How to Invest In a Watch

Once you're ready to put your money to work, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the many, many investment options out there. But there's one that's cheaper than real estate and less volatile than the stock market (and much prettier to look at)—a wearable investment that can actually become more valuable over time.

Unlike other big purchases—say, a car or a flat-screen TV—a beautiful, well-made watch actually retains its worth and can even appreciate. Of course, not just any watch will do, and you have to treat it well if you want to see those dollar signs a few years from now. So how do pick a winner? Alan Furman of Alan Furman & Co. has been in the business of buying and selling luxury watches for over 30 years, and he has some watch-buying basics to share. Be sure that your watch meets his checklist of criteria, and you can rest assured that you're buying a Rolex that will last for years—and, with just a little bit of TLC, your ultimate investment piece will benefit your wardrobe and your future bank account.