’s get step one out of the way – buying your beautiful new timepiece without breaking the bank.
1) Look At Sales!
This seems obvious, and it might be a bit late now that the January sales are pretty much over, but sales really are your friend when it comes to savings. And yes, this involves a typically classy item like a watch. If you’re impatient, that’s fine, but if you really don’t want to break the bank then it might be worth waiting for the sales season.
After Christmas is a good time, because not only are there January sales, but there is a chance you have some vouchers to spend. However, it’s unlikely you’ll have lots of money after the holiday season. There are plenty of other sales that don’t come straight after a money-draining holiday. The mid summer sales, and of course the notorious Black Friday sales.
There are plenty of places that sell watches at a cheaper price during sale season, including Uniform Wares.
2) Opt for a Quartz
This is a personal choice (as we’ve said, watches are a very personal expression), but quartz watches tend to be a lot cheaper than mechanical ones. Not only this, but a quartz watch doesn’t require much servicing – a battery change every couple of years or so is all you’ll need. A mechanical watch, on the other hand, will cost around a hundred pounds for a servicing – possibly every year. To top it all off, quartz technology is far more accurate than that of mechanical watches.
You might be wondering, then, why people choose a mechanical watch in the first place. There are two reasons for this. The first is that while quartz watches do last a while, it is unlikely that they’ll last a lifetime. A decent mechanical watch certainly will, and there’s a chance it could last a few generations. The second reason is the craftsmanship behind a mechanical watch. They are such sophisticated devices, with so much effort, nuance, and micromechanical engineering involved in the crafting. Mechanical watches are for the true watch enthusiasts, but there is nothing wrong with opting for a cheap watch via the quartz route – especially if it’s your first proper purchase.
3) Shop Preowned
Another no-brainer, but a second hand watch will be cheaper than a new one. There’s a chance you want something new, and a second hand watch is less personal, but there’s no denying that a second hand will often save you money.
Of course this isn’t always the case; there are plenty of luxury brands that actually increase in value over the years. (so if you have the money, why not make an investment!)
As with every big purchase, it is always worth doing some research first. Understand how good of a deal you are getting first – you don’t want to get cheated by a used watch dealer!
4) Other Options: Just the Strap
There are plenty of other things you can do if you really can’t break the bank at the moment, but crave a new flavor of watch. One idea is to simply replace your strap with another. It might not be an entirely new timepiece, but a new strap can reinvigorate your watch considerably.
There is also the possibility that you really can’t afford a decent new watch, but a strap isn’t completely out of your range. In which case, buy a cheap knock-off watch (just for now) but get a decent strap with it. There are plenty of straps here at Uniform Wares that would make even the ugliest watch face look classy. Ever notice how when you buy a cheap watch, the strap always goes first? Well, here is your answer.
Summary
To summarize, a watch can be a significant financial investment, but there are ways to lessen the burden on your bank account! Make sure you read through our guide carefully to make sure you’re utilizing all the tips and tricks you need, and check out our blog post on how to shop for pre-owned watches!